MERGERS MERGERS MERGERS
AOL-Time Warner Pledge Questioned by Senate Panel (NYT)
Clear Channel in $3 Billion Deal To Acquire SFX Entertainment (NYT)
SBC, BellSouth Discuss Cell-Unit Merger (WSJ)
C&W Unit Sale May Accelerate European Links (WSJ)
Arlington's TeleCorp to Expand (WP)
DIGITAL DIVIDE
Online voting gets go-ahead in Ariz. Democratic primary (USA)
Information Technology-based Projects in Hispanic-Serving Education
and Training Institutions (NTIA)
A Digitally Divided Life(SJM)
ED TECH
Gates Foundation Gives $350 Million to Education Programs Over
the Next 3 Years (NYT)
Pencil vs. Computer: Study Asks If It Makes a Difference
on Tests (CyberTimes)
TELEPHONY
Rules target fast-talking phone ads (USA)
Wireless Innovations in Communications Initiative (NTIA)
PRIVACY
Alta Vista, Kozmo Distance Themselves From Doubleclick
Over Privacy Concerns (WSJ)
Safe Harbor for Children's Privacy? (EPIC)
ECOMMERCE
Fair Play on the Net (WP)
Mp3 Chief Rocks and Roils Music (WSJ)
ATX And Sirius Will Offer Service for In-Car Buying (WSJ)
INTERNATIONAL
Argentina Deregultors to Lure Telecom Dollars and Bites the Bullet
on Loss of Low-Tech Jobs (USA)
German Phone Giant In Talks With Qwest (USA)
MERGERS MERGERS MERGERS
AOL-TIME WARNER PLEDGE QUESTIONED BY SENATE PANEL
Issue: Merger/Broadband
The Senate Judiciary Committee questioned the proposed America Online Time
Warner merger at a hearing yesterday -- including the latest pledge to open
Time Warner Cable systems to competing Internet service providers. Senator
Orrin G. Hatch, the Utah Republican who heads the Judiciary panel, said the
commitment was vague and nonbinding, and he urged the companies to condition
their merger on a more detailed, ironclad agreement. "I believe a degree of
healthy skepticism is in order, given what is at stake here," said Sen
Hatch. "Given that this document lacks both enforceability and specificity,
this committee remains to be convinced of its value beyond the boardroom and
public relations office of AOL/Time Warner." "This proposed merger reminds
me of 'A Tale of Two Cities' with portents of either the best of times or
the worst of times," said Senator Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont, the panel's
ranking Democrat. Some senators, like Spencer Abraham (R-MI), who said the
proposed merger offered "an exciting marriage," voiced few qualms. But the
response from Sen Mike DeWine (R-OH) was more typical: "The more I examine
this deal, the more I am convinced that it does raise significant
competition and public policy issues that must be thoroughly explored."
Congress has no official role the merger; the Federal Trade Commission is
reviewing the deal in light of antitrust law.
[SOURCE: New York Times (C2), AUTHOR: Eric Schmitt]
(http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/00/03/biztech/articles/01online.html)
See Also:
FCC CHAIRMAN KENNARD'S STATEMENT ON THE AOL-TW PLEDGE
[SOURCE: FCC]
(http://www.fcc.gov/Speeches/Kennard/Statements/2000/stwek016.html)
OPENNET COALITION WELCOMES AOL-TIME WARNER MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Applauding commitment to open access by America Online and Time Warner, the
openNET Coalition today called on the cable industry and to make the
AOL-Time Warner open access principles the basis of a national standard of
open access for the cable industry. "Today AOL-Time Warner hit the fast
forward button for open access," said Greg Simon, co-director of the openNET
Coalition, "We call on the cable industry to make the open access principles
contained in the AOL-Time Warner Memorandum Of Understanding a national
standard of open access to the cable network. We urge AOL-Time Warner to
implement these principles in a deliberate and visible manner as quickly as
possible so that consumers can have choice and begin enjoying competition
over the AOL-Time Warner network this year. In addition, we will work with
Internet service providers (ISPs and AOL-Time Warner to ensure that the
commercial negotiations are truly non-discriminatory and fair to all
parties. We also will continue to work with government leaders to enact
open access as a policy."
[SOURCE: openNET Coalition]
(http://www.opennetcoalition.org)
See Also:
AOL TIME WARNER OPEN-ACCESS PROPOSAL HAILED AS POSITIVE FIRST STEP
[SOURCE: Center For Media Education]
(http://www.cme.org/press/000229_aolpr.html)
AOL/TIME WARNER MERGER HEARING
Full Senate Commerce Committee hearing to examine the short and long-term
implications of the AOL/Time Warner merger on consumers and various segments
of the telecommunications industry. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday,
March 2, at 10:30 a.m. in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications,
will preside.
Following is the tentative witness list: Mr. Steve Case, Chairman, America
Online; Mr. Gerald Levin, Chairman and CEO, Time Warner; Mr. Jerry Berman,
Executive Director, Center for Democracy And Technology; Mr. Gene Kimmelman,
Co-Director, Consumers Union; Mr. Robert Lande, Senior Research Scholar,
American Antitrust Institute.
[SOURCE: US Senate]
(http://www.senate.gov/~commerce/press/releases.htm)
CLEAR CHANNEL IN $3 BILLION DEAL TO ACQUIRE SFX ENTERTAINMENT
Issue: Merger/Advertising
Clear Channel, on its way to becoming the biggest owner of radio stations
and already a major player in outdoor advertising, will purchase SFX
Entertainment, the largest producer of live concerts, theater and sports
events, for ~$3.3 billion in stock. The new company will have stakes in
everything from Broadway theaters, television and billboards to monster
truck rallies, radio and the Internet. "There's a nice, natural fit here,"
said Christopher Ensley, an analyst at Lazard Fr