Russell: This FCC denial was a few months ago. JA owns that satellite programming service, but I don't know if it really impacts on the VA and Boston deployment because BANX will be using Tele-TV for the programming of these networks. Where it does have an impact is on any MMDS digital video services deployed by CAWS in markets which BANX does not have an interest. This may explain why they have not proceeded to deploy their services in other markets where does not have an interest (ie, no national programming provider such as Tele-TV to provide all the programming, until the FCC clears JA's sat. venture).
Another note regarding programming: the person I know in the technical department of CAWS was telling me that Tele-TV was having some problems on the programming aspects, but he did not think the delay would be significant. The problem is that some of the CATV programmers (such as, but NOT specifically, TNT, ESPN, HBO, CNN, etc...) have not agreed to provide programming to TeleTV. Obviously, the CATV industry does not want to provide any support the RBOC's. However, this is a clear anti-trust case and the programmers WILL have to sell their services to Tele-TV. They are leagally postering, causing a delay, but I don't see this being a significant hurdle. |
