FCC Commissioner Gloria Tristani said last week that she will remain at the Federal Communications Commission rather than run for Congress.
“I viewed the U.S. Congress as an opportunity to serve the people of New Mexico every day. However, the [Clinton] administration has asked me to stay at the FCC and I will,” said Tristani. Rumors had circulated recently that she was considering a run for the seat occupied by Rep. Heather Wilson (R-N.M.).
The Federal Communications Commission said it expects to hold an auction for 2,450 licenses to offer fixed point-to-point microwave services in the 39 GHz band (38.6-40 GHz) on April 11.
The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau has rejected an appeal filed by Gloria Borland to offer personal communications service in Hawaii.
Borland claimed she owned 5 percent of the C-block PCS licenses for Hilo and Honolulu, Hawaii, won by Pocket Communications Inc. In a restructuring move, Pocket returned the licenses to the FCC and the FCC re-auctioned them last spring. ABC Wireless L.L.C. won the Hilo license and American Wireless L.L.C. won the Honolulu license. Borland has appealed the FCC’s decision to re-auction the licenses to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Oral argument in that case is scheduled for Jan. 20.
The Federal Communications Commission last week granted five more states interim numbering authority. The commission said Connecticut, New Hampshire, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin could take measures to conserve numbers and avoid area code splits and additions but that these measures may be rendered moot when the FCC completes its numbering rules.
FCC Chairman William Kennard has said he expects the numbering rules to be completed in the first quarter of next year.
“This action mirrors similar grants made to five other states in September. Importantly … the FCC continues to emphasize that its grant to the states is for a limited duration,” commented Jay Kitchen, president of the Personal Communications Industry Association.
