It took an Internet-wide outcry from millions of voters to prompt Rep. Lamar Smith, author of the Stop Online Piracy Act, to postpone a vote on the controversial Hollywood-backed bill.
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The Supreme Court of India issued a stinging rebuke to the government on Thursday by canceling 122 telecommunications licenses sold at below-market prices in 2008 that have been the subject of a long-running controversy. … more

A House subcommittee kicked off this year’s cybersecurity agenda by approving a bill designed to protect “critical infrastructure” from cyberattacks, even as a Senate bill waits in the wings. … more

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Wednesday defended a report it published this week on the Mexican telecommunications industry after the report’s conclusions drew sharp criticism from Mexican telecom magnate Carlos Slim. … more

Fish, barrel; fox, henhouse; Abbott, NBN. Mocking Tony Abbott’s ignorance of telecoms has become so easy and habitual that his latest pronouncements would normally hardly merit a response. But with his latest policy speech being seen as an informal roll-up to next year’s election campaign, and Telstra’s recent behaviour reaffirming the need for government intervention in the telco sector, it’s important to once again weigh the implications of Abbott’s cost-redirection policy against the reality of the situation. … more

India’s Supreme Court will give its verdict on Thursday whether telecoms licences granted to several companies in 2008 should be revoked, in the latest judgement in one of the country’s biggest-ever corruption scandals. … more

U.S. Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) has proposed a bill that would require all phone companies to notify consumers of any user tracking and monitoring software in their cell phones. … more

Delegates to focus on region-wide ‘digital inclusion’

Over the past 12 months, the Arab Spring has brought about unprecedented political changes across the region. The right to communicate is increasingly recognized and asserted, and now needs to be complemented by opportunities to be educated and employed, and to contribute to the development of the economy and wealth of the region. … more

The value of the web economy in G20 countries will nearly double by 2016, according to Boston Consulting Group. … more

European Union member countries that fail to implement the bloc’s new rules on consumer rights for telephone and Internet services could be taken to Europe’s highest court as soon as next month, EU Digital Commissioner Neelie Kroes said Thursday. … more