2/7. The Senate Commerce Committee (SCC) held a hearing titled "Net Neutrality". Senators offered arguments in support of, or against, a Congressional network neutrality mandate. Senators also discussed pending, and soon to be introduced, bills.

Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK), the Chairman of the Committee, wrote in his opening statement that "How we decide the issue will determine whether cable companies and the telephone companies can generate the revenue needed to justify billions of dollars in investment to deploy fiber and upgrade existing broadband networks. It will also determine whether the Internet remains a free marketplace of ideas with no gatekeeper and free of interference or private regulation."

Sen. Stevens (at right) also spoke with reporters after the hearing. He said that he expects that Senate to enact a telecom bill this year, and that he hopes that the SCC will report a bill in March. He added that he welcomes the introduction of bills by Senators because these bills reflect their thinking on this topic.

He also stated that any bill must address universal service reform. However, he did not specify what the universal service provisions should state, including whether or not the concept of universal service should be expanded beyond the equivalent of dial tone service.

Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR) used much of his time to discuss and question witnesses regarding universal service.

The SCC will hold a hearing on Tuesday, February 28, at 10:00 AM, titled "USF Contributions". See, notice. The SCC will hold a second hearing on February 28, at 2:30 PM, titled "USF Distribution". See, notice.

Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI), the ranking Democrat on the SCC, did not participate in the hearing. However, he wrote in a statement that "Despite the FCC's efforts to establish Internet freedoms through its recently released Policy Statement, its classification of broadband services has called into question the FCC's authority to prevent unfair discrimination by broadband network operators."

See, the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Policy Statement [3 pages in PDF] regarding network neutrality. The FCC announced this Policy Statement on August 5, 2005. See, story titled "FCC Adopts a Policy Statement Regarding Network Neutrality" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,190, August 8, 2005. The FCC released the text of the Policy Statement on September 23, 2005. See, story titled "FCC Releases Policy Statement Regarding Internet Regulation" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,221, September 26, 2005.

See also, the FCC's Report and Order and FNPRM that classified wireline broadband internet access services as information services. This brought these services, including DSL service, out from under the Title II regulatory regime. The FCC adopted this R&O on August 5, 2005. See, story titled "FCC Classifies DSL as Information Service" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,190, August 8, 2005. The FCC released the text [133 pages in PDF] of this item on September 23, 2005.

Sen. Inouye added that "According to recent press reports, network operators are planning to charge application providers additional fees for access to their broadband networks. This is ample cause for concern."

He wrote that "The question is, how will we respond?" He provided no response to his rhetorical question.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) is a former member of the SCC. He testified as a witness in favor of a Congressionally mandated network neutrality principle. He also provided the most detailed statement of a pro network neutrality position of any Senator involved with the hearing.

He read a prepared statement. He wrote that "Powerful interests who own the pipes and access to the Internet are trying to break the Net. These special interests want to expand their control over Internet access to the limitless world of content ..."

Sen. Wyden (at left) continued that "At present, consumers use the high speed access to the Net that they have paid for to visit whatever content they want, whenever they want without having to worry about having a cable company or a phone company interfering with their use of the Net. Some of these cable and phone companies are trying to discriminate in the delivery of content. They are saying that instead of making available to everyone the same content at the same price, they want to set up sweetheart arrangements to play favorites."

"This is a fundamental shift in the way the Internet works. Small start up companies and scores of others have been able to start small and dream big because every user has had equal access to all websites. I want to keep it that way", said Wyden.

He announced that "I will shortly introduce legislation that will make sure all information is made available on the same terms so that no bit is better than another one. First, it will assure that information from a company like J. Crew is not treated worse than information from a company like LL Bean. Second, it will ensure that a company like Comcast that offers Internet access does not give preferential treatment to its own information bits compared to information bits from another company, like Yahoo. Third, broadband service providers should not be able to create private networks that are superior to the Internet access they offer consumers generally."

He argued that "These principles would prevent Internet access providers from tipping the competitive advantage toward their own services, such as phone calls over the Internet (VOIP) or television over the Internet."

Two current members of the SCC who attended the hearing made comments supportive of some kind of network neutrality mandate. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) stated that "net neutrality is a very important concept". He also lamented that the Committee would not need to have addressed this issue if the FCC had not ruled that broadband services are information services.

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) read extensively from a media account of the dangers posed by the absence of a network neutrality mandate.

In addition, Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), who is a member of the SCC, but did not attend the hearing, released a statement. She wrote that we are beginning to see cases of discrimination in access to applications, software and content that ride over the internet. "For example, in the spring of 2005, the Madison River Internet service provider was found to be prohibiting all competing IP-voice service providers from using their network so customers in their footprint who wanted to use a VOIP service would be forced to choose Madison River's voice service. Clearly, the actions of the Madison River ISP are not in the interest of the consumer."

On March 3, 2005, the FCC adopted and released an Order [1 page in PDF] that adopts a Consent Decree [4 pages in PDF] negotiated by the FCC's Enforcement Bureau and Madison River Communications. The Consent Decree states that it pertains to "the blocking of ports used for Voice over Internet Protocol (``VoIP´´) applications, thereby affecting customers' ability to use VoIP through one or more VoIP service providers." The Consent Decree provides that "Madison River agrees, that Madison River shall not block ports used for VoIP applications or otherwise prevent customers from using VoIP applications." The FCC also fined Madison River $15,000. See also, story titled "FCC Stops Broadband Provider From Blocking VOIP Traffic" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,089, March 7, 2005.

Although, some witnesses pointed out that the FCC acted in the Madison River matter prior to its August 5, 2005, R&O that classified wireline broadband internet access services as information services. These witnesses argued that as a result of this, the FCC no longer has authority to deal with another Madison River scenario in the same manner.

Sen. Snowe also wrote that "The question we are here to discuss today is whether or not the government should take a role in defining the architecture of the Internet. Should there be a policy where all bits are given equal status when traveling on the system? Would broadband providers be able to sustain a business model where they are prohibited from prioritizing content?"

Several members of the SCC who attended the hearing offered comments critical of a network neutrality mandate.

Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) argued that the Congress should "create more incentives for companies to invest" in broadband networks. He argued that for a company to invest in new facilities, it first needs to raise money in capital markets. He continued that lenders will examine the borrower's likely return, and will not lend if there will be no return on investment. He argued that if a network developer has to provide access to companies that provide internet services, such as Yahoo and Google, this could take up the developer's bandwidth, and diminish expected return on investment.

He did say too that no one should be able to "block access to a web site".

Sen. Ensign (at right) also touted S 1504, the "Broadband Investment and Consumer Choice Act", which he introduced on July 27, 2005. It now has 16 cosponsors, all of whom are Republicans.

Later, Sen. Ensign argued that it is competition between broadband service providers that will incent them to build better networks, and provide better service.

Sen. George Allen (R-VA) raised the subject of new broadband platforms being deployed in the near future, including wireless broadband or WiFi, broadband over powerline (BPL), and satellite, thus increasing competition between broadband service providers.

Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT) suggested that the Congress is not yet prepared to enact legislation on this issue, and that acting now might be premature. He suggested letting different business approaches play out in the market place first.

Sen. John Sununu (R-NH), who is as ardent a free market advocate on telecommunications and internet issues as any other member of the Committee, did not participate in the hearing.

The Committee heard testimony from, and questioned, two panels of witnesses. First, the Committee heard from industry representatives. Vinton Cerf (Google), Jeffrey Citron (Vonage), and Earl Comstock (CompTel) argued for a network neutrality mandate.

Walter McCormick (U.S. Telecom Association) and Kyle McSlarrow (National Cable and Telecommunications Association) argued against any such legislation. McCormick said that "We will not block, impair, or degrade content, applications, or services."

The Committee also heard from a panel that included three wise men who research, write and speak on this topic: Kyle Dixon (Progress & Freedom Foundation and previously broadband legal advisor to former FCC Chairman Michael Powell), Lawrence Lessig (Stanford Law School), and Gregory Sidak (Georgetown University Law Center). This second panel also included Gary Bachula (Internet2). Dixon and Sidak opposed a network neutrality mandate, while Lessig and Bachula favored a mandate.

See also:

• prepared testimony [8 pages in PDF] of Vint Cerf
• prepared testimony [5 pages in PDF] of Walter McCormick
• prepared testimony [2 pages in PDF] of Jeffrey Citron
• prepared testimony [4 pages in PDF] of Kyle McSlarrow
• prepared testimony [15 pages in PDF] of Earl Comstock
• prepared testimony [10 pages in PDF] of  Kyle Dixon
• prepared testimony [11 pages in PDF] of Lawrence Lessig
• prepared testimony [7 pages in PDF] of Gregory Sidak
• prepared testimony [5 pages in PDF] of Gary Bachula

The following information is added to this article, in part, to facilitate retrieval of relevant results in Google, and other, searches of the TLJ web site. The FCC's Policy Statement is FCC 05-151 in CC Docket No. 02-33 (wireline broadband), CS Docket No. 02-52 (cable broadband), CC Docket No. 01-337 (ILEC broadband), GN Docket No. 00-185, and CC Docket Nos. 95-20 and 98-10. The FCC's DSL R&O is FCC 05-150 in WC Docket No. 05-271, CC Docket No. 02-33, CC Docket No. 01-337, CC Docket Nos. 95-20 and 98-10, and WC Docket No. 04-242. This Madison River order is DA 05-543 in File No. EB-05-IH-0110.

Tech Law Journal publishes a free access web site and subscription e-mail alert. The basic rate for a subscription to the TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert is $250 per year. However, there are discounts for subscribers with multiple recipients. Free one month trial subscriptions are available. Also, free subscriptions are available for journalists, federal elected officials, and employees of the Congress, courts, and executive branch. The TLJ web site is free access. However, copies of the TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert are not published in the web site until one month after writing. See, subscription information page.

Contact: 202-364-8882.
P.O. Box 4851, Washington DC, 20008.

Privacy Policy
Notices & Disclaimers
Copyright 1998 - 2005 David Carney, dba Tech Law Journal. All rights reserved.

The House will meet at 2:00 PM for legislative business. It will consider several non-technology related items under suspension of the rules. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 PM. See, Republican Whip Notice.

The Senate will meet 9:45 AM. It will resume consideration of S 852, the asbestos claims bill.

8:15 AM - 4:30 PM. The Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) will host an event titled "2006 Internet Caucus State of the Net Conference". See, notice. For more information, contact Danielle Yates at dyates at netcaucus dot org or 202 638-4370. Location: Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Ave., NW.

10:00 AM. The House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing titled "President's Fiscal Year 2007 Budget". See, notice. Location: Room 1100, Longworth Building.

10:00 AM. The U.S. Court of Appeals (FedCir) will hear oral argument in All Computers, Inc. v. Intel, an appeal from the U.S. District Court (EDVa). This is App. Ct. No. 05-1271. Location: Courtroom 402, 717 Madison Place, NW.

10:00 - 11:30 AM. The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) will host a panel discussion titled "The Tenth Anniversary of the Telecommunications Act of 1996: A Tough Act to Follow?". The speakers will be Kevin Martin (FCC Chairman), former Sen. Ernest Hollings (D-SC), former Sen. Larry Pressler (R-SD), former Rep. Tom Bliley (R-VA), and Harold Furchtgott-Roth (former FCC Commissioner). See, notice. Location: 12th, 1150 17th St., NW.

10:30 AM. The Senate Budget Committee will hold a hearing titled "President's Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Proposal". Secretary of the Treasury John Snow will testify. Location: Room 608, Dirksen Building.

12:00 NOON - 1:30 PM. The DC Bar Association will host a panel discussion titled "State Sales Tax and Congress: An Update on the SST and Corresponding Federal Legislation". The topics will include the 1992 opinion of the Supreme Court in Quill v. North Dakota, which is reported at 504 U.S. 298, and Senate bills S 2152, the "Sales Tax Fairness and Simplification Act", and S 2153, the "Streamlined Sales Tax Simplification Act ". The speakers will include Neal Osten (National Conference of State Legislatures), Maureen Riehl (National Retail Federation), and Leonard Bickwit (Miller & Chevalier). The price to attend ranges from $15-$27. For more information, call 202 626-3463. See, notice. Location: D.C. Bar Conference Center, 1250 H Street NW, B-1 Level.

2:00 - 4:00 PM. The Department of State's International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) will hold the fifth in a series of weekly meetings to prepare for the International Telecommunications Union's (ITU) 2006 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, to be held November 6-24, 2006, in Antalya, Turkey. See, notice in the Federal Register, December 21, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 244, at Page 75854. This notice incorrectly states that these meetings will be held on Tuesdays; they are on Wednesdays. For more information, contact Julian Minard at 202 647-2593 or minardje at state dot gov. Location: AT&T, 1120 20th St., NW.

2:30 PM. The Senate Commerce Committee (SCC) will hold a hearing on protecting consumer phone records. The witnesses will be Kris Montieth (Chief of Enforcement Bureau, Federal Communications Commission), Lydia Parnes (Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission), Steve Largent (Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association), Marc Rotenberg (Electronic Privacy Information Center), Robert Douglas (PrivacyToday.com), and Cindy Southworth (National Network to End Domestic Violence). Sen. George Allen (R-VA) will preside. See, notice. Press contact: Melanie Alvord (Stevens) at 202 224-8456, Aaron Saunders (Stevens) at 202 224-3991, or Andy Davis (Inouye) at 202 224-4546. The hearing will be webcast by the SCC. Location: Room 562, Dirksen Building.

TIME CHANGE. 4:30 PM. The House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing titled "President's Fiscal Year 2007 Budget". The witness will be OMB Director Joshua Bolten. See, notice. Location: Room 1100, Longworth Building.

5:00 - 7:00 PM. The Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) will host its "Ninth Annual Reception and Technology Fair". See, notice. Location: Room G-50, Dirksen Building.

6:00 - 8:15 PM. The Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA) will host a continuing legal education (CLE) seminar titled "The New Telecom Bills -- The Return of the Tax Certificate? & The Future of FCC Designated Entity (DE) Credits". The speakers will be Carolyn Williams (Director of the FCC's Office of Communications Business Opportunities), Dirck Hargraves (Issue Dynamics), David Honig (Minority Media and Telecommunications Council), Jeneba Ghatt (The Ghatt Law Group), Jenell Trigg (Leventhal Senter & Lerman), and Andrew Barrett (The Barrett Group). See, notice [MS Word] and registration form [MS Word]. The price to attend ranges from $50-$175. Location: Hogan & Hartson.

Deadline to submit to the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) petitions to participate in three proceedings to determine reasonable rates and terms of royalty payments. See, notice in the Federal Register (January 9, 2006, Vol. 71, No. 5, at Pages 1453 - 1454) regarding the commencement of a proceeding to determine the reasonable rates and terms for use of certain works in connection with noncommercial broadcasting; notice (January 9, 2006, Vol. 71, No. 5, at Pages 1454 - 1455) in the Federal Register regarding the commencement of a proceeding to determine the reasonable rates and terms for making and distributing phonorecords; and, notice (January 9, 2006, Vol. 71, No. 5, at Page 1455) in the Federal Register regarding the commencement of a proceeding to determine the reasonable rates and terms for preexisting subscription and satellite digital audio radio services. See also, story titled "Copyright Royalty Board Commences Proceedings" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,285, January 9, 2006.

Deadline for the parties in U.S. v. Microsoft, D.C. No. 98-1232 (CKK), to file their next Joint Status Report with the U.S. District Court.

The House may meet. The Republican Whip Notice states that "no votes are expected".

9:00 AM - 5:30 PM. The Anti-Spyware Coalition (ASC) will host a one day conference titled "Anti-Spyware Coalition Public Workshop: Defining the Problem, Developing Solutions". The speakers will include FTC Chairman Deborah Majoras, Walt Mossberg (Wall Street Journal Columnist), and Susannah Fox (Pew Internet and American Life). See, agenda. For more information, contact Ari Schwartz of the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) at 202 637-9800. The price to attend is $200 (for registrations before December 3), $250 (after December 3). The ASC states that "The event is free for press. Contact David McGuire, (202) 637-9800 x106 to obtain credentials." Location: Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Ave., NW.

9:30 - 10:30 AM. The Heritage Foundation will host a panel discussion titled "When Bin Laden Calls ... Should We Listen in?" The speakers will be James Woolsey (Booz Allen Hamilton, and former CIA Director), Todd Gaziano (Heritage), and Peter Brookes (Heritage). See, notice. Location: Heritage, 214 Massachusetts Ave., NE.

10:00 AM. The Senate Commerce Committee (SCC) will hold a hearing titled "Transportation Security Administration's Aviation Passenger Pre-Screening Programs -- Secure Flight and Registered Traveler". The witnesses will be Kip Hawley (Assistant Secretary, Transportation Security Administration), Cathleen Berrick (GAO), James May (Air Transport Association of America), Charles Barclay (American Association of Airport Executives), Tim Sparapani (ACLU), and Bill Connors (National Business Travel Association). The hearing will be webcast by the SCC. Press contact: Melanie Alvord (Stevens) at 202 224-8456, Aaron Saunders (Stevens) at 202 224-3991, or Andy Davis (Inouye) at 202 224-4546. See notice. Location: Room 562, Dirksen Building.

10:00 AM. The U.S. Court of Appeals (FedCir) will hear oral argument in Fiber Optic Design v. Season Special, App. Ct. No. 05-1488. Location: Courtroom 201, 717 Madison Place, NW.

12:00 NOON - 2:00 PM. The DC Bar Association will host a panel discussion titled "E-Mail and the Securities Regulators: The View From All Sides". The speakers will include Donald Dowie (SEC's Division of Enforcement), Kevin Carroll (NASD's Enforcement Department), Ann Griffith (Friedman Billings Ramsey Group), Jay Perlman (O'Melveny & Myers), Daniel Regard (LECG), Julian Ackert (LECG), and Ivan Knauer (Bingham McCutchen). The price to attend ranges from $5-$10. For more information, call 202 626-4363. See, notice. Location: D.C. Bar Conference Center, 1250 H Street NW, B-1 Level.

10:00 AM. The U.S. Court of Appeals (FedCir) will hear oral argument in FMStar Semiconductor v. International Trade Commission, App. Ct. No. 05-1129. Location: Courtroom 201, 717 Madison Place, NW.

8:30 - 11:45 AM. The Alliance for Public Technology (APT) will host an event titled "Tuning In to the New Age of Video: Ensuring the Benefits of Advanced Technology for All Americans". The speakers will include Johanna Shelton (House Commerce Committee), Eloise Gore (FCC Media Bureau), Link Hoewing (Verizon), and Larry Goldberg (WGBH National Center for Accessible Media). See, notice. Location: National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor.

11:45 AM - 1:45 PM. The Alliance for Public Technology (APT) will host a luncheon titled "Susan G. Hadden Pioneer Awards Luncheon". See, notice.

The House may meet. The Republican Whip Notice states that "no votes are expected".

Day one of a four day conference hosted by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) titled "2006 Winter Committee Meetings". See, notice. Location: Hyatt Regency Washington.

9:30 AM. The U.S. Court of Appeals (DCCir) will hear oral argument in FCC v. ATT, App. Ct. No. 05-1096. Judges Randolph, Garland and Williams will preside. Location: Prettyman Courthouse, 333 Constitution Ave., NW.

6:00 - 8:15 PM. The Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA) will host an event titled "Luncheon with State PUC Officials". See, registration form [MS Word]. The price to attend ranges from $35 to $70. Location: Atrium Ballroom, Washington Court Hotel, 525 New Jersey Ave., NW.

12:00 NOON. The Cato Institute will host a panel discussion titled "The Federal Budget Outlook". The speakers will be Donald Marron (acting Director of the Congressional Budget Office), Chris Edwards (Cato), and Stephen Slivinski (Cato). See, notice and registration page. Lunch will be served. Location: Room 2237, Rayburn Building.

Deadline to submit initial comments to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) [26 pages in PDF] regarding Section 621(a)(1)'s directive that local franchising authorities (LFAs) not unreasonably refuse to award competitive franchises. The FCC adopted this NPRM on November 3, 2005, and released it on November 18, 2005. It is FCC 05-189 in MB Docket No. 05-311. See, notice in the Federal Register, December 14, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 239, at Pages 73973 - 73980. See also, story titled "FCC Adopts NPRM Regarding Local Franchising of Video Services" in TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert No. 1,247, November 4, 2005.

Day two of a four day conference hosted by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) titled "2006 Winter Committee Meetings". See, notice. Location: Hyatt Regency Washington.

10:00 AM. The Senate Commerce Committee (SCC) will hold a hearing titled "State and Local Issues and Municipal Networks". See, notice. Press contact: Melanie Alvord (Stevens) at 202 224-8456, Aaron Saunders (Stevens) at 202 224-3991, or Andy Davis (Inouye) at 202 224-4546. The hearing will be webcast by the SCC. Location: Room 562, Dirksen Building.

10:00 AM. The Senate Banking Committee will hold a hearing on the nominations of Randall Kroszner and Kevin Warsh (to be members of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) and Edward Lazear (President's Council of Economic Advisors). See, notice. Location: Room 538, Dirksen Building.

Day three of a four day conference hosted by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) titled "2006 Winter Committee Meetings". See, notice. Location: Hyatt Regency Washington.

POSTPONED. 10:00 AM. The Senate Commerce Committee (SCC) will hold a hearing titled "FCC Activities and Policy". See, notice. Press contact: Melanie Alvord (Stevens) at 202 224-8456, Aaron Saunders (Stevens) at 202 224-3991, or Andy Davis (Inouye) at 202 224-4546. The hearing will be webcast by the SCC. Location: Room 562, Dirksen Building.

RESCHEDULED FROM JANUARY 31. 10:00 AM. The Senate Commerce Committee (SCC) will hold a hearing titled "Video Franchising". The witnesses will be Ivan Seidenberg (Verizon), James Ellis (AT&T), Thomas Rutledge (Cablevision Systems Corporation), Brad Evans (Cavalier Telephone), Lori Tillery (National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors), Anthony Riddle (Alliance for Community Media), Gene Kimmelman (Consumers Union), and Gigi Sohn (Public Knowledge). See, notice. Press contact: Melanie Alvord (Stevens) at 202 224-8456, Aaron Saunders (Stevens) at 202 224-3991, or Andy Davis (Inouye) at 202 224-4546. The hearing will be webcast by the SCC. Location: Room 562, Dirksen Building.

10:00 AM. The House Financial Services Committee (HFSC) will meet to received the Federal Reserve Board’s semiannual monetary policy report. See, HFSC release. Location: Room 2128, Rayburn Building.

10:00 AM - 12:00 NOON. The House Science Committee will hold a hearing titled "An Overview of the Federal R&D Budget for Fiscal Year 2007". The witnesses will be John Marburger (Director of the EOP's House Office of Science and Technology Policy), Samuel Bodman (Secretary of Energy), David Sampson (Deputy Secretary of Commerce), Arden Bement (Director of the National Science Foundation), and Charles McQueary (Undersecretary for Science and Technology at the DHS). Location: Room 2318, Rayburn Building.

10:30 AM. The House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing titled "President's Fiscal Year 2007 Budget". Secretary of the Treasury John Snow will testify. See, notice. Location: Room 1100, Longworth Building.

2:00 - 4:00 PM. The Department of State's International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) will hold the sixth in a series of weekly meetings to prepare for the International Telecommunications Union's (ITU) 2006 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, to be held November 6-24, 2006, in Antalya, Turkey. See, notice in the Federal Register, December 21, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 244, at Page 75854. This notice incorrectly states that these meetings will be held on Tuesdays; they are on Wednesdays. For more information, contact Julian Minard at 202 647-2593 or minardje at state dot gov. Location: AT&T, 1120 20th St., NW.

2:30 PM. The Senate Commerce Committee (SCC) will hold a hearing to examine developments in nanotechnology. See, notice. Press contact: Melanie Alvord (Stevens) at 202 224-8456, Aaron Saunders (Stevens) at 202 224-3991, or Andy Davis (Inouye) at 202 224-4546. The hearing will be webcast by the SCC. Location: Room 562, Dirksen Building.

5:00 PM. Deadline to submit applications to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for its 2006 SURF grants. These are the Gaithersburg Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program, and the Boulder Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program. The NIST distributes grants for, among other topics, electronics and electrical engineering, and information technology. See, notice in the Federal Register, January 9, 2006, Vol. 71, No. 5, at Pages 1411 - 1416.

6:00 - 8:15 PM. The Federal Communications Bar Association's (FCBA) Common Carrier Practice Committee will host a continuing legal education seminar (CLE) titled "Federal Universal Service Regulation and Policy: Where are We Going, and Why?" The first of two panels is titled "USF Contribution Mechanisms". The speakers will be Joel Lubin (AT&T), Tina Pidgeon (GCI), Donald Stockdale (FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau), and Rick Cimerman (NCTA). The second panel is titled "USF Distribution Policies". The speakers will be Paul Feldman (Fletcher Heald & Hildreth), Eric Einhorn (AT&T), Nannette Thompson (GCI), and Bob Rowe (Rowe & Balhoff). See, notice [MS Word] and registration form [MS Word]. The price to attend ranges from $75 to $125. Location: Wiley Rein & Fielding, 1776 K Street, NW.

Day four of a four day conference hosted by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) titled "2006 Winter Committee Meetings". See, notice. Location: Hyatt Regency Washington.