Telemundo Network signed 5-year deal with Colombia’s Caracol Television and RTI to co-produce 10 Spanish-language novelas for Hispanic network in Colombia. Under pact, Telemundo and 2 Colombian broadcasters will air all 10 novelas on their respective networks. Companies said deal was worth more than $1 million.
Young Bcstg asked FCC to impose sanctions on EchoStar in companies’ dispute over inability to reach retransmission agreement (CD March 7 p2). In earlier petition, EchoStar had accused Young of failing to negotiate in good faith, which Young denied. In its answer and request for sanctions, Young said it had complied with good-faith negotiations standards of FCC and hadn’t committed any violations. It said its conduct had been above board and it disputed allegations that it improperly exercised market power and hindered competition in MVPD market. EchoStar’s complaint, Young said, was based on series of misrepresentations of fact and law and should be summarily dismissed.
Research firm New Networks Institute (NII) asked FCC, N.Y. PSC and New York Attorney Gen.’s office to investigate findings by CWA that Verizon falsified service quality data and made other infractions. NII said neither FCC nor state regulators had followed up on Nov. 2000 union study of Verizon’s service quality reports. CWA study, submitted to N.Y. PSC as part of its oversight of Verizon’s alternative regulation plan, was based on experience of phone company workers.
ISurfTV, which aims to compete against Gemstar-TV Guide International in emerging interactive program guide market, won of its first patent from U.S. Patent Office. Initial patent covers use of 3-D technology in interactive TV portals and program guides. Company said it had more than 70 other patents pending.
Senate approved by voice vote amendment to S-27 that would require identification of political candidates endorsed in TV and radio broadcast ads. Co-sponsored by Sens. Collins (R-Me.) and Wyden (D-Ore.), bill would mandate inclusion of candidate photo and “personal responsibility statement” in TV ads and similar oral statement in radio ads. “A candidate should have to own up to sponsorship of that ad,” Collins said Thurs. in floor comment. Amendment would be tied to candidate’s eligibility for “lowest usage rate available for commercial [broadcast] time,” Collins and Wyden said. Sen. Feingold (R-Wis.), co-sponsor of S-27, said he welcomed measure, “which provides for accountability and has bipartisan support.” Senate approved other campaign finance amendments, including one by Sen. Cochran (R-Miss.) that would require expanded listing of campaign-related financing on Federal Election Commission Web site. At our deadline, Sen. Specter (R- Pa.) had introduced amendment that would clarify S-27 definition of “advocacy” versus “issue” ads, which he said was necessary to “pass constitutional muster” if subjected to U.S. Supreme Court review.
Comsat and ARINC have started aeronautical mobile satellite service for Europe, U.S. and Pacific air corridors. Service will provide satellite voice and data communications for passengers and crews aboard commercial, cargo, govt. and business aircraft.
Bills introduced in Congress this session, such as Rep. Wolf (R-Va.) proposal (HR-1012(CD March 16 p7) that would provide $500 tax credit toward home telecom and electronics investments by telecommuters, “can play a key role in accelerating the deployment of telework,” AT&T Vp-Environment, Health & Safety Braden Allenby said. “Building on Rep. Wolf’s initiatives, we would suggest giving an employer an annual telework tax credit of $500 for each employee who teleworks on a full-time basis, and a prorated amount for each employee who teleworks on a part-time basis,” he told House Commerce Technology & Procurement Subcommittee Thurs. “For each employee who is covered under the ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990], the maximum annual employer telework credit would increase to $1,000.” Allenby also supported HR-1031 by Rep. Udall (D-Colo.) that would create Small Business Administration telework outreach pilot program (CD March 19 p4). He said “digital divide between home and office” had inhibited expansion of AT&T’s telework program. “Our research has shown that the lack of broadband into the home is the top barrier to increased participation,” he said. “Lack of high-speed access to the inter/intranet draws workers back into the office for the sake of productivity,” stemming from use of “larger and larger computer files and applications such as video conferencing.”
AOL Hong Kong began its first wireless initiative with AOL Mobile services, which provides AOL content to consumers with Internet-capable phones at no extra charge. Company said service marks “first step” toward wireless presence in Hong Kong.
Mich. car-phone bill that would assess one violation point as well as $25 fine against drivers who talked on mobile phones has been put on indefinite hold. After hearings Wed. on HB-4148, House Transportation Committee Chmn. Judson Gilbert (R-Algonac) said testimony persuaded him that more information was needed before bill could be brought to vote. He said he might appoint special subcommittee to research car phone hazard. Mich. has year-round legislature, so bill could be taken up in committee any time after study. At hearings, Mich Secy. of State’s Office, which administers violations point system, opposed bill and called for study on link between car-phone use and highway safety. Points are big issue because drivers who accumulate them can face higher auto insurance rates and risk loss of license. Some committee members also questioned attempt to regulate personal behavior while wireless industry objected to singling out car phones from other driver distractions and said spread of hands- free phone models for cars could make law unnecessary.
National broadband provider Focal Communications will use gateway equipment from CopperCom to deploy voice over DSL (VoDSL) services. CopperCom gateways will permit Focal to offer voice and high-speed data service to subscribers using up to 16 phones lines simultaneously over single copper loop. Deployment began this week in Chicago, Focal said.