FCC Modifies High-Cost Support Mechanism for Universal Service Program

The FCC revised its high-cost universal service support mechanism for the largest local telephone companies. In response to a remand by the U.S. Court of Appeals of the Tenth Circuit, the FCC was required 1) to define more precisely how its high-cost mechanism satisfied the statutory requirement to achieve reasonably comparable phone rates among rural and urban areas, 2) to better justify the cost benchmark used to determine support amounts, and 3) to develop a mechanism to induce states to assist in implementing the goals of universal service.The...

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More than 80% of U.S. Broadcasters are On-Air with DTV Signal

More than 80% of all commercial TV stations in the U.S. are currently on-air with a DTV signal. The FCC noted that broadcast stations have made significant progress and that most of the remaining stations have made diligent efforts to broadcast a DTV signal. A total of 1,061 TV stations have made the required DTV implementation. Stations requesting extensions of their DTV deadline are required to demonstrate that failure to construct has been due to circumstances either unforeseeable or beyond their control. http://www.fcc....

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FCC Opens 70, 80, and 90 GHz Bands for Millimeter Wave Applications

The FCC adopted service rules for the commercial use of spectrum in the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz, and 92-95 GHz bands, which are well-suited for broadband, millimeter wave applications. Because of the "pencil-beam" characteristics of the signals transmitted in the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz and 92-95 GHz bands, systems can be deployed in close proximity of one another. The FCC is pursuing a non-exclusive licensing approach for these bands. Traditional frequency coordination between users will not be required. Instead, each path will be registered in...

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FCC Implements 3G Spectrum Rules

The FCC implemented service rules for the 1710-1755 MHz and 2110-2155 MHz spectrum bands, effectively opening the bands for new 3G. The new rules cover application procedures, licensing, technical operations, and competitive bidding. The spectrum will be licensed by geographic areas under the FCC's market-oriented, competitive-bidding rules. The licenses for these bands will have an initial 15-year term with 10-year renewal terms. Licensees will be required to show that they have provided substantial service by the end of the license term;...

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Microsoft Signs 22 new Broadband Partners for Xbox Live

Microsoft has signed 22 new broadband partners to its Xbox Live Compatibility Program, adding to a list that already includes 50 other broadband providers in North America, Japan and Europe. The new partners are from the eight countries that will be launching Xbox Live in October: Australia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Korea, Norway and Switzerland. They include the following:Australia: OptusNet (Cable), Telstra Big Pond (DSL/Cable) Austria: UPC/chello (cable), Telekom Austria (DSL) Denmark: TDC (DSL/cable), Telia Stofa (cable) Finland:...

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Taqua Extends Class 5 Switching Intelligence to Broadband Edge

Taqua introduced a new series of Class 5 switching system products designed for putting switching intelligence at the edge of the network while enabling an open architecture that can selectively deliver advanced applications to subscribers across any access medium. Taqua's design is to put softswitching functionality at central offices serving up to 80,000 subscribers as well as in remote-office locations serving 600 subscribers or less. This would provide flexibility in delivering advanced services when and where such capability is needed in...

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Metalink Claims 200 Mbps+ for New VDSLPlus Chipset

Metalink introduced its next generation VDSLPlus chipsets for access switches, DSLAMs and customer premise equipment, claiming downstream transmission speeds over 200 Mbps (aggregate) over short ranges using a single, telephony-grade, copper pair. The company said VDSLPlus achieves significant improvements in speed and reach over standard 4-band VDSL technology by utilizing an additional 5th band in the unused spectrum between 12-30 MHz. Its new chipset is denser, consumes less power, and is "aggressively priced" compared to existing VDSL and ADSL...

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India's Reliance Group to Acquire FLAG Telecom

Reliance Group, India's largest business house with total revenues of US$16.8 billion, agreed to acquire FLAG Telecom Group for $207 million, representing a premium of more than 50% over the closing price of FLAG's shares on 15-Oct-03. Reliance is a key customer on the FLAG global network. The deal requires regulatory approvals and the approval of FLAG Telecom's shareholders. http://www.flagtelecom.comIn May 2003, FLAG Telecom announced plans to enhance the reach of its European network through an agreement with Verizon Global Solutions. This...

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Comcast Expands its VOD Offerings

Comcast began offering HBO on Demand and Cinemax on Demand to millions of customers in New England, Baltimore, Washington, DC and Detroit, as well as 1.9 million in the Philadelphia region. Comcasts expects the new content to be a key driver for its VOD service. The newly added content includes HBO original programming hits including "Sex and the City," "The Sopranos," "Six Feet Under," "K Street," "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Carnivale."Comcast's ON DEMAND service already included hundreds of movies, as well as subscription services and free content...

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Sprint Reaches 250,000 DSL Line Milestone

Sprint has activated its 250,000th DSL customer, four years after launching the service in Florida. Sprint said it continues to aggressively roll out DSL in its 18-state local territory, expanding availability from 3.8 million lines to 4.3 million lines from January to August. http://www.sprint....

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PMC-Sierra Reports Revenue of $63 Million, Returns to Profitability

PMC-Sierra reported Q3 revenue of $63.1 million, up 4.5% compared with $60.4 million for Q2 2003 and up 5.9% compared with $59.6 million for the same period a year ago. Net income was $0.8 million (non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.00) compared with a non-GAAP net loss of $3.9 million (non-GAAP net loss per share of $0.02) in the prior quarter.Bob Bailey, president and CEO of the company said "after two-and-a-half years of hard work, PMC-Sierra has reached its intermediate goal of achieving profitability."http://www.pmc-sierra....

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Broadcom Reports Revenue $425.6 million, a 13% Sequential Rise

Broadcom reported Q3 net revenue of $425.6 million, an increase of 12.6% from the $377.9 million reported for the second quarter of 2003 and an increase of 46.8% from the $290.0 million reported for the third quarter of 2002. Net loss computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for the third quarter of 2003 was $6.3 million, or $.02 per share (basic and diluted), compared with a GAAP net loss of $891.7 million, or $3.08 per share (basic and diluted), for the second quarter of 2003, and a GAAP net loss of $183.3 million,...

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DIRECTV Launches DVR With TiVo Advertising Campaign

DIRECTV announced a series of promotions to stimulate the growth of Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) and high-definition (HD) television receivers with its satellite service. The promotions include the first-ever dedicated DIRECTV DVR with TiVo consumer advertising campaign. http://www.directv....

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