In series of DTV technical decisions, FCC affirmed 8-VSB modulation, started rulemaking on requiring TV sets to have DTV tuner and took several other actions. FCC Chmn. Kennard said decisions would give broadcasters “the clarity and flexibility… to accelerate the buildout of their DTV operations.” He said he was pleased DTV tests “put… to rest” debate over modulation standard. Comr. Ness said FCC actions removed transition uncertainty and it was “time for all industries involved in the digital broadcast food chain to come together and redouble their efforts to achieve a speedy transition.”
Steve Wexler promoted to vp-gen. mgr., Journal Bcst. Group- Omaha Operations… John Damiano advanced to exec. vp-affiliate relations, NBC… Promotions at Belo: David Muscari to vp- strategic alliances, WFAA-TV Dallas/Ft. Worth; Lawrence Nicholson to vp-mktg., WFAA-TV; Mike Devlin to vp-news KHOU-TV Houston; Jay Cascio to vp-programming & creative services, KING-TV Seattle; Deborah Wilson to vp-sales & mktg., KING-TV… Yolanda Macias, vp of DirecTV Para Todos and International Services, DirecTV, joins board, T. Howard Foundation… Promotions at AOL: Ray Oglethorpe to pres.-America Online; Jan Brandt to vice chmn.-chief mktg. officer; Ted Leonsis to vice chmn.-new product officer; Jonathan Sacks to pres.-AOL Service; Audrey Weil to pres.-CompuServe; Donn Davis to pres.-Interactive Properties Group; Myer Berlow to pres.-Worldwide Interactive Mktg.; Mark Stavish to exec. vp-human resources; Randall Boe to senior vp-gen. counsel… Gary Rautenstrauch promoted to pres., Baker & Taylor… Among appointees to National Infrastructure Assurance Council: Harris Miller, Information Technology Assn. of America; Bill Gates, Microsoft; James Chandler, National Intellectual Property Law Institute; Charles Stuckey, RSA Security… Changes at Cox Communications: Patrick Esser promoted to exec. vp-operations, succeeding Maggie Bellville, resigning Feb. 2… Gerry Anderson, gen. mgr., Mid-Rivers Telephone Co-op, reelected chmn., National Exchange Carrier Assn.’s NECA Services unit.
Wash. Utilities & Transportation Commission (WUTC) approved new rates for extending telephone lines to serve new residences within an incumbent telco’s local service area. New schedule caps up-front charge at 20 times customer’s basic exchange service rate. After service begins, customers would pay double their normal basic exchange rate for first 20 months of service. WUTC said new rate schedule would make it simpler for unserved residents to acquire phone service. New rate schedule applies only to residential service; business-service line extensions continue to be provided under old schedules.
SAN JOSE, Cal. - Telecom leaders need to develop regulatory strategy and regulators should become more flexible and less prescriptive, panelists said at Wireless Communications Assn. annual technology symposium here Wed. Regulators can help improve Internet broadband access and promote innovation by imposing regulations that are “technology-neutral,” said Industry Canada Spectrum Engineering Deputy Dir. Gen. Veena Rawat. Canadian regulatory agencies, she said, were moving away from “prescriptive, detailed technical standards” in favor of minimum constraints and only “essential technical rules.”
TruePosition filed lawsuit in U.S. Dist. Court, Wilmington, Del., alleging that SigmaOne Communications had infringed on 3 patents related to TruePosition’s network-based wireless location systems. TruePosition is seeking unspecified damages and injunction that it says would bar SigmaOne from further infringing on patents. Suit focuses on 3 TruePosition patents that address location on wireless network control channel, combining processed location signal with collateral information and locating phones with several location techniques.
Bill introduced in Ark. House (HB-1229) would ban use of handheld mobile phones by drivers of moving vehicles except for calls to 911 or those made by emergency service personnel. Drivers would be allowed to use hands-free phone models while on road. There would be only warning without penalty on first offense, with $50 fine for subsequent offense.
FCC Wireless Bureau is seeking comments on request for expedited waiver from Nextel subsidiary FCI 900 for 5-year construction period for 900 MHz major trading area (MTA) licenses. Nextel asked for extension of deadline from Aug. 12, 2001, to Aug. 12, 2004, for all 900 MHz MTA licensees. Commission rules require MTA licensees to provide coverage to at least 2/3 of population within 5 years of license’s being granted. One option for licensees is that they can demonstrate that they are providing substantial service. Nextel has told Commission that it needs waiver because equipment isn’t yet available to integrate 900 MHz MTA licensed spectrum into existing national 800 MHz iDEN (Integrated Digital Enhanced Network). Equipment won’t be available by Aug. 12 construction deadline. Nextel also said it planned to deploy 900 MHz pico cell technology to address coverage gaps and alleviate certain kinds of interference between its 800 MHz commercial operations and adjacent 800 MHz public safety communications systems in July. Nextel told agency that deployment of that technology would be delayed if it had to build analog 900 MHz systems to meet Aug. 12 construction deadline. Bureau is taking comments on waiver requests through Feb. 1, with replies due Feb. 8. Nextel is seeking expedited consideration of request because if it doesn’t get extension, it will have to order analog equipment in time to provide required coverage by existing deadline. Neoworld Licensing Holdings, which plans to deploy national 900 MHz digital dispatch system, is seeking similar waiver of 5-year construction period. Neoworld is seeking extension until Dec. 31, 2002, citing timelines needed for equipment delivery, testing, deployment.
Fox should re-evaluate its advertising for Temptation Island, FCC Comr. Tristani said in letter to News Corp. Chmn. Rupert Murdoch. She said “many parents” had complained about ads for show airing during children viewing hours, saying “children should not be exposed to advertisements for programming that is inappropriate for children.”
Changes at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips: Robb Watters, Internet Alliance, named to govt. and international trade and policy unit; Luke Rose, ex-staff of Rep. Wilson (R-N.M.), legislative adviser; Walter Gonzales, ex-staff of Rep. Green (D-Tex.), legislative asst… Terry Haines, ex-Boland & Madigan and former FCC chief of staff, named staff dir. and chief counsel for newly created House Finance Services Committee… Jed Petrick promoted to pres.-COO, WB TV Network… Jacqueline Bosque adds Tucson office leadership to vp-gen. mgr., Radio Unica, Phoenix… Aaryn Slafky advanced to dir.-communications, National Telephone Coop Assn… Changes at Net2Phone: Scott Anderson, ex-Exist, named exec. vp-sales; Glenn Williams moves up to exec. vp-business and legal affairs; Bruce Shoulson appointed gen. counsel; Brian Haimm promoted to exec. vp-strategic alliances… Changes at Sinclair Bcst. Group: Scott Sanders adds gen. mgr. of WRLH-TV Richmond to gen. mgr., WTVZ-TV, Norfolk; William Lane adds station mgr. to gen. sales mgr. title… Changes at OpNext: Harry Bosco, ex-Lucent, named pres.- CEO; Minoru Maeda, ex-Hitachi, appointed COO; Chris Lin, ex- Lucent, becomes senior vp-global sales and mktg… Richard Murphy, ex-Rogers Wireless Communications, named COO, congruency… Janice Cooley promoted to dir.-work force planning and talent acquisition, Cox Communications.
At our deadline, FCC was trying to act on SBC’s Sec. 271 application for long distance entry in Okla. and Kan., but not all commissioners had voted. Deadline for FCC decision is Wed. but FCC Chmn. Kennard has said he wanted to complete action before he leaves today (Jan. 19). One industry source said there was possibility FCC would approve one state but not other.