Last week’s terrorist attacks appear to have dimmed prospects, for now, of wireless industry’s obtaining quick decision on relocating military spectrum users for 3G wireless. While insiders continue to stress need for additional spectrum for advanced wireless services, several told us that if nothing else, logistics of defense agencies focusing on response to last week’s attacks meant that Pentagon policymakers attention was focused elsewhere. On other hand, several wireless industry officials said key role played by mobile communications in aftermath of attacks, including final calls from passengers on hijacked planes, underscored very publicly importance of adequate wireless coverage.
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ALTS postponed its business conference, originally scheduled for Sept. 24-26, to Nov. 28-30. Site remains same -- Crystal Gateway Marriott, Crystal City, Va. “It would be premature to hold a conference while recovery work continues and while the nation prepares its response,” ALTS Pres. John Windhausen said.
XM Satellite Radio is ready with “Rock” and “Roll” after receiving Special Temporary Authority (STA) Mon. from FCC to use terrestrial repeaters to supplement nationwide service (CD Sept 18 p8). STAs were conditioned to prohibit local programming and protect RF facilities from new interference. FCC ruling on issue of blanketing interference is expected in final order due out later. Company immediately responded by announcing that debut of service in San Diego and Dallas, originally scheduled for Sept. 12, now is planned for Sept. 25. XM, which has launched 2 satellites “Rock” and “Roll” to provide service, also has major event planned at Washington hq to celebrate rollout of service. Nationwide service will begin in Southwest by mid-Oct., rest of nation in Nov. Rival Sirius also received STA and will begin service later this year.
Columbia Institute for Tele-information rescheduled conference, “Key Drivers for 3G Wireless: Will 3G Deliver Its Promise?,” for Oct. 25. Columbia U. event was originally scheduled for Sept. 20. “Broadband Economy” conference will be Oct. 26. -- 212-854-4222.
Hundreds of Verizon employees were working over weekend to prepare damaged network in Manhattan for planned reopening of N.Y. Stock Exchange (NYSE) today (Mon.). At news conference late Fri., Verizon Co-CEO Ivan Seidenberg pledged to be ready for Exchange’s opening but said there were many uncertainties, not least of which was condition of cable buried under massive amounts of debris. He said key challenge was to assure that 4,000 trading partners were connected to NYSE. In many cases that has involved rerouting hundreds of circuits to new customer locations -- many big customers in World Trade Center area had backup routing plans that have to be put into effect.
FCC vacated its order for cable operator in communities in N.Y. and N.J. to issue refunds based on its 1994 rates. When Commission originally said TKR Cable Co. had refund liability, it based its judgment on operator’s channel lineup card, which showed identical programming on 2 channels. Operator argued that was clerical error and there actually was different programming on those channels. FCC accepted that argument.
FCC denied complaint against Jones Intercable in Wis. that it had overcharged customers in 1994. Commission originally agreed it overcharged but granted Jones petition for reconsideration because of clerical errors on forms involving franchise fees.
FCC said Meredith Cable in Minn. didn’t have to issue refunds to meet rate complaint. Although agency originally said Meredith overcharged customers, it found upon further review that company had justified its rates beginning July 14, 1994.
FCC Chmn. Powell praised communications companies -- “our regulatees” -- for their “heroic efforts” to keep telecom and media infrastructure operating in Tues.’s terrorist attacks and their aftermath (CD Sept 13 p1). Speaking at beginning of Commission’s agenda meeting Thurs., he singled out for special praise Verizon’s struggles to maintain cellular communications in disaster areas and AT&T’s relief efforts. He also praised efforts of broadcasters and cable operators to deliver signals to N.Y. residents after TV towers on World Trade Center were destroyed when buildings collapsed. Through their work “the citizens of N.Y. are receiving the news that they need to know,” Powell said. He said he also wanted to extend his sympathies to companies such as Verizon, Genuity and TV stations that lost personnel. “There are no words to capture the depth of collective sadness,” he said.
FCC began review of 1975 rule barring cross-ownership of broadcast station and daily newspaper in same market. In rulemaking voted Thurs., Commission asked series of wide-ranging questions that noted changes in number and kinds of media outlets established in last 30-plus years, including Internet. Original rule was designed to ensure diversity of voices in market. Notice says there are some 40 newspaper-broadcast combinations that have been grandfathered in, and FCC has granted 4 permanent waivers of rule. Commission asked parties to provide data on how public interest was harmed or benefited from such combinations. Proceeding comes as result of June 2000 biennial review on broadcast ownership. Sec. 202 of Telecom Act of 1996 directs FCC to revisit broadcast ownership every 2 years.