Communications Daily observes the Martin Luther King holiday this Monday, Jan. 15. Our next issue will appear on Tuesday, Jan. 16.
Internet streaming video surged 215% to more than 900 million streams accessed in 2000, study by DFC Intelligence reported. It said broadband Internet access carried nearly 29% of video streams, and 15% of streams carried ads -- www.dbpwebcasttrack.com.
Bidding in FCC’s C- and F-block PCS auction reached net of $14.93 billion Thurs., inching up from $14.57 billion Wed. Verizon Wireless had 103 high bids worth $6.2 billion, followed by Cingular Wireless-backed Salmon PCS with 62 for $2.9 billion and AT&T Wireless-backed Alaska Native Wireless with 47 for $2.5 billion. Dobson Communications subsidiary DCC PCS bid $960.8 million, VoiceStream $573.6 million, Cook Inlet $480.9 million. After 47 rounds, units of 3 largest wireless carriers continued to jockey for 3 N.Y.C. licenses. Verizon Wireless bid $1.6 billion for one license in that market, Alaska Native Wireless $1.12 billion for another and Salmon $1.1 billion for 3rd. Those licenses are fetching figures that are more than double those in next most competitive market, L.A., where DCC and Verizon are bidding closer to $500 million.
Without actually announcing his resignation or future plans, FCC Chmn. Kennard said farewell to fellow commissioners and agency staffers at Commission’s open meeting Thurs. In packed, emotional session filled with others’ tributes to his warmth, good humor and commitment to helping minorities, disabled and native Americans, Kennard acknowledged he was chairing his last FCC meeting and wished his successor “a great deal of success.” Choked up and admittedly “overwhelmed” at times, Kennard repeatedly thanked staffers and commissioners for their support and hard work and said he had been “proud and very privileged” to head Commission.
NTIA announced that $42.5 million was available this year for grants to govts., educational institutions and nonprofit groups for programs to expand advanced services to underserved areas. Funding for Technology Opportunities Program is up from $12.5 million available in 2000. NTIA will hold regional workshops to explain how to apply for funding: Feb. 2 in Washington, Feb. 6 in Denver, Feb. 8 in St. Louis -- www.ntia.doc.gov or 202-482-2048.
Citing weakness in fixed wireless industry, equipment manufacturers Adaptive Broadband and Western Multiplex called off planned merger Thurs. “From a stock market point of view, fixed wireless specifically and telecommunications stocks in general, have really taken a beating, making it very difficult to put a monetary valuation on this transaction at this time,” said Adaptive Broadband Pres. Daniel Scharre. Adaptive recently lowered revenue forecast for quarter ended Dec. 31 to $8 million from $31 million. Company said it was “evaluating its financial model” for fiscal 2001, “especially the potential impact of customer issues” involving CLECs, which are its main U.S. market.
“Avoiding a Pearl Harbor in space” and deterring adversaries were among priorities Space Commission identified in report it released Jan. 11 in Washington. “The number of pagers and cellphones in this room speak to the importance” of protecting satellites, Adm. David Jeremiah (USN-Ret.) said at hearing. Gen. Ronald Fogelman (USAF-Ret.), who is commission member, said report outlining vulnerabilities of satellites including communications satellites was “nothing new.” William Graham, chmn. of National Security Research, said “any deliberate attack could produce similar or worse results” than near-total loss of communications for hours or days, as has happened in accidental failures. Robert Davis, pres. of R.V. Davis & Assoc., said commercial use of global positioning system (GPS) highlighted need to solve structural problems with Defense Dept. Among recommendations, commission members cited establishing Space Corps or new branch of military devoted to space. Gen. Howell Estes (USAF-Ret.) said if critical satellite had stopped transmitting when he led space command, “I wouldn’t have had a clue” what was wrong.
DirecTV and TiVo will formalize agreement for video-on-demand (VoD) within 60 days that will use portion of hard drive in current combination receiver, DirecTV Global Digital Media Pres. Lawrence Chapman said. Meanwhile, DirecTV/AOLTV product has been postponed until later this year, marking 2nd time service debut was delayed.
U.S. Copyright Office started 6-month negotiation period for adjustment of royalty rates and terms for performance of copyrighted sound recordings by preexisting subscription services and satellite digital audio services. Negotiation period began Jan. 9 and those who want to participate must notify Copyright Office by Jan. 31.
Arianespace Flight 137 finally got off ground Jan. 10 as Eurasiasat 1 was launched into orbit from Kourou after 4 delays. Launch originally had been scheduled for Dec. 8.