Clearly signaling its response to Internet hacking, FCC said it would hold full-fledged hearing on otherwise routine application of Kevin Mitnick to renew his amateur radio license. FCC noted that Mitnick had been convicted on felony charges of intercepting electronic communications, computer fraud, wire fraud and causing damage to computers, saying convictions raised “a substantial and material question” whether he met character qualifications for FCC license. Felony convictions all involve computer hacking, Commission said, including stealing proprietary software from Fujitsu, Motorola, Novell, Sun and others, stealing e-mails, illegally monitoring cellular conversations: “According to the U.S. Dept. of Justice, Mr. Mitnick’s prolific and damaging hacking career made him the most wanted computer criminal in United States history.” Instead of automatic renewal, FCC action means Mitnick would have to go through lengthy and expensive hearing process in order to renew his license, with Commission saying in advance it had “serious reservations” about his qualification to be licensee.
Center for Digital Democracy (CDD) doesn’t believe Comcast Pres. Brian Roberts when he says he’s committed to allowing multiple ISPs aboard his company’s cable plant. CDD Dir. Jeff Chester intends to ask Justice Dept. and FTC to make sure AT&T Comcast, if their deal is allowed to be completed, will let independent ISPs compete with any similar services AT&T Comcast offers over its plant. Chester said he would ask for oversight similar to that imposed upon AOL-Time Warner deal, which stipulated that at least 3 independents be offered wherever its incumbents, AOL and Road Runner, were offered to customers. Chester said he saw number 3 independents as floor, not ceiling, and would prefer more ISPs be offered as choices to consumers. AOL-TW, meanwhile, has said multiple ISP model has helped, not hurt, its AOL and Road Runner services by drawing more customers overall to Internet product.
Verizon reported $3.07 billion in 2001 network investments for 3 states. It said it invested $2 billion in its N.Y. telecom infrastructure in the year, which doesn’t count restoring service following Sept. 11 attacks in Manhattan. Major projects in year included adding 40,000 miles of fiber cable, increasing network total to 1.15 million cable miles. It also expanded DSL availability so DSL service now was available on 70% of its access lines statewide. Verizon said it also began deployment of DSL enhancement that allowed multiple computers in home to share same DSL line. It said it invested in long distance infrastructure to serve its 2.1 million long distance customers. Verizon said I had invested total of $24 billion in N.Y., with half that amount in just over last 6 years. In neighboring N.J., Verizon said it invested $1 billion in 2001, with most of funds used to expand fiber facilities and add enhancements to its 26 switching centers statewide. It said it added 100,000 miles of fiber, raising state’s fiber total to 1.5 million miles, and expanded availability of DSL service to 4.4 million lines, or just over 50% of state’s access lines. Verizon said it also invested to accommodate competitors and prepare for interLATA long distance entry, asking the FCC for long distance authority Dec. 20. In R.I., Verizon said it invested $71 million on network improvements in 2001, adding 14,000 miles of fiber to increase state’s total to 92,000 miles. It said it also invested to prepare for long distance entry, for which it applied to the FCC Nov. 26.
Tex. PUC adopted rules for implementing state no-call telemarketing list, effective Jan. 1. Rules establish 2 lists: First is for residential numbers only and applies statewide to commercial telemarketers that solicit Tex. households. Second is for both business and residential numbers but restricts telemarketers calling only on behalf of retail electric providers. Rules set $2.25 one-time registration fee for residential statewide no-call list and $2.55 for electric no-call list. Residential customers can sign on to both lists for $4.80 fee. Rules require all local phone directories to include prominently displayed information about no-call lists and how to get numbers on lists via toll-free call, by Internet or by mail. Meanwhile, PUC reversed decision by national number administrator NeuStar and said AT&T could have phone numbers it wanted for 5 rate centers in Dallas-Ft. Worth metro area so it could provide optional extended local calling into cities for customers in outlying suburbs. PUC acted under FCC rule that allows carriers to appeal phone number denials to state regulators.
FCC said callers to its consumer center would hear “a new, more user-friendly, automated response system.” Among other things, Commission said it offered speedy automated answers to frequently asked questions, although caller still could opt for live human during office hours. Full automation also is available to Spanish speakers -- 888-CALL- FCC.
FCC is seeking comments on proposed EchoStar-Hughes merger request, Cable Bureau said Fri. Comments are due Feb. 4, oppositions and responses Feb. 25. Companies are seeking FCC authority to merge 2 largest U.S. DBS satellite companies. Applicants also asked Commission to approve transfer of satellite licenses controlled by Hughes to EchoStar.
In fight over carriage of low-power TV station in Syracuse market, NCTA asked Commission not to begin rulemaking sought by Venture Technologies Group (VTG), which would like Time Warner to carry its low-power WAWA station signal rather than import that of WSBK-TV out of Boston. Both offer UPN programming. NCTA said VTG was trying to upgrade rights and privileges of lower power stations to those of full-power stations but knew limitations of low power status when it bought station. Under current rules, WAWA has no must-carry rights on TWE system. VTG said its WAWA station should be afforded nonduplication rights, in part because it could offer more localized programing than Boston station. UPN is siding with VTG. WSBK was grandfathered by Congress. VTG asked FCC for rulemaking to extend Commission’s rules on network and nonnetwork territorial exclusivity, syndicated exclusivity and network nonduplication protection to low-power, Class A and noncommercial broadcast stations. VTG said that by extending rules to lower power stations, FCC would end disparity among broadcasters.
VoiceStream submitted reply comments to FCC Fri. in advance of Dec. 26 deadline on its waiver petition for wireless priority access service (PAS), saying it hoped early reply would help Commission to “act on this request expeditiously.” National Communications System had issued request for proposals following Sept. 11 attacks on wireless PAS system that could be activated soon in Washington, N.Y.C. and Salt Lake City, with broader system covering more cities in works on longer timeline. Verizon Wireless rescinded its waiver petition for PAS at FCC earlier this month, saying instead it was working on industrywide solution (CD Dec 17 p1). VoiceStream’s request for partial waiver still is pending at Commission. It has told FCC it could roll out PAS capability that lined up priority call for next available slot in system when radio or network resources were busy. VoiceStream told FCC in Dec. 20 filing that “if its request is denied, VoiceStream will be precluded from providing priority access service at the Winter Olympics and its ability to begin providing priority access services in Washington and New York City will be delayed.” Carrier said: “VoiceStream submits that neither the public interest nor the national security would be served by such an outcome.” In reply comments, VoiceStream stressed that its waiver would be in force for only short time. Handsets needed to implement system that VoiceStream plans for PAS, technology called Enhanced Multilevel Precedence and Presumption, won’t be available for several months, VoiceStream said. That technology will comply “fully” with existing FCC PAS rules. To meet needs of NCS for immediate service, VoiceStream said it must use alternative system for Olympics.
State Dept. approved streamlined procedures for its review of applications submitted to FCC for undersea cable landing licenses. Alan Larson, undersecy. of state for economic, business & agricultural affairs, approved changes last week. State Dept. has review authority in that area under 1921 Cable Landing License Act and executive order. State said it authorized FCC to grant or revoke all submarine cable landing license applications as long as Commission notifies in writing U.S. coordinator for international communications & information policy and State doesn’t raise objections within 30 days. Among changes in existing process that such applications have undergone at State Dept. is that 30-day time line hasn’t been in place. State said it planned to continue to coordinate views on applications with NTIA and Defense Information Systems Agency at Defense Dept. Goals of new review procedures include helping U.S. companies stay competitive in telecom market without “jeopardizing national security,” State said. “These changes reflect the Administration’s ability to work together to promote competition in this important marketplace by making the government regulatory process for submarine cables more efficient,” said David Gross, U.S. coordinator for international communications & information policy. NTIA Dir. Nancy Victory said streamlining process “makes it less costly to deploy submarine cables, which benefits U.S. consumers.
In letter to FCC Chmn. Powell, group of private wireless users cautioned that Nextel spectrum swap proposal would disrupt communications for utilities, railroads, pipelines, airlines, others. Last month, Nextel made proposal at FCC for spectrum swap that would realign frequencies at 700, 800 and 900 MHz by more than doubling public safety operators’ current allocation of 9.5 MHz in 800 MHz band (CD Nov 23 p1). Nextel would swap total of 16 MHz in 700 MHz band, specialized mobile radio spectrum at 800 MHz and 4 MHz at 900 MHz. In return, Nextel would receive another 16 MHz in upper 800 MHz band and in 2.1 GHz band. To pave way for public safety users to implement relocation and equipment returning, Nextel would contribute up to $500 million, although private wireless users wouldn’t be similarly compensated under this plan. FCC adoption of existing Nextel plan “would be an unmitigated disaster from an operational and financial standpoint for America’s industrial, transportation and utility sectors,” letter to Powell said. Group estimated that relocated private wireless users from 800 MHz spectrum under Nextel plan would cost incumbents “several billion dollars.” Those users have “assumed additional safety- related responsibilities” since Sept. 11, it said. Letter was signed by Aeronautical Radio Inc. (ARINC), American Assn. of Railroads, American Petroleum Institute, Forest Industries Telecommunications, Industrial Telecommunications Assn., MRFAC Inc. and United Telecom Council. Gist of Nextel proposal was to rejigger users in those bands to mitigate interference between public safety operators and others in 800 MHz band. “This interference solution will disrupt the provision of mission-critical communications and impose billions of dollars on American businesses to relocate operational communications systems that are not causing any interference to public safety operations,” letter said. Group told Powell that “alternative solutions must exist” that wouldn’t impose same set of hardships on private wireless users. It suggested options such as filtering and more reliance on frequency coordination. Letter said utilities and others weren’t convinced that being “evicted” from 800 MHz band would resolve interference issues. Among private wireless licensees in band is FedEx, which has invested $100 million for national 800 MHz internal communications system to coordinate package delivery. Letter said FedEx estimated replacement system at 700 or 900 MHz would cost it “at least $100 million.” American Electric Power (AEP) has invested $100 million in “one of the largest private radio 800 MHz trunked systems” in N. America, group said AEP uses system for transmission crews to perform restoration work on its electrical transmission and distribution network. Letter said ARINC recently began digital service at 9 airports in that spectrum that supported ground operations such as baggage handling.