European Bcstg. Union (EBU) will meet in Geneva Fri. to select next chief executive of group, which operates Eurovision network. Current Secy. Gen. Bernard Munch leaves this summer after 11 years as top executive.

FCC proposed $1,020,000 fine against America’s Tele-Network (ATNC) Tues. for apparent violations of Commission rules against slamming. FCC staff determined that ATNC apparently was liable for fine of $40,000 for each of 17 alleged violations, for total of $680,000. Violations arose from 16 consumer complaints that FCC investigated out of more than 260 received. Commission further determined that due to apparent pattern of intentional and egregious misconduct, fine should be increased 50%. ATNC has 30 days to either pay proposed fine or show why it should be reduced. ATNC is nationwide reseller of long distance services, based in Roswell, Ga. FCC order cited numerous examples of misleading ATNC encounters with consumers. In one case, consumer said telemarketer called her, said she was with AT&T and wanted to correct overbilling problem. Telemarketer asked consumer to “confirm” her name, address and birthdate before company would send check to cover overbilling. ATNC later used that confirmation as proof that consumer wanted to subscribe to ATNC, FCC said. “The evidence before us indicates that ATNC has apparently willfully and repeatedly changed consumers’ preferred telecommunications providers without their consent.” agency’s order said.

ICO-Teledesic is about to emerge from mandatory quiet period with launch of its first satellite in June that will test communications systems for proposed voice and data service. Industry officials say ICO-Teledesic CEO Craig McCaw wants to be sure system works and prove to potential investors that service is viable before proceeding. System will be tested for months until McCaw is “satisfied no interference exists” that might hurt service, industry source said. New ICO spokesman refused to confirm launch plans, but admitted company would “make a statement” within next 30 days. Spokesman also said New ICO would “wait until the market firms up” before floating IPO.

Okla. House passed bill that would require all public schools and libraries to filter Internet access to pornography and material “harmful to minors.” Bill (HB-1864) passed House with only 2 dissenting votes despite concerns by many legislators that bill was unnecessary, costly and an unwarranted interference with local powers. House narrowly defeated amendment to allow local libraries to opt out of filtering requirement due to economic hardship.

Wash. Utilities & Transportation Commission (WUTC) can’t conduct 1000-block number pooling trials in 509 area code (Spokane) without further authorization from FCC, agency said. Statement came in March 12 letter to Qwest, which had sought clarification. Agency said it gave WUTC delegated authority for pooling trials in several other area codes after it demonstrated it had met certain criteria. WUTC hasn’t done so yet in 509 area and “would need to petition the FCC, or supplement its previous petition, and make the requisite showing before such authority for the 509 [code] could be granted,” said letter signed by Deputy Common Carrier Bureau Chief Yog Varma.

Road Runner customers suffered e-mail outages in Tex. and parts of La. and Miss. last week following failure of server in company’s Austin data center. Outages lasted several days, Time Warner spokesman said, declining to specify number of customers affected. He said problem had been fixed. “We are discussing remedies,” he said when asked whether company had refund plans.

Rural telcos warned FCC in reply comments filed Mon. that altering Multi-Assn. Group (MAG) plan to reform rural universal service and access charge programs would destroy it. Alliance of Incumbent Rural Independent Telephone Companies (AIRIT), coalition of 90 companies formed after initial comments were filed Feb. 26 on MAG plan, said it was based on finely crafted compromises. They said rural companies bought into plan only if all terms were retained to reflect those compromises: “In good faith, rural companies have generally endorsed the efforts of their various associations to work together to develop a ‘holistic’ plan for change in access charges, the universal service fund and subscriber line charges.” Companies expected FCC to either adopt or reject it, they said. However, many parties since have proposed changing it and rural telcos “must act to protect their rights,” AIRIT said. Comments “clearly demonstrate the intent of other… parties and interest groups to utilize the MAG and RTF [plans] as forums to advance their business agendas as opposed to the public interest,” they said. Telcos said they were even more concerned because alternative Rural Task Force (RTF) plan appeared to be inconsistent with Telecom Act. They said RTF would have to be changed to clarify its “disturbing aspects.” AIRIT said rural telcos were confused about RTF and didn’t realize it had problems: “The consensus reached by the rural industry as reflected in the MAG proposal did not contemplate the implementation of the troubling aspects of the RTF… plan.” Telcos said problem centered on RTF plan to convert universal service funding to per- line basis and make it portable.

National Exchange Carrier Assn. (NECA) told FCC it supported Puerto Rico Telephone Co. (PRTC) request for extension of waiver that lets it remain under rate-of-return regulation and stay in NECA’s common line pool. NECA said waiver would let PRTC continue to receive long-term support, “which is essential to PRTC’s ability to keep rates affordable and, by extension, for long distance carriers to keep toll rates reasonable.” FCC first gave PRTC waiver year ago.

FCC Chmn. Powell and Rep. Dingell (D-Mich.), ranking minority member of House Commerce Committee, are among speakers at Mich. State U.’s 2nd annual Quello Center seminar on telecom policy April 4 at Capital Hilton -- Russ White, 517-432-0923.

GE Americom’s GE-8 satellite began commercial operation Mon. and its GE-5 customers have switched to new bird. Lockheed Martin-built satellite, at 139 degrees W, provides service to all 50 states and Caribbean.