Court overturns FCC's ownership caps, in victory for AT&T, AOL, cable firms

Article Abstract:

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has ruled that federal laws barring cable companies from serving more than a third of the U.S. satellite TV and cable markets violate the companies freedom of speech rights. The FCC had challenged these laws calling for cable concentration caps. The First Amendment decision is a boon to AT&T, AOL Time Warner and other cable giants and bad news for consumer advocates concerned about limited competition and pending higher rates. AT&T had lobbied heavily for the ruling as its acquisition of MediaOne Group gives it 42% of the U.S. pay TV market. The company also did not want to divest its 25% of Time Warner Entertainment. AOL has 13% of the U.S. cable market.

Government regulation, Cable Television Systems, Cable Networks, Cable and other pay TV services, Statistical Data Included, Laws, regulations and rules, Acquisitions and mergers, Cable television broadcasting industry, Cable television, Economic policy, Deregulation, United States. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Market share, Powell, Michael (American chairperson)

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NextWave gets $2.5 billion of loans from UBS

Article Abstract:

UBS Warburg is pouring $2.5 billion into NextWave Telecom, which is working its way out of a $5 billion bankruptcy case. NextWave is battling the Federal Communications Commission over revered wireless-spectrum licenses. The company bought dozens in 1996, promising $4.7 billion. When they could only pony up $500 million, the FCC took the licenses back and sold them to other bidders for $16 billion. An appeals court ordered the licenses returned to the bankrupt company and an appeal will go to the Supreme Court. NextWave has been in contact with telecom giants but is desperately trying to keep the licenses.

Investment Banking and Securities Dealing, Government regulation (cont), Investment Banking, Radio & TV communications equipment, Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing, Securities issued, listed, Security brokers and dealers, Mobile Radio Systems, Company legal issue, Finance, Investment banks, Wireless communications, Investments, Telecommunications equipment industry, Securities, QUALCOMM Inc., QCOM, United States. Supreme Court, Company financing, UBS Warburg L.L.C.

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NextWave finalizes pact to sell licenses

Article Abstract:

After a 5 year legal and political fight, NextWave Telecom has finished negotiations with the Justice Department, Office of Management and Budget, Federal Communications Commission and other cellular-phone companies on the sale of $16 billion wireless licenses. A NY bankcuptcy judge will have the final sign-off on the deal which will allow Verizon Wireless, Vodafone Group and other undisclosed companies to pay NextWave about $11 billion and the government about $5 billion for the wireless spectrum airwaves. NextWave initially bid $4.7 billion on the licenses and then went into bankruptcy 2 years later. The FCC initially wanted the dispute to go to the Supreme Court, but eventually had not choice but to allow NextWave to have the spectrum.

Legal issues & crime, Strategic alliances, Licenses, Patents & Trademarks, United States. Department of Justice, Intellectual property, Vodafone Group PLC, Licensing agreements, Verizon Wireless Inc., United States. Office of Management and Budget

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