There should be more coordination between public safety answering points (PSAPs) and wireless industry, CTIA said in June 24 letters to National Emergency Number Assn. and Assn. of Public- Safety Communications Officials. Letter urged PSAPs to make binding commitments on rollout of wireless E911 technology, even though they aren’t regulated by FCC. “If we are to succeed in delivering enhanced wireless 911 services to the American public, it will require our mutual cooperation,” CTIA Pres. Thomas Wheeler said in letter.
Warning that planned interactive TV (ITV) systems threaten to intrude deeply upon consumers’ privacy, several public interest groups called Tues. for greater federal and state regulation of ITV industry as well as more vigorous self-policing by ITV companies themselves. In new report issued by Center for Digital Democracy, groups argued that ITV companies were working to build huge “new data collection infrastructure” that would gather detailed personal information about consumers without their knowledge and with few privacy safeguards. “The model that these companies are following combines the worst aspects of the Internet and mass media as the new systems are being designed to track not only every activity of users as they surf the net, but also the programs and commercials they watch as well,” report said. “We believe that ITV data collection practices represent a new threat to personal privacy in America.”
Satellite Bcstg. & Communications Assn. (SBCA), DirecTV and EchoStar filed must-carry appeal (CD June 25 p3) late Mon. with 4th U.S. Appeals Court, Richmond, Va. Same court also granted SBCA motion for expedited hearing on appeal of FCC Report and Order on implementation of satellite must-carry rules. Oral argument is scheduled for Sept. 24. Appeal of FCC’s order raises many of same issues as must-carry appeal. SBCA Pres. Charles Hewitt said DBS industry was “committed to fighting satellite must-carry to a successful conclusion.” He said decision by 4th Circuit for expedited hearing meant court should issue decision before Jan. 1, deadline for implementation of must-carry rules. “We remain firmly confident that we will win this case on the merits of our constitutional arguments,” Hewitt said: “The satellite must-carry fight has just begun.”
FCC Comr. Abernathy named Matthew Brill, ex-Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering, as her common carrier legal adviser… Changes at Sprint Canada: Duncan McEwan, ex-NorthPoint Canada, named pres.- COO; Greg McCamus promoted to pres.-enterprise communications solutions… Changes at Cable TV Public Affairs Assn.: James Weiss, Turner Bcstg., appointed pres. replacing Bonnie Hathaway, Time Warner Cable; joining Exec. Committee: Anne Cowan, CTAM, vp; Ellen East, Cox, secy.; Bob Morrison, VH1, treas… Changes at Centerpoint Broadband Technologies: Mort Cohen promoted to vp- mktg. and business development, Sunil Poduval named vp-worldwide sales .. Steven South, ex-regional dir., Internet Bcstg. Systems, named mgr.-general sales, KTNV-TV Las Vegas… Gregg Siegel, ex- Avery-Knodel, named vp-national sales, Sinclair Bcst. Group… Brian Moore, ex-vp-business development, Syncronex, appointed exec. dir., business and vertical consulting, PAR3 Communications.
BOSTON -- Implications of sagging financial markets raised at Wireless Communications Assn. convention here this week ranged from difficulty in renewing ITFS leasing agreements to FCC delay in setting auction date for 24 GHz market. Winstar Chmn.-CEO William Rouhana, in first comments before industry group since company’s Chapter 11 filing in April, assailed “schizophrenia” that has beset telecom sector, pitting perception of “overvalued” assets of broadband providers against growing consumer demand for services. “There is this incredible schizophrenia that has taken hold,” he said Tues.
U.S. Appeals Court, D.C., decision overturning FCC’s $17 billion PCS auction bolsters position of critics of $1.3 trillion tax cut that excessive tax relief can “throw government into chaos” if “larger-than-expected” federal budget adjustments eventually are required, Senate Budget Committee majority staffer said. Court ruled late last week (CD June 25 p1) that FCC erred in cancelling NextWave’s 90 PCS licenses for missed payment, raising doubt as to when -- or whether -- govt. could factor projected outlays from re-auctioned spectrum into federal surplus. Democratic aide acknowledged that “it’s a little early to tell what the fiscal impact will be” on federal budget estimates, but aide and other sources said lawmakers now would have to decide where to cut funding of govt. agencies or programs.
Network Reliability & Interoperability Council (NRIC) has undertaken survey of network service providers and equipment manufacturers to determine how much industry uses “best practices” to improve network reliability and lessen service outages. Survey, which will look at both circuit and packet switched networks, will help NRIC determine whether increased use of such standardized practices would improve network reliability. FCC Chmn. Powell urged member companies at meeting Tues. to participate in voluntary survey, saying Commission relied on NRIC’s efforts to assure interoperability. NRIC, an FCC advisory committee, represents wide range of companies and organizations. It also is working on survey to determine how often telecom providers face power outages, new concern to industry.
MPower and North County Communications asked U.S. Appeals Court, D.C. for emergency stay of FCC’s CLEC access charge order. Companies asked court to act on stay by June 29 because order “imposed immediate and drastic rate reductions for [CLECs], resulting in revenue shortfalls of millions of dollars each year.” MPower told court that FCC had instructed it not to file stay at agency but instead to file ex parte letter, “creating the expectation that the FCC would act… to stay unworkable portions of the order.” When FCC didn’t act on MPower’s May 25 ex parte letter, company filed for stay June 18 and said no action had occurred on either filing yet.
Telecom Research & Action Center asked AT&T to withdraw its application to discontinue coin-based long distance payphone service and work with FCC and consumers to develop “smooth transition” to alternative services. In June 22 letter to AT&T Chmn. Michael Armstrong, TRAC said coin calling was essential for lower income consumers who didn’t have home phone service and weren’t likely to have credit cards. In May 18 application, AT&T proposed dropping sent-paid calling with 30 days’ notice, move that TRAC called “preemptive and seemingly cavalier.” TRAC letter, also signed by National Assn. of Community Action Agencies, said AT&T petition could cause “domino effect,” with other payphone service providers also suspending coin service. Group said there must be “middle ground solution” that would satisfy needs of both consumers and payphone providers.
BOSTON -- FCC Comr. Abernathy sent strong signal to Wireless Communications Assn. (WCA) Mon. that she was reluctant to have MMDS and Instructional TV Fixed Service licensees tapped for 3rd generation wireless. “I am unwilling to jeopardize the rollout of wireless broadband services you are offering to consumers,” she told annual conference in her first speech before an industry convention as commissioner. “There are other options.” While Abernathy didn’t elaborate on other spectrum alternatives, she stressed importance of FCC’s moving quickly on 3G. “We owe you a prompt decision to eliminate the cloud that hangs over your particular spectrum,” she said.