Mobile satellite service (MSS) providers will have option to use ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) to supplement their satellite services under certain conditions, FCC said Thurs. Text of order wasn’t available by our deadline, but news release outlined key points, which included 8 different gating criteria and covered interference concerns for 2-GHz and L-band. Commission also adopted rulemaking on Big Leo band to address additional spectrum issues. As part of 5 interlocking items released Thurs., Commission reallocated 30 MHz from MSS band at 2 GHz for 3G wireless. CTIA still called actions “split decision for consumers,” saying it was likely to challenge ATC order.
Satellite Transactions: Globecomm announced $2 million contract from unnamed customer on Indian subcontinent to provide Intelsat F3 satellite earth station for international telephony by July… Tachyon said it would provide broadband satellite IT infrastructure and IP network support to Japan- based Mitsui & Co. Broadband satellite services will provide Mitsui with network access among its European offices… Telenor said it would provide satellite services to Comtech Mobile Datacom, including dedicated capacity on Inmarsat satellites, land earth station services, receiving/transmitting equipment.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems said it had completed 2nd of 3 tests of its satellite range extension (SRE) capability. SRE is being developed to use Defense Dept. satellite constellation Milstar to augment Navy’s Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) and allow vessels to prepare for attacks beyond range of radars. Most recent test, conducted in Oct., demonstrated system’s capability to track airborne targets using land-based ship simulators representing CEC- equipped Aegis cruisers and aircraft carrier. Ballistic missile composite tracking will be subject of 3rd experiment, Lockheed said.
RIAA will be hard-pressed to land successor as wired on Capitol Hill as Hilary Rosen, departing as chmn.-CEO at year-end, observers said Thurs. Rep. Boucher (D-Va.), opponent on digital rights, expressed admiration for Rosen’s talents but said next Assn. chief should lead music industry into wholeheartedly embracing Internet by uploading its entire repertoire. However, others said significantly shifting strategy of industry made up of corporate heavyweights was too much to ask of trade association. executive.
Kenwood now is “a very healthy” company following worldwide restructuring and massive work force reductions in last year, CEO Haruo Kawahara told reporters at Las Vegas CES. Kenwood is “going forward to improve the business” in its core areas of home and car electronics and land and mobile communications, he said. As result of significant reductions in head count and other restructuring steps, Kawahara said, Kenwood reported $8 million profit for 6 months ended Sept. 30 following 3 consecutive years of losses. He said Kenwood also had divested itself of loss- ridden personal communications product business, including cellphones, because it no longer could weather risks of business in which development costs were excessively high for product lifespan that was so short. Losses in that business were main contributor to company’s financial woes, he said. Kawahara, ex- Toshiba executive, said Kenwood was on course to $40 million profit for fiscal 12 months ending March 31. He said U.S., which generated 1/3 of worldwide revenue for Kenwood and thus was on par with Japan in that category, was company’s most important market. As such, he said, how to promote Kenwood brand in U.S. was “our most urgent priority.”
FCC hopes to issue public notice on comprehensive nationwide agreement to streamline tower siting decisions next month, Wireless Bureau Commercial Wireless Div. Chief William Kunze said Fri. Related tower siting policies will be among division’s priorities for this year, including issues on migratory birds, Fish & Wildlife Service requirements and overall processes in that area, he said. Kunze spoke at FCBA Wireless Practice Committee lunch at which chief of Auctions & Industry Analysis Div., Public Safety and Private Wireless & Policy also discussed their 2003 agendas.
Further changes in Dept. of Defense (DoD) technology procurement policy may be required to hasten process by which industry can create and sell products to Pentagon agencies, new chairman of House Armed Services Committee said Thurs. Chmn. Hunter (R-Cal.), who succeeded retired Rep. Stump (R- Ariz.), said one of his top goals in 108th Congress was to support Pentagon’s modernization strategy, which he said could be accomplished only if U.S. forces had “the ability to field technology quickly.”
Financial disclosure statement filed by FCC Comr. Adelstein with federal govt. before his joining Commission outlined stock holdings that included AT&T, BellSouth, Verizon. He was sworn in as commissioner in early Dec. but said he was temporarily recused from votes on certain issues, including proposal to change way carriers made contributions to Universal Service Fund. He said at Dec. 11 FCC meeting that he expected recusal issues would be cleared up by end of that week. While Adelstein didn’t vote on Sec. 271 long distance bids of BellSouth, Qwest and SBC last month, he cast first major vote in late Dec., dissenting on order that allowed sunsetting of Sec. 272 separate long distance affiliate requirements of Verizon in N.Y. (CD Dec 26 p5). He said last month that FCC Office of Gen. Counsel had advised him he should be recused from universal service issue because of “family financial situation,” which he said involved his wife’s family holdings. Financial disclosure report, filed by Adelstein in March with Office of Govt. Ethics (OGE), is required of certain senior officers and Executive Branch staff, typically those requiring Senate confirmation. Form lists assets such as real estate, stocks, bonds and securities of employees, their spouses and children. On Dec. 9, OGE issued certificate of divestiture that listed divestiture of 18% investment held by Adelstein’s wife, Karen Brenner Adelstein, in Brenner Investment L.P. as “reasonably necessary” to comply with federal conflict of interest requirements. Such certificates are issued under Sec. 1043 of Internal Revenue Code, which allows for deferral of capital gains taxes on assets that must be sold to comply with ethics program requirements. Assets listed under Brenner Investment partnership, valued at $500,001 to $1 million on disclosure form, included shares of Motorola and Riverstone Networks, several money market accounts and govt. bonds. Of other assets reported for Adelstein or his family, stock in AT&T, BellSouth, Verizon and Motorola were each listed in range of $1,001 to $15,000. Nontelecom assets he listed included investment in privately held Northwestern Engineering Co. (NWE), which owns residential and commercial real estate and vacant land in S.D., Wyo. and Cal., according to disclosure form. NWE common stock reported by Adelstein on OGE form was valued at $1 million-$5 million. White House had announced in Feb. it intended to nominate Adelstein to vacant Democratic slot on FCC and he was confirmed by Senate in mid-Nov. His office couldn’t be reached for immediate comment.
Inmotion Pictures landed in DVD business via kiosks and small stores at 18 airports nationwide, and now it’s hoping for similar takeoff of home delivery service. On Jan. 1, 3-year-old Jacksonville company will launch program packaging Panasonic portable DVD player with titles rentals for 4 ($15 per day), 7 ($14) and 11 ($13) days that will be delivered to home via 2-day UPS shipping, co-founder Barney Freedman said. Number of DVD titles included with player will range from 3 for 4-day to 7 with 11-day rentals.
Newfoundland became first Canadian province to ban use of handheld cellphones while driving, province’s Govt. Services & Lands Minister Walter Noel announced: “Our legislation bans the use of handheld cellphones by drivers while driving. Passengers may still use them. Drivers will be permitted to use hands-free units… We advise all drivers to avoid using any type of cellphone while operating a vehicle.” Fines will range from $45 to $180 and 4 demerit points on driver’s license, he said. Law won’t go into effect until late March or early April to give govt. time to inform public and prepare administrative procedures, while also giving drivers time to install hands-free phones. Noel said 95% of province’s residents believed cellphone use by drivers was either serious or very serious safety problem, citing August 2001 survey. Police also support new law, he said. Under old laws it was difficult for police to determine whether driver spotted with cellphone was driving unsafely, but new law will make it much easier for enforcement, he said. Hands-free phones in cars also are distraction, he said, but total ban would have much less public support and be too difficult to enforce, he added. With polls indicating 4 of 5 Canadians believe handheld cellphone use by drivers should be illegal, the minister said he expected other provinces would follow Newfoundland’s lead.