I had the strange sensation of deja vu all over again reporting on antitrust implications of Nextel Communications Inc.’s proposed buy-out of Pittencrieff Communications Inc., what with all the acquisitions and talk of a national footprint. Could Craig be priming Nextel to be swallowed up for a sweet pay day a la AT&T-McCaw?
Thanks Willie Nelson, the FCC is on the road again. And Again. And again. Travel under FCC Chairman Reed Hundt has skyrocketed. Domestic travel in fiscal ’92 was $687,000; $1.4 million in fiscal ’95. Former commissioner Andrew Barrett was top jet setter. International travel doubled from $307,000 in ’92 to $631,000 last year. Last week, the U.S. telecom mission was in China.
William Vickrey, a Columbia University professor who recently died, and James Mirrlees, a U.K. political economist at Cambridge University, won the Nobel prize for economics in recognition of their work on how information, or lack thereof, affects business decision-making and auction strategy.
CTIA reports progress in discussions last week with U.S. Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service on federal land antenna siting.
FCC loosens rules on foreign officers and directors in wireless firms. Issue caused flap at last House telecom subcommittee oversight hearing.
Teledesic Corp. and Associated Communications L.L.C. et al. continue paper war at FCC over 18 GHz rights.
U S West filed supplement to petition seeking FCC declaration that two Roseville, Minn., ordinances are discriminatory and represent a barrier to entry.
The FCC wants comments by Oct. 21 and replies by Dec. 3 on non-accredited standard-setting organizations that craft tech standards for public safety wireless.
Forget the prez and VP debates. Tree huggers and RF hazard dissers square off at “Unplugged: Health and Policy Implications of the Wireless Revolution,” Nov. 15-16. Program is sponsored by the Environmental Law Center at Vermont Law School. For more info, call (800) 752-2005.
Speaking of which, it’s the sacred locus flower, not pocket phones, scientists should be worried about. Nature magazine says the flower can hold warmth in cold weather, emitting 1 watt, compared to .6 watts or less for cell phones and .2 watts or less for PCS handsets. More work for WTR.
I’m connected: jsilva@crain.com.
