Grumbling about wireless ways and means at the FCC. First, there is the claim the bureau is tinkering with its 931 MHz paging database in order to free up more spectrum to auction later this year. FCC says it’s following interim rules governing the transition from single-site licensing to geographic licensing, but concedes there are pending issues.
Next, dismay is expressed over the fact that maritime mobile licensees can now offer dispatch service and compete against those that have paid or will bid for 220 MHz band frequencies in May.
…Now, Bob White, of New Jersey-based Pennington Consulting Group, to answer your question about the latest on ex-wireless attorney and still-FOB, Gerry McGowan. I point you to the Jan. 18 New York Times wedding section.
Gerry got hitched Jan. 10 here in town at the Cosmos Club to Susan Brophy, a Clinton lobbyist, who McGowan described as a “very witty, lyrical, friendly, stubborn Irishwoman.”
A star-studded affair it was. In attendance, President Clinton, an old college chum of McGowan’s from Georgetown, and wife Hillary, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and McGowan’s crackerjack legal buddies from his former and now-renamed firm of Lukas, Nace, Gutierrez & (drum roll, please) Sachs. Congrats, Liz.
Clinton, for his part, expressed reservations about his appointment of McGowan to be U.S. ambassador to Portugal. “I don’t know about two Irish people in Portugal,” said Clinton. “It could destroy centuries of peaceful diplomacy.”
There you have it, Bob. McGowan, Brophy and a bunch of kids are Portugal bound. Now then, are there even are any Irish pubs in Lisbon? Should have thought of that when you took the job, Gerry.
…Speaking of politics, here’s what I don’t get. Vice President Gore and Clinton cabinet members decry the lack of technology literacy in America’s work force and announce $29 million in taxpayer grants to fix the problem.
The same week, the Clinton administration makes a big media splash with the issue in electoral vote-rich California (Berkeley to be precise), Sprint lays off 10 percent (700) of its employees. And just miles away, Seagate Technology Inc. (a disk drive maker) says bye bye to 10,000 of its own in the single largest layoff ever in Silicon Valley. A high-tech shortage, you say. Looks like more community outreach by Gore.
By the way, Gore is losing Don Gips, his domestic policy adviser and former chief of the FCC’s International Bureau. If only government could attract and keep such talented and all-around good guys, like Gips and Dave Siddall, who is also leaving.
