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MPAA Attempting to Limit HD Movie Recording in the Home

by Will Safer, posted Jun 9th 2008 at 11:38AMBreaking News



The Motion Picture Association of America appears to be going down a path that puts it at odds with some of goals of the digital television transition, thanks to its move to restrict the ability of digital video recorders to save high definition movies when they're first distributed via satellite, cable or even broadcast TV.

The restriction, made possible by a kind of "switch" called Selectable Output Control, is already built in to DVRs but the FCC limits when it can be used. What the MPAA wants to do is have the FCC allow its use when a movie is first released over cable but before it is available on DVD. The movie organization claims this will protect the studios, which of course have an interest in making a profit on these releases. It claims that if people can record high definition copies of movies, then they will be less likely to buy hi-def copies on disc when they come out, or even share the hi-def copies from their DVRs.

Consumer advocacy groups, such as the Home Recording Rights Coalition (HRRC), say this kind of restriction, if allowed, will be a slippery slope that could lead to even greater interference with consumers' ability to record and watch content.

This, the HRRC says, could make the transition to DTV less appealing to consumers, which runs counter to the FCC's stated goals for consumer adoption of the hi-def technology.

Adding to the burgeoning controversy over the proposed restriction plan is the speed with which the MPAA's mission is being considered by the FCC. It rings a bit of insider manipulation, since one of the MPAA's lawyers in the matter is a former FCC commissioner.

So, could this lead to an unfair, or at least discouraging limit put upon consumers' ability to enjoy and record hi-def content? On the plus side, hi-def content could be distributed even sooner after theatrical release to consumers' homes. On the negative side, it could put restrictions in place that would make the experience a bit less than satisfying. [Source: Ars Technica]
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FCC Considering Plan for Free Nationwide Wi-Fi

by Blake Besharian, posted May 31st 2008 at 10:10AMBreaking News


As the FCC auctions off an unused spectrum of airwaves, the winner may be forced to provide free wireless internet for most of the country. No date or terms for the auction have been set, but the government's deal requires that free service on the 25 MHz spectrum reaches at least half the in five years and 95 percent within ten years. The agreement, proposed by FCC chairman Kevin Martin, also stipulates that the bidder must filter out obscene content for allowing the winner to use the remaining portion of the spectrum for commercial purposes.


"We're hoping there will be increased interest in the proposal; and because this will provide wireless broadband services to more Americans, it is certainly something we want to see," said FCC spokesman Rob Kenny.

CTIA, the principal trade group for wireless companies, is unenthusiastic about the proposal, taking issue with the provision that the service must be free. Prior to this proposal, there has been little interest in this portion of the spectrum, as wireless carriers preferred the 700MHz airwaves auctioned a few months ago.

A startup company called M2Z previously asked to use the airwaves for free, providing free wireless with a content filter and garnering revenue from advertising that would be shared with the government. The FCC turned M2Z down, saying the company needed to bid against other carriers, but Martin's proposal is very similar. The next step is a June 12th meeting where more details are expected to be hammered out. [Source: AP Business and Yahoo! News]

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Engadget Mobile

National SMS Alert System Closer to Reality

by Chris Ziegler, posted Apr 9th 2008 at 9:46PM

The FCC is expected to get real with a nationwide SMS-based alert system on Wednesday, revealing the details of a program that will likely be adopted by all four national carriers in the US -- and very likely, we'd assume, most of the regionals as well. The program will be designed to send messages to in-the-know subscribers in the event of a natural disaster, attack, or child abduction, and naturally, folks will be able to opt out if they prefer the "ignorance is bliss" approach.

The system is also apparently going to feature specific provisions requiring participating carriers to make sure disabled users can get the alert via special vibration or audiable alerts, though it's not clear how those will differ from the vibrates and beeps the rest of the populace receives.

If all goes well, carriers who opt to implement the system will have to have it running within 10 months, so we'll finally be able to get that "OMG TRNDO" text we've always wanted to receive.

From Phone Scoop (via Engadget)

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Clear Channel Pushing For Restrictions In Sirius / XM Merger

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Mar 25th 2008 at 3:19PM

Clear Channel Pushing for Restrictions in Sirius / XM Merger
The Department of Justice approved the controversial merger between Sirius and XM Satellite radio yesterday. Now it's the FCC's turn to take a shot at the only two satellite radio providers in the country, which aim to become one monopolistic company.

Clear Channel is taking the unprecedented step of pressuring the FCC for stricter enforcement of decency standards, specifically making them applicable to satellite broadcasts. Currently satellite radio is not subject to the same standards that govern terrestrial radio broadcasts and television. In 2004 Clear Channel, the largest conglomerate of radio stations in the U.S., was slapped with well over half a million dollars in fines for indecent and started pressuring shock jock Howard Stern to clean up his act. Stern found a new audience Sirius, and now it seems that Clear Channel is looking to extract revenge on the satellite radio industry for stealing away one of its prime properties.

Among the qualifiers Clear Channel is seeking for the merger are the enforcement of decency standards for satellite broadcasts, opening up part of the satellite radio spectrum for a possible commercial competitor, five percent of the spectrum being set aside for public interest uses, and that the new unified Sirius / XM Satellite Radio be forced to integrate HD radio technology into its receivers, which Clear Channel is an investor in.

We find it quite interesting that Clear Channel is perfectly willing to support decency standards and public interest reforms... at least for its competitors.

From Ars Technica and AOL News

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Justice Department Approves XM / Sirius Merger

by Thomas Houston, posted Mar 24th 2008 at 4:46PM

Following a year of review, the U.S. Department of Justice just announced that it will allow the merger of XM and Sirius, the two leading U.S. satellite radio providers. Interestingly, the Department of Justice does not see the merger as anti-competitive. Engadget explains:

The deciding factor appeared to be the proprietary hardware needed to receive both XM and Sirius; since consumers who shell out aren't likely to switch, the DOJ doesn't think the marketplace is all that competitive to begin with, which makes the impact of a merger relatively small. In fact, the DOJ says the merger could actually benefit consumers, who might see lower prices as the result of more efficient operations, broader programming options, and faster rollouts of new technology.

Although the Justice Department's decision is important, the merger won't happen without the approval of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) -- the next stage in the process.

From Engadget and CNN


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Google Bidding To Enter Wireless Business

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Nov 30th 2007 at 3:33PM

Google Attempting to Enter the Wireless BusinessThe rumors have been circulating for months now, and this morning Google announced that it has applied to take part in the auction of wireless bandwidth freed up by the FCC. Considering its furious lobbying for open access requirements, it would be sort of bizarre if Google sat this one out.

Following broadcast television's switch to digital, a large chunk of wireless spectrum was opened up and is set to be auctioned off by the FCC. Google and others view this as an opportunity for another player to enter the wireless provider market. Google won many concessions from the FCC on the wireless spectrum, including the requirement that the winning bidder allow any device to be used on the spectrum and that there be no restriction on the type of software or data used on the new network.

Google is expected to face steep competition from Verizon and AT&T for a chunk of the newly open wireless spectrum. What exactly Google plans to do with the spectrum is unknown. Google could build out their own cell phone and data network and try to compete directly with AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, which would pair quite nicely with its new mobile OS initiative, Android. Or, Google could simply serve as a wholesale provider, selling spectrum to other companies to provide service and devices to consumers.

We won't hear much else from Google or anyone else about the auction, as the rules limit the amount and type of information that can be shared until the auction is complete -- which could be as late as March of 2008. If you just have to know, you can follow any available public information at this FCC website.

From the Official Google Blog

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FCC Warns of Fake Do Not Call Registry E-Mail

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Oct 16th 2007 at 1:50PM

FCC Warns of Fake Do Not Call Registry E-Mail
You've probably seen it -- it's an e-mail going around that claims all cell phone numbers are about to be released to telemarketers. According to the e-mail, the only way to avoid getting cold calls about switching your long distance carrier on your mobile is to register your phone number with the federal government's Do Not Call Registry.

The FCC has been quick to point out, however, that this is simply not true. In fact, it is illegal for most telemarketers to call any mobile phone, so registering your cell with the Do Not Call Registry is simply unnecessary. (The law stipulates that companies can't use auto-dialers to call cell phones, pagers, or any other service where the recipient would have to pay for the call.) Since most telemarketers use auto-dialers, they are generally unable to pester you on your mobile with out facing legal consequences.

The FCC has no idea where the e-mails are originating from, or why anyone would want to send such a scam, especially since nothing bad happens -- no opportunity for financial gain, no harvesting of phone numbers -- if you do actually register your mobile number on the site. It's a pointless scam! And yet, we guess the FCC is saving all of us from the extra stress we might get from worrying about missing the mobile Do Not Call registry deadline.

From USA Today

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FCC to Let You Use Your Cell Phone with Any Carrier

by Tim Stevens, posted Aug 1st 2007 at 8:10AM

FCC Freeing Wireless AccessBummed that the iPhone only works with AT&T networks? So is the FCC, amazingly enough, and the regulating body is taking some steps to ensure that sort of thing won't happen for much longer. The FCC is taking bids on some new frequencies that wireless providers like AT&T and Sprint are expected to want. There's nothing particularly new in that, but this time there's a catch: Bidders for the given frequencies would be required to let subscribers to use any phone and any software they like.

These provisions, sponsored by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, would mean that the AT&T iPhone exclusivity deal would effectively be illegal if AT&T were to use that frequency for the device. Additionally, Apple would no longer be able to force you to use their software, it would instead have to let you install anything you like.

This all sounds nice, and this is an interesting step by the FCC to ensure the openness of frequencies that are sold to private companies, but it's unlikely that major wireless corporations with huge investments to protect will be reined in by some silly provision. And, if they are, expect to pay a lot more for the privilege. Europeans, after all, pay $500 or more for most phones, but they can use them with any carrier. We Americans get our free and heavily-discounted phones thanks to heavy subsidies by the carriers, which are willing to help out financially in exchange for your two-year commitment.

And then there's the issue of different networks. In Europe, everything works on GSM, so your phone will work with any carrier -- literally. In the U.S., AT&T and T-Mobile are on the GSM, while Verizon and Sprint are on CDMA. This means that any "unlocked" phone you might buy in the U.S. will likely only work with either the first two carriers or the latter two carriers -- not all four.

And you thought the iPhone was already too expensive ...

How about you? Would you rather pay more for a phone you can use with any (or more than one) carrier, or are you okay with a two-year contract in exchange for a less expensive phone?

From 'USA Today'

[UPDATE: Thanks for the correction, Carol!]

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High-Def Radio = Low-Def Audio?

by Tim Stevens, posted Mar 30th 2007 at 9:05AM


Say it ain't so, FCC. Apparently the latest HD radios, which claim to offer "the kind of sound that was previously reserved for your HDTV, CD system or MP3 player", actually do a worse job of performing the simple task of picking up radio signals than even a cheap shower radio. It seems that when they do pick up a station the sound is good, but they have such crummy tuners that for the time being you're far better off just sticking with your current analog AM/FM soundbox. It shouldn't be too long until higher quality HD offerings come along, but by that time all the fuss surrounding the Sirius and XM merger may very well have settled down, leaving satellite radio with its five years of public availability as the more tried and tested option.

From Engadget (via MP3 newswire)
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