http://investors.alsk.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=348607
Alaska Communications Systems Launches Cell Phone Recycling
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Nov 18, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. ("ACS") (NASDAQ:ALSK) today announced a key step to reduce waste and protect the environment.
In partnership with The Wireless Alliance of Boulder, Colo., ACS has launched a cell phone recycling program at its 15 retail stores in Alaska. The program provides a no-cost, easy way for the public to recycle used cell phones, batteries, chargers and accessories. As many as 150 million cell phones are retired in the United States every year and more than 80 percent end up decomposing in landfills where the batteries can leach toxic materials into the environment, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Many people toss their unwanted cell phones into the garbage because they do not know where to recycle them. ACS now provides a recycling solution at its five stores in Anchorage, as well as in Eagle River, Wasilla, Soldotna, Homer, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, North Pole, Fairbanks, and Kodiak.
"ACS encourages everyone to take advantage of this free and easy method of helping to protect our environment," said Paula Dobbyn, Director, Corporate Communications. "It's a great way to keep electronics out of our landfills."
Cell phone recycling boxes at the ACS stores accept unwanted cell phones, regardless of the make, model or condition. ACS ships them to The Wireless Alliance, a leader in cell phone recycling and reuse. The Wireless Alliance refurbishes or shreds the discarded devices according to EPA regulations.
"We are excited ACS is recycling its wireless waste in partnership with The Wireless Alliance, helping to create a cleaner Alaska. Every phone we recycle is another phone that does not end up abandoned in a waste pile," said Jon Newman, Vice President of Operations at The Wireless Alliance.
About Alaska Communications Systems
Headquartered in Anchorage, ACS is Alaska's leading provider of broadband and other wireline and wireless solutions to Enterprise and mass market customers. The ACS wireline operations include the state's most advanced data networks and, to be launched in early 2009, the only diverse undersea fiber optic system connecting Alaska to the contiguous United States. The ACS wireless operations include the only statewide 3G CDMA network, reaching across Alaska from the North Slope to Ketchikan, with coverage extended via best-in-class CDMA carriers in the Lower 49 and Canada. By investing in the fastest-growing market segments and attracting the highest-quality customers, ACS seeks to drive top- and bottom-line growth, while continually improving customer experience and cost structure through process improvement. More information can be found on the company's website at www.acsalaska.com or at its investor site at www.alsk.com.
About The Wireless Alliance
Headquartered in Boulder, Colo., The Wireless Alliance works with manufacturers, recyclers, wireless carriers, and non-profit organizations to collect, reuse and recycle cellular equipment. All equipment is repurposed at an EPA licensed facility in a zero waste, environmentally conscious manner. Since 2001, The Wireless Alliance has reclaimed over 500 tons of wireless equipment from landfills, contributing to a cleaner and safer environment. For more information on The Wireless Alliance, visit www.thewirelessalliance.com.
SOURCE: Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc.
http://www.eff.org/cases/2009-dmca-rulemaking
2009 DMCA Rulemaking
For the 2009 rulemaking, EFF filed three exemption requests with the Copyright Office today aimed at protecting the important work of video remix artists, iPhone owners, and cell phone recyclers from legal threats under the DMCA.
One proposal filed by EFF is aimed at protecting the video remix culture currently thriving on Internet sites like YouTube. The filing asks for a DMCA exemption for amateur creators who use excerpts from DVDs in order to create new, noncommercial works. Hollywood takes the view that "ripping" DVDs is always a violation of the DMCA, no matter the purpose.
Another proposal requests a DMCA exemption for cell phone "jailbreaking" -- liberating iPhones and other handsets to run applications from sources other than those approved by the phone maker. Hundreds of thousands of iPhone owners have "jailbroken" their iPhones in order to use applications obtained from sources other than Apple's own iTunes "App Store."
EFF's third proposal asks for a renewal of an exemption previously granted for unlocking cell phones so that the handsets can be used with any telecommunications carrier. Carriers have threatened cell phone unlockers under the DMCA to protect their anti-competitive business models, even though there is no copyright infringement involved in the unlocking. Instead, the digital locks on cell phones make it harder to resell, reuse, or recycle the handset.
EFF represents three companies in this request. The Wireless Alliance is a Colorado limited liability corporation that recycles and resells used, refurbished, and new cellular products. ReCellular is the world's largest recycler and reseller of used cellular phones and accessories. Flipswap makes it easy to give mobile phones a second shot at life by offering fast, free and eco-friendly ways to trade them in.
The rulemaking proceeding will accept public comments regarding proposed exemptions until the deadline of February 2, 2009. The Copyright Office will then hold hearings in Washington, DC and California in Spring 2009. The final rulemaking order will be issued in October 2009.
