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Telecom News & Information
December 2002
Winnick resigns from Global Crossing as assets are sold Gary Winnick, who made hundreds of millions selling Global Crossing stock before its collapse earlier this year, said Monday that he is resigning as chairman of its board. Winnick's announcement came after two companies, Hutchison Whampoa of Hong Kong and Singapore Technologies Telemedia, recently completed their acquisition of Global Crossing's assets for about $250 million, or about 1 percent of their declared value of more than $22.4 billion.
California PUC clears way for SBC intrastate long distance The California Public Utilities Commission voted 4-1 to approve SBC Communications's petition to offer intrastate long-distance in California, clearing the way for SBC to begin marketing the service today.
SBC to start marketing long distance service in California on Tuesday SBC Communications plans to launch a major marketing blitz this week as it begins offering long-distance service in California as early as Tuesday.
AT&T Wireless slows phone service plans - High-speed Net access delayed 6 months Uncertain about the timing of an economic recovery, AT&T Wireless Services on Thursday drastically scaled back the rollout of its next-generation mobile phone service.
WorldCom lost $234 million in October WorldCom Inc.'s losses nearly doubled in October from the previous month, and sales of its telecommunications services remained flat, according to a bankruptcy court filing.
Long distance bills headed upward in 2003 The days of falling long distance phone bills may be over. More new fees and rate increases are expected next year on top of a bevy of recent increases by No. 2 long distance carrier MCI and others.
Hotels jump into wireless networks The hotel industry is embarking on a new high-tech venture: bringing wireless Internet to lounges and conference rooms.
Yahoo's acquisition of Inktomi raises privacy worries Yahoo's plans to acquire Inktomi might give it "unprecedented ability to monitor Internet users' behavior and deluge them with tailor-made advertising based on one's surfing." Yahoo already records and studies all visits by registered users to the thousands of pages constituting the Yahoo network.
Suit compels AT&T to disclose calling card fee details AT&T has agreed to note on its vending machines the price of the surcharge to use its prepaid calling cards at any pay phone in order to settle a lawsuit accusing the telecommunications giant of charging hidden fees.
Yahoo to buy Inktomi Yahoo's once-hot love affair with search partner Google showed signs of increasing strain Monday with the Web portal saying it will buy search engine Inktomi for $235 million.
SBC has lock on DSL - Customers can't keep current high-speed Internet connection if they switch local phone providers At least one California regulator said she is concerned that SBC's refusal to provide DSL service to rivals' customers could give it an unfair advantage in the local phone market. "We need to be vigilant to make sure customers have choices," said PUC President Loretta Lynch.
FCC grants approval for SBC to sell long distance in California The Federal Communications Commission voted 3 to 1 to give SBC the green light to offer long distance in California starting Dec. 30, despite a ruling by state regulators in September that SBC had failed to satisfy three of four requirements to offer the service within the state.
Beefed-up plan to spy on Internet - Bush team wants aid of internet service providers The Bush administration is planning to propose requiring Internet service providers to help build a centralized system to enable broad monitoring of the Internet and, potentially, surveillance of its users.
Military seeks to restrict Wi-Fi - could block U.S. radar The Defense Department, arguing that that an increasingly popular form of civilian wireless Internet access could interfere with U.S. military radar systems, is seeking new limits on the technology.
DirecTV DSL service to shut down in 90 days Hughes blamed the move on the collapse of its planned merger with EchoStar Communications.
Judge leery of pay plan for incoming WorldCom CEO A federal judge on Tuesday criticized WorldCom Inc.'s proposed compensation plan for incoming CEO Michael Capellas, warning that he could still hand down a multibillion dollar fine if the company doesn't show it is truly "committed to reform."
New DirecTV suitors may call as EchoStar deal officially dies Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., John Malone's Liberty Media and others are free Wednesday to start merger talks with DirecTV.
AT&T raising rates for high-speed internet service AT&T Broadband, which a week ago announced plans to raise cable TV rates in the Bay Area, is also ratcheting up the price for high-speed Internet service locally by 30 percent.
Cable hike may boost appeal of satellite tv dishes In the past two quarters alone, the two largest satellite TV operators have gained 1 million new subscribers - mostly ex-cable customers - while the 10 largest cable companies, including AT&T Broadband, lost half a million subscribers, according to Leichtman Research Group, a New Hampshire consulting group.
MCI plans additional rate increases Just three days after WorldCom's MCI unit raised some customers' telephone rates by as much as 80 percent, the nation's second largest long distance provider said it plans to enact a new set of fees next year affecting nearly all of its 20 million customers.
AT&T set to boost cable TV rates In a move that could spur thousands of cable television customers to switch to satellite or other rivals, AT&T Broadband plans to sharply raise prices for most of its 1.6 million Bay Area subscribers starting in January.
Millions of pirates are plundering satellite TV At least 1 million households, possibly as many as 3 million, are getting virtually every channel, including premium networks such as HBO and Showtime, most broadcast sports events and all pay-per-view services for free.
November 2002
WorldCom settles civil lawsuit with SEC WorldCom and the government have settled a civil lawsuit over the company's $9 billion accounting scandal, leaving a judge to decide how much the bankrupt telecommunications giant will pay in fines.
Genuity files for bankruptcy Internet backbone company Genuity Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection Wednesday as part of an agreement that will transfer its assets to Level 3 Communications Inc. for $242 million.
Bonds'gains complicate power struggle at WorldCom WorldCom's rising bond prices could make it more difficult for Rudy Giuliani and investor David Matlin to guide the company's bankruptcy reorganization.
MCI fees to rise - 10 long distance plans affected MCI has an unwelcome holiday gift in store for many of its customers: higher bills.
Giuliani's biggest challenge? Former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani said his consulting firm, Giuliani Partners, is working with a leading WorldCom investor to advise the crippled telecom giant after it emerges from the biggest bankruptcy in U.S. history.
Wireless phone industry a victim of its own success Americans' use of cell phones has increased so rapidly that wireless networks are becoming overloaded, resulting in a growing number of customers to complain about their calls that are inaudible or are cut off or never connected.
That enhanced device really isn't just a cell phone anymore A slew of clever devices, many with vibrant color screens and remarkable sound, and several that exploit emerging faster third-generation, or 3G, telecom networks, have the vast potential to alter the universe of mobile communications.
Bringing free wireless access to the people "Wireless access will become one of the essentials of life," says Hem Ramachandran, founder of Austin Wireless. "It'll be like electricity, where people expect to find power outlets to plug into everywhere they go," Ramachandran says.
Sidekick delivers a 'hip-top' design twist Danger sells one of the most talked-about gadgets of the year: a "hip-top" computer marketed by wireless company T-Mobile as the Sidekick. The Sidekick, introduced in October, is a wallet-size wireless Web device with a built-in phone.
Lawsuit claims Homestore hoped to hide shady deals in AOL merger Former Homestore executives proposed a $4 billion merger last year with America Online, hoping to cover up questionable financial deals with the Internet giant, according to court papers.
Pac Bell wants to double lease fee Pacific Bell has asked state regulators to more than double the rates it charges rivals to lease its telephone lines - an increase that could potentially drive AT&T, MCI and other rivals out of the local residential phone market.
Pay phones are disappearing all over California Expensive to maintain but vital to the poor, pay phones are disappearing all over California.
SEC expands civil fraud charges against WorldCom; company raises estimate of inflated earnings The SEC expanded its civil fraud charges against WorldCom as the company raised its estimate of inflated earnings to more than $9 billion.
Panama to block IP ports In an apparent attempt to stem telephone company revenue losses due to Internet telephony, the government of Panama has decreed that 24 UDP ports be blocked by all Internet service providers.
October 2002
Qwest write-down grows to $40.8 billion Local phone company Qwest Communications said that it will take a write-down of $40.8 billion and defer $531 million in revenue it booked prematurely in 2000 and 2001.
Vivendi wins court delay in Cegetel battle with Vodafone A Paris court granted Vivendi Universal's request for an extra month to make a bid for its telecommunications arm, Cegetel, after Britain's Vodafone PLC offered to buy the company.
EchoStar & Hughes try to salvage merger with revised plan Representatives from satellite TV provider EchoStar Communications tried to convince Justice Department officials Monday to approve a proposed $18 billion merger with Hughes Electronics, offering to bolster a rival to preserve competition.
California PUC fines Qwest $20 million over long-distance service California regulators have fined Qwest Communications and a subsidiary $20.3 million for switching the long-distance service of thousands of Californians without permission.
Enhanced 911 calls still far from wide coverage Enhanced 911 (E911) service for cell phones could help rescuers pinpoint your location in an emergency but the service is not in place in all but a handful of locations.
AOL cuts $190 million from reported 2000-02 revenue AOL Time Warner on Wednesday made its most concrete acknowledgment yet that America Online gave investors an overly rosy view of its finances in the months leading up to its $147 billion acquisition of Time Warner in January 2001.
EchoStar-DirecTV merger deal rejected The Federal Communications Commission rejected a proposed merger between Echostar Communications and Hughes Electronics that would have created the largest pay-TV service in the U.S.
SBC warns investors SBC Communications said its full-year profit will be about $2.26 per share - on the low end of its earlier forecast, which ranged from $2.26 to $2.35.
California PUC reconsidering Pac Bell long distance ruling The California Public Utilities Commission plans to reconsider letting Pac Bell into the in-state long-distance market.
Another guilty plea in WorldCom fraud case Former accounting director Buford Yates, 46, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and fraud charges, reversing an earlier innocent plea. He joins former WorldCom controller David Myers, who also pleaded guilty to fraud.
Global Crossing's Winnick offers to give $25 million of his own money to employees Winnick's pledge followed congressional testimony from former Global Crossing employee Lenette Crumpler, who said she had lost her entire retirement savings after keeping her money in the company's stock because of frequent reassurances from executives.
Verizon goes to court to resist music industry's request to identify alleged music pirate Music companies tried to persuade a judge Friday to let them obtain the names of people suspected of trading music files online without going to court first. Internet service provider Verizon is resisting, saying that it could turn Internet providers into a turnstile for piracy suits and put innocent customers at risk.
WorldCom's UUNet technical troubles cause major Internet delays Some Internet users faced heavy delays reaching Web sites and accessing e-mail Thursday because of widespread technical troubles on WorldCom's long-haul network.
Webcast royalty deal could come soon Under pressure from an influential lawmaker, record labels and Internet broadcasters moved closer Tuesday to a compromise on royalties that could help small online radio stations stay in business.
AT&T names business unit head AT&T Corp. Tuesday named Betsy Bernard the new head of its AT&T Business unit and said she will succeed David Dorman as president after the company's cable arm completes its merger with Comcast Corp.
New York Attorney General sues current and former top officials of four telecommunications companies New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer on Monday sued current and former top officials of four telecommunications companies, contending they had steered investment banking business to Citigroup in exchange for inflated ratings on their companies' stocks and new shares of other companies.
WorldCom to pay additional $36 million in severance to laid-off workers WorldCom Inc. won a federal bankruptcy judge's approval to pay an additional $36 million in severance to some 4,000 laid-off workers.
September 2002
Qwest refiles nine long-distance applications The refiling comes on the eve of a congressional hearing into questionable swap deals between Qwest and Global Crossing.
Former Global Crossing executive describes pressure to make deals Top executives at Global Crossing, including Chairman Gary Winnick, pressured subordinates to make deceptive deals that gave a false picture of its financial health, former company executives told lawmakers Tuesday.
Qwest Communications restates nearly $1 billion in revenue from fiber-optic sales Qwest Communications is restating nearly $1 billion in revenue from swaps of capacity on its network - a practice that has come under scrutiny by federal regulators.
Pacific Bell a step closer to offering long distance service Despite significant reservations, the California PUC ruled 4-1 that Pac Bell should be allowed to start offering long-distance service. Still, experts said some wrinkles in Thursday's ruling could sink Pac Bell's long-distance application with the FCC, which is expected to rule on the issue by Dec. 20.
Review of cell phone studies finds no "consistent evidence" of cancer link A review of cell phone studies commissioned by the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority has found no "consistent evidence" of an increased risk of cancer from usage, the agency said.
Cell phone users flip for AOL instant messaging America Online's instant-messaging service has been the Internet giant's underachieving prodigy.
AOL shuffles executives America Online announced an overhaul Thursday aimed at reviving the troubled Internet giant.
Global Crossing probe widened to include Qwest Communications link Congressional investigators expanded their probe of Global Crossing to include possible accounting irregularities at Qwest Communications.
Boosters of inexpensive Internet calling say its moment is at hand Over the next year, cable TV providers and other companies will increasingly rely on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to offer consumers sharply reduced phone bills and new services such as online phone-message management. Some analysts believe that it could replace the public telephone network that first took shape 125 years ago. In the meantime, it could add to the pressure on the nation's large phone companies - which are also testing the technology and using it to route some calls - to keep long-distance rates down.
Nokia unveils new mobile video phone Nokia, the world's largest cell phone maker, has unveiled the Nokia 3650. Featuring an integrated camera, camcorder, video player and multimedia messaging functionality, the Nokia 3650 is a tri-band mobile phone capable of operating on 5 continents (wherever GSM 900/1800/1900 networks are available). Shipments are expected to begin early 2003.
New charges likely against WorldCom Federal prosecutors said on Wednesday that their investigation of accounting practices at WorldCom will result in new charges and indictments against executives involved in the company's effort to disguise billions of dollars of expenses as profit.
August 2002
Two former top WorldCom executives indicted The seven-count grand jury indictment charges WorldCom's former chief financial officer Scott Sullivan and former accounting director Buford Yates with conspiring to falsely inflate profits by $5 billion.
WorldCom execs got thousands of IPO shares Lawmakers on Tuesday called for a wider probe of Wall Street as they released documents showing that WorldCom brass got thousands of shares in coveted IPOs.
Former WorldCom controller tried to prevent a subordinate from talking to auditors Former WorldCom controller David Myers tried to silence a colleague who raised concerns about accounting, company e-mails indicate.
Struggling telecommunications firms turn to phone directories to keep afloat Telecommunications companies struggling through a digital revolution are turning to an old mainstay as their savior: the phone book.
Silicon Valley man demands that Fax.com end unsolicited messages Unsolicited commercial faxes have been banned by federal law since 1991, and a Silicon Valley businessman says it's time for "blast fax" king Fax.com to pay up -- to the tune of $2.2 trillion.
AOL to offer broadband on AT&T and Comcast lines Carriage of AOL on some of the systems of AT&T and its pending merger partner Comcast is part of the deal, formally announced Wednesday, for AOL Time Warner to buy AT&T's stake in their Time Warner Entertainment partnership for $9 billion in cash and stock.
Broadband companies moving towards tiered rate plans The days of one-price-fits-all for high-speed Internet access are ending. No. 3 broadband Internet provider SBC Communications Wednesday became the latest to say it would charge a range of prices for consumers, as it already does for big businesses.
Telecom woes put assets on the block at bargain prices Struggling telecom firms are pressing to sell assets or merge, but buyers are paying less and less.
High-paying cell phone users get better service A class system is developing among cell phone users. High-paying subscribers are lavished with perks, such as faster customer support and instant resolution of billing problems. Lower-paying users and credit risks are charged extra for the same service or forced to wait longer.
Auditor has serious doubts about Genuity's ability to remain in business According to Wednesday's SEC filing, Genuity's default and its potential need to seek bankruptcy-court protection raise substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a "going concern."
Salomon Smith Barney telecom analyst Grubman quits Analyst Jack Grubman resigned Thursday amid growing controversy over alleged conflicts of interest in his touting of WorldCom, Global Crossing and other companies.
Global Crossing sold Global Crossing sold itself for $250 million on Friday to the same Asian companies that tried to buy the fiber-optic network company for three times as much when it first filed for bankruptcy.
FCC mandates digital tuners in all new televisions in 2007 The FCC ordered manufacturers to install tuners that can receive digital signals in new television sets by 2007, a move critics say could raise the cost of TVs by as much as $250.
AT&T raises high-speed internet fee structure Fastest connection costs 80% more under new plan.
FCC issues record fine against Fax.com for "junk faxes" The Federal Communications Commission issued a record fine of nearly $5.4 million against a Fax.com for sending "junk faxes" to businesses and consumers.
California PUC may penalize Verizon over earnings California regulators claimed that Verizon Communications understated earnings for six years to avoid sharing profits with ratepayers.
Analog cell phones a step closer to elimination FCC expected to give OK to wireless carriers to shut down their analog networks in five years.
July 2002
Little agreement on telecom fixes The issue of overhauling the nation's muddled telecommunications policies has yet to find a political consensus.
Justice Department investigating AOL Time Warner accounting practices The involvement of the Justice Department in the AOL Time Warner probe raises the possibility that the investigation could move beyond a civil securities case and into a criminal proceeding.
Qwest execs made millions while exaggerating profits Executives at Qwest Communications International made almost $500 million selling company stock from 1999 to 2001 while they were releasing profit numbers that the company now says were exaggerated and based on improper accounting.
Qwest plans to restate earnings from 1999 to 2001 Qwest Communications International Inc., already under investigation for its accounting practices, expects to restate financial reports for 2000 and 2001 because an internal analysis found accounting errors.
WorldCom names restructuring experts to key posts Gregory F. Rayburn was named chief restructuring officer Monday while John S. Dubel will assume duties as chief financial officer. The two are executives and principals with the corporate restructuring firm of AlixPartners LLC.
SEC investigating AOL Time Warner Chief executive Richard Parsons disclosed the probe Wednesday, saying the SEC was conducting a preliminary inquiry into the accounting of several transactions that boosted revenues at the AOL division.
Former WorldCom execs to be charged "Indications are that charges will be filed sometime next week," a source close to the investigation told The Associated Press.
AT&T posts $12.7 billion second-quarter loss The loss reflected a writedown of $13.1 billion in the book value of AT&T Broadband.
Judge approves Justice Department request for WorldCom independent examiner Attorney General John Ashcroft said an independent examiner "will provide transparency to the process and enhance accountability."
WorldCom files for biggest bankruptcy in U.S. history Tottering under debt, the telecommunications giant filed for bankruptcy protection Sunday night, nearly a month after it disclosed almost $4 billion in deceptive accounting.
Royalty fees killing most Internet radio stations More than 200 Internet-based radio stations have shut down because of a royalty fee that takes effect in September, and more are closing daily. Most of the estimated 10,000 radio Webcasters are expected to follow suit, "with the exception of Yahoo, AOL, Microsoft and other deep-pocketed conglomerates who can afford a loss leader," says Kurt Hanson, editor of the Radio and Internet Newsletter.
FCC rules change seen as key to curing telecom meltdown At issue are FCC rules that were meant to spark local phone competition.
FCC postpones mandate for 'portable' wireless numbers The Federal Communications Commission gave cell phone companies until Nov. 24, 2003, to offer customers the choice. The new date, one year later than the previous deadline, is the third extension granted by the FCC.
Global Crossing says it received competing bids Global Crossing said Tuesday it had received competing bids from several parties for its assets, despite a crisis of confidence in the telecommunications industry.
Deutsche Telekom CEO Ron Sommer quits Deutsche Telekom Chief Executive Ron Sommer quit Tuesday, ending his seven-year reign at the troubled German phone giant under heavy pressure over the company's debts and slumping stock price.
Baby Bell may be allowed to buy WorldCom Declaring the telecommunications industry in a state of "utter crisis," the chairman of the FCC suggested his agency might allow a Baby Bell to take over WorldCom, reports the Wall Street Journal.
Telecom industry "in deep doo-doo" "Every company in the business has something funny with their financials," says Dave Burstein, who publishes a newsletter focusing on telecommunications and DSL.
Federal prosecutors overseeing Qwest probe to share information with newly formed corporate fraud task force The Justice Department task force is examining Qwest and other troubled telecoms to look for "common themes and threads."
Consolidation in wireless industry held back by stock market woes Until underlying stock markets improve, few deals are likely to get done, bankers and analysts say.
AT&T and Comcast shareholders approve deal Shareholders of Comcast and AT&T overwhelmingly approved Comcast's planned $51 billion purchase of AT&T's cable television business Wednesday in a deal that would create a cable TV powerhouse with nearly twice as many subscribers as its closest rival.
Qwest being investigated by U.S. Attorney In a news release, Qwest said the U. S. attorney's office in Denver told the company Tuesday afternoon that it had begun the investigation but did not disclose the subject matter. Qwest said it plans to fully cooperate.
WorldCom executives, former auditors clash over responsibility for accounting irregularities WorldCom executives clashed with former auditors Monday over responsibility for nearly $4 billion in accounting improprieties that rocked U.S. markets. WorldCom's ex-CEO and ex-CFO refused to testify at House Financial Services Committee hearing.
WorldCom scrutiny touches on e-mail A Salomon Smith Barney debt analyst e-mailed WorldCom CFO Scott Sullivan to ask about a rumor of a $3 billion liability at the company a day before it revealed $3.9 billion in hidden expenses, say people familiar with a congressional probe of the company.
Cingular subscribers fear more busy signals Overburdened wireless system will share California, Nevada networks with VoiceStream.
Former WorldCom CFO reportedly tried to delay audit Scott Sullivan, the former chief financial officer of WorldCom urged internal corporate auditor Cynthia Cooper to suspend her review of certain company accounts that ultimately turned up almost $4 billion in misallocated expenses, people involved in the case said on Wednesday.
Marketing could save the MCI brand Not too late to stem losses, experts say.
WorldCom CEO not convincing That's the consensus of professional crisis managers after WorldCom's chief executive officer, John Sidgmore, finally appeared before the press Tuesday.
Cingular Wireless investigated for being 'unfair to consumers' California regulators are investigating Cingular Wireless, the nation's second-largest mobile phone company, charging that it has been "fundamentally unfair to consumers" by locking them into long-term contracts and failing to provide the services it promised.
Federal judge appoints monitor to keep detailed watch on WorldCom U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff selected former SEC chairman Richard Breeden as the monitor in the SEC's civil fraud suit against WorldCom over accounting improprieties.
Large supply, limited demand dim fiber-optic future "Infinite supply and a finite demand creates a price of near-zero," says Dana Blankenhorn, who follows technology for A-Clue.com.
Members of Congress rush to unload WorldCom donations Several members of Congress and party fund-raisers are scouring their campaign lists for WorldCom money, preparing to unload it before the once-valued contributions become a political liability.
WorldCom outlines troubles in SEC filing Cynthia Cooper, an internal auditor for WorldCom, noticed some questionable transfers while working on a routine audit in May. It turned out that what she had uncovered was a scheme to disguise nearly $4 billion in expenses from the investing public.
Two House committees targeting WorldCom WorldCom is caught in the middle of a turf battle between two powerful House committees.
AT&T's new wireless location technology "for the masses" AT&T Wireless has unveiled a new opt-in program called "Find Friends" which allows people to use their cell phones to track their friends' locations.
WorldCom report will face scrutiny "If there's even an iota of false statement in there, people are going to pay heavily," SEC Chairman Harvey Pitt said Sunday on ABC's This Week.
June 2002
IDT offering up to $4 billion for WorldCom Long-distance carrier IDT has made an informal $3 billion to $4 billion offer for WorldCom's local phone operations that serve business, said IDT's Chairman and Chief Executive Howard Jonas.
WorldCom plunges step closer to bankruptcy after latest accounting scandal WorldCom Inc. spiraled toward the brink of bankruptcy after the communications giant reported it had disguised $3.8 billion in expenses. The news dragged down the stock markets Wednesday, and President Bush said the federal government would investigate.
WorldCom admits to cooking its books WorldCom, the nation's second-largest long-distance telephone carrier, said Tuesday night that it had overstated its cash flow by more than $3.8 billion during the last five quarters in what appears to be among the largest cases ever of accounting fraud.
WorldCom shares dip below $1 for after analyst downgrade Salomon Smith Barney Inc. analyst Jack Grubman's decision to cut WorldCom Inc. to "underperform" signaled to some investors that the second- biggest U.S. long-distance telephone company may be slipping toward bankruptcy.
Weather balloons to plug wireless gaps Space Data says its plan to create America's first floating wireless network has already undergone successful testing and is economically viable.
Antitrust suits against Baby Bells could be up to Supreme Court It may soon be up the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether consumers -- and rival firms in the local telephone market -- can sue Baby Bell companies for anticompetitive business practices.
Qwest CEO forced out Nacchio's resignation ends a meteoric rise and sheds doubt on his vision of fiber-optic networks as engines of global e-commerce.
Consumer-friendly phone rules proposed Responding to a tidal wave of telephone gripes, the California Public Utilities Commission Thursday proposed a sweeping new version of a telecommunications bill of rights to protect consumers against everything from deceptive marketing to privacy violations.
WorldCom may dump 16,000 jobs Struggling WorldCom is considering cutting 20% of it's workforce, or about 16,000 jobs.
Tracking SBC's Gravy Train Former SBC Chief Financial Officer Donald Kiernan earned $6.7 million even though he quit in July. Karen Jennings, senior executive vice president of human resources, received $2.4 million, up 11 percent from 2000, according to an obscure filing with state regulators. But you'd never know it from reading SBC's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
May 2002
AT&T cut to two notches above "junk" by Moody's Moody's said the downgrade "reflects the weakened revenue prospects for the long-distance voice and data industry," and rising competitive pressures from the regional Bell operating companies Qwest, BellSouth, SBC Communications and Verizon Communications.
Qwest ready to seek re-entry into long distance market Qwest will seek approval to sell long-distance service in part of its 14-state region, saying it has shown its system is open to competition in local calling.
WorldCom to eliminate wireless unit WorldCom Inc., the telecommunications giant that is scrambling to pare back its operations to avoid bankruptcy, has quietly decided to pull the plug on its ailing wireless unit.
Global Crossing to create its own bankruptcy reorganization plan Global Crossing is preparing its own restructuring plan as an alternative to the bids that outside investors are expected to submit for the bankrupt communications company's vast fiber-optic network.
Asian companies seeking to acquire Global Crossing unable to reach agreement with creditors The two Asian firms seeking to acquire Global Crossing have failed to reach an agreement with lenders who are owed more than $12 billion by the bankrupt communications company.
FCC seeking $2.2 million fine against AT&T Wireless The FCC voted 4-0 to fine AT&T Wireless Services Inc. $2.2 million for allegedly failing to include technology on new cell phones that allows emergency services to pinpoint the location of a distressed caller.
AT&T Broadband e-mail filter blocks notice of rate hike AT&T Broadband offered high-speed Internet users an e-mail filter to block spam then discovered it also blocked notice of a rate increase.
Qwest breaks SEC rule on board member disclosure USA Today reports that Qwest Communications has violated an SEC rule by failing to disclose the other board seats of its newest director, Thomas Donohue.
High court rules Baby Bells can't charge rivals higher fees In a ruling that could bring more competition to local phone service and fast Internet access, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a bid by the big regional carriers to charge rivals higher fees for using their lines.
April 2002
All you need is one - Phone number, that is - By Jim Louderback (TechSmart USA Weekend) Wouldn't it be neat if someone combined a cell phone with the kind you use at home? That's just what Ericsson is developing, and it could be available by next year. On the street, your cell phone would work normally. But at home, the phone would be connected via a wired cable-modem or DSL connection to a nearby base station. One phone, one number and great quality: the best of both worlds.
AOL posts loss of $54 billion Stung by the plunging value of its mammoth merger last year, AOL Time Warner said yesterday it lost $54.2 billion during the first quarter in what is the largest quarterly loss in U.S. corporate history.
WorldCom Wireless fares worst of all as complaints quadruple WorldCom Wireless, considered a bit playerin the cellular phone market, sparked more complaints to the California PUC than AT&T Wireless, Sprint PCS and Verizon Wireless combined, according to a San Francisco Chronicle analysis.
Radio close to increased digital transmissions "Static, hiss and pops all go away," says iBiquity Digital CEO Bob Struble, whose company just unveiled its technology to lead the radio industry's digital charge.