Hot topics at N. American Numbering Council (NANC) meetings Wed. were elimination of certain numbering/dialing options and expansion of N. American Numbering Plan (NANP)capacity. Industry Numbering Committee (INC) proposed elimination of proposals to: (1) Use 4-digit area code. (2) Use 1-digit national destination code that would be dialed as “1” is now for long distance calls. (3) Dial NANC steering committee’s proposed 2-digit geographical code before area code. Also discussed were: (1) How to transition changes once decision is made on dialing methods and whether transition should be gradual or “flash cut.” (2) Whether 10-digit dialing question has been decided. (3) Whether need to move to new dialing regimes is pressing, since it appears significant amount may be accessible soon. NARUC representative said real resolution of numbering issues wouldn’t occur soon.

CARLSBAD, Cal. -- Following end of potentially contentious fight over DTV standards (CD Jan 17 p3), NAB TV board approved financing to start public campaign to “educate consumers on the benefits of digital TV.” To get under way in spring, planning will begin Feb. 6 at joint meeting with co-sponsor MSTV, NAB announced at close of 4 days of board meetings here Wed. Cost of effort wasn’t disclosed, but broadcaster said “we've already spent hundreds of thousands” on engineering studies to determine that 8- VSB standard should be favored over COFDM.

Women hold smaller percentage of jobs in cable and DBS than year ago, while minorities hold more cable positions but fewer DBS jobs, FCC said in new report. Relying on annual employment reports submitted by cable operators, Commission found that total cable industry employment at companies with more than 5 employees had slipped to 130,953 in 1999 from 133,705 in 1998 and total female representation fell to 40.4% from 41.7%. Among full-time employees in upper-level posts, women held 26.9% of jobs in 1999, down from 28.9% year earlier. At same time, minorities boosted their representation in total cable work force to 32.7% from 30.9% and increased their share of upper-level jobs to 29.1% from 21.7%. Other multichannel video program distribution (MVPD) operators, consisting largely of DBS providers, nearly doubled their overall employee base to 10,322 in 1999, but total female representation fell to 43.2% from 52.7% and minorities to 27% from 27.7%. Among full-time employees in upper-level jobs, however, women increased their share to 33.6% from 32.2% and minorities to 22.9% from 16.9%.

Public broadcasters’ DTV transition will run $779 million shortfall with no funding increases from federal govt., White House said in final Economic Outlook report. PTV made list of “pending policy proposals” -- Clinton Administration budget items that were cut severely by Congress -- after receiving only $44 million of requested $110 million for FY 2001. White House also said FCC’s spectrum auction authority had reaped $20 billion since 1994, and failure to renew it past 2008 would cost federal govt. $500 million annually.

Internal Revenue Service established new rules for space, ocean and telecom income sources Jan. 16, setting guidelines that income from space or ocean activity by U.S. person will be sourced in U.S., while income from foreign people will be foreign-sourced. Exceptions to rules include foreign companies with half or more ownership by U.S. persons. As result, foreign satellite companies established in no-tax jurisdictions could conduct most of business in U.S. but pay no U.S. or foreign taxes on satellite leasing income.

FCC added Brasilsat A2 satellite to Permitted Space Station List at 63 degrees W orbital location. Commission said as result of ruling, routine earth stations would be able to communicate with Brasilsat, which it said should stimulate competition in U.S.

Charter Communications said it began offering Wink Communications’ elementary interactive TV service in S. Fla. Service is available free to Charter digital cable subscribers. With rollout, Wink said it’s available to more than 500,000 cable and satellite homes across U.S., including in more than 20 Charter markets.

SANTA CLARA, Cal. -- Internet is at a “critical time” as data and telephony converge, and that convergence could offer “the best or the worst of both worlds,” Packet Design CEO Judy Estrin said at Supernet conference here Jan. 16. Future trends include consolidation of voice, video, and data services, she said. “We are still in the covered wagon stage” of Internet, and it will progress via developments such as ubiquitous bandwidth, increased ease of use, greater connectivity and improved security, Estrin said.

Minority Media & Telecom Council said it would appeal court decision overturning FCC EEO rules (CD Jan 17 p1). Group said it would fight U.S. Appeals Court, D.C., decision “with all our strength.” Exec. Dir. David Honig said: “Unless reversed, this decision could put a halt to 32 years of progress in desegregating some of the nation’s most influential industries.” Court rejection of FCC EEO rules “will make it even more difficult to achieve a broadcast industry that reflects America’s rich cultural diversity,” FCC Comr. Tristani said in response to decision. She said she was particularly disappointed that U.S. Appeals Court, D.C., rejected rules entirely, even parts that might have been constitutional.

Buyout firm Forstmann, Little agreed to buy Citadel Communications for $1 billion plus assumption of $1 billion debt, companies said. Citadel owns 143 FM and 66 AM stations in 44 markets.