Satellite Bcstg. & Communications Assn. (SBCA) finished 1999 $127,000 in red after donations dipped and expenses rose slightly, according to 1999 Form 990 tax returns. Total revenue was $5.1 million, down from $5.3 million in 1999, but expenses edged up to $5.3 million from $5.28 million. Membership dues dipped to $2.1 million from $2.2 million, but still were over $1.6 million in 1998. Revenue from annual convention was $1.87 million, Sky Trends $350,000, Sky Forum $325,000. Pres. Charles Hewitt received $422,311 in salary plus $50,000 in benefits.

Telemonde and Global Crossing renegotiated $52 million agreement over transatlantic capacity. In Dec. 29 SEC filing, Telemonde said it issued 5 million shares of convertible preferred stock at 1 cent par value to Global Crossing and agreed to purchase $8 million in services from company in next 5 years. In exchange, Global Crossing released Telemonde from outstanding commitment to buy almost $43 million of transatlantic capacity. Just under $12 million of Telemonde debt is rescheduled, at 7% interest, with final payment due Nov. 2002.

FCC is considering proposed rulemaking that would regulate interactive TV (ITV) services carried by all cable operators, knowledgeable sources confirmed Tues. Proposed regulations would be likely to ban all cable systems offering interactive services from blocking ITV triggers from rival content providers, similar to ITV conditions that FTC recently imposed on AOL’s pending purchase of Time Warner (TW). But sources said FCC rules could go further than FTC merger conditions, prohibiting cable operators from favoring their own content by caching it on local servers or sending it at higher data speeds than content from unaffiliated providers. “I'm sure they're talking about all sorts of things,” said source who declined to be identified.

Bill introduced for new session of N.J. legislature would make that state 13th with state-administered “No-Call” list to curb unwanted telemarketing calls. It will be assigned to Telecom & Utilities Committee. Under AB-3028, sponsored by N.J. state Rep. Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex), state No-Call list would be maintained by Dept. of Consumer Affairs or by private vendor contracted to state. List would be updated quarterly. Telemarketers that called names on list would be liable for $2,000 fine per call. Money collected from fines would be used to educate public and telemarketers about No-Call list. Exceptions to rule would include calls (1) to existing customers or in connection with established business relationship, (2) in response to customer’s request, and (3) for purpose of making sales appointments. Bill also would require all N.J. phone directories to include notice about no-call list and signup instructions. To date, 9 states have put no-call list laws into effect -- Ala., Alaska, Ark., Conn., Fla., Ga., Ky., Ore., Tenn. In addition, Ida., Mo. and N.Y. will be putting no-call laws passed in their 2000 legislative sessions into effect by midyear.

FCC was poised at our deadline to release proposed frequencies that carriers could use for new 3rd-generation (3G) services. Agency source said Commission already had approved notice of proposed rulemaking but hadn’t released it. White House had asked FCC to make proposal by end of year. Item is expected to look at several potential bands including 2 in 1700-MHz and 2400-MHz that NTIA also is looking at as part of President Clinton’s 3G initiative. Clinton urged FCC and NTIA to work with wireless industry to select frequencies as quickly as possible so U.S. wouldn’t lose its edge.

AT&T Broadband said Tues. it would increase cable rates average of 4.8% across nation this year, starting next month. AT&T said biggest portion of cable customers, 63%, would see 4.3% price increase on its main analog package, known as Standard Cable. Another 11% of subscribers whose channel lineups have expanded by 3 channels or more will see increases averaging 6.55%. Company said some of its systems will boost equipment and installation prices, starting in Feb. AT&T blamed rate boosts on its higher technical upgrade and customer service costs, citing 10% increase in programming fees, especially for sports programming. Consumers Union blasted move and called for reopening of Telecom Act to place new lid on cable rates or promote more competition. “It’s becoming more and more difficult to just accept the industry blaming programming costs every time it jacks up cable rates,” group said. “AT&T’s rate increase is the latest example of how the deregulation of cable television isn’t working.”

Cablevision Systems reportedly has placed its Rainbow Media Holdings programming group up for sale after first planning to spin off unit as separate tracking stock. N.Y. Times said Cablevision, which had been considering move for weeks (CD Dec 22 p6), already had contacted USA Networks, NBC, Comcast and Liberty Media Group, 4 most likely suitors. Cablevision reportedly is seeking $5-$6 billion for Rainbow. Companies have until Jan. 16 to submit bids. Move came as UBS Warburg downgraded rating on Cablevision stock to buy from strong buy Tues. because Rainbow sale would “remove a major catalyst for the stock.”

GlobalNet CEO Robert Donahue told shareholders Tues. he was concerned that company’s stock was so low and he didn’t know why. “Our company has a market capitalization of less than half our projected revenues for calendar year 2000” and there’s no reason for it, he said in letter to shareholders. GlobalNet’s revenues have risen to $54.4 million for 9 months ending Sept. 30 from $792,000 in 1997 and it projected continued increase to $441 million in 2002, he said. Company provides international voice, data and Internet services over IP network.

AT&T announced Tues. it had secured $25 billion syndicated bank credit line to provide liquidity against comparable level of short-term borrowing. It said it had no current plans to borrow against facility that’s to serve “principally as a backup source of liquidity.” Company in Oct. had announced plan to arrange credit line when it revealed its restructuring project. AT&T said it had more than enough offers -- 39 banks were willing to lend total of $40 billion. The 364-day credit line was arranged by Credit Suisse First Boston and Goldman, Sachs.

NxGen and Touch America announced strategic partnership Fri. linking NxGen’s IP/ATM network with Touch America’s wireless and fiber-optic network. Companies plan to offer next-generation applications and services. Touch America is subsidiary of Montana Power Co.