3.3.2015

Good to Know:  We all know that eBay is a major e-commerce website but ever wondered how it got its name?  Turns out that the “e” doesn’t stand for electronic after all.  According to founder Pierre Omidyar, the company’s name has connections to Ebola. Omidyar had once populated the site with content related to Ebola. So, the “e” stands for ebola and the “Bay” is for none other than the Bay Area. #TheMoreYouKnow      

THE SKINNY.

Getting Things Done.

Last week, we gave you the heads up that the U.S. Federal Communications Commission would be voting on its Chairman Tom Wheeler’s net neutrality rules.  Well, the vote went down and in a 3-2 party line vote among the Chairman and his four Commissioners (2 Democrats and 2 Republicans), it was net neutrality for the win.  While the FCC Dems were all in, the two other Republicans on the other hand called out the rules’ flaws and even laid out ways that these rules could get overturned whether through a new Commission, Congress, or the courts system.  Republicans on Capitol Hill are not pleased either as they see this as big government seeking increased control over the Internet, but solutions to address this issue is causing some rifts in the party.  Outside of government, the usual lines of demarcation remain the same.  Internet companies are pleased with the rules approach to reclassify Internet providers as public utilities in efforts to ban blocking and paid prioritization while increasing transparency.  Cable companies/Internet service providers are not. Needless to say, a legal challenge of these rules is on the horizon.  #DejaVu But in the meantime, on March 18, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee will hold a hearing featuring Wheeler. Fun Times.

When Do We Get To See It?

The public still hasn’t seen the 317-page Order, but Wheeler hopes it’ll be released soon.  The Commission’s General Counsel Jon Sallet recently penned a blog post explaining the agency’s process when it comes to adopting rules.  In a nutshell, Sallet explained that the Commission simply follows Congress’s “blueprints” through the Communications Act and the Administrative Procedure Act, which provides guidance on federal administrative action.  These blueprints are followed in order to make sure that the rule “reflects public input, permits internal deliberation, and is built to withstand judicial review.”  Sallet indicated that once statements and requests for clarity are incorporated into the rule, then it’d be ready for public release.

What Else Is Going On This Week?

Belle of the Ball … 

Chairman Wheeler’s timing is impeccable.  Approval of his net neutrality rule came just in time for this year’s Mobile World Conference (MWC) in Barcelona.  The MWC is an annual conference attended by the who’s who in the mobile space.  This year, the spotlight is on Wheeler and his decision.  According to media reports, telecom execs want Wheeler at their table to question him about his thoughts on the implications of the rules.

Can You Feel The Tension?

Tensions between tech and telecom may be at an all time high at MWC, particularly in light of the Commission’s adoption of net neutrality rules.  Around the globe, telecom companies use the same argument against Internet companies offering over the top services.  Their number one gripe is that they’ve invested so much dolla dolla bills into building their infrastructure, and Internet companies are essentially free riding and profiting off of telecom companies’ networks and are not sharing.  And as people move to mobile, carriers are concerned that they’ll remain cut out of the revenues enjoyed by Internet companies.

But, Why Can’t We All Be Friends?

Google and Facebook think that this doesn’t have to be the case and are approaching relationships with carriers through partnerships with carriers.  For instance, Google’s Sundar Pichai announced at the mobile conference that the company has plans to launch its own brand of wireless service this year (at a small scale) and is reaching out to several carriers for potential partnerships.  Both Google and Facebook are also focused on bringing Internet access to emerging markets.  Facebook’s chief Mark Zuckerberg mentioned that he’s tried to forge partnerships with carriers on Internet.org, an initiative intended to bring access to 2/3 of the world’s population currently offline.  Airtel Africa is one willing participant to work with Facebook, and as these companies develop new technologies to bring access to developing areas without infrastructure, perhaps the tides may change in terms of which carriers are willing to forge partnerships.  If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.

While You Were Celebrating…

Though most of the attention last week was focused on the Commission’s Net Neutrality Order, the Obama Administration released its long anticipated consumer privacy bill.  This bill is intended to take a comprehensive approach to privacy rather than a sectoral approach.   Already, it does not seem that many people including the broader technology industry and privacy advocates are not fans of this proposal.  Even the Federal Trade Commission weighed in.   A commission spokesperson said, “we have concerns that the draft bill does not provide consumers with the strong and enforceable protections needed to safeguard their privacy.”  It’s unclear who will champion this bill in Congress, if at all.

In Other News…

President Obama is out publicly criticizing China’s plans to impose rules on U.S. technology companies.  In order to do business in China, these companies would be required to give the Chinese government encryption keys and passcodes intended to protect data.  Companies would also be required to create “backdoors” in their systems for surveillance reasons.

The Streets Are Talkin’

eBay/PayPal are acquiring Paydiant, a mobile wallet platform for retailers and companies.

Tinder is trying to generate revenue and is hoping that Tinder Plus is the answer.  The pricing of this premium service will depend on agenda and users’ location.  Sorry J.Lo, but turns out that love does cost a thing.