Roy Mark

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved rules today clearing the way for commercial deployment of broadband over power lines (BPL). The decision classifies BPL as an unlicensed service with the rules primarily aimed at limiting interference with licensed radio services. Broadband transmissions over electric power lines are not shielded to prevent radio interference […]

The U.S. Senate approved today a one-year tax break backed by the tech industry that proponents say will repatriate more than $300 billion into the U.S. economy and create as many as a half million new jobs. Opponents claim the bill rewards companies for outsourcing jobs overseas. The tax provision, part of a much larger […]

WASHINGTON — Republican House and Senate leaders predicted Wednesday there is still life in the flagging high-tech agenda, even as the 108th Congress prepares to adjourn on Saturday. With only a couple of days left in the regular session, conferees from both parties in the House and Senate are hammering out last-minute compromises on several […]

U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering (R-MS) and 61 other members of Congress urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Tuesday to “immediately declare” that the FCC has sole jurisdiction to regulate Voice over IP services. In a letter to FCC Chairman Michael Powell, the lawmakers said VoIP services are inherently interstate in nature and should not be […]

An expired R&D tax credit bill that a tech industry group was trying to revive got new life Thursday when Congress approved a one-year, $7.56 billion extension for the program. “Research and development is the lifeblood of the technology industry so we are pleased that a seamless R&D extension has been added to this bill,” […]

Driven by growing demand for its global business consulting services, IBM said today it would almost double the number of new hires it originally projected for 2004. The tech bellwether said it plans to add an additional 8,800 workers to its previous forecast of 10,000 new jobs. The majority of the jobs will be in […]

WASHINGTON — Internet telephony should be subject to traditional wiretap laws, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said today. The preliminary decision will force Voice over IP providers to comply with the same law enforcement rules as telephone carriers. In its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the FCC voted 5-0 that the Communication Assistance for Law Enforcement […]

WASHINGTON — The nation’s top technology executives weighed in on politically sensitive issues Wednesday as part of a Business Software Alliance (BSA) CEO policy forum. The executives presented a united front in supporting offshoring, stronger protection of intellectual property rights and the need for better cybersecurity, particularly in the area of government systems. The forum […]

WASHINGTON — While Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Michael K. Powell touted the future of wireless broadband, two floors below, wireless industry leaders concluded the future of WiMAX won’t happen anytime soon. Market leaders discussed the here and now of the metro-area wireless technology formally known as IEEE standard 802.16a at the Wireless Communications Association’s […]

WASHINGTON — Unless policymakers act, the next offshoring wave will hit high-end IT jobs and undermine America’s “innovation infrastructure,” U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) warned in a major policy address. With harsh words for Democrats and Republicans, Lieberman said Congress’ response to the challenge has been predictable: “Do Nothing” free-traders shunning any government action and […]