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HEADLINES
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Atallah responds to industry anger over ICANN contract changes
<http://news.dot-nxt.com/2013/02/27/atallah-responds-industry-ange>

DNS industry turns on ICANN over proposed contract changes
<http://news.dot-nxt.com/2013/02/26/dns-industry-turns-icann-over>

ICANN CEO: 'We owe Asia a big apology'
<http://www.zdnet.com/sg/icann-ceo-we-owe-asia-a-big-apology-7000011762/>

Microsoft Offers Security Assessment Service for Country-Code Top-Level Domain Registries
<http://blogs.technet.com/b/security/archive/2013/02/25/microsoft-offers-security-assessment-service-for-country-code-top-level-domain-registries-cctld.aspx>

Nominet Shelves Second Level .UK Registrations
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/02/27/nominet-shelves-second-level-uk-registrations/>

NTIA fights Big Content?s corner, tells ALL new gTLD applicants to submit PICs
<http://domainincite.com/11987-ntia-fights-big-contents-corner-tells-all-new-gtld-applicants-to-submit-pics>

ICANN publishes gTLD contention sets
<http://news.dot-nxt.com/2013/02/26/icann-publishes-new-gtld-conte>

After eight months, similarity review creates only TWO new gTLD contention sets
<http://domainincite.com/11997-after-eight-months-similarity-review-creates-only-two-new-gtld-contention-sets>

Trademark Clearinghouse To Protect Trademarks In New gTLDs To Launch 26 March
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/02/27/trademark-clearinghouse-launch-26-march/>

Melbourne IT expects millions from domain name grab
<http://afr.com/p/technology/melbourne_it_expects_millions_from_fCg71ZJ6PRfUWthnK7TYGP>

Melbourne IT Bullish On Future Demand Increase As New gTLDs Come Online
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/02/27/melbourne-it-future-demand-new-gtlds/>

?We Need a Plan B for the Internet,? Warns Internet Pioneer Danny Hillis
<http://allthingsd.com/20130227/we-need-a-plan-b-for-the-internet-warns-internet-pioneer-danny-hillis/>


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GOVERNANCE
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ITU Sees Busy Year Ahead, Hopes To Overcome Divisions
The United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) foresees a busy year, and one in which it continues its longstanding role as the key convener of international policymaking on information and communications technologies, the ITU secretary general has said. And it has started the year with efforts to patch over deep divisions among its members that arose at an ITU conference in December.
<http://www.ip-watch.org/2013/02/26/itu-sees-busy-year-ahead-hopes-to-overcome-divisions/>

ITU 2.0: Take Time to Make Good Decisions by Gregory Francis
Since the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) discharged delegates from an atmosphere of restrained acidity last December, ITU habitu?s have wondered how that outcome will affect the rhythms of their regular work in Geneva. This is no less true for governments that approved of the WCIT treaty as it is for those which did not, though the immediate anxiety may be greatest for the latter - for those whom we can call, with sloppy shorthand, the G8.
<http://www.circleid.com/posts/20130225_itu_20_take_time_to_make_good_decisions/>

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DOMAIN NAMES
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**********************
 - ICANN
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ICANN's Trademark Clearinghouse to Provide Unprecedented Protections in the Domain Name Space
On 26 March 2013, ICANN will unveil a global repository for trademark data, the first of its kind in the domain name space. The Trademark Clearinghouse will enable companies and individuals to protect their trademarks, while new gTLDs are introduced into the Domain Name System. Rights holders whose trademark information has been verified by the Clearinghouse will have the opportunity to participate in a set of services designed to help protect their rights.
<http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-25feb13-en.htm>
<http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/announcements-and-media/announcement-25feb13-en>

New gTLD Program: String Similarity Contention Sets
ICANN is publishing today the contention sets identified by the string similarity review for applications submitted as part of the New gTLD Program.
<http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-26feb13-en.htm>
<http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/announcements-and-media/announcement-26feb13-en>

Roland LaPlante, SVP & Chief Marketing Officer, Afilias Global Registry Services, to Fadi Chehad?
Afilias .INFO Notice of Fee Increase
<http://www.icann.org/en/news/correspondence/laplante-to-chehade-26feb13-en>

Christine Willett, VP, gTLD Operations, ICANN, to CTAG
Re: Community Commitment Specification for Community TLDs
<http://www.icann.org/en/news/correspondence/willett-to-ctag-25feb13-en>

Atallah responds to industry anger over ICANN contract changes
ICANN COO Akram Atallah has responded to a wave of angry responses from the DNS industry over proposed changes to new registry contracts by asking it to "step up to the plate" and provide solutions to real problems.
<http://news.dot-nxt.com/2013/02/27/atallah-responds-industry-ange>

DNS industry turns on ICANN over proposed contract changes
The domain name industry has responded angrily to an attempt by oversight organization ICANN to make last-minute changes to a contract covering new Internet extensions.
<http://news.dot-nxt.com/2013/02/26/dns-industry-turns-icann-over>

ICANN CEO: 'We owe Asia a big apology'
As part of efforts to become less U.S.-centric, ICANN is looking to set up two new hubs in Singapore and Istanbul to serve the Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) markets.
<http://www.zdnet.com/sg/icann-ceo-we-owe-asia-a-big-apology-7000011762/>

ICANN to set up ?hubs? in Singapore and Istanbul
Fadi Chehade?s internationalization strategy for ICANN will see it open up two ?hub? offices, one in Singapore and one in Istanbul, Turkey, according to reports.
<http://domainincite.com/11967-icann-to-set-up-hubs-in-singapore-and-istanbul>

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 - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS
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Microsoft Offers Security Assessment Service for Country-Code Top-Level Domain Registries
... Today, at the information security RSA Conference in San Francisco, Scott Charney, Microsoft?s corporate vice president for Trustworthy Computing, announced during his keynote the availability of our new Microsoft Country-Code Top-Level Domain Registry Security Assessment Service to help registry operators find and fix security vulnerabilities before they are exploited. The service is available now and is being made available at no charge to registry operators.
<http://blogs.technet.com/b/security/archive/2013/02/25/microsoft-offers-security-assessment-service-for-country-code-top-level-domain-registries-cctld.aspx>

CIRA releases '.ca' IDNs [registration]
Following two public consultations, CIRA, the registry for ?.ca? domain names, has announced that French IDNs are now available. As a result, the full range of characters used in the French language can now be used in the ?.ca? domain name space. CIRA will introduce the ?bundling? of character variants, meaning that the registrant of a particular domain name will have the exclusive right to register all potential IDN variants.
<http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/daily/detail.aspx?g=0d881edb-5265-432e-99ba-ebf92600e8cd>

CIRA?s Canadian Internet Forum Strives to Educate Canadians
Internet enthusiasts throughout Canada are heading to Ottawa to participate in the annual Canadian Internet Forum (CIF) on February 28. The Canadian Internet Registration Authority, (CIRA) is ready to help in promoting insightful and provocative discussion on the issues that impact the safe and fair use of the Internet.
<http://www.digitalhome.ca/2013/02/ciras-canadian-internet-forum-strives-to-educate-canadians/>

ch: Federal Council adopts strategy for handling internet addresses
Domain names for the internet are central to our everyday digital life. In order to enable the Confederation to adequately represent the interests of Switzerland on the global market, the Federal Council has adopted a strategy. Attractive domain names should always be sufficiently and reliably available and must be managed transparently.
<http://www.news.admin.ch/dokumentation/00002/00015/index.html?lang=en&msg-id=47908>

ch: Federal Council adopts internet domain name strategy
Switzerland's Federal Council ad adopted a strategy for handling internet domain names. The Council hopes this strategy will ensure better protection of its own interests and those of Switzerland in the area of domain names.
<http://www.telecompaper.com/news/federal-council-adopts-internet-domain-name-strategy--928008>

'.co' still going strong [registration]
.CO Internet SAS, the registry managing ?.co?, the ccTLD for Colombia, has revealed impressive statistics for the year 2012. The number of ?.co? domain names increased by nearly 24.4% from 2011 to 2012 - a significant growth rate, especially in view of the overall TLD growth rate of 12% and ccTLD growth rate of 20.7%.
<http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/daily/detail.aspx?g=c7581b27-0dcd-4cdd-ae3c-22cca3b31255>

eu: Blockages still a problem on the road to a multilingual Internet
Ambitions to create a genuinely multilingual Internet are being frustrated by technical gridlocks and the solid dominance of Latin script and the English language.
<http://www.eurid.eu/en/content/blockages-still-problem-road-multilingual-internet>

EURid signs MoU with UNESCO
Following the IDNs - State of Play Insights report of 2011 and the 2012 World report on IDNs deployment, EURid and UNESCO have signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
<http://www.eurid.eu/en/content/eurid-signs-mou-unesco>

Afilias Advises ICANN Of 10% .INFO Registry Fee Hike
Afilias has advised ICANN they will be increasing the registry fee, the fee charged to registrars, by ten percent as of 1 September 2013 to $8.16 per year, pursuant to the .info registry agreement. The fee was increased to $7.42 in July 2011.
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/02/27/afilias-advises-icann-of-10-info-registry-fee-hike/>
<http://www.domainnews.com/en/afilias-advises-icann-of-10-info-registry-fee-hike.html>

Shorter .uk web address idea shelved by Nominet
Nominet, the organisation that oversees all UK web addresses, has decided not to go ahead with an optional new service for sites ending with ".uk".
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21609406>

Nominet Shelves Second Level .UK Registrations
The controversial plan to introduce second level .uk registrations has been shelved for the time being following a lack of agreement being reached among stakeholders during consultation on how Nominet?s plans would be implemented.
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/02/27/nominet-shelves-second-level-uk-registrations/>
<http://www.domainnews.com/en/nominet-shelves-second-level-uk-registrations.html>

Update on Direct.uk
Following our Board meeting yesterday, we are not proceeding with our original proposal on ?direct.uk? but we will respond to feedback by looking at whether a revised proposal will address issues raised in the recent consultation.
<http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/update-directuk>

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 - NEW TLDS
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Trademark Clearinghouse to open March 26
The Trademark Clearinghouse is set to open its doors for submissions March 26, ICANN will announce today.
<http://domainincite.com/11980-trademark-clearinghouse-to-open-march-26>

NTIA fights Big Content?s corner, tells ALL new gTLD applicants to submit PICs
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration said today that all new gTLD applicants, even those that have not already been hit by government warnings, should submit Public Interest Commitments to ICANN.
<http://domainincite.com/11987-ntia-fights-big-contents-corner-tells-all-new-gtld-applicants-to-submit-pics>

ICANN publishes gTLD contention sets
ICANN has published "contention sets" for the 1,930 applications for new Internet extensions it has received - and left the Internet community wondering what the fuss was all about.
<http://news.dot-nxt.com/2013/02/26/icann-publishes-new-gtld-conte>

ICANN Releases List Of gTLD Applications In Contention
ICANN Tuesday published the contention sets identified by the string similarity review for applications submitted as part of the New gTLD Programme. These contention sets are for those gTLD applications that are either identical or similar to other applications.
<http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=19889>
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/02/27/icann-gtld-applications-contention/>
<http://www.domainnews.com/en/icann-releases-list-of-gtld-applications-in-contention.html>

After eight months, similarity review creates only TWO new gTLD contention sets
ICANN has finally delivered its String Similarity Panel?s review of all 1,930 original new gTLD applications, finding that only four applied-for strings are confusingly similar to others.
<http://domainincite.com/11997-after-eight-months-similarity-review-creates-only-two-new-gtld-contention-sets>

Trademark Clearinghouse To Protect Trademarks In New gTLDs To Launch 26 March
On 26 March 2013 ICANN will be launching what will be the global repository for trademark data for the protection of trademarks in new gTLDs. As of the launch, rights holders will be able to submit trademark data for verification.
<http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=19888>
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/02/27/trademark-clearinghouse-launch-26-march/>

Trademark Clearinghouse opens for business next month [registration]
Having previously confirmed the pricing structure for submissions to the Trademark Clearinghouse, ICANN has now announced a ?go live? date for later this month. With the organisation aiming to recommend the first gTLDs for delegation next month, trademark owners should not put off reviewing their online protection strategies.
<http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/daily/detail.aspx?g=dccd88dd-bfa9-43fc-82b1-ada7355a92e4>

More details about URS and National Arbitration Forum
Last week ICANN announced that it appointed The National Arbitration Forum as an administrator of the Uniform Rapid Suspension System (URS).
<http://domainnamewire.com/2013/02/26/more-details-about-urs-and-national-arbitration-forum/>

.Com likely to continue to dominate domain disputes as new gTLDS loom: report
While the imminent arrival of more than a thousand new gTLDs has stoked concerns that cybersquatting will skyrocket, a new report released today analysing 2012 domain dispute trends indicate the world's large brands have their hands full dealing with existing domains like .com.
<http://www.melbourneit.info/news-centre/Releases/cybersquatting-report.xml>

Melbourne IT expects millions from domain name grab
Companies are expected to spend millions of dollars registering new web addresses to defend themselves against potentially controversial or crude uses of their trademarks online.
<http://afr.com/p/technology/melbourne_it_expects_millions_from_fCg71ZJ6PRfUWthnK7TYGP>

Melbourne IT Bullish On Future Demand Increase As New gTLDs Come Online
Melbourne IT reported a five percent year-on-year decrease in revenue while announcing its full year results for 2012, but this included significant investment to prepare for the arrival of new gTLDs in 2013 and beyond - something they believe will drive an increase in demand for the company's services.
<http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=19891>
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/02/27/melbourne-it-future-demand-new-gtlds/>
<http://www.domainnews.com/en/melbourne-it-bullish-on-future-demand-increase-as-new-gtlds-come-online.html>

Melbourne IT Warns Brands To Be Aware Of Protection In New gTLDs
A new report from Melbourne IT says brands need to prepare to protect their brands as new gTLDs are introduced, but that their impact will be minimal compared to the efforts required to protect brands in .com.
<http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=19890>
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/02/27/melbourne-it-brands-protection-gtlds/>
<http://www.domainnews.com/en/melbourne-it-warns-brands-to-be-aware-of-protection-in-new-gtlds.html>

Melbourne IT expects boom in defensive registrations when top-level domains arrive
Melbourne IT said it expects a boost to business from defensive domain registering and other activity associated with new gTLDs expected to go live later this year.
<http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/454810/melbourne_it_expects_boom_defensive_registrations_when_top-level_domains_arrive/>
<http://www.techworld.com.au/article/454810/melbourne_it_expects_boom_defensive_registrations_when_top-level_domains_arrive/>

Will top level domains really save Melbourne IT?
Beleaguered domain registration company Melbourne IT hopes the new breed of gTLDs will be its salvation after a decade of indifferent returns and a wallowing shareprice.
<http://www.technologyspectator.com.au/will-top-level-domains-really-save-melbourne-it>

The new gTLD program?s low attrition rate
The big new gTLD news of the hour is American carmaker General Motors? decision to withdraw the full set of its new gTLD applications.
<http://www.netnames.com/blog/2013/02/the-new-gtld-programs-low-attrition-rate/>

Are Google and Amazon Unfairly Dominating Top Level Domains?
After ICANN announced a TLD expansion in 2008, many observers predicted an increase in expenditure for companies who would want to prevent ?cybersquatters? or rival companies from owning TLDs that relate to their brands. However, it seems that some companies like Google and Amazon are buying TLDs for reasons other than trademark protection.
<http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/are-google-and-amazon-unfairly-dominating-top-level-domains.html/>

Top Level Domain Holdings Receives Up To $15m To Acquire gTLDs Through Auction
Top Level Domain Holdings has announced the company has agreed that a funding facility up to $15 million be set up to allow for the acquisition of gTLDs at auction.
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/02/27/tldh-15m-acquire-gtlds-auction/>

TLDH gets up to $15 million for a single TLD auction
Top Level Domain Holdings Limited announced it has received up to $15 million in backing to be used to chase a single TLD at auction.
<http://domainnamewire.com/2013/02/26/tldh-gets-up-to-15-million-for-a-single-top-level-domain-name-auction/>

gTLD Auction Funding
The Board of Top Level Domain Holdings Limited announces that the Company has agreed a funding facility to support its participation in a prospective auction in relation to a specific contested gTLD application.
<http://www.tldh.org/2013/02/gtld-auction-funding/>

ICANN allows hundreds of new Internet domain suffixes
In the biggest expansion of Web address suffixes since ".com," ICANN approves foreign language, brand name, regional, and generic monikers.
<http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57571245-93/icann-allows-hundreds-of-new-internet-domain-suffixes/>

Hundreds of new web domain suffixes incoming this year
Forget .com -- you'll soon have hundreds of new Internet address suffixes to choose from if you want to start a website. That's because in just a few months, we'll see the largest expansion of Internet addresses since the system was created in the 1980s, according to the head of the organisation overseeing the expansion.
<http://crave.cnet.co.uk/software/hundreds-of-new-web-domain-suffixes-incoming-this-year-50010519/>

Mid-2013 Expansion for Internet Names Targeted [AP]
Hundreds of Internet address suffixes to rival ".com" should be available for people and businesses to use by the end of the year, the head of an Internet oversight agency said Monday.
<http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/mid-2013-expansion-internet-names-targeted-18591466>
<http://www.wdbj7.com/news/sns-bc-us-tec--beyond-dot-com-20130225,0,6742121.story>
<http://www.3news.co.nz/New-internet-suffixes-by-end-of-year/tabid/412/articleID/288176/Default.aspx>

The little Bellevue company that's making a big internet land grab
Just like the Gold Rush that made some people rich while others lost their shirts, the rush to acquire web sites using new TLDs that become available later this year will likely make some of the people who run those domains very rich. Others, maybe not so much.
<http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2013/02/the-little-bellevue-company-thats.html>

Filing objections to applications for the registration of new gTLDs
In June 2011, ... announced that it would accept applications for the registration of new gTLDs. ... Parties who wish to express concerns about an application were able to do so by filing a public comment or a formal objection. Comments filed before September 26, 2012, are considered by ICANN during its initial evaluation of the applications but do not have the force of a formal objection. Comments filed after September 26, 2012, are not considered by ICANN but can be viewed by the public.
<http://www.bakerlaw.com/alerts/filing-objections-to-applications-for-the-registration-of-new-gtlds-2-21-2013/>

AIG withdraws new gTLD bid due to rebrand
The insurance company American International Group has dropped its application for .chartis, apparently due to a merger-related rebranding.
<http://domainincite.com/11975-aig-withdraws-new-gtld-bid-due-to-rebrand>

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 - DNS SECURITY
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?We Need a Plan B for the Internet,? Warns Internet Pioneer Danny Hillis
Danny Hillis has been an Internet user since the earliest of days. He registered the third domain name ever. He still has a book, a couple of inches thick, with the names and info for every person in the world with an email address in 1982. Today such a thing probably would be 25 miles thick.
<http://allthingsd.com/20130227/we-need-a-plan-b-for-the-internet-warns-internet-pioneer-danny-hillis/>

The Internet Needs a Plan B
Danny Hillis is one of the earliest internet users. He registered the third domain name ever, Think.com (?I thought, so many interesting names, maybe I should register a few other names? Nahh that wouldn?t be very nice.?) Clutching a grey book about an inch-thick on stage, Hillis described those early days. ?This is everyone who had an internet address in 1982,? Hillis told the crowd at TED2013 on Wednesday. ?It had your name, address and phone number. You were actually listed twice, because it was also indexed by internet address. We didn?t all know each other, but we all kind of trusted each other.?
<http://www.wired.com/business/2013/02/the-internet-needs-a-plan-b/>

A New Cold War, in Cyberspace, Tests U.S. Ties to China
When the Obama administration circulated to the nation?s Internet providers last week a lengthy confidential list of computer addresses linked to a hacking group that has stolen terabytes of data from American corporations, it left out one crucial fact: that nearly every one of the digital addresses could be traced to the neighborhood in Shanghai that is headquarters to the Chinese military?s cybercommand.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/25/world/asia/us-confronts-cyber-cold-war-with-china.html>

Lawmakers Dismiss China?s Denials Over Cyberattacks
In some of his strongest public remarks yet about the cyberattacks on American companies and government agencies that are believed to have been sponsored by China, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee said Sunday that the situation was ?as bad as I?ve ever seen it and exponentially getting worse.?
<http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/24/lawmakers-dismiss-chinas-denials-over-cyberattacks/>

Researchers say Stuxnet was deployed against Iran in 2007
Researchers at Symantec Corp have uncovered a version of the Stuxnet computer virus that was used to attack Iran's nuclear program in November 2007, two years earlier than previously thought.
<http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/02/26/uk-cyberwar-stuxnet-idUKBRE91P13620130226>
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/02/26/cyberwar-stuxnet-idINDEE91P0D720130226>

New Stuxnet whodunit: Malware existed two years earlier than anyone knew
Cybersecurity professionals -- especially in Iran -- woke up today to the latest twist in the history of cyberwarfare when researchers at Symantec said they discovered a version of the Stuxnet computer virus which predates by two years the cyber weapon that was used to sabotage Iran's main nuclear enrichment facilities.
<http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57571384-83/new-stuxnet-whodunit-malware-existed-two-years-earlier-than-anyone-knew/>

Stuxnet, The Prequel: Earlier Version Of Cyberweapon Discovered
Symantec finds 'missing link' in infamous Stuxnet malware that sabotages another piece of equipment in Iranian nuclear facility--attackers became more aggressive as campaign ensued
<http://www.darkreading.com/advanced-threats/167901091/security/attacks-breaches/240149525/stuxnet-the-prequel-earlier-version-of-cyberweapon-discovered.html>

Researchers Find Stuxnet Older Than Previously Believed
Researchers on Tuesday said they have proof the Stuxnet worm used to cripple Iran's nuclear program has been in the wild two years longer than first believed. There's also now evidence the military-grade malware's origins date back to 2005, and possibly earlier.
<http://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/researchers-find-stuxnet-older-previously-believed-022613>

White House will soon revive cybersecurity legislation push
A senior adviser to President Barack Obama said the White House will soon renew efforts to push cybersecurity legislation through Congress, though he foresaw an uphill battle given the failure of the last attempt.
<http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/02/26/uk-cybersecurity-obama-idUKBRE91P02A20130226>

Interpreting the second wave of cyber security threats to China
The U.S. has two times challenged China in the field of Internet governance. The first challenge came in the form of a speech delivered by former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Internet freedom following Google's withdrawal from the Chinese mainland. The second came earlier this month as a private security firm, Mandiant, released a report accusing the Chinese military of stealing U.S. intellectual property.
<http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/2013-02/26/content_28061453.htm>

India will have cyber security policy soon: Sibal
India will soon have a cyber security policy that will ensure preventive measures against cyber crime and fraud, the government said Wednesday.
<http://gadgets.ndtv.com/internet/news/india-will-have-cyber-security-policy-soon-sibal-336205>

**********************
 - DOMAIN DISPUTES
**********************
Domain names disputes and cyber squatting
Domain names are a vital business commodity and a valuable source of intellectual property. However, since anyone can register a domain name as long as it has not already been taken (usually on a first come first served basis) businesses should be alive to cybersquatting, a practice that according to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) is said to be booming.
<http://www.thelawyer.com/law-firms/briefings/domain-names-disputes-and-cyber-squatting/3001763.article>

au: Birchbox, Inc. v. Nabil Sabet - Case No. DAU2012-0035
1. The Parties: The Complainant is Birchbox, Inc. of New York, New York City, United States of America (?United States?) represented by Ken Kwartler Law Office, United States. The Respondent is Nabil Sabet of Bentleigh, Victoria, Australia. 2. The Domain Name and Registrar: The disputed domain name <birchbox.com.au> is registered with Crazy Domains Pty Ltd.
<http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/search/text.jsp?case=DAU2012-0035>

**********************
 - MISCELLANEOUS
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us: Feds strike a deal with alleged illegal streaming site operator
After taking down Channelsurfing.net and arresting its alleged owner in 2011, the feds now seem to be easing up. Before going to trial, the government struck a deal earlier this month with the alleged site owner Brian McCarthy.
<http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57571497-83/feds-strike-a-deal-with-alleged-illegal-streaming-site-operator/>

**********************
 - WEBHOSTING
**********************
Pirate Bay Moves From Sweden to Norway, Spain [AP]
Embattled file-sharing site The Pirate Bay is looking for safe havens in Norway and Spain after its Swedish host came under legal pressure to shut it down.
<http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2013/02/26/world/europe/ap-eu-sweden-pirate-bay.html>

The Pirate Bay leaves Sweden for friendlier waters
The Swedish Pirate Party has stopped hosting the notorious website The Pirate Bay, according to TorrentFreak. While no one knows where the site is actually run from, Web-hosting services have been provided through the Swedish Pirate Party for a few years now.
<http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/02/the-pirate-bay-leaves-sweden-for-friendlier-waters/>

Pirate Bay quits Sweden to relieve pressure on bandwidth provider [IDG]
The Pirate Bay is trying to open two new gateways to its internal network in order to shield its current Internet provider, the Swedish Pirate Party, which had been threatened with legal action if it did not stop providing Internet access to the torrent search site by Tuesday.
<http://www.cio.com/article/729420/Pirate_Bay_quits_Sweden_to_relieve_pressure_on_bandwidth_provider>
<http://www.networkworld.com/news/2013/022613-pirate-bay-quits-sweden-to-267092.html>

**********************
 - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET
**********************
New Service Offers Short Term Cash Loans Secured by Your Domains & Financing for New Purchases
While I was at the Webfest Global conference earlier this month I had a chance to chat with attorney Matt Collins who has launched a new financial services company at inteLend.com. Collins designed the business to serve intellectual property owners, especially those who hold quality domain names and/or revenue producing websites.
<http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2013/dailyposts/20130226.htm>


**********************
INTERNET USE
**********************
The Enduring Myth of the 'Free' Internet
We somehow have come to believe that information is free, but people with Internet access pay substantial sums to get it -- sums many can't afford.
<http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/02/the-enduring-myth-of-the-free-internet/273515/>

Pearson says FT is not for sale as digital subscriptions overtake print
Financial Times owner Pearson has declared the paper is not for sale, as it confirmed that the number of digital subscriptions to the FT has overtaken the number buying the print edition for the first time.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/feb/25/pearson-ft-sale-digital-subscriptions>

Canadians Win for Internet Usage Worldwide
Are you reading this article online? If so than you are among the vast majority of Canadians using the internet.
<http://www.tumblerridgenews.com/index.php/features/10001-canadians-win-for-internet-usage-worldwide>

**********************
SOCIAL MEDIA
**********************
Facebook asked to take down pages abusing Sandy Hook victims
Numerous Facebook "tribute" pages that emerged after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in December have turned into a convenient venting vehicle for those who contend the shooting never happened.
<http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-facebook-newtown-20130226,0,2595130.story>

Facebook removes US shooting 'tributes' after complaints
Facebook has removed some pages dedicated to last year's Sandy Hook primary school shooting, following complaints.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21588887>

Google extends social Web reach to counter Facebook's rise
Google Inc transformed the Internet by cataloging the Web's countless pages. Now it wants to keep better track of the Web's multitude of users.
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/02/26/google-social-login-facebook-idINDEE91P0F520130226>
<http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/02/26/uk-google-social-login-idUKBRE91P0VS20130226>

*********************************
CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY
*********************************
How to Stop the Bullies
The angst and ire of teenagers is finding new, sometimes dangerous expression online?precipitating threats, fights, and a scourge of harrassment that parents and schools feel powerless to stop. The inside story of how experts at Facebook, computer scientists at MIT, and even members of the hacker collective Anonymous are hunting for solutions to an increasingly tricky problem.
<http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/03/how-to-stop-bullies/309217/>

Apple offers compensation for kids' in-app purchases
Apple has proposed paying compensation to US parents whose children made in-app purchases without their permission.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21585378>

Apple faces multimillion US settlement over 'in-app purchases' by children
Parents who have been shocked to find their children have run up massive bills ? some of up to $1,400 ? by making "in-app purchases" on their Apple iPhone or iPad will get cash or an iTunes Store credit as part of a settlement that could cost the company up to $100m (?66m).
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/feb/26/apple-settlement-children-in-app-purchases>

ca: Cyberbullying of teens increasing with smartphones, mobile Internet access
One in five online Canadian teens say they have witnessed people they know being bullied on social networking sites, according to an Ipsos Reid study released today
<http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Cyberbullying+teens+increasing+with+smartphones+mobile+Internet+access/8018389/story.html>

nz: Yahoo finds another 1500 compromised Telecom Xtra accounts
... But some, including government-funded NetSafe and the Institute of IT Professionals NZ, are more worried about the separate, direct security breach of Yahoo's mail servers, which happened at the same time as the February 9 phishing attack upsurge. This mail server breach could have lead to address books and email being downloaded for use in a future attack.
<http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/yahoo-finds-another-1500-compromised-telecom-xtra-accounts-ck-136490>

**********************
ONLINE TV, MUSIC & PIRACY
**********************
Pirate Bay Moves From Sweden to Norway, Spain [AP]
Embattled file-sharing site The Pirate Bay is looking for safe havens in Norway and Spain after its Swedish host came under legal pressure to shut it down.
<http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2013/02/26/world/europe/ap-eu-sweden-pirate-bay.html>

The Pirate Bay leaves Sweden for friendlier waters
The Swedish Pirate Party has stopped hosting the notorious website The Pirate Bay, according to TorrentFreak. While no one knows where the site is actually run from, Web-hosting services have been provided through the Swedish Pirate Party for a few years now.
<http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/02/the-pirate-bay-leaves-sweden-for-friendlier-waters/>

Pirate Bay quits Sweden to relieve pressure on bandwidth provider [IDG]
The Pirate Bay is trying to open two new gateways to its internal network in order to shield its current Internet provider, the Swedish Pirate Party, which had been threatened with legal action if it did not stop providing Internet access to the torrent search site by Tuesday.
<http://www.cio.com/article/729420/Pirate_Bay_quits_Sweden_to_relieve_pressure_on_bandwidth_provider>
<http://www.networkworld.com/news/2013/022613-pirate-bay-quits-sweden-to-267092.html>

US internet 'six strikes' anti-piracy campaign begins
A "six-strikes" campaign to combat internet piracy has begun in the US. Five of the country's leading ISPs are taking part in the copyright Alert System, which they say is designed to educate rather than punish users.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21591696>

Digital rights advocates wary of new 'six strikes' initiative for online piracy
The newest attempt to thwart illegal filesharing in the United States launched Monday and while the "six strikes and you're out" initiative seems to offer light penalties, digital rights advocates are concerned that it lacks transparency.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/feb/25/digital-six-strikes-online-piracy>

Warning System Launched for Movie, Music Pirates
Internet service providers have launched a more coordinated effort to deal with subscribers who illegally download movies, TV shows and music.
<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323699704578326402159158748.html>

'Six Strikes' System Flags P2P Piracy and Throttles Broadband Connections
The entertainment industry is teaming with five major Internet service providers to this week launch a new Copyright Alert System that will first warn online pirates and then start to strangle bandwidth of repeat offenders.
<http://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/six-strikes-system-flags-p2p-piracy-and-throttles-broadband-connections-022513>

Six-strikes piracy alert system rolling out in the US [IDG]
A system that aims to curb Internet users from sharing copyrighted content is being rolled out in the U.S. after a number of delays.
<http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9237146/Six_strikes_piracy_alert_system_rolling_out_in_the_US>

Music Industry Records First Revenue Increase Since 1999
The music industry, the first media business to be consumed by the digital revolution, said Tuesday that its global sales had risen last year for the first year since 1999, suggesting that a long-sought recovery might have finally begun.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/27/technology/music-industry-records-first-revenue-increase-since-1999.html>

Illegal music downloads dropped in 2012, says report
Fewer people are illegally downloading and sharing music, NPD Group said in a report today.
<http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57571318-93/illegal-music-downloads-dropped-in-2012-says-report/>

nz: US six-strikes anti-filesharing system kicks in
United States' internet users have their first taste of the delayed six-strikes Copyright Alert System after it launched officially yesterday, although ISPs have yet to explain to customers how the system will be implemented. ... New Zealand has adopted a more severe and punitive three-strikes system and started fining customers whose accounts are alleged to have been used to infringe copyright through file sharing.
<http://www.itnews.com.au/News/334487,us-six-strikes-anti-filesharing-system-kicks-in.aspx>

**********************
MOBILE/WIRELESS
**********************
Mobile data to overtake voice by 2018 predicts GSMA
Mobile operators will make more money from data than from voice by 2018, according to the GSMA.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21539404>

Mobile Data Revenue in U.S. and U.K. to Surpass Voice Revenue by 2014
There are about 1.6 billion mobile broadband connections today. Five years from now, there will be more than three times that many ? 5.1 billion ? and they?ll be generating a ton of revenue for the companies that provide them.
<http://allthingsd.com/20130225/mobile-data-revenue-in-us-and-uk-to-surpass-voice-revenue-by-2014/>

Samsung Sparks Anxiety at Google
Samsung Electronics Co. and Google Inc. together have stemmed dominance in smartphones, but there is new tension in their partnership.
<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323699704578324220017879796.html>

Future of mobile is virtual reality, according to Android
In the future we will have screens not just in the palm of our hands, but all around us, according to Matias Duarte, Google's Director of Android User Experience.
<http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/25/tech/mobile/mobile-virtual-reality-android/index.html>

As mobile bills tumble, Europe's telcos aim to make data pay
European telecoms companies who have watched with dismay while phone bills shrink are hoping new price plans that emphasise data will win back revenue from smartphone and tablet users making fewer calls but spending more time online.
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/02/25/telecoms-europe-data-pricing-idINDEE91O0JJ20130225>

Wanna Tweet in North Korea? It's Not Cheap
One nugget of news that created a little buzz last week among the North Korea-watching community was word that foreigners would soon be able to get 3G Internet connections on mobile devices while in the country, possibly as early as this week.
<http://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2013/02/25/wanna-tweet-in-north-korea-its-not-cheap/>

**********************
ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL
**********************
us: Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Surveillance Law
In a 5-to-4 decision that broke along ideological lines, the Supreme Court on Tuesday turned back a challenge to a federal law that authorized intercepting international communications involving Americans.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/27/us/politics/supreme-court-rejects-challenge-to-fisa-surveillance-law.html>

us: Supreme Court rules out secret surveillance lawsuits
No one can sue the government over secret surveillance because, since it's secret, no one can prove his or her calls were intercepted, the Supreme Court ruled Tuesday, throwing out a constitutional challenge to the government's monitoring of international calls and emails.
<http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-court-wiretaps-20130227,0,7654081.story>

uk: Attorney general takes legal action over online pictures of James Bulger killers
A number of individuals could face fines or even imprisonment for posting photographs purporting to be one of James Bulger's killers online, after the attorney general said he planned to launch contempt proceedings.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/feb/25/attorney-general-action-pictures-bulger-killers>

uk: Google, Facebook and Twitter ordered to delete photos of James Bulger killers
Google, Facebook and Twitter have been ordered by the police to remove photographs purporting to show one of James Bulger's killers.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/feb/26/google-facebook-twitter>

Scams cost Kiwi's almost $4m
Kiwis lost almost $4 million in scams last year, with rising fraudulent investment and dating schemes in particular contributing to the losses, according to government figures.
<http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10867872>

Scams suck NZ$4 million from Kiwis [AAP]
A fool and his money are soon parted, but a lonely person with an internet connection can be separated from so much more, so much faster.
<http://www.zdnet.com/scams-suck-nz4-million-from-kiwis-7000011750/>

Kiwis lose $2.2m in online dating scams
New Zealanders looking for love online lost more than $2.2 million in scams last year.
<http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbnat/971734026-kiwis-lose--2-2m-in-online-dating-scams>

Dating scams cost Kiwis $2 million
Lovesick Kiwis are an increasingly easy mark, with dating scams costing people more than $2 million last year.
<http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/dating-scams-cost-kiwis-2-million-5352726>
<http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/business/national-business/8348606/Millions-lost-to-dating-scams>

**********************
SECURITY
**********************
?We Need a Plan B for the Internet,? Warns Internet Pioneer Danny Hillis
Danny Hillis has been an Internet user since the earliest of days. He registered the third domain name ever. He still has a book, a couple of inches thick, with the names and info for every person in the world with an email address in 1982. Today such a thing probably would be 25 miles thick.
<http://allthingsd.com/20130227/we-need-a-plan-b-for-the-internet-warns-internet-pioneer-danny-hillis/>

The Internet Needs a Plan B
Danny Hillis is one of the earliest internet users. He registered the third domain name ever, Think.com (?I thought, so many interesting names, maybe I should register a few other names? Nahh that wouldn?t be very nice.?) Clutching a grey book about an inch-thick on stage, Hillis described those early days. ?This is everyone who had an internet address in 1982,? Hillis told the crowd at TED2013 on Wednesday. ?It had your name, address and phone number. You were actually listed twice, because it was also indexed by internet address. We didn?t all know each other, but we all kind of trusted each other.?
<http://www.wired.com/business/2013/02/the-internet-needs-a-plan-b/>

A New Cold War, in Cyberspace, Tests U.S. Ties to China
When the Obama administration circulated to the nation?s Internet providers last week a lengthy confidential list of computer addresses linked to a hacking group that has stolen terabytes of data from American corporations, it left out one crucial fact: that nearly every one of the digital addresses could be traced to the neighborhood in Shanghai that is headquarters to the Chinese military?s cybercommand.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/25/world/asia/us-confronts-cyber-cold-war-with-china.html>

Lawmakers Dismiss China?s Denials Over Cyberattacks
In some of his strongest public remarks yet about the cyberattacks on American companies and government agencies that are believed to have been sponsored by China, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee said Sunday that the situation was ?as bad as I?ve ever seen it and exponentially getting worse.?
<http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/24/lawmakers-dismiss-chinas-denials-over-cyberattacks/>

Researchers say Stuxnet was deployed against Iran in 2007
Researchers at Symantec Corp have uncovered a version of the Stuxnet computer virus that was used to attack Iran's nuclear program in November 2007, two years earlier than previously thought.
<http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/02/26/uk-cyberwar-stuxnet-idUKBRE91P13620130226>
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/02/26/cyberwar-stuxnet-idINDEE91P0D720130226>

New Stuxnet whodunit: Malware existed two years earlier than anyone knew
Cybersecurity professionals -- especially in Iran -- woke up today to the latest twist in the history of cyberwarfare when researchers at Symantec said they discovered a version of the Stuxnet computer virus which predates by two years the cyber weapon that was used to sabotage Iran's main nuclear enrichment facilities.
<http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57571384-83/new-stuxnet-whodunit-malware-existed-two-years-earlier-than-anyone-knew/>

Stuxnet, The Prequel: Earlier Version Of Cyberweapon Discovered
Symantec finds 'missing link' in infamous Stuxnet malware that sabotages another piece of equipment in Iranian nuclear facility--attackers became more aggressive as campaign ensued
<http://www.darkreading.com/advanced-threats/167901091/security/attacks-breaches/240149525/stuxnet-the-prequel-earlier-version-of-cyberweapon-discovered.html>

Researchers Find Stuxnet Older Than Previously Believed
Researchers on Tuesday said they have proof the Stuxnet worm used to cripple Iran's nuclear program has been in the wild two years longer than first believed. There's also now evidence the military-grade malware's origins date back to 2005, and possibly earlier.
<http://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/researchers-find-stuxnet-older-previously-believed-022613>

White House will soon revive cybersecurity legislation push
A senior adviser to President Barack Obama said the White House will soon renew efforts to push cybersecurity legislation through Congress, though he foresaw an uphill battle given the failure of the last attempt.
<http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/02/26/uk-cybersecurity-obama-idUKBRE91P02A20130226>

Interpreting the second wave of cyber security threats to China
The U.S. has two times challenged China in the field of Internet governance. The first challenge came in the form of a speech delivered by former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Internet freedom following Google's withdrawal from the Chinese mainland. The second came earlier this month as a private security firm, Mandiant, released a report accusing the Chinese military of stealing U.S. intellectual property.
<http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/2013-02/26/content_28061453.htm>

India will have cyber security policy soon: Sibal
India will soon have a cyber security policy that will ensure preventive measures against cyber crime and fraud, the government said Wednesday.
<http://gadgets.ndtv.com/internet/news/india-will-have-cyber-security-policy-soon-sibal-336205>

**********************
PRIVACY
**********************
Why Does Privacy Matter? One Scholar's Answer
Our privacy is now at risk in unprecedented ways, but, sadly, the legal system is lagging behind the pace of innovation. Indeed, the last major privacy law, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, was passed in 1986! While an update to the law -- spurred on by the General Petraeus scandal -- is in the works, it only aims to add some more protection to electronic communication like emails. This still does not shield our privacy from other, possibly nefarious, ways that our data can be collected and put to use. Some legislators would much rather not have legal restrictions that could, as Rep. Marsha Blackburn stated in an op-ed, "threaten the lifeblood of the Internet: data." Consider Rep. Blackburn's remarks during an April 2010 Congressional hearing: "[A]nd what happens when you follow the European privacy model and take information out of the information economy? ... Revenues fall, innovation stalls and you lose out to innovators who choose to work elsewhere."
<http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/02/why-does-privacy-matter-one-scholars-answer/273521/>

Google and Spain wrestle over EU privacy law
Google did battle with Spain's data protection authority in Europe's highest court on Tuesday, in a case with global implications that poses one of the toughest questions of the Internet age: When is information really private?
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/02/26/eu-google-dataprotection-idINDEE91P07K20130226>
<http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/02/26/uk-eu-google-dataprotection-idUKBRE91P0A220130226>

Google raises privacy fears as personal details are released to app developers
Google could face a third privacy row in a two years, after a leading campaigner called for the US government to investigate the fact that the names, geographic region and email addresses of people who buy apps from its Play store are passed on to the app developers without users' explicit permission.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/feb/25/google-privacy-fears-app-developers>

**********************
CENSORSHIP
**********************
Iceland seeks internet pornography ban
In the age of the internet and globe-spanning viral videos, can a thoroughly wired country become a porn-free zone? Authorities in Iceland want to find out.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/25/iceland-seeks-internet-pornography-ban>

**************************
GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY
**************************
nz: When does secrecy become counter productive
When trade diplomats gather in Singapore next month for the latest round of secret negotiations in the wide-ranging Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, the issue of intellectual property will again generate heated debate on the sidelines. ... Such is the concern around the TPPA, that respected not-for-profit, internetNZ, has made opposing it one of its key policy planks, running the "Fair Deal" campaign to raise awareness about it.
<http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10867855>

**********************
MISCELLANEOUS
**********************
Amazon May Seem Unstoppable, But Google Is Powering the Counterattack
Back in 1990, other stores still had a chance against Walmart. As recalled in Charles Fishman?s The Wal-Mart Effect, a great history of the rise of the retail giant, it was that year when Walmart surpassed Kmart in sales. It wasn?t until 1992 that Walmart sold more than Sears. But by 2011, Walmart had higher sales worldwide than the combined total sales of the next six biggest retailers: Kroger, Target, Walgreens, Costco, Home Depot and CVS.
<http://www.wired.com/business/2013/02/google-powers-amazon-counterattack/>

Yahoo Orders Home Workers Back to the Office
Since Marissa Mayer became chief executive of Yahoo, she has been working hard to get the Internet pioneer off its deathbed and make it an innovator once again. ... Studies show that people who work at home are significantly more productive but less innovative, said John Sullivan, a professor of management at San Francisco State University who runs a human resource advisory firm.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/26/technology/yahoo-orders-home-workers-back-to-the-office.html>

**********************
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
**********************
Battle over wireless power standards
Companies from carmakers to smartphone and consumer electronics manufacturers are locked in a standards battle over wireless power that threatens to slow the move to an unplugged world.
<http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/ed052f44-7883-11e2-8a97-00144feabdc0.html>

How Russia Is Bringing High-Speed Fiber to All Its Towns
Connecting up a country to a fiber-optic network is a tough challenge, but in a country that spans nine time zones and includes vast ice-bound wastelands, it is a daunting obstacle.
<http://blogs.wsj.com/tech-europe/2013/02/26/how-russia-is-bringing-high-speed-fiber-to-all-its-towns/>

nz: Opinion: Telco regulation ? where to next? InternetNZ considers the government's review of telecommunications regulation by Jordan Carter and Susan Chalmers
Telecommunications is one of the more competitive industries in New Zealand. In this environment there is huge technology change going on. Bold policies adopted by the Government following the 2008 election are pushing out fibre broadband in the cities, alongside faster copper and improved wireless broadband in rural areas. The government is a funder and investor of much of this change, partnering with private companies following a competitive tendering process.
<http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/opinion-telco-regulation-where-to-next>
<http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=F05DC626-CCD0-769E-6F7576FBD0B40265>

---------
David Goldstein

email: david at goldsteinreport.com
web:  http://davidgoldstein.tel/
         http://goldsteinreport.com/
phone: +61 418 228 605 - mobile; +61 2 9665 5773 - office/home

"Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim Flannery