Innovation Policy Post

CCIA applauds the FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on service, technical, assignment, and licensing rules for flexible terrestrial use of spectrum currently assigned to the Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) in the 2 GHz band.  CCIA strongly urges the Commission to expedite its rulemaking process so that licensees in the 2 GHz band can move quickly to deploy their planned mobile broadband networks.

During the last weeks Europe has witnessed one of the most pronounced protests in recent years. The protests that initially started in the online world culminated in street demonstrations in dozens of European capitals and cities to manifest strong opposition to ACTA. Pushed by a general feeling of being misinformed by European leaders as well as national governments, people took their fears of curtailed fundamental freedoms to the streets. 

On March 4, Russia held a Presidential election in which Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was returned to the Presidency for a third non-consecutive term.  However, the opposition and protestors allege widespread vote fraud, and thousands rallied in Moscow the day after the election.  These mass demonstrations, and those in December around Russia’s parliamentary elections, were informed and organized by utilizing social networks and the Internet.  Once again, we see the Internet contributing to the peaceful stirrings of democracy against an authoritarian regime, and the United States Congress should do what it can to safeguard Internet freedom in Russia.  

The Internet is fundamental to this country’s economy, the media, security, education, and basic human rights, just to name a few.  The SOPA blackout on January 18, 2012 and its aftermath demonstrated participating websites’ commitment to balanced IP policy and the reliance of this country on these online resources.  Similarly, there has been growing backlash—particularly abroad—to international agreements like the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement (TPP).  These initiatives at one point seemed inevitable, and many may celebrate if the ACTA agreement ultimately fails.  A better metric for success on these and future trade agreements, however, is whether all stakeholders have a say in a transparent, participatory process.

In the global battle over the future of the Internet countries that stand for an open, dynamic web with minimal regulation and limits on free expression are increasingly under pressure from authoritative States seeking greater control over its infrastructure and content. Here is a snapshot from the front lines.

On 29th February in Geneva, the UN’s Human Rights Council (HRC), the most influential international human rights body, had a panel discussion dedicated to Internet Freedom for the first time.