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FCC Proposes Nationwide Broadband Interoperable Public Safety Network

The FCC Wednesday adopted a Ninth Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes a national interoperable broadband spectrum in the 700 MHz band that would have a centralized approach to maximize public safety access. In addition, the initiative seeks to promote the deployment of advanced broadband applications, related radio technologies, and modern, IP-based system architecture.

“I believe this proposal could offer many public safety benefits,” said Chairman Kevin J Martin. “Many national and local public safety organizations have expressed support for a public-private partnership approach for a single, national licensee to achieve an interoperable public safety broadband network in the context of other public safety proposals.” The proposals contained in this item are designed to meet the following public safety objectives:

1. opportunities for broadband, national, interoperable use of 700 MHz spectrum;
2. new sources of funding for the build-out and operation of the national public safety network;
3. economies of scale and scope in production and competition in supply to maximize cost effectiveness;
4. efficient spectrum use;
5. network robustness and survivability; and
6. flexible, modern IP-based wireless system architecture.

first published week of:   01/05/2007

Georgia moves to make phishing a crime

The Georgia Senate is considering a bill that would make “phishing” illegal, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. But since phishing is nothing but fraud over email, it's surely already illegal. No matter. Perhaps the practice can be stemmed by making online fraud more heavily punished. Under Senate Bill 24, any person in Georgia who intentionally violates the law would be guilty of a felony and could serve between one and 20 years in prison and pay a fine between $1,000 and $500,000.

Details Here: government.zdnet.com/?p=2873&tag=nl.e550

first published week of:   02/02/2007

GPS Law to Protect Domestic Violence Victims in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey Wednesday hailed the signing of legislation that authorizes courts to require domestic abusers who violate existing restraining orders to wear a GPS tracking device. These devices will automatically notify the authorities and the victims should an offender enter geographic “exclusion zones” set by the court. Offenders with the financial means will also be responsible for the expense of the GPS bracelet, which is estimated to cost $10 per person per day.

“This law leverages the power of technology to provide a much-needed new level of protection to victims of domestic abuse, too many of whom continue to be victimized even after successfully obtaining a restraining order against their abusers,” said Healey. “Today in Massachusetts, scores of victims are driven from their homes, their jobs -- from their lives -- by batterers who repeatedly violate existing court orders. This new ability to exclude offenders from areas frequented by the victims will not only protect them from further abuse, it will give them their lives back.”

Details Here: www.govtech.net/magazine/channel_story.php/103129

first published week of:   01/22/2007

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