European Commissioners Feel Heat over Telecom Regulations
EU Politix.com reported that the European Union's telecom chief Viviane Reding is feeling pressure over her proposed telecom roaming plan, which is expected to be introduced next week. Telecom operators across the continent are putting pressure on the European Commission, charging that the stiff rules will damage the industry. Representatives of the 25 commissioners backed the aim of cutting international "roaming" charges on mobile calls, but despite being one of the Commission's most popular policy ideas with the public in years, the representatives opposed many of the draft plan's key details. Most representatives opposed scrapping completely the fee paid for receiving a call abroad. There was also pressure on Reding to introduce a "sunrise" clause to delay by six months the introduction of retail price caps on the tariffs charged directly to customers. Reding was also asked to change the planned cap on wholesale prices--the fees phone operators charge each other--and take smaller operators and regions into account. Europe's telecom regulators have said that the EU rules should be limited to regulating the wholesale sector and not intervening in retail pricing. There was also pressure to include a "sunset" clause that would allow the regulations to expire after five years. It is unclear at this point whether the votes are there for approval of the far-reaching regulations.
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Pittsburgh Selects US Wireless Online for Municipal Wi-Fi Network
US Wireless Online, one of the largest wireless Internet broadband network operators in the US, announced that the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership selected it to design, construct, and operate a Wi-Fi-based, broadband Internet network for the Central Business District/Golden Triangle, North Shore, and Lower Hill District of Downtown Pittsburgh. Internet access will be available at various service levels, including: US Wireless Online FreeConnect, which allows free access for up to two hours each day; and US Wireless Online DayConnect, which provides usage at a higher bandwidth and can be purchased in increments of $7.99 per day, $14.95 per month, or $119.99 per year. FreeConnect users will be provided a minimum of 512K bps of bandwidth, while DayConnect users will receive 1M bps. DayConnect users will also benefit from VPN and other security encryption protocol support. Installation of the Downtown wireless network will be completed by September 2006. In addition to its wireless Downtown component, Wi-Fi Downtown Pittsburgh will provide municipal benefits, including four secured mobile command units for City of Pittsburgh public safety use, and provide for low-cost access supported by community organizations.
from Telecom Daily
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