Phone companies, cable television operators and nearly every other player in the telecommunications industry will spend this week examining how the Federal Communications Commission proposes to let them into the local telephone business.
The nearly $100-billion market is now served only by the seven Baby Bells and other local phone companies. But the landmark Telecommunications Reform Act--signed into law in February--granted much broader access to what has been a monopoly business for nearly a century.
Of course, the devil is in the details, and FCC regulators have spent weeks putting finishing touches on their plan for opening local phone networks to competition--a move that will forever change the way consumers buy communications services. The proposed rules were made public early late Friday and a final set of rules is expected in August.
Electronic Messaging Expo: Wireless communication devices are changing the way we keep in touch. Industry leaders will discuss trends and new products at the Electronic Messaging Assn.'s annual Conference and Exposition at the Anaheim Convention Center Sunday through next Wednesday. Marc Andreessen, vice president and co-founder of Netscape Communications, will be the keynote speaker next Tuesday. For information, visit the EMA home page at http://www.ema.org
THIS WEEK
* Today, 6 p.m.: Join a discussion with Henry Cisneros, secretary of Housing and Urban Development. America Online. Keyword: Centerstage
* Saturday, midnight: Online bidding will begin in the Celebrity Internet Charity Auction, which includes memorabilia from Whoopi Goldberg, Arnold Schwarzenegger and others. Bids can be placed at http://www.epn.com/auction starting early Saturday morning. Proceeds will benefit the Family Assistance Program, a Hollywood-based organization that helps homeless families.
* Sunday, 5 p.m. President Clinton, Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres and King Hussein of Jordan will discuss the Middle East at a policy conference hosted by the America Israel Public Affairs Committee. Progressive Networks will broadcast the speeches live at http://www.realaudio.com
ON THE NET
* Anyone trying to master the Internet lingo should know about the Free Online Dictionary of Computing (http://wombat .doc.ic.ac.uk). This site, recommended by the CyberSkeptic's Guide to Internet Research, allows visitors to look up unfamiliar words and acronyms. The definitions are thorough and easy to understand.
