Bad hair week for the Baby Bells and smut police. A near miss for wireless.
The Justice Department last Wednesday recommended against Ameritech’s foray into the Michigan long-distance market. So Joel Klein really does want Sen. Hollings’ blessing after all.
The next day, the FCC blocked SBC Communications from entering Oklahoma’s LD business. Could get worse. Klein could speak out on AT&T Corp. merger talks, a la Hundt, regulator and soon-to-be author of “Say You Want a Revolution.”
Say you want retribution. GTE et al. are in court appealing FCC universal service, access charge reform and price cap orders.
Wireless, with strong backing from Sen. McCain, kept White House and congressional auction-budget buffoons at bay during debate. Result: no spectrum fees, no toll-free number auction, no $26.3 billion.
The Supreme Court, meanwhile, struck down the Internet indecency ban in the ’96 telecom act. Content regulation debate is remote to wireless today, but could become important in the future.
… Charlene Barchefsky, who as USTR has begun to rival Hundt for press release czar, announced the U.S. Conference of Mayors supports “fast track” trade authority. That’s government-ese for rushing White House trade deals through Congress.
… Michelle Farquhar, former chief of the Wireless Telecom Bureau, has joined the D.C. law offices of Hogan & Hartson as a partner.
… John Kneuer, former policy and rules branch attorney in the Wireless Bureau, has signed on with the Industrial Telecommunications Association as director of government relations.
… Former FCC spokeswoman, Susan Sallet, has left to flack for the dollar at the Treasury Dept.
… Congrats to Gerald McGowan, wireless lawyer and FOB, for being appointed ambassador to Portugal. If only it could have been Ireland. Hey, any other major announcements forthcoming, Gerry?
… Administration Big Bird, Ira Magaziner, will talk up Clintonian electronic commerce at the Aspen Summit, Aug. 17-19, sponsored by Newt’s own Progress & Freedom Foundation.
… Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), chairman of the communications subcommittee, is in Big Sky Country today for the dedication of the Burns Telecommunications Center on the Montana State University-Bozeman campus.
… Okay, will the real international wireless telecom association please stand up?
… Another hint on FCC Frequent Flyer II: it’s not a commissioner.
