WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission, facing intensified criticism from industry and Congress, has set up a task force to help it decide the fate of thousands of specialized mobile radio applications that await processing.The task force, set up two weeks ago, is comprised of Private...
SEATTLE-The Personal Communications Industry Association's annual meeting started here last Wednesday with a bang but ended with a bust.About 7,000 people attended the three-day Personal Communications Showcase, more than double the attendance of last year's event. Exhibit and hotel space sold out early. About...
Demand for one-number services may become even greater now that the non-geographic 500 area code is available, according to Accessline Technologies Inc., a company in the one-number ball game."The whole idea of having a personal phone number has become very popular. Now, with the...
ussell H. Fox, Esq. My intent, in writing an article in RCR, was to analyze the Federal Communications Commission's decision in the Docket No. 93-252 proceeding, which addresses the new rules governing commercial mobile radio service providers.The new rules, designed to achieve "regulatory parity"...
WASHINGTON-With the number of people using mobile telephones increasing each year, federal regulators want to improve 911 emergency service for calls made over the airwaves, and could force carriers that fail to meet future government standards to put warning labels on handsets indicating their...
WASHINGTON-The Clinton administration last week sent Congress trade legislation that includes a new plan for three companies awarded pioneer's preferences to pay for personal communications services licenses.Under a compromise reached by lawmakers, the White House and the three firms, the U.S. treasury would be...
House and Senate Judiciary committees late last week approved digital wiretap legislation, improving chances for passing a bill before the 103rd Congress adjourns for the year.Meanwhile, House Budget Committee members blasted the Clinton administration's new formula for determining how much three pioneer preference winners...
With three new investors injecting a fresh $310 million into its low-earth-orbiting satellite project, Iridium Inc. said it has completed its planned equity financing.That means the Motorola Inc.-led international group now can make debt financing arrangements to fund the remainder of its commitments.Iridium seeks...
The Federal Communications Commission is experiencing a metamorphosis: Established as a custodian of the public airwaves in the interest of the public, it has become a cash cow for the U.S. treasury.The FCC is on the brink of going auction mad, with seemingly little regard...
The Southern Co., a registered holding company for five Southeastern utilities, plans to have the first domestic digital specialized mobile radio network operated by an end-user organization on the air early next year.The network under construction includes 270 towers and provides coverage of Southern's...
Small companies may have an easier go at starting personal communications services operations with minimal capital investment through proposals offered separately by the seven regional Bell operating companies."It's very unusual for all of these independent companies to do something together," said Robert Kyle, founder...
WASHINGTON-A New York federal judge last week refused to block the proposed merger between AT&T Corp. and McCaw Cellular Communications Inc., but agreed to a speedy trial of two regional Bell telephone companies' lawsuit to halt the transaction on antitrust grounds.U.S. District Judge Edward...
Washington - Clouding the Federal Communications Commision's wireless agenda this fall is the uncertain fate of telecommunications reform legislation that could trigger scores of new rule makings with mandated deadlines costing $70 million to implement.If Congress approves the legislation, the FCC would have to...
What's behind the recent wave of wireless mega-mergers and alliances?First, AT&T Corp. launched its bold acquisition of cellular leader McCaw Cellular Communications Inc., and MCI Communications Corp. responded by attempting to purchase a stake in enhanced specialized mobile radio operator Nextel Communications Inc. More...
Nothing can replace the World Series, which was canceled last week along with the remainder of the major league baseball season after millionaire players and owners failed to agree who among them was neediest.Maybe Reed Hundt, a lawyer with antitrust expertise who now chairs...
According to the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association, approximately a half million 911 calls are placed over U.S. cellular networks each month. With the cellular subscribers growing at an annual rate of 48 percent, the number of cellular 911 calls is increasing, creating a serious...
At age 35, Rachelle Chong could easily be taken for an inexperienced Federal Communications Commission member who happened to fit the profile the Clinton administration needed at the time: female, Republican and a residence outside the Beltway.But that would be a mistake.Intelligent, ambitious and poised,...
The revolution in wireless communications, already well underway, will dramatically reshape the way we work, play, shop and travel. Which technologies survive and flourish depends not only upon their consumer acceptance in the marketplace, but also, on a more basic level, their ability to...
WASHINGTON-The Personal Communications Industry Association said it has urged the Federal Communications Commission to adopt a microwave relocation cost-sharing plan to ease the deployment of personal communications services networks.PCIA's proposal calls for all PCS licensees that benefit from a specific microwave system's relocation to...
WASHINGTON-Congress will attempt to pass telecommunications reform and digital wiretap legislation this fall, and lawmakers also plan to put the Federal Communications Commission's auction program under the microscope before adjourning the 103rd session next month.With any luck, telecommunications reform legislation could hit the Senate...
Who's the Federal Communications Commission fooling with all this talk of "designated entities," or providing incentives-and frequencies-for small businesses, women and minorities in the upcoming PCS auctions?The FCC, a victim itself in all of this as a result of a considerable amount of back-shoving...
Death, taxes, and for potential PCS licensees, microwave relocation are issues no one wants to face. Yet, like the first two, the consequences of ignoring the issue could be devastating.Following the Federal Communications Commission auctions, winning bidders could find themselves having paid tens or...
