Dept. of Energy (DOE) will publish preliminary standby- power product list and testing guidelines on Web site. List follows Executive Order signed July 31 by President Bush that directed govt. agencies to purchase devices with minimal standby power at or below 1 w where available. DoE, in consultation with General Services Administration, Defense Logistics Agency and others, was ordered to develop list of products that complied with requirement. List includes computer and office, video, audio, telecom and other products. Manufacturers will continue to submit self- certified data on standby power levels of products, DoE said. Agency is required to revise list annually but said it would update it regularly with new voluntary manufacturer data when received. Publication Mon. of procedures was not unexpected, as agency faced end-of- year deadline, but language on Web site emphasizing 1 w was surprise, said Doug Johnson, CEA dir.-Technology Policy. Decision orders agencies to use 1 w standby as purchasing preference when available, but only where cost effective, he said. If such products aren’t available, order directs agencies to buy those with lowest standby power wattage while in their standby power consuming mode and “acknowledged that a blanket 1 w requirement wasn’t good policy,” he said. Many products on DoE list have standby power levels much higher than 1 w. For example, recommended personal computers, category also covered by Energy Star program, have standby power levels of 15-30 w. “Even in standby mode these products have functions that are relevant, functions that likely are relevant to the govt. agencies that purchase these products,” Johnson said. List, guidelines and instructions on submitting product data can be found on DoE Web site: http://www.eren.doe.gov/femp/procurement.
Mich. PSC advised Ameritech that if it were to rule now on telco’s Sec 271 compliance, it would have to conclude Ameritech had flunked 4 of 14 points on Telecom Act’s local competition checklist. PSC said it issued preliminary report to “forewarn” Ameritech that it must “redirect” its efforts if it wanted agency to endorse interLATA long distance bid to FCC. PSC said Ameritech (Case U-12320) fell short of meeting Point 2 (access to network elements) because of serious inadequacies in handling unbundled network element (UNE) transfers when customer switched service from one CLEC to another. Those inadequacies could have “grave potential effect” on development of local competition, PSC said, and directed that Ameritech file by Jan. 9 its plan for addressing that “most serious” 271 compliance problem. PSC said Ameritech failed to meet Point 4 (local loop transport) for its handling of line splitting. It said Ameritech must allow separate migrations of voice and data portions of split line and must streamline ordering and provisioning processes for UNE platforms where line splitting is involved. Agency said Ameritech would flunk on Point 7 (access to 911 and directory assistance databases) because its DA listing charges weren’t cost based and Point 10 (access to signaling and network databases) because it wasn’t offering access to calling name database as separate UNE.
Consumer intentions on buying TV sets fell sharply in Dec. from Nov., despite strong recovery in overall consumer confidence, according to preliminary data in Conference Board monthly survey. Of 5,000 households polled, 6.8% said they planned to buy TV set in next 6 months, vs. 7.7% in Nov., 6.8% in Oct., 7.2% in Dec. 2000. Consumer Confidence Index jumped more than 8 points in Dec., following significant declines in each of 3 previous months, Conference Board said: “The deterioration in current economic conditions appears to be reaching a plateau, led by a stabilizing employment scenario. Consumers’ short-term optimism is no longer at recession levels, and the upward trend signals that the economy may be close to bottoming out and that a rebound by mid-2002 is likely.”
In advance of upcoming regional meetings that lead to World Radio Conference (WRC) in 2003, WRC Advisory Committee took up draft U.S. views on 10 more agenda items Wed., although other policy areas were awaiting final position from U.S. govt. before preliminary view could be crafted. “Our stated objective when we started this process was to be ready a year or more in advance [of WRC] to consult with our colleagues around the world, so that we have solid proposals that have international support as we go into Caracas,” FCC International Bureau Chief Donald Abelson said at WRC Advisory Committee at FCC hq Wed. Next WRC meeting is set for 2003 in Caracas, Venezuela, with Latin American regional meeting in advance of WRC in Feb. “The goal is to try to come up with, as soon as we can, final proposals… so that we have a great chance of success when we get to Caracas,” Abelson said. U.S. planning process for next WRC has emphasized having positions crafted well enough in advance of regional telecom policy meetings so U.S. could weigh in as those broader stances were formed. FCC last week closed comment period on preliminary views and draft proposals, including dozens adopted by WRC Advisory Committee as of Oct.
Elected Kodak vps in Consumer Imaging Div.: Jaime Szulc, former gen. mgr. for Latin American region; Mark Schneider, former chief technology officer… Odell Guyton and (David Dadoun appointed Microsoft dir. of compliance and internal antitrust compliance officer, respectively… Preliminary list of keynote speakers announced for Game Developers Conference March 19-23 in San Jose, Cal.,: Peter Chan, conceptual illustrator; Ray Colcord, Society of Composers and Lyricists pres.; John Conway, Princeton U. math prof.; Toshihiro Nagoshi, Amusement Vision pres.; Gabe Newell, Valve Software managing dir.; Shin'ichi Okamato, Sony Computer Entertainment chief technology officer-vp; Kazunori Yamauchi, Polyphony Digital pres.; Shuhei Yoshida, Sony Computer Entertainment America product development vp.
Audiovox shares were down about 1% in early-afternoon Nasdaq trading Tues., day after shares fell to $6 in after-hours trading from its Nasdaq close of $7.27 on announcement that company would miss its previously disclosed forecast for 4th quarter. Audiovox said it expected “modest” improvements sequentially in 2nd half of fiscal 2002. But in preliminary guidance for first quarter, company said it expected net profit decline to $1-1.5 million (4- 7? per share) vs. year-earlier income of $2.6 million (12?) on flat revenue growth to $320-$330 million. Chmn. John Shalam said fiscal 2001 was marked by “challenging business climate” from economic slowdown and effects of Sept. 11. He said company recently had observed start of “some positive signs of stabilization” in market, but price erosion in wireless phones was “stronger than ever.”
Commerce Secy. Donald Evans sent FCC Chmn. Powell letter late Fri. asking for 60 additional days to complete analysis of ultra-wideband (UWB) systems, Commerce Dept. source said. Evans believes 60 more days are needed to complete evaluation of UWB systems to ensure protection of critical govt. operations and safety of life services, source said. Letter comes after Deputy Defense Secy. Paul Wolfowitz asked Evans to advocate delay in final regulatory decision until at least Feb. (CD Nov 29 p1). NTIA officials and engineers are meeting on accelerated basis with other govt. agencies and FCC to try to reach unified govt. position on UWB, several sources said. Wolfowitz letter to Evans had indicated that DoD review of preliminary draft of FCC’s UWB rules found “they will not provide adequate protection for GPS and other critical DoD systems.” Wolfowitz had asked Evans to seek additional 60 days from time that final FCC draft is ready for review by other govt. agencies. Several sources have said item on UWB began circulating on 8th floor at FCC last week. But how Evans’s letter may affect timing of UWB placement on agenda for FCC’s Dec. 12 meeting wasn’t clear at our deadline. Powell had told House Appropriations Subcommittee earlier this year that FCC could issue UWB rulemaking by year-end, although at time it was awaiting final govt. evaluation of interference issues. Wolfowitz letter had pointed out that NTIA, Transportation Dept. and industry tests had concluded UWB devices could cause significant harmful interference to GPS and other key DoD systems. Goal of Evans seeking more time from FCC before final decision is to “find a solution that takes into account the importance of bringing new technologies like UWB to the market without compromising critical life systems related to public safety and national defense,” Commerce Dept. source said. “The analysis we are doing is based on facts and it is extremely complex and time-consuming.” Docket at FCC on UWB proceeding (98-153) has attracted nearly 780 filings. UWB developer Time Domain told Commission in recent ex parte filing that it believed testing had shown UWB could operate at levels set in FCC’s notice of proposed rulemaking without causing harmful interference to existing services. FCC spokeswoman said Commission wasn’t releasing letter Mon. and had no comment on request for additional time.
Ultra-wideband (UWB) developer XtremeSpectrum said it disagreed with recent letter by Deputy Defense Secy. Paul Wolfowitz on regulatory restrictions DoD was advocating be placed on technology. XtremeSpectrum CEO Martin Rofheart said company agreed with Wolfowitz that “rules can be crafted to allow this technology to move forward.” Rofheart said: “We strongly disagree, however, with the unnecessarily stringent technical limitations that the Deputy Secretary proposes, outside the GPS bands. Not only would those limitations deprive consumers and public safety users of valuable UWB applications, but there is absolutely nothing that justifies them in the very extensive technical record compiled by the FCC in this three-and-one-half-year-old proceeding.” Wolfowitz told Commerce Secy. Donald Evans that he advocated delay in final regulatory decision on UWB until “at least February.” Expectation is that UWB could be on agenda for FCC’s Dec. 12 meeting, although timing wasn’t clear late Fri. Wolfowitz said DoD review of preliminary draft of FCC’s UWB rules indicated that they wouldn’t provide adequate protection for GPS and “other critical DoD systems” (CD Nov 29 p1).
In deal designed to keep XO Communications out of bankruptcy, venture capital firm Forstmann, Little and Telefonos de Mexico reached preliminary agreement to infuse broadband communications provider with $800 million in cash. Deal, already approved by XO’s board, will result in Forstmann, Little and Telmex each owning 39% of XO and reduce its total debt to about $1 billion. Senior note holders of XO will hold remaining 22% of company, except for stakes held by employees. “Consequently, current holders of the company’s equity securities are expected to lose substantially all of the value of their investment as a result of the restructuring,” XO said. It said preliminary agreement provided for completion of final agreement on or before Dec. 14. Stakes of $400 million each that Forstmann, Little and Telmex are taking is contingent on XO’s successfully restructuring its balance sheet and regulatory approvals. XO said that at end of 3rd quarter it had more than $1 billion in cash or cash equivalents on hand, which would let it continue business operations during restructuring. Company’s shares fell 22% to 80 cents before trading was halted at midmorning on Nasdaq. XO also said that under terms of new investment and as part of its financial restructuring, it would not make scheduled interest and dividend payments on its unsecured notes or preferred equity securities after Nov. 30. “The investment will allow us to build upon our solid foundation with a strengthened balanced sheet, significantly reduced debt and a fully funded business plan,” XO Chmn.-CEO Daniel Akerson said.
Deputy Defense Secy. Paul Wolfowitz asked Commerce Secy. Donald Evans to advocate delay in final regulatory decision on ultra-wideband (UWB) until “at least February.” Expectation of some industry observers had been that UWB could be taken up at FCC’s Dec. 12 agenda meeting, although timing was unclear because NTIA still must submit final input to FCC on rulemaking, sources said. FCC Chmn. Powell told House Appropriations Subcommittee earlier this year that Commission could issue UWB rulemaking by year-end, although he said at time that agency was awaiting final evaluation from govt. on UWB interference issues (CD May 23 p7). In letter to Evans last week, Wolfowitz said DoD’s review of preliminary draft of FCC’s UWB rules “indicates they will not provide adequate protection for GPS and other critical DoD systems… They also raise significant national spectrum management policy issues such as the intentional operation of nonlicensed devices in nationally restricted bands and in internationally designated passive-only bands.” Several sources said item on UWB began circulating on 8th floor at FCC earlier this week.