FCC opens phone sector to cable firms

Article Abstract:

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) votes to permit cable television companies to enter the telecommunications services industry. The move was prompted by Cox Enterprises' and Tele-Communications Inc's desire to purchase Merrill Lynch Group's Teleport Communications Group. The 5-0 vote was not a surprise to industry observers, however the ruling is expected to be interpreted broadly. With federal regulation out of the way, cable companies will need to negotiate extensive changes in state telecommunications regulations. Cable companies lack the infrastructure to move immediately into the telephone business and will need to acquire or build fiber optic networks or develop wireless technology. The sale was opposed by the United States Telephone Assn, which argued that US law prohibits a cable television company from providing communications services in the same market.

Internet services, Cable television, Government Agency, Telecommunications Service, Cable Television/Data Services

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FCC moves to open up a portion of radio spectrum to new services

Article Abstract:

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) votes to allocate 220 MHz of the radio spectrum in preparation for new wireless technologies, which are likely to appear during the 1990s. Pocket telephones are an example of the sort of new technologies that are expected. The FCC also reserves a small portion of the spectrum for interactive television. The FCC's decision in this area is especially good news for companies such as TV Answer Inc (Reston, VA), which has developed a wireless system that provides a way for customers to participate in interactive television programs. Proposals to allocate frequencies for such purposes as these generate political controversy because police, fire and other vital communication systems would be forced to move to higher frequencies. The result, some say, is considerable expense and unreliable communications.

Radiotelephone communications, Computer integrated systems design, Services, Radio broadcasting, Frequency allocation (Telecommunications), Wireless LANs, Science and technology policy, Radio frequency allocation, Personal communications services, Interactive television, Telephone systems, Radiotelephones, Telephone System, Interactive Video, Radio Frequency, Wireless Network, TV Answer Inc.

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