Cox plans to buy at least 240,000 Explorer 2100 digital interactive set-tops from Scientific-Atlanta this year, companies said. Cox already has 500,000 of set-tops installed in cable systems. Terms weren’t disclosed.

Verizon is introducing flat-rate interstate long distance plans in 36 states including N.Y. and former GTE states, company announced Mon. Plans aren’t available in Verizon’s in-region areas where it hasn’t received Sec. 271 approval yet. Plans will be “easy to understand” and have no minimums or monthly charges, Verizon said. For example, Timeless plan offers 10 cents per min. for direct-dialed interstate calling with no recurring monthly charges or minimums. SmartTouch offers 8 cents per min. in selected states with no monthly fee but bills come electronically rather than on paper. FirmRate offers 9 cent per min. calling to businesses that spend less than $100 per month on long distance.

Television Corp. (TC) bought majority of Pacifica Media Affiliates, described as world’s 2nd largest entertainment post- production sound company, companies said. Terms weren’t disclosed, but deal increases TC holdings in company to 75% from 50% and means Pacifica Pres. Galen Walker becomes CEO of Pacifica and Vp Ricky DeLena becomes exec. dir.

Joint 3G comments submitted to FCC by CTIA, Telecommunications Industry Assn. and PCIA outline scenarios under which industry sees feasible spectrum sharing or relocation of federal users in 1.7 GHz band. Making 1710-1850 MHz available through relocation and sharing, along with spectrum in 2110-2150 MHz and 2160-2165 MHz, would meet next-generation wireless requirements through 2010, groups said. Joint comments were among responses FCC received last week on how to make additional spectrum available for advanced wireless services (CD Feb 26 p4). Under proposal, associations said it would be feasible to make 1.7 GHz band available in 2-3 years. They proposed: (1) Relocating conventional fixed point-to-point systems to commercial systems, fiber, frequency bands above 3 GHz that are available for govt. point-to-point systems. Or systems could be relocated to nongovt. frequency bands available for point-to-point operations. (2) Sharing tactical radio relay systems with 3G through geographic and frequency segmentation. One possibility would be giving access to 3G systems in urban areas, where capacity demands were greatest, and giving Dept. of Defense access in rural areas where it conducts training exercises. (3) Acting on apparent infeasibility of spectrum sharing between 3G services and Air Combat Training Systems on geographic segmentation basis. Groups cited possibility for next-generation Joint Tactical Combat Telemetry System to be accommodated in spectrum used as guardbands for 3G operations. Groups also proposed ways for 3G systems to operate in spectrum now occupied by satellite control systems, including relocating earth station facilities to rural areas as short-term fix. Detailed technical report submitted by groups described reallocation of 1710-1850 MHz as providing “opportunity for DoD to modernize its communications systems and align its operations with the use of spectrum globally.” Report said DoD satellite operations in band didn’t conform with standard international operations for similar satellite operations. For example, Pentagon has harmonized satellite operations in downlink direction but uses nonstandard uplink, group said. Report also said that many federal fixed point-to-point systems were analog and relocation would provide chance to upgrade systems to digital. Relocation would provide users opportunity to be compensated for cost of relocation.

Barbara Blanck, ex-Global One, named vp-N. American sales, Ciena… Douglas DePriest promoted to vp-production and development, Travel Channel… Phil Thompson, ex-Lucent, named senior vp-engineering, GeoVideo Networks… George Campbell, vp- new media, NBG Radio Network, moves to pres., NBG Solutions… Eduardo Ruiz adds pres.-international business development to pres.-Weather Channel Latin America for Weather Channel… Deborah Garza, ex-Covington & Burling, moves to Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson as antitrust partner in D.C. office… Randall Lowe, partner, and Julie Kaminski and Daniel Pugh, counsels, ex- Prism, join Davis, Wright & Tremaine Washington office… Adrianna Jones advanced to dir.-N. American Telecom Sales, Artel Video Systems… Changes at AirDesk: Timothy Taylor, consultant, moves to vp-sales and mktg.; Robert Ruddy, ex-Refinery, appointed dir.- IT sales.

PanAmSat and Grupo Pegaso joined forces Mon. in deal that provides Internet and satellite service to Mexico’s telecom market, terms not announced. Deal is expected to be approved by Mexican govt. soon. Meanwhile, PanAmSat said HBO and Turner Bcstg. signed 10-year contract as anchor tenants for Galaxy satellites to continue delivery of programming such as Cinemax, CNN, HBO, TBS and TNT through 2015.

Fitch assigned BBB rating to proposed $4-$5 billion bond offering by AT&T Wireless. Company proposed senior notes with registration rights with expected tranches of 5, 10 and 30 years. It plans to use proceeds of offering for expanding network capacity, enlarging footprint, developing advanced wireless Internet offerings. Fitch said rating was result of AT&T Wireless’s “strong quantitative credit protection measures and solid industry position.” Rating agency said: “An important additional consideration is management remains committed to maintain a strong and stable rating going forward.” Fitch said AT&T Wireless’s spectrum portfolio and its partnership with designated entity Alaska Native Wireless gave it “luxury” of sufficient bandwidth in 88 of top 100 markets for rolling out 3G services.

Experts from 7 think tanks urged Congress not to adopt Bell structural separation proposals being put forward by AT&T, CompTel, others. Proposal to require Bells to split into separate wholesale and retail units “would constitute a setback to the clear vision of the Telecommunications Act,” said letter sent Mon. to Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. McCain (R-Ariz.), ranking Democrat Hollings (S.C.), House Commerce Committee Chmn. Tauzin (R-La.), ranking Democrat Dingell (Mich.). Letter said structural separation proposals “by definition… concedes that the local loop indefinitely will remain a monopoly.” They're premised on idea that local loop can’t be duplicated and thus “must be made available to all at a government-regulated price.” Letter was signed by Sean Duffy, Commonwealth Foundation; Jerry Ellig, Mercatus Center at George Mason U.; James Gattuso, Competitive Enterprise Institute; Kent Lassman, Citizens for Sound Economy Foundation; Randolph May, Progress & Freedom Foundation; David Theroux, Independent Institute; Adam Thierer, Cato Institute.

FCC Chmn. Powell appointed Mary Beth Richards to spearhead “comprehensive FCC reform project.” Richards, who was given title of special counsel, moves from deputy managing dir. Appointment is first step in Powell’s plan to overhaul agency’s operations (CD Feb 23 p1). In announcing Richards’ appointment Mon., Powell said his goal was to make Commission “more efficient, more decisive and more responsive” to changes in technology. Richards, 17-year veteran of FCC, frequently has been tapped for task forces on organizational changes. In Sept. 1997 she headed team to smooth arrival of 4 new commissioners, including then new Chmn. William Kennard. In 1994 she was involved in “Reinventing Govt.” project that resulted in creation of Wireless and International Bureaus. In early 1990s she was on team that helped implement Cable Act. While in Common Carrier Bureau she served on internal bureau reorganization effort and helped implement Telecom Act. Richards said she would be seeking comments from industry and others on how to make agency operate more efficiently. Powell “takes this very seriously,” she said.

Liberty Digital completed its $275 million acquisition of Sony’s 50% of Game Show Network, companies said. Deal includes cash, debt, Liberty stock.