U.S., Allies Reject Internet Regulation in Telecom Treaty

The United Arab Emirates hosts the 2012 World Conference on International Telecommunications. Photo: ITU

The United States, Canada, Great Britain and Australia are among about 20 nations that refused to sign a new treaty on global telecommunications, which has been in development at the World Conference on International Telecommunications in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, since December 3. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) convened the meeting for its 200 member states to review and amend the International Telecommunications Regulations (ITRs) in place since 1988. Even before the meeting began, the head of the U.S. delegation, Ambassador Terry Kramer, warned of U.S. rejection of any attempts to impose new regulations on the Internet. The U.S. delegation and like-minded nations walked away from the overall agreement December 13 because of clauses that could serve as groundwork for government regulation of the Internet. Read the full article.

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U.S.-EU Highlights

NASA released this artist’s conception of Orion, which is planned to be the most advanced space vehicle ever designed. Photo: NASA

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