A new report says the Digital Divide is widening as Internet usage grows. The Consumer Federation of America and Consumers Union said policy should be focused on people through education and making resources available to acquire computer technology. Studies indicate that lower income, older and minority households tend not to have access to information technology.
Talks between the United States and Mexico last week ended without an agreement and the U.S. is considering what action to take next in its fight with its southern neighbor over telecommunications competition. The two days of talks in Guadalajara, Mexico were part of a formal consultation period, which ends Tuesday. At RCR Wireless News press time, no new talks had been scheduled. The United States filed a complaint at the World Trade Organization in July saying that Mexico has not done enough to encourage telecom competition, especially controlling the monopolistic practices of Telefonos de Mexico (Telmex).
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit will hear two days of oral argument in the Microsoft Corp. breakup case in February. By that time, the Department of Justice-which brought the antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft-will be in the midst of a transition as a new administration settles in. Some experts believe Microsoft will be able to revamp its entire business, including the wireless unit, by the time the case is finished years from now.
The European Commission said last week that it has given its approval to the merger of AOL Corp. and Time-Warner Inc. provided that AOL sever its ties with German media giant Bertelsmann. AOL and Bertelsmann are involved in an Internet venture in France and the two own 50 percent each of AOL Europe. An independent compliance monitor will be appointed by the EC to ensure that AOL complies. The merger must still be approved by the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission.
Compiled from wire services, press releases and other sources.
