The Committee on Energy and Commerce , “the oldest legislative standing committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, has served as the principal guide for the House in matters relating to the promotion of commerce and to the public’s health and marketplace interests.”
Joe Barton (R-TX) is the current chair.
http://energycommerce.house.gov/aboutCo mmittee.htm

Among its six subcommittees is the House Telecommunications and Internet Sub- Committee. Fred Upton (R-MI) chairs this committee and Edward Markey (D-MA) is the ranking member. Click and find out whom the other members are and if they represent your state/district. Contact their offices and find out how your interests are being served. http://energycommerce.house.gov/108/subc ommittees/Telecommunications_and_the_Internet_Me mbers.htm

Missouri PSC Sets Deadline for Embarq’s Application for Competitive Classification Hearing scheduled for July 11, 2006.
http://www.psc.mo.gov/press/pr-06- 233.pdf

Have You Heard of Telematics?
by C. O'Garro

It is “a wireless communications system designed for the collection and dissemination of information, particularly referring to vehicle-based electronic systems, vehicle tracking and positioning, on-line vehicle navigation and information systems and emergency assistance.” What does that mean to the average person? Today, most adult Americans are familiar with the brand OnStar® by General Motors, the world’s largest telematics service provider (TSP). Less well known but equally as important in the industry is ATX Group the world’s largest independent (i.e. non-branded) TSP. Both companies are driving the growth of the telematics industry. As a result, today’s drivers have an array of valued added services that are improving the vehicle driving and ownership experiences. From websites or cellphones, drivers can lock or unlock their vehicle’s doors, warm or cool and locate their vehicles. In case of accidents, emergency authorities are able to receive the exact location of a vehicle and communicate with occupants. Some vehicles are capable of delivering crash data to emergency responders (e.g. is the vehicle upright or rolled over? Was the collision a driver, passenger, front or rear side impact? Was the impact mild or severe? Telematics will also revolutionize the way vehicles are maintained and improve the customer to supplier relationship between the driver and a dealer. Today, OnStar customers get monthly emails informing them of the condition of key vehicle safety systems. Some vehicles are also able to automatically notify dealers if certain performance sensors are triggered negatively or if the vehicle is approaching a scheduled mileage maintenance interval. Bottom line: we are scratching the surface of the power of telematics. In the near future, as automakers continue to integrate more advanced electronics into their vehicles, and as telematics standards are developed, drivers will be the beneficiaries.

Minority Media & Telecommunications Council (MMTC) Announces “Fourth Annual Access to Capital & Telecom Policy Conference” July 10-11, 2006 at Washington’s Westin Grand Hotel. Registration is open at www.mmtconline.o rg

National Association of Minority Media Executives Conference (NAMME) July 12-13, 2006, the Ritz Carlton, Washington, DC 20037. For more information, call 202-835-0500.

Community Network, AATP of SBC – 8th Annual National Conference, “Encouraging Empowerment- Shaping the Future”July 20 – 23, 2006, St. Louis, MO for questions on registration, contact Madelyn Marks at mm0505@sbc.com

Delta College (Bay County, Michigan) seeking TV Programming Manager.

Granville T. Woods Award for Outstanding CEO

In 1992, the NABTP Granville T. Woods Award for Outstanding CEO was established to recognize CEO’s of African American-owned businesses that offer telecommunications products and/or services on the open market as a major or total part of their business. To date, thirteen executives have been presented with this award in honor of technology trailblazer and black inventor, Granville T. Woods. htt p://web.mit.edu/Invent/iow/woods.html

Recipients of NABTP Granville T. Woods Award for Outstanding CEO

1992 Joshua Smith, Maxima Corporation
1993 Emmit J. McHenry, Netcom Solutions International
1994 Kathryn C. Turner, Standard Technology, Inc.
1995 Joseph Profit, Sr., Communications International, Inc.
1996 Cheryl R. Basye & Raymond A. Basye, ZoCom Technologies, Inc.
1997 David Steward. World Wide Technology, Inc.
1998 James “Bud” Ward, Symbiont, Inc.
1999 Michael & Steven Roberts, Roberts Communications
2000 Maurice B. Tose, TeleCommunications Systems, Inc.
2001 Patricia Bransford, National Urban Technology Center
2003 Andre Gudger, Solvern Innovations