Eschelon Telecom dropped complaint against AT&T it filed with FCC Feb. 15 alleging that AT&T had failed to pay access charges. With both parties in discussions, Eschelon requested and was granted permission to withdraw its complaint without prejudice.
Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co. (FBR) brokerage said it began coverage of XM Satellite Radio Holdings with “Accumulate” rating and 12-month price target range of $25-$40 per share. XM Satellite Radio addresses large untapped market, according to Riyad Said, analyst with FBR, and said company “plans on being the cable TV of radio.”
AT&T urged FCC to suspend its deadlines for MSO to shed key cable assets to comply with agency’s MediaOne order last year, following March 2 U.S. Appeals Court, D.C., decision striking down agency’s cable ownership rules (CD March 5 p1). In meeting with members of FCC’s Office of Gen. Counsel and Cable Bureau Thurs., AT&T officials and outside attorneys suggested that Commission “suspend the deadlines for AT&T’s compliance steps pending further action by the Commission in light of the court’s decision.” Request was revealed in brief ex parte letter to FCC released Mon. by AT&T, which now exceeds 30% ownership cap because of MediaOne deal.
Peter Shields, Wiley, Rein & Fielding, named pres.-elect, Federal Communications Bar Assn… Peter Davidson, ex-Qwest, named gen. counsel, U.S. Trade Representative… Ex-FCC Gen. Counsel Christopher Wright will move to Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis April 2 to head its appellate practice… Andrew Fessel, ex-Jupiter Media Metrix, appointed vp-wireless Internet intelligence, Telephia… Changes at BigBand Networks: James Rodgers, ex- PowerTV, named COO; Ed Thompson, ex-Harmonic, appointed vp- business development for cable networks; Michael Taylor, ex- nCube, named vp-business development for IP networks… James Jochum, Accenture, nominated by President Bush to be Asst. Secy. of Commerce for Export Administration… Promotions WFYI Indianapolis TelePlex: Jeanelle Adamak and Alan Cloe advanced to exec. vps; Steve Jensen promoted to vp-engineering; James Duvall steps up vp-audio services and radio station mgr.; Gail Thomas- Strong moves up to dir.-learning services; Donald Newman promoted to dir.-Ind. Reading & Information Services; Thomas Ewing advanced to dir.-corporate development… Julie Roth, ex-Motorola, appointed vp-mktg., U.S. Wireless… Marianne Goode, ex-Rondor, joins Lifetime TV as vp-music… David Lazzo, ex-KCFX-FM Kansas City, named midwest account executive, Fox Sports Net… Robert Acquaotta, ex-Sesame Workshop, named dir.-online sales, American Baby Group, Primedia Consumer Magazines… Michael Yudin, ex- Telescene Entertainment, named pres., Magnum Productions unit of Magnum Sports & Entertainment.
Ore. House E-Govt. Committee opens hearings today on bill (HB-2987) that would prohibit local govts. from regulating or restricting mobile phone use. State Rep. Jim Hill (R-Hillsboro), bill’s sponsor, said that if mobile phone use was to be restricted, curbs should be enacted at state level and be same statewide. Municipal govts. say bill is unwarranted preemption of local authority over highway safety. No localities have adopted mobile phone restrictions in Ore., but issue was considered in cities of Salem and Tigard. Meanwhile, Ore. House Fri. decided to return to committee another bill involving local telecom authority -- HB-2680, which would impose restrictions on local govt. entry into telecom business, including requirement for 3-year cost projection before locality could enter business, rates that fully covered costs, no discrimination against competitors and no direct or indirect subsidies from tax revenues. New Ore. bill (HB-2436) would make recordings of calls to 911 confidential matter that’s not public record. There would be exemption for news media, but only after one day had passed since incident. State’s newspapers and broadcasters say they're opposed because 911 tapes are important for exposing weaknesses in emergency response systems.
Ericsson warned Mon. of lower first-quarter sales and income. It said sales would be flat or down slightly from year-ago first quarter and below earlier expected net 15% increase. It estimated before tax loss of $400-$500 million. Company cited economic slowdown, with customers in U.S. postponing capital expenditures.
Advanced Communications Technologies (ACT) of Irvine, Cal. received approval of U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Wilmington, Del., Fri. to buy assets of bankrupt Orbcomm for $16 million, court said. Sale is scheduled to close Fri. Orbcomm CEO Scott Webster said deal allows company to be “unencumbered by debts” while improving balance sheets that forced it to seek bankruptcy protection in Sept. He said Orbcomm would continue to provide service and ACT would “enhance and leverage” company position in marketplace. It announced last Feb. it would auction assets. EchoStar, Final Analysis, Qualcomm and global group of Orbcomm licensees and company’s Japanese service provider made unsuccessful bids for assets of Orbcomm. Final Analysis spokeswoman said bid was made because company planned to introduce satellite message system next year. EchoStar and Qualcomm refused comment.
Helius said it upgraded Network Edition for DirecPC software to support Universal Serial Bus satellite modems used with DirecPC’s satellite data service supported through Linux operating system. Service allows Linux computers to receive satellite data via external modem and company offers different B2C price levels depending on number of users.
FCC will consider mandatory detariffing of international telecom services at agenda meeting Fri. This would be companion to agency’s order last year requiring detariffing of domestic long distance services. Domestic detariffing for mass markets has been delayed until July while agency considers possible international action. Industry has told FCC it would be administratively difficult and confusing to customers to have detariffed rates domestically but not internationally. Industry source said carriers want July start date for both, but with 9-month implementation to ease transition for residential services. Also on agenda is start of rulemaking on licensing, technical and service rules for new users of 700-MHz band, which FCC plans to auction after broadcasters move out of spectrum. Spectrum is expected to be used for wireless communications. Commission also will consider revisions in technical rules for broadcast auxiliary, CARS, fixed microwave, other spectrum.
Satsafe won order from Lithuanian Security Police to provide communication and security systems. They're based on global positioning system technology and global system for mobile communications technology for positioning and tracing security transports, terms not announced.