Cellular phone groups to sue over wiretapping regulations
Article Abstract:
Two cellular telephone industry groups intend to sue in hopes of narrowing the FBI's interpretation of the 1994 Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act. This law is designed to help law enforcement agencies conduct surveillance on suspected criminals's phone calls in the digital age. The FBI is requesting regulations under the legislation that would award wide new wiretapping powers while demanding consumers to pay higher rates to support the expanded features, industry executives and civil liberties advocates say. Both the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association and the Personal Communications Industry Association will file suits in the US District Court in Washington, according to industry executives. The FBI is seeking far more than the $500 million authorized by Congress for upgrading equipment installed before Jan 1, 1995, according to the industry groups. At issue is whether taxpayers or the industry should pay for the additional modifications.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1998
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Finding cellular callers in an emergency; Snaptrack's tests seek 911 accuracy, using G.P.S. technology
Article Abstract:
Snaptrack has begun testing of a software-based system that will allow cellular telephone users to broadcast their locations for 911 emergency-system operators. The Silicon Valley start-up company is testing the system, which combines special embedded telephone software and a global positioning (GPS) technology-enabled central office system, in the Denver area. The system's accuracy range of slightly more than 100 yards is improving dispatchers's ability to coordinate response times. The FCC, meanwhile, is forcing wireless carriers to offer accurate location information within 125 meters (136.7 yards) at least 67% of the time by Oct 2001. Snaptrack's software, located inside the cellular handset, works with a central computer that enhances augments processing and information. Phone manufacturers and seven wireless carriers are testing the Snaptrack system and two other competing technologies.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1998
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Computing centers become the keeper of Web's future
Article Abstract:
Server farms or data centers have become a billion-dollar industry. These Internet engine rooms supply corporations and individual PC users with a simultaneous flow of information. The server farms are designed to provide constant maintenance for huge computers, reversing a computing trend by centralizing both power and information. The Internet and its high-volume usage by both personal and corporate users has spurred the trend backwards to centralized computing. Centralization has its problems and concerns, however, the most salient being worries about privacy and large-scale breakdowns. The trend in computing is forecasted to be widespread usage of information appliances communicating on the Internet via server farms. This trend worries two of the biggest PC-industry players, Microsoft Corp. and Intel Corp., because connection to the Web will no longer be based on PCs.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1999
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