Research firm Jupiter Media Metric forecast that wireless Web users in U.S. would grow to 96 million in 2005 from 4.1 million in 2000. In report, Jupiter projected that of 96 million users then, 74.9 million would be using handsets centered on voice functions, 7.3 million data-centered handsets, 4.4 million Web-enabled personal digital assistants. Report predicted that national carriers would be consolidated into 3 companies within 5 years as regional operators are absorbed by larger rivals. Jupiter said 3rd-generation wireless services were “no near-term reality” in U.S., although they were scheduled to launch in Asia in next 2 years, with U.S. and European markets not seeing wireless broadband connections for 4 to 6 years. U.S. deployment of location-based wireless services will emerge in 2 years, report said, driven by FCC mandates on Enhanced 911 capabilities. Jupiter said European carriers would promote location-based mobile services in next year using less precise location data.
Lucent entered multi-tenant broadband market Tues. with introduction of new product called ProfitSuites that offers property owners, carriers and integrators ability to provide high- speed access services to tenants and guests. Based on Lucent’s DSL platforms, ProfitSuite offers package of products, services, support.
Satellite Industry Assn. (SIA) understands national security argument for maintaining State Dept. oversight of satellite launch and missile technology exports, but it says State export licensing of commercial satellites lacks logic and puts U.S. companies at competitive disadvantage with terrestrial capacity providers and foreign manufacturers. SIA Exec. Dir. Clayton Mowry sees this year possibility that some congressional defense hawks may support satellite export bill (CD March 6 p2) being drafted by Rep. Berman (D-Cal.) if it strikes balance between national security and competition concerns. Although still in early development stage, Berman bill would return most commercial satellite licensing authority to Commerce from State while incorporating State and Defense Dept. special review process on satellite exports to China.
Md. lawmaker withdrew bill (HB-957) that would have required structural separation of Verizon into independent retail and wholesale business units in face of near-certain defeat in committee. But issue isn’t dead, said state Rep. Joan Stern (D- Montgomery County). By withdrawing bill, she gained right to refer matter for intersession legislative study. Stern said her staff had begin process of forming legislative work group that would consult with regulators and legislators in other Verizon states and elsewhere on what approaches had proved effective in promoting local service competition. She said her bill was target of “aggressive lobbying, to the point where we couldn’t tell fact from fiction.” She said uncertainty meant bill probably would have failed in vote that had been scheduled by House Environmental Matters Committee . Stern said she hoped to have first meeting of legislative work group in late May, with reports to PSC and legislature by Oct. “I hope we sent Verizon a message with this bill,” she said. “We want to see local competition throughout Maryland. We intend to bring competition about, either through PSC action or with legislation next year.”
Vernon Jordan, Lazard, Freres & Co, named co-chmn., Ad Council advisory committee on public issues… Robert Mechaley, ex-McGraw Cellular, announced founding of RadioFrame Networks and naming of Jeffrey Brown, ex-Data Critical, as pres.-CEO, and Mary Jesse, ex-McGraw Cellular, as vp-chief technology officer… David Ure, Reuters, joins WebEx Communications board… George Thorlin, ex-Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products, named dir.-international sales, Lightbridge… Arlene Trent, ex-Teleglobe Communications, appointed senior vp-mktg., Advanced Radio Telecom… Jill Wittels, ex-BAE Systems, named corporate vp-business development, L-3 Communications, succeeding Larry Schwartz, retiring… Ben Swiggett, ex-Primary Knowledge, appointed chief mktg. officer, Telephia… Thomas Haley, ex-AnviCom, named senior vp-network systems, NetCom Solutions… Harold Smith, ex-U.S. National Security Agency, appointed pres.-COO, Telcordia Technologies… E.M. Pasatiempo, ex-IBM, named pres.-COO, Versatile Mobile Systems… Changes at Lifetime: Thomas Hanft, ex-KNBC, L.A., appointed senior vp-mktg., advertising and promotion; Gerald Logue, ex-Grey Entertainment, named senior vp-exec. creative dir… Promotions at Birch Telecom: Robert Moretti to vp-sales, southwest region; Lynne Sangimino to vp-central region… Amy Girdwood advanced to vp-international human resources, Discovery Networks… Alan Perris, ex-Warner Bros., named senior vp- programming, Odyssey Network…. Hubbard Bcstg. CEO Stanley S. Hubbard will keynote Bcst. Education Assn. convention in Las Vegas April 22.
Rep. Berman (D-Cal.) is drafting legislation that would return U.S. commercial satellite export licensing jurisdiction to Commerce Dept. from State Dept. while incorporating State and Defense Dept. special review process on satellite exports to China. Staffer said Berman was gauging potential co-sponsors’ responses before introducing bill, which he said would be finalized at unspecified date.
Japan’s NTT DoCoMo said subscribers for its i-mode wireless data service reached 20 million over weekend. Service began in Feb. 1999. DoCoMo said 828 companies were providing information services through i-mode, which offers 1,480 sites.
Granite Bcstg. said Mon. it had restructured reverse- compensation payment schedule with NBC in network’s switch of its affiliation for San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose market from KRON-TV San Francisco to Granite’s KNTV San Jose, effective Jan. 1. Originally, Granite was to pay NBC $61 million on date of affiliation switch. Under new deal, licensee will pay network $30.5 million upon closing of new $205 million credit facility through Goldman, Sachs & Co., expected today (Tues.). Granite is obligated to pay NBC additional $30.1 million Jan. 1, 2005. Granite also said $114 million of new funding would be used to pay off existing debt. As part of deal, NBC has granted KNTV secondary affiliation, with right of first refusal for network programming not aired by KRON-TV, Granite said. KNTV obtained future NBC affiliation after Young Bcstg. purchased KRON-TV (winning bidding war with NBC) and refused to meet network’s demands to retain affiliation (CD Feb 11/00 p8).
Rep. Bilirakis (R-Fla.) introduced bill that would guarantee spectrum for amateur radio operators. Details weren’t available at press time. Measure was referred to House Commerce Committee.
FCC Common Carrier Bureau declined to preempt Nev. PUC decision delegating interconnection agreement negotiations for county-owned telecom incumbent to county govt. Case involved negotiations between Churchill County Communications (CCC) and CLEC Virtual Hipster. CLEC had sought PUC arbitration of impasse with CCC, but PUC said state law gave Churchill County Board of Commissioners primary jurisdiction over county-owned telecom company. County board said it was willing to arbitrate interconnection agreement, but Virtual Hipster wanted FCC to take over on ground that state had refused to carry out its Telecom Act responsibilities. Common Carrier Bureau said preemption wasn’t justified since state law vested jurisdiction in such matter at county level and county was willing to participate in Telecom Act’s process.