public communications network

Changes would be required to make official wiretapping of public communications networks easier, under legislation expected to be introduced in Congress today.

The new legislation confines surveillance to public communications networks, excluding private corporate telephone and computer networks.

But the type of software the Clinton Administration wants to add to the public communications network would make possible much more detailed records of individuals' electronic activities.

In response to the changing public communications network, new alarm systems often can use broadband signaling as a method of alarm transmission, and manufacturers are including IP reporting capability directly in their alarm panel products.

But there is another way to look at the proposed fees - not so much as a new layer of regulation, but as a realization that there are costs to operating a public communications network and that everyone using the network should help cover those costs.

The Data Retention Directive requires Member States to force providers of electronic communications services or of public communications networks to retain data concerning the exchange of communications for a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 2 years.

On 15 March 2006 the European Union adopted the Data Retention Directive, on "the retention of data generated or processed in connection with the provision of publicly available electronic communications services or of public communications networks and amending Directive 2002/58/EC".