To: Consumer Contact List
From: Karen Peltz Strauss, RERC-TA
Re: Consumer Contact List -new broadband rulings; wireless HAC waiver
Date: August 22, 2005

1. New FCC Internet-Enabled (Broadband) Rulings - During August, the FCC issued two new rulings that apply to IP-enabled services. The first of these puts wireline Internet-based broadband services on an equal footing with cable modem services by now classifying the former as an information services. The second requires certain IP-providers to accommodate wiretapping. The significance of these orders is that they demonstrate the FCC's continued interest in reducing economic regulation imposed on Internet providers, but its equally strong interest in preserving certain social obligations for these businesses. The FCC has already ruled that E911 must be provided by Internet providers - now wiretapping follows close behind. These would be consistent withrulings that would require disability access to IP-based services.

Below are the URLs for the FCC's new orders.

FCC ELIMINATES MANDATED SHARING REQUIREMENT ON INCUMBENTS' WIRELINE BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SERVICES. Decision Places Telephone and Cable Companies on Equal Footing. News Release. Adopted: 08/05/2005.
News Media Contact: Mark Wigfield 202-418-0253 WCB. Contact Terri Natoli and William Kehoe 202-418-1580
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260433A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260433A2.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260433A3.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260433A4.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260433A5.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260433A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260433A2.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260433A3.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260433A4.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260433A5.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260433A1.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260433A2.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260433A3.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260433A4.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260433A5.txt>

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FCC REQUIRES CERTAIN BROADBAND AND VOIP PROVIDERS TO ACCOMMODATE
WIRETAPS. News Release. News Media Contact: Mark Wigfield, 202-418-0253, Mark.Wigfield@fcc.gov WCB. Contact Terri Natoli and Carol Simpson, 202-418-1580
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260434A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260434A2.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260434A3.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260434A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260434A2.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260434A3.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260434A1.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260434A2.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260434A3.txt>
________________________________

2. Waiver for Wireless Hearing Aid Compatibility. The FCC has granted a narrow waiver from the wireless HAC rules to Panasonic. See attached and below.

PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF HEARING AID-COMPATIBILITY AND VOLUME CONTROL REQUIREMENTS FOR ITS PANASONIC 2.4 GHZ FHSS CORDLESS TELEPHONE WITH BONE CONDUCTION TYPE EAR-PIECE.
Granted the Request for Waiver. Action by: Deputy Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau. Adopted: 08/16/2005 by ORDER. (DA No. 05-2294). CGB
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2294A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2294A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2294A1.txt>