Paul Taylor resigns as exec. dir., Alliance for Better Campaigns, to join Pew Charitable Trusts; Meredith McGehee, ex-Common Cause, becomes interim exec. dir… Timothy Wiggins, ex-Chicago Bridge & Iron, named exec. vp-CFO, Tellabs… Changes at Interep ad firm: George Pine, ex-ABC Radio Sales, named pres.-COO; Kevin Garrity promoted to pres.-ABC Radio Sales… Todd Unger, ex-AOL, becomes senior vp-online gen. mgr., Lifetime… Jerry Mattiace, ex-Orion Telecom, named vp-sales, Universal Access… Cable Ad Bureau Pres. Joe Ostrow will remain in position until end of May, instead of resigning March 31.
FCC suspended license of Constellation Communications after company missed 2 milestones. Commission denied company request to modify authorization to construct, launch and operate Big LEO low-earth orbit mobile satellite system above 1 GHz. Under 1997 license, Constellation had to begin construction of first 2 satellites by July 1998 and remaining satellites by July 2001. System was to be fully operational by next July. FCC had warned Constellation that license would be revoked if it failed to meet milestone unless Commission extended schedule. Constellation becomes latest victim on FCC crackdown on milestone violations (CD Feb 11 p9).
Loral doesn’t have to use Chinese Long March rocket to launch Asia-Pacific Telecom (APT) Apstar 5 satellite if U.S. govt. doesn’t approve export license by Sept. 30, under terms of new $110 million contract with APT Satellite of Hong Kong, Loral announced Mon. APT has decided to allow Loral to break agreement to use Chinese booster in exchange for purchase of half of 54 transponders on Apstar 5 along with sharing $230 million cost of building, launching and insuring satellite, companies said. Loral will retain 50% ownership of satellite regardless of launch site, under contract signed Sept. 20. APT and Loral will select new launcher jointly if State Dept. fails to approve license, companies said. Loral’s capacity on Apstar 5 will be designated Telstar 14. Satellite is scheduled for launch in 3rd quarter next year, Loral said.
FCC International Bureau authorized Loral Cyberstar to add 2 new beams to design of its Orion F2 satellite at 47 degrees W. Beams are for service to Latin America.
Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is bolstering its supply of GPS-based wireless-phone tracking devices. Agency intends to negotiate sole source contract with Coleman Technologies to acquire equipment that uses spread-spectrum technology. DEA also plans to acquire radiofrequency tracking devices from Orion Electronics that use both analog and digital standards. Terms weren’t disclosed.
Legislators and regulators in Mich., Minn., Colo. and Tex. addressed no-call telemarketing lists as 2001 drew near close, while Ind. law enforcement officials warned public of telemarketing scam that exploited state’s new no-call list.
Broadband development legislation (CD Dec 4 p7) supported by Mich. Gov. John Engler (R) has been knocked off fast track in crucial state Senate committee. His hope for passage of bill by Christmas were dashed when chairman of state Senate’s Technology & Energy Committee put off action on measures until early in 2002 for more study. Delay came even as Mich. broadband development proponents released another study on geographic distribution of current broadband services showing broadband was practically nonexistent outside affluent portions of state’s major metropolitan areas.
FCC reaffirmed its decision to apply one-step financial standard for all international and domestic U.S.-licensed satellite systems after operators of international separate satellites petitioned Commission to reconsider its decision made in DISCO I(Domestic International Satellite Consolidation Order) proceeding. Four companies -- Columbia, Comsat, Orion and PanAmSat -- filed objections in response to decision in which Commission said that treating all satellite systems alike would best serve public interest. FCC did grant portions of petition for partial reconsideration of DISCO I seeking greater flexibility in obtaining waiver of one-step financial qualifications requirement. One-step financial showing requires applicants to provide evidence that they have adequate funding to cover cost of constructing, launching and operating proposed systems for one year, ensuring that applicants without financing don’t tie up orbital locations while they seek funding.
Gerald Kovach, ex-WorldCom, named senior vp-external affairs, NeuStar… Champion Mitchell, ex-Convergence Equipment Co. and Global Exchange Carrier Co., appointed exec. vp-gen. mgr.-mass markets div., VeriSign… John Garand promoted to exec. vp- planning and control, Walt Disney… Robert Sorbello, ex-Loral Cyberstar and Loral Orion, named senior vp-engineering and technology, AirTV… Michael Johnson, ex-Avaya Communications, appointed exec. vp-management restructuring, Farmstead Telephone Group… Changes at USOL Holdings: Seth Davis, senior vp, promoted to COO; Shane Menking, controller, promoted to CFO; Don Barlow, pres.-CFO, resigned.
Pegasus will keep “pushing” to secure Ka-band orbital slots following FCC crackdown that upheld earlier decisions to revoke licenses of PanAmSat and Morning Star along with Commission refusal to grant Loral and VisionStar extra time to meet milestones (CD May 29 p4), attorney Bruce Jacobs told us: “We don’t know what the Commission has in store for us, but we need 2 slots.” He said company was hoping for “some good Conus slots,” but Commission order “didn’t shake one loose.” Pegasus, perhaps most active of 2nd-round applicants at Commission, is one of several companies trying to obtain prime orbital slot from first round licensee that failed to meet milestones. “Clearing out the underbrush will open up” 2nd round, Pegasus Vp Cheryl Crate said: “We don’t yet know what it all means… It’s a very positive thing that they have taken action.”