Correction: We incorrectly identified Vp-Legislative Affairs George (Chip) Tangen (CD March 21 p10). His company is Northpoint.
LAS VEGAS -- As U.S. carriers eye FCC deadline this fall for Enhanced 911 Phase 2 services, wireless industry still is grappling with finer points of which location-based services will provide best return on investment, how privacy will be guarded and how ads will be delivered, panelists said at CTIA Wireless 2001 here Tues. “The real challenge is getting handset prices down to where they need to be,” said Tom Wrappe, SnapTrack vp-product and program management. But as technological advances drive down costs, he said, “you will see this does go mass market in the next year or year and a half.”
Correction: We incorrectly identified Pegasus vp-legislative affairs George (Chip) Tangen (CD March 20 p7).
LAS VEGAS -- Online games and music can generate significant new revenue and reduce churn for wireless communications companies, speakers said at CTIA convention here Mon. Wireless Internet games alone generated $300-$350 million revenue in 2000, said Eric Goldberg, pres. of Unwired Games Inc. Music artist agent Bill Diggins of Diggins Entertainment said music delivered via wireless devices would be “the Walkman of the new millennium.”
Northpoint announced appointments of former Republican staffers George (Chip) Tangent and Brian Fortune. Tangent was named vp-legislative affairs and Fortune dir.-corporate development. Tangent formerly worked for Rep. Ramstad (R-Minn). Fortune worked for 3 House Republican Conference chmn., including Armey (R-Tex), Boehner (R-Ohio) and Watts (R-Okla.) along with former Rep. Smith (R-Ore.).
House Telecom Subcommittee Chmn. Upton (R-Mich.) and Senate Commerce Committee ranking Democrat Hollings (S.C.) highlighted differences Mon. between what legislative approaches could be expected this year from party leaders on ownership caps and programming content regulation. Speaking at NAB state leadership conference in Washington, Upton also said he opposed White House proposal (CD March 2 p1) to require lease fees for broadcasters keeping analog spectrum beyond 2006 digital TV transition deadline.
Advanced TV Technology Center (ATTC) approved new structure that Exec. Dir. Paul DeGonia said would open group to wider membership. Change adds 3rd membership category, for component suppliers. First new members under structure are Broadcom and Oren Semiconductor, ATTC said.
Hughes Network Systems received rights to use Sonics MicroNetwork’s chip communications intellectual property. Hughes will use Sonics technology in system-on-chip design going into ground stations for Spaceway global broadband satellite system.
First month of Congress yielded little progress on what’s seen as biggest telecom task for both Commerce Committees this year -- finding way to increase broadband deployment. “It’s been a very slow month, and a lot of it was scripted during the last session,” said Cato Institute telecom analyst Adam Thierer. “There’s no surprises [so far].” Broadband deployment is to get immediate attention when Congress returns Feb. 26. “We're hearing from our constituents how important this is,” said Hill staffer. But so far lawmakers have continued to push disparate ideas on subject with little progress made on reconciling various bills. In particular, most onlookers are waiting to see new bill expected from House Commerce Committee Chmn. Tauzin (R-La.) and ranking Democrat Dingell (Mich.).
Planned review of Canadian telecom regulator Canadian Radio- TV & Telecom Commission (CRTC) will examine whether parts of media and telecom industries can be deregulated and how regulatory process can be streamlined, senior govt. official said. “There used to be neat, tidy compartments between computers and broadcasting and telecommunications. That’s no longer the case. It’s time to take a look at this,” he said.