New FCC chief shows willingness to aid firms unable to pay for PCS licenses
Article Abstract:
New FCC Chmn William Kennard said the commission should find ways to prevent troubled wireless companies from bankruptcy court. Kennard referred to certain firms that have been unable to pay for licenses awarded in the 1996 C-Block auction, which apparently raised up to $10.2 billion for the federal Treasury. Of the 89 wireless companies that won bids, two have filed for bankruptcy-court protection, and other have threatened to follow suit. Kennard's comments reflected those of his predecessor, Reed Hundt. General Wireless CFO Dennis Spickler welcomed Kennard's remarks, as the carrier recently sought bankruptcy-court protection after originally bidding $1.1 billion for delivering PCS services. Incumbent FCC Commissioner Susan Ness, who likely will oppose the proposal, said it could create market uncertainty. Kennard, his first day as chmn, also said the FCC should discuss permission of TV liquor advertising.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1997
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MCI may win direct-broadcast license despite an impending takeover by BT
Article Abstract:
The FCC has granted MCI a direct-broadcast satellite license despite requests from other cable-television providers to first determine if British Telecommunications, which plans to purchase MCI, qualifies for the license. Foreign companies generally cannot own more than 25% of an FCC license, although the FCC can waive that rule. Three Clinton administration officials wrote to the FCC in favor of the licensing approval. The agency will consider any problems with foreign ownership when British Telecommunications submits its request to acquire MCI. MCI will use the license to establish a 200-channel television service, called ASkyB, in a 50% partnership with Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. Some analysts predict that MCI will sell the license to another company. DirectTV currently dominates the direct-broadcast satellite market, but faces increasing competition from cable television giant Tele-Communications Inc.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1996
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FCC is expected to clear BT-MCI merger soon
Article Abstract:
The $21 billion acquisition of MCI Communications by British Telecommunications (BT) is expect to be approved by the FCC in the summer of 1997. BT executives are busy analyzing MCI's operation and finical position in Washington but deny the rumors circulating that they are attempting to renegotiate the deal. The merged companies will create the second largest long-distance telephone carrier in the world, behind only AT&T. The FCC has voiced concerned about the dominate position BT has in the local phone service in the UK. Both companies have assured the FCC that they will work to foster competition, thus ensuring MCI does not have an unfair advantage over its rivals. European regulators approved the merger in May of 1997.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1997
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