The Tex. PUC hopes to persuade the 2005 legislature to give it more power to enforce its rules. The PUC, in a preliminary report to the legislature, said the current $5,000 cap on fines for rule violations such as slamming and cramming isn’t enough of a deterrent. It wants the cap raised to at least $25,000 per offense. The PUC also wants the flexibility to impose penalties even if the company corrected the immediate cause of complaints. Currently, the PUC can’t impose fines or other administrative penalties if a company corrects a problem within 30 days. The PUC may have a chance to win this change because the current state telecom act is to sunset this year and the legislature could use this as an opportunity to address the PUC’s authority and powers.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice stating that the European Communities (EC) has requested World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement consultations with the U.S. regarding the U.S. antidumping (AD) duty investigation on stainless steel bar from the United Kingdom (U.K.).

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice announcing that the European Communities (EC) has requested World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement consultations with respect to the American JOBS Creation Act of 2004.

In the December 15, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 51), CBP issued notices: (a) proposing to revoke a classification ruling on a reticulated foam filter ring, (b) proposing to modify a classification ruling on fruits and an herb preserved in acetic acid, and (c) modifying a classification ruling on a feather "duster" tickler. CBP states that it is also revoking, or proposing to revoke, any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions that are contrary to its position in these notices.

The Wireless Communications Assn. International (WCA) said it launched relief efforts within the wireless broadband industry in response to the recent earthquake and tsunamis in S. Asia. The organization said it would hold a meeting to encourage industry to act on disaster relief Jan. 13 during its annual international symposium in San Jose, urging both monetary relief and equipment for first responders. It said it planned to organize a task force to raise money and coordinate equipment donations for effective emergency deployment. Participants will address longer-term infrastructure needs especially suited to the emerging capabilities of wireless broadband, WCA said.

FCC’s approval of Zeus Holdings’ buyout of Intelsat means the Commission believes the transaction doesn’t raise anti-competitive questions, although 2 of the private equity firms that make up Zeus -- Apax Partners and Permira -- hold 25.8% interests each in mobile satellite provider Inmarsat. Zeus convinced the Commission that the degree of common ownership doesn’t pose a significant competitive concern because the companies serve distinct markets.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued a notice extending the comment period for its interim final rule on the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) program for farm-raised and wild fish and shellfish (fish ad shellfish covered commodities).

The FCC late Wed. made significant changes to the 800 rebanding order. They included approving an order that had been circulating for a week (CD Dec 16 p8) providing $452 million in additional credits for the spectrum the carrier will turn in to the FCC under the plan. The next major move will be Nextel’s. The carrier must say by Feb. whether it accepts the order’s terms. Few doubt Nextel will accept.

With the incoming 109th Congress expected to pass telecom reform legislation, wireline and wireless lobbyists see issues of state jurisdiction playing a role in the debate. Edward Merlis, USTA senior vp-govt. and regulatory issues, said state jurisdictional concerns are one reason he believes Congress, not the FCC, is the only body able to make the needed changes to the telecom regulatory regime. Bobby Franklin, CTIA vp-govt. affairs, said the issues raised in the VoIP debate during the last Congress are likely to be raised in other telecom contexts next year, including wireless.

Cable companies are planning to increase rates in 2005 about the same percentage as last year, but many hikes will exceed the annual 3.2% inflation rate, according to our spot check of the largest MSOs. Although companies said they're offering more services and higher quality along with price hikes, consumer groups are disgruntled with the pace of increases and packaging of high-end service.