Here’s something to ponder: Is the FBI to blame for the current CALEA fiasco, as the wireless industry has long claimed? Or does this rather serious controversy reflect the wireless industry’s failure to negotiate a better deal when the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act was hammered out four years ago?
Looking at the evidence, it appears that it’s some of both. Taking a page from the Baby Bell post-telecom-act playbook, wireless carriers may be trying to accomplish through litigation what they didn’t in legislation.
… PCIA and CTIA may be on same page on CALEA, but not so on E911/federal land antenna siting. Word on street last week had CTIA miffed about lack of PCIA support on the Tauzin-McCain draft.
… Wireless carriers win a battle, but not necessarily the war with resellers. A federal appeals court last week affirmed a 1994 FCC ruling that deferred action on resale interconnection rights. The ruling did not go to the merits of a pending legal challenge on that issue. The bottom line: FCC and courts are still procrastinating on wireless resale and interconnection policies.
… Viva Castro and cell phones! Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, thumbing his noise at the Clinton administration, arrived in Havana recently to strengthen economic ties with Cuba. Sherritt International, a Canadian firm, has a major Cuban presence with cellular phones, nickel mining, farming and tourism.
… Don’t mess with Bill. FCC Chairman Kennard cracks down on slamming, cramming and New York cabbies on illegal CB channels. Spamming is next.
… Or with Jo Waldron. Look for hearing access complaint this week against Nokia and in the coming weeks possibly against Ericsson, Motorola and others.
… Dick Smith, 35-year vet of the FCC, will take flight to Tennessee the end of June as chief of Office of Engineering. For what: Gone Fishing.
Dale Hatfield, chief techie in Office of Plans and Policy, will succeed. Excellent choice.
… Seriously though, Edward M. Johnson, of Crossville, Tenn., believes he’s the white knight who will put Pocket Communications Inc. back on its feet.
… At lightning speed. NTIA is apparently just getting around to seriously considering whether the 1996 FCC RF exposure standard should govern fed agencies with radio communications or whether it should cave to the Pentagon, FAA and others that support IEEE-ANSI guidelines the FCC originally planned to adopt before cowering to EPA Czaress Carol Browner.
… On a lighter note. So there’s Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) listening to warnings about Y2K Armageddon and the potential impact on fed agencies. Then with a Cheshire Cat-like smile, he comments no one probably would mind if the IRS shut down. So there.
