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TOP STORIES FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 03, 2004 Michigan Virtual University Shifts Focus Nextel and Verizon Settle Dispute VoIP Decision Expected Next Week Virginia Sees First Felony Spam Conviction MICHIGAN VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY SHIFTS FOCUS Officials of the Michigan Virtual University have announced a shift in the organization's focus away from higher education and toward elementary and secondary schools. Michigan Virtual University helps other groups develop online educational content, but state funding for the nonprofit had declined in the past two years, leading to a significant drop in the size of the staff. Those involved with the project said that the decision to direct attention away from higher education does not mean that online higher education in Michigan will suffer. Much of the organization's work, they noted, has resulted in sustained efforts to develop online content at many of the state's colleges and universities, leaving a much smaller demand for Michigan Virtual University's services than existed several years ago. By contrast, they said, significant demand remains for such services at the elementary and secondary education levels. Chronicle of Higher Education, 5 November 2004 (sub. req'd) http://chronicle.com/prm/weekly/v51/i11/11a03001.htm NEXTEL AND VERIZON SETTLE DISPUTE In a settlement widely regarded as a win for Nextel Communications, the wireless provider and Verizon Wireless have ended a long-running dispute over trademarks and reallocation of spectrum. Under the deal, Nextel will drop a lawsuit against Verizon alleging trademark infringement for use of the term "push to talk," and Nextel agreed not to pursue such charges against Verizon or any other carrier that uses the term. Meanwhile, Verizon will end its opposition to a reallocation of radio-wave spectrum between the government and Nextel. Nextel's network was woven together with various slices of the spectrum that often caused interference with emergency workers, such as police and firefighters. A proposed spectrum swap with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would eliminate much of that interference, but Verizon objected because the swap would also allow Nextel to upgrade its network fairly easily and to offer high-speed data services. Under the deal with the FCC, Nextel will return about $2 billion worth of spectrum to the FCC and will spend at least $3.2 billion to help relocate users affected by the change. The Government Accountability Office still has to rule on whether the FCC has the authority to swap the spectrum as outlined in the deal. Wall Street Journal, 3 November 2004 (sub. req'd) http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB109941002329062243,00.html VOIP DECISION EXPECTED NEXT WEEK The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has said it will rule November 9 on a petition from Internet phone provider Vonage requesting that voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) service be classified as an interstate service and exempted from state and local regulation and taxes. Congressional efforts to so classify VoIP failed to garner sufficient support, leading legislators to turn the matter over to the FCC. Observers say the ruling will have enormous impact on the development of the emerging VoIP market, which, if the FCC grants the requested exemption, will avoid having to make licensing arrangements with 50 states and being subject to varying regulatory systems. The timing of the ruling is important, according to some observers, as a number of states are beginning to press for jurisdiction over VoIP services. The FCC has already ruled that VoIP services will be subject to wiretap provisions that apply to traditional phone carriers, and the agency is sill considering other VoIP issues including whether providers must contribute to the Universal Service Fund. Internet News, 3 November 2004 http://www.internetnews.com/infra/article.php/3430691 VIRGINIA SEES FIRST FELONY SPAM CONVICTION A brother and sister in Virginia have been found guilty under that state's antispam law, which some describe as the toughest in the nation. Jeremy D. Jaynes and Jessica DeGroot, who live in North Carolina, were charged with sending unsolicited e-mail from a bogus return address. Prosecutors said the e-mail the pair sent advertised fraudulent products, such as a "FedEx refund processor" that supposedly allowed users to earn $75 an hour from their homes. During one month, Jaynes reportedly received 10,000 orders for the processor, which was priced at $39.95. Jurors in the nation's first felony conviction for spam will now consider punishment for the two defendants. Prosecutors have asked the jury to sentence Jaynes to the maximum 15 years in prison and have requested an unspecified prison term for DeGroot. Washington Post, 3 November 2004 (registration req'd) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22961-2004Nov3.html ***************************************************** EDUPAGE INFORMATION To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change your settings, visit http://www.educause.edu/Edupage/639 Or, you can subscribe or unsubscribe by sending e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To SUBSCRIBE, in the body of the message type: SUBSCRIBE Edupage YourFirstName YourLastName To UNSUBSCRIBE, in the body of the message type: SIGNOFF Edupage If you have subscription problems, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For past issues of Edupage or information about translations of Edupage into other languages, visit http://www.educause.edu/Edupage/639 ***************************************************** OTHER EDUCAUSE PUBLICATIONS EDUCAUSE publishes periodicals, including "EQ" and "EDUCAUSE Review," books, and other materials dealing with the impacts and implications of information technology in higher education. 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