C-SPAN opened new Web site www.CapitolHearings.org that will provide free live gavel-to-gavel audio streaming from 26 U.S. Senate committee rooms. While Senate will produce audio feeds, C- SPAN will encode and stream them.
Sega and Pace Micro Technology confirmed they were collaborating on digital set-top box (STB) initiative. In conference call with reporters, Pace Mktg. Dir. Andrew Wallace said deal would make “the entire portfolio” of Sega’s Dreamcast games available through Pace’s already announced “digital home gateway” on on-demand basis. Wallace said initiative would allow consumers who didn’t want to buy dedicated game console to receive “console-quality” games through their digital TV service via a set-top box with built-in 40 GB hard disc drive (HDD). Pace said HDD also would act as “jukebox” allowing games to be transmitted by wireless to and played on portable, hand-held devices. Wallace said box would create new opportunities for broadcasters through additional revenue and marketing opportunities.
Grayson Wireless said it was developing its network-based Enhanced 911 caller location technology for GSM networks in addition to its systems for other standards, including CDMA and TDMA.. Grayson, arm of Allen Telecom, expects Geometrix GSM solution to be available in 2nd quarter. Technology will allow GSM carriers to meet FCC’s Phase 2 implementation schedule for E911.
Spain’s Telefonica Moviles said it topped 14 million subscribers, giving it 56% market share in Spain. Carrier said it had 7 million lead over Jazztel, 2nd largest Spanish carrier.
Williams Communications delayed its 4th quarter earnings report until Feb. 5 after announcing Mon. it would sell its Williams Communications Solutions unit to Platinum Equity, private equity firm that specializes in acquiring technology organizations. Williams said selling enterprise business unit would enable it to focus more on broadband network opportunities. Company, which had planned to release its financial results today (Jan. 30), said it expected 4th-quarter results from continuing operations to meet or exceed Wall St. expectations. However, it will take loss from Solutions business in range of $1.07-$1.17 per share.
Verizon Wireless began 2-way text messaging service in more than 200 markets Mon., including Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, L.A., N.Y., Philadelphia, Washington. Carrier, joint venture of Vodafone and Verizon, said messages could be sent from its 2-way messaging-capable handsets, any Internet e-mail address or from www.msg.myvzw.com. Messages, which can have up to 120 characters, can be sent on “pay-as-you-go” basis, Verizon said. Company also is offering packages of 100 or 600 received or sent messages for $2.99 and $7.99 per month.
Washington Post Co. broadcast revenue grew 7% to $364.8 million in year ended Jan. 2, and operating profit was up 6% to $177.4 million. Cable revenue increased 7%, to $358.9 million, but operating profit was down 2% to $66 million. For 4th quarter, broadcast revenue jumped 15% and operating profit 14%; cable revenue was up 5% and operating profit 1%.
As use of FCC’s Part 15 unlicensed spectrum, once domain mostly of items such as children’s toys, increases, Commission is mulling requests to either allow new systems to operate at 2.4 GHz or to modify requirements to reduce interference risk. Sources said FCC’s Office of Engineering & Technology was weighing possibility of holding industry forum to address how existing requirements addressed new usage trends. Meanwhile, large investors in wireless home networking technologies -- ranging from 3Com and Intel to Cisco and Texas Instruments -- have lined up at FCC either seeking permission for new systems to operate or changes to ensure existing technologies can continue to co-exist. Debates have centered on potential for interference between home RF devices and 802.11b operations -- Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) local area networks (LANs).
Tellabs said it was acquiring Future Networks, provider of standards-based voice and data cable modem technology, to provide cable operators with end-to-end multiservices solutions based on Internet protocol. Tellabs will pay $181 million in cash to acquire stock of Future Network. Acquisition, expected to close next month, will move 50 Future employees, mostly engineers, to Tellabs, company said.
Although it insisted it wasn’t reducing emphasis on Internet, Disney said it would remerge its Disney Internet Group with main company and close Go.com portal. Disney Internet stockholders will get stock of parent company, but group’s management will remain in place, allowing it to operate as separate division of Disney, company said. Go.com will continue to operate on “streamlined” basis for some time, Disney said, in order to allow for transition of its users. About 400 employees will be affected when closing is complete. “The Internet continues to be a central focus of our company’s business strategy,” Disney Chmn. Michael Eisner said, but “the competitive factors that initially compelled us to establish a separately traded class of common stock tied to our Internet operations have fundamentally changed.” Eisner also said company would be able to get maximum benefit from combining its core assets with Internet if Disney Internet were merged back into parent company. Internet Group Chmn. Steve Bornstein said “the Internet environment has continued to shift and change, and therefore our strategies must also change.” He said Disney would continue to invest in Internet properties. Group will continue to operate sites such as Disney.com, DisneyAuctions.com, DisneyStore.com, ESPN.com, NFL.com, ABC.com, others. Disney also said some popular Go.com content and services would migrate to other sites.