Seven states have requested more delegated authority from FCC to allow them to implement number conservation measures. FCC is seeking comments on requests of Ind., Minn., Mo., Okla., Tenn., Vt., W.Va. Comments are due Feb. 12, replies Feb. 28 (CC 96-98, 99-200).

“Robust discussion” of results of latest DTV testing followed presentation of results to more than 150 broadcasters in Washington Thurs., we're told. Closed-door meeting reportedly was told that VSB standard out-performed COFDM on 30-ft. outdoor antennas, COFDM did better on 6-ft. outdoor antennas and neither did very well on indoor antennas, as expected (CD Jan 11 p2, Jan 10 p2). Broadcasters also were told that COFDM would make DTV available to about 6% fewer households and same power level would give stations 14% smaller viewing area. Officials of COFDM supporter Sinclair Bcst. reportedly repeatedly made their claim that testing was flawed because it used COFDM receiver without needed filter. Broadcasters also were said to have repeatedly criticized cable and set-makers for not accelerating DTV rollout. Boards of NAB and MSTV are to meet Jan. 14-16 to decide what to recommend to FCC based on test results.

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.

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.

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.

Helgi Walker, aide to FCC Comr. Furchtgott-Roth, will move to White House as assoc. White House counsel and special asst., his office said. Walker, who specialized in mass media and cable issues, will be replaced by Ben Golant of FCC Cable Bureau.

RateXchange Corp. and London Satellite Exchange announced first global alliance that gives bandwidth users ability to fulfill satellite and fiber requirements at same time. RateXchange operates trading system for fiber bandwidth and London Satellite Exchange is online exchange for satellite industry.

U.S. Appeals Court, D.C., ruling Tues. that rejected SBC’s advanced services subsidiary (CD Jan 10 p1) appeared to have raised more questions than it answered. Observers questioned Wed. whether decision might pressure Congress to revise Telecom Act to account for advanced services, how ruling would affect similar arrangement at Verizon and how it might play out under new Republican FCC. Court overturned trade-off FCC made with SBC: FCC allowed SBC to provide advanced services free of interconnection requirements if company formed separate affiliate to provide those services. In response to appeal filed by Assn. of Communications Enterprises (ASCENT), court ruled FCC didn’t have authority to forgo interconnection requirements of Sec. 251(c) just because SBC was providing advanced, rather than basic, services and using separate subsidiary. ASCENT represents competitive carriers, particularly those that resale ILEC service.

BellSouth told FCC it was opposed to request by Dept. of Justice and FBI for additional security requirements under Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA). DoJ/FBI asked agency in Nov. to require carriers to: (1) Submit name, phone number, e-mail address and other contact information for person designated as point of contact for CALEA issue. (2) Notify FCC in writing or by e-mail of any change in such contact information. BellSouth said requirements were “unnecessary, burdensome and inconsistent with the Commission’s minimal set of guidelines for compliance with CALEA’s systems security and integrity provisions.”

Mont. House State Administration Committee completed hearings Wed. on bill that would require state agencies to retain internal and external e-mail memos and letters as public record, just as they must do now with correspondence on paper. Measure (HB-112) would clarify state open records law to include e-mail among agency records that must be retained and made available to public. Panel has until mid-Feb. to move bill. Measure also would make it crime to harass or threaten anyone via e-mail. Penalties would be same as for telephone harassment. State Rep. John Brueggeman (R- Polson), bill’s sponsor, said e-mail had become common method for conducting official state business, but effectively was exempt under current law from requirements that official correspondence be kept for public inspection. Other supporters cited incident last fall in which environmental group seeking internal memos from state Natural Resources Dept. to bolster case in timberland dispute discovered material had been deleted in routine purge of e-mail files. Supporters also said making e-mail harassment crime would close loophole in current law. No opponents spoke at hearing.