Congressional Research Service Reports - 438 Matching Results

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Net Neutrality: Background and Issues

Description: As the 109th Congress continues to debate telecommunications reform, a major point of contention is the question of whether action is needed to ensure unfettered access to the Internet. The move to place restrictions on the owners of the networks that compose and provide access to the Internet, to ensure equal access and nondiscriminatory treatment, is referred to as “net neutrality.” There is no single accepted definition of “net neutrality.” However, most agree that any such definition should… more
Date: May 16, 2006
Creator: Gilroy, Angele A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The American Telephone and Telegraph Divestiture: Background, Provisions, and Restructuring

Description: On January 1, 1984, The American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) divested itself of a major portion of its organizational structure and functions. Under the post-divestiture environment the once fully-integrated Bell System is now reorganized into the "new" AT&T and seven Ladependent regional holding companies -- American Information Technologies Corp., 3ell Atlantic Corp., 3ell- South Corp., NYNEX Corp., Pacific Telesis Group., Southwestern Bell Corp., and U.S. West, Inc. The following … more
Date: April 11, 1984
Creator: Gilroy, Angele A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Funding Emergency Communications: Technology and Policy Considerations

Description: The 112th Congress is under renewed pressure to come to a decision about the assignment of a block of radio frequency spectrum licenses referred to as the D Block, and to provide a plan for federal support of broadband networks for emergency communications. The cost of constructing new networks (wireless and wireline) is estimated by experts to be in the tens of billions of dollars over the long term, with similarly large sums needed for maintenance and operation. Identifying money for federal … more
Date: May 27, 2011
Creator: Moore, Linda K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Spectrum Policy in the Age of Broadband: Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses some of the commercial and federal radio frequency spectrum policy changes required by the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. It also summarizes new policy directions for spectrum management under consideration in the 112th Congress, such as the encouragement of new technologies that use spectrum more efficiently.
Date: March 14, 2013
Creator: Moore, Linda K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Digital Surveillance: The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act

Description: The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA, P.L. 103- 414, 47 USC 1001-1010), enacted October 25, 1994, is intended to preserve the ability of law enforcement officials to conduct electronic surveillance effectively and efficiently despite the deployment of new digital technologies and wireless services that have altered the character of electronic surveillance. CALEA requires telecommunications carriers to modify their equipment, facilities, and services, wherever reasonably … more
Date: May 10, 2006
Creator: Figliola, Patricia Moloney
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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"Spam": An Overview of Issues Concerning Commercial Electronic Mail

Description: This report discusses Spam, also called unsolicited commercial email (UCE) or "junk email." Not only can Spam be a nuisance, but its cost may be passed on to consumers through higher charges from Internet service providers who must upgrade their systems to handle the traffic. Proponents of UCE insist it is a legitimate marketing technique that is protected by the First Amendment. This report discusses this issue in detail, as well as related legislation.
Date: May 14, 2008
Creator: Moloney Figliola, Patricia
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Government Access to Phone Calling Activity and Related Records: Legal Authorities

Description: This report summarizes legal authorities regarding access by the government, for either foreign intelligence or law enforcement purposes, to information related to telephone calling patterns or practices. Where pertinent, it also discusses statutory prohibitions against accessing or disclosing such information, along with relevant exceptions to those prohibitions.
Date: February 2, 2010
Creator: Bazan, Elizabeth B.; Liu, Edward C. & Stevens, Gina
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Government Access to Phone Calling Activity and Related Records: Legal Authorities

Description: This report summarizes legal authorities regarding access by the government, for either foreign intelligence or law enforcement purposes, to information related to telephone calling patterns or practices. Where pertinent, it also discusses statutory prohibitions against accessing or disclosing such information, along with relevant exceptions to those prohibitions.
Date: February 2, 2009
Creator: Bazan, Elizabeth B.; Liu, Edward C. & Stevens, Gina
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Public Safety Communications and Spectrum Resources: Policy Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses possible actions for improving emergency communications. Congress has before it an opportunity to bring public safety communications into the 21st century by assuring that a nationwide, interoperable communications network is put in place. The tools at its disposal include homeland security policy, spectrum policy, funding programs, and leadership.
Date: July 23, 2010
Creator: Moore, Linda K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Emergency Communications: Meeting Public Safety Spectrum Needs

Description: This report has two main sections. In the first section “Identifying Public Safety Needs,” some of the organizations involved with public safety telecommunications are introduced, and key activities dealing with wireless and spectrum issues are summarized. The second main section, “Spectrum for Public Safety,” is organized by the major spectrum bands where public safety wireless communications are in use or planned. These are at: 100-512 MHz; 700 MHz; 800 MHz; 900 MHz and 4.9 GHz. Ultra-wide ba… more
Date: May 21, 2003
Creator: Moore, Linda K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Emergency Communications: Meeting Public Safety Spectrum Needs

Description: This report has two main sections. In the first section “Identifying Public Safety Needs,” some of the organizations involved with public safety telecommunications are introduced, and key activities dealing with wireless and spectrum issues are summarized. The second main section, “Spectrum for Public Safety,” is organized by the major spectrum bands where public safety wireless communications are in use or planned. These are at: 100-512 MHz; 700 MHz; 800 MHz; 900 MHz and 4.9 GHz. Ultra-wide ba… more
Date: July 1, 2003
Creator: Moore, Linda K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Government Access to Phone Calling Activity and Related Records: Legal Authorities

Description: This report summarizes statutory authorities regarding access by the Government, for either foreign intelligence or law enforcement purposes, to information related to telephone calling patterns or practices.
Date: May 17, 2006
Creator: Bazan, Elizabeth B.; Stevens, Gina Marie & Yeh, Brian T.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Communications Act Revisions: Selected Issues for Consideration

Description: This report provides an overview of selected topics which the 110th Congress has begun, or is likely, to address in its examination of telecommunications issues. This report addresses major issues, rather than addressing specific legislative activity.
Date: August 7, 2007
Creator: Gilroy, Angele A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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E-Rate for Schools: Background on Telecommunications Discounts Through the Universal Service Fund

Description: Congressional Research Service (CRS) report entailing information about telecommunications discounts through the Universal Service Fund, in regards to E-rate for schools. Topics include, impacts on education, current level of access, available federal assistance, application and award process, etc..
Date: January 4, 2001
Creator: Stedman, James B. & Osorio-O'Dea, Patricia
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Telemarketing Regulation: National and State Do Not Call Registries

Description: This report will outline the laws underpinning the National Do Not Call List; describe the regulations implementing the list; answer some of the most frequently asked questions related to the list; and discuss the possible penalties for violating the rules. The report will also briefly discuss some of the ways the various states have implemented their own do not call lists.
Date: April 1, 2016
Creator: Ruane, Kathleen Ann
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Public Safety Communications Policy

Description: Since September 11, 2001, the effectiveness of America's communications capabilities in support of the information needs of first responders and other public safety workers has been a matter of concern to Congress. Most public safety advocates consider that the communications failures following the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina demonstrate that there is much still to be done to provide the United States with adequate communications capabilities in emergencies. This report explores several piec… more
Date: July 24, 2006
Creator: Moore, Linda K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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An Emergency Communications Safety Net: Integrating 911 and Other Services

Description: The present capability and future effectiveness of America's network of emergency telecommunications services are among the issues under review by Congress and other entities. As technologies that can support 911 improve, many are seeing the possibility of integrating 911 into a wider safety net of emergency communications and alerts. One of the intents of Congress in passing the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999, and of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in impleme… more
Date: June 12, 2006
Creator: Moore, Linda K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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