Bill introduced for new session of N.J. legislature would make that state 13th with state-administered “No-Call” list to curb unwanted telemarketing calls. It will be assigned to Telecom & Utilities Committee. Under AB-3028, sponsored by N.J. state Rep. Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex), state No-Call list would be maintained by Dept. of Consumer Affairs or by private vendor contracted to state. List would be updated quarterly. Telemarketers that called names on list would be liable for $2,000 fine per call. Money collected from fines would be used to educate public and telemarketers about No-Call list. Exceptions to rule would include calls (1) to existing customers or in connection with established business relationship, (2) in response to customer’s request, and (3) for purpose of making sales appointments. Bill also would require all N.J. phone directories to include notice about no-call list and signup instructions. To date, 9 states have put no-call list laws into effect -- Ala., Alaska, Ark., Conn., Fla., Ga., Ky., Ore., Tenn. In addition, Ida., Mo. and N.Y. will be putting no-call laws passed in their 2000 legislative sessions into effect by midyear.

FCC is considering proposed rulemaking that would regulate interactive TV (ITV) services carried by all cable operators, knowledgeable sources confirmed Tues. Proposed regulations would be likely to ban all cable systems offering interactive services from blocking ITV triggers from rival content providers, similar to ITV conditions that FTC recently imposed on AOL’s pending purchase of Time Warner (TW). But sources said FCC rules could go further than FTC merger conditions, prohibiting cable operators from favoring their own content by caching it on local servers or sending it at higher data speeds than content from unaffiliated providers. “I'm sure they're talking about all sorts of things,” said source who declined to be identified.

National Exchange Carrier Assn. (NECA) files revisions in its average schedule formulas that will result in combined increase of 2.49% in common line and traffic-sensitive settlements. Those “settlements” are like interstate access charges for small rate- of-return carriers that don’t conduct their own cost studies. NECA said new formulas would go into effect July 1 if FCC approved them.

Rep. Tauzin’s (R-La.) selection as next chmn. of House Commerce Committee was all but official Tues., well-placed sources told us, after House Rules Committee released long-rumored proposal to create expanded Financial Services Committee. New panel is expected to be headed by Rep. Oxley (R-O.), Tauzin’s rival to succeed former Commerce Committee Chmn. Bliley (R-Va.). Full House will vote today (Wed.) on committee changes, and Republican leadership will choose committee heads Thurs.

Sea Launch Commander and Odyssey Launch Platform are headed toward equator to launch Boeing 702 model XM-1 satellite, dubbed Roll. Launch window for first of 2 Sea Launch missions for XM Satellite Radio opens at 5:35 p.m. ET Jan. 8. Launch will take place from open sea 3,000 miles from Long Beach, Cal.

Capitol Bcstg.-backed AccessDTV said it was starting DTV-to- PC service at Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week. AccessDTV offers package of hardware, software and services to allow DTV to be displayed on PC monitors, including universal analog/digital tuner card, antenna to receive broadcast DTV signals, DTV video card, software including on-screen remote control, interactive program guide, personal video recorder-like functionality. Package allows PC (at least 300 MHz) to output DTV and AC-3 digital audio, company said. Pricing hasn’t been set, but it’s expected to be under $500 for one-time purchase, with option of smaller upfront fee combined with monthly subscription. DTV broadcaster Capitol is minority investor, with rest coming from what company called “techno-angels.” It’s currently raising additional financing. First hardware is expected to be in consumer hands by end of March and AccessDTV has deals with several unnamed suppliers. “Most people could tune DTV broadcasts today, but they simply don’t have the right equipment,” COO Doug Leech said: “AccessDTV enables PC users to experience… DTV interactively and affordably.”

Wash. Utilities & Transportation Commission (WUTC) is implementing new colocation rules setting deadlines for incumbents to complete CLEC colocation orders. Under new rules, incumbents have 45 days to complete CLEC colocation orders, provided colocation site was included in CLEC’s quarterly demand forecast and CLEC puts up 50% of nonrecurring installation charges when order is placed. For any other colocation order, incumbents have 90 days from date of order for completion. CLECs will be entitled to partial or full refunds of installation charges for failure to meet either deadline unless incumbent can prove delay was caused by CLEC self-provisioning activities. If an incumbent claims space problems will prevent honoring colocation request, it must notify CLEC within 10 days and petition WUTC for waiver of deadlines.

AT&T followed lead of Cox in seeking waiver of franchise fees on cable-delivered Internet services, in letters to franchise authorities within jurisdiction of 9th U.S. Appeals Court, San Francisco. Waiver would be in effect until regulatory uncertainty about classification of service was resolved, MSO said. However, responding to requests from several local franchise authorities (LFAs) and National Assn. of Telecom Officers & Advisers, AT&T has extended time for cities to respond to its request to Feb. 15 from Jan. 1, 2001.

CompTel said it was considering legislative campaign to urge structural separation on Bell companies in return for broadband LATA freedom. “This is not a wild-eyed theory,” CompTel Pres. Russell Frisby said at Tues. news briefing. Think of it as “return to the MFJ era,” he said, referring to Modified Final Judgment that laid ground rules for 1984 AT&T divestiture. Frisby said trade association hadn’t decided whether to recommend separation idea to Congress but idea would be to follow what Pa. PUC had required of Verizon -- separation of retail and wholesale operations. In return, Bells’ retail units would receive permission to offer data services across LATA lines without gaining Sec. 271 approval from FCC, Frisby said: “My sense is there are some people on the Hill who would be interested.”

R/L DBS Co., formerly Continental Satellite Corp., received 36-month extension from FCC Thurs. to start alternative DBS service that has struggled to get off ground during past 4 years. R/L argued in request for extension that legal haggling, FCC delays and changes in market had made it difficult to raise money to launch satellite and meet milestones. Company said it has invested $30 million in DBS business, including $14 million toward design and construction of satellite. EchoStar, which opposed Commission action, questioned whether $14 million payment “constituted significant effort” toward building $250 million satellite. EchoStar also said $15 million went toward acquisition of Continental stock by Loral and R/L DBS hasn’t made additional progress toward arranging remaining financing for satellite. Under terms of its construction permit, R/L DBS originally was required to be in operation by Aug. 15, 1999. Commission said additional time will allow company opportunity to implement “innovative, regionally targeted” DBS service.