Police in Vancouver, B.C., said they used satellite tracking device for first time to follow bank robber who left scene of crime in taxi equipped with global positioning system. Suspect was arrested minutes after robbery after police called taxi company, which tracked vehicle.
Qualcomm signed royalty-bearing CDMA modem card license agreement with Matsushita Electronic Components, terms not disclosed. Qualcomm said pact covered patents to build and market modem cards for existing and 3rd-generation applications, including Wideband CDMA, cdma2000, TD-SCDMA.
FCC hit Callais Cablevision with $133,000 fine late Fri. for repeatedly violating Commission’s cable signal leakage rules, largest amount ever assessed against cable operator for such problems. Agency found that Callais, which runs cable system in Grand Isle, La., violated leakage standards in tests on 3 separate days early last year, interfered with FAA aircraft approach frequencies, didn’t perform leakage tests on time and didn’t install necessary equipment to correct problem in time. FCC said Callais system, unlike MediaOne Detroit system fined $55,000 for signal leakage violations last year, deserved record fine because it showed “almost complete disregard for the rules designed to protect air traffic safety, including failure to offset frequencies and failure to make annual measurements to verify compliance with the basic leakage performance criteria.” Callais has 30 days to challenge fine.
FCC Comr. Powell “remains the clear front-runner” to be next agency chairman and expects to be tapped this week, House Commerce Committee Chmn. Tauzin (R-La.) told reporters at TechNet lunch Fri. “I talked with him last night,” Tauzin said. “He said he hadn’t heard yet.” Addressing rumors Powell might be holding out for another Bush Administration position, Tauzin assured reporters: “He wants it.”
In series of DTV technical decisions, FCC affirmed 8-VSB modulation, started rulemaking on requiring TV sets to have DTV tuner and took several other actions. FCC Chmn. Kennard said decisions would give broadcasters “the clarity and flexibility… to accelerate the buildout of their DTV operations.” He said he was pleased DTV tests “put… to rest” debate over modulation standard. Comr. Ness said FCC actions removed transition uncertainty and it was “time for all industries involved in the digital broadcast food chain to come together and redouble their efforts to achieve a speedy transition.”
Ohio PUC found Ameritech Mobile and AirTouch Cellular guilty of violating regulatory requirements that they separate their wholesale and retail operations and offer their wholesale services on nondiscriminatory basis to all cellular resellers. PUC in case 93-1758-RC-CSS ruled on complaint by wireless reseller Cellnet alleging Ameritech and AirTouch had provided their retail reseller affiliates with favorable rates and terms that they denied to unaffiliated resellers, allowing affiliates to unfairly undercut Cellnet in retail markets. PUC in 99-page order dismissed companies’ multiple defenses and held them guilty of discriminating against Cellnet. Agency acted after determining it had jurisdiction because case involved rate discriminatory conduct, not rate challenge. PUC ordered companies to cease unlawful conduct, but since this was companies’ first offense it declined to impose any penalties. In another matter, PUC set Feb. 7 hearing to collect public comment on whether customers in Columbus 614 area code preferred geographic split or overlay for code relief. Split plan would put Columbus and its outer suburbs into separate area codes. Current code is projected to run out of numbers in fall 2002.
SpectraSite Transco Communications SAS, French subsidiary of tower company SpectraSite Transco, bought 19% of share capital of Paris-based network developer Sofrer, terms not disclosed. SpectraSite said Sofrer has more than 2,500 wireless sites, with another 1,700 towers under construction. Sofrer’s wireless customers include Orange and Telefonica.
Nokia will supply and install GSM 900 MHz wireless equipment to expand network of China’s Shanxi Mobile Communications, which plans to increase network capacity by 230,000 subscribers in Taiyuan City, terms not announced. Nokia said agreement was reached with one of its joint ventures in China, Beijing Nokia Hangxing Telecommunications Systems.
Adelphia Communications said it raised $1.51 billion from sales of stock and debt, 71% more than planned. It said it sold 17 million Class A common shares to generate $761 million and $750 million of 5-year convertible subordinated notes. MSO, which lost $130.9 million in 3rd quarter ended Sept. 30, said it would use proceeds to repay bank loans.
Fox won’t promote Temptation Island in family-oriented shows, it said in letter responding to concern of FCC Comr. Tristani (CD Jan 19 p11). It said promos had been carried during such shows “on a limited number of occasions,” but that would stop “in the spirit of” network’s new policy of not accepting ads for R-rated films in family-oriented shows.