European M&A action heats up
News that a number of European carriers are mulling big, cross-border deals has touched off a debate among analysts about whether the trend is a good thing. Proponents of consolidation say telcos must expand their businesses to compete against VoIP. NYTimes.com (10/4)  
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Report: Verizon Wireless to roll out live TV in 2006
Verizon Wireless plans to offer live TV broadcasts in the top 30 U.S. markets via a network built by Crown Castle International beginning in 2006, according to Zachary Research analyst Patrick Comack. Using a dedicated network for TV would allow Verizon to avoid putting too much traffic on its current wireless network. Reuters (10/3)
Telefonica, KPN in merger talks
Spain's Telefonica reportedly is mulling a $23.8 billion offer for Dutch telco KPN. Financial Times (tiered subscription model) (10/3)
Philadelphia chooses EarthLink for Wi-Fi
Philadelphia will announce today that it has chosen ISP EarthLink to build a citywide Wi-Fi network. MSNBC/Associated Press (10/4), The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (10/4)
S.F. announces Wi-Fi bidders: San Francisco officials yesterday said 24 companies have submitted bids to build and operate a Wi-Fi network in the city. Separately, Mayor Gavin Newsom said a citywide wireless network was "long overdue" and that it was part of citizens' "fundamental right to have access universally to information." Reuters (10/4), CNET (10/3), San Jose Mercury News (Calif.) (free registration) (10/4)
More big companies consider own fiber networks
Some large companies that need a lot of bandwidth are building their own fiber-optic networks to gain more control over networking needs and to save money. Low fiber prices are a major driver of the movement, although some companies' desire to reduce reliance on local loops may also be a factor. Light Reading (10/3)
MCI to pay $331M in back taxes
MCI said it would pay $331 million in back taxes to settle disputes with 16 states and Washington, D.C., over financial issues associated with the WorldCom accounting scandal. The payment is less than half of what the states claimed the telco owed. Bloomberg Businessweek/Associated Press (10/4), Bloomberg (10/4), The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (10/4)
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| | Copper Now Has the Power of Fiber
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Deloitte Mergers & Acquisitions Conference @ TELECOM 05
Register today to hear the experts from Deloitte Consulting LLP's Telecom Practice and other experienced telecom mergers and acquisition leaders explore the strategic and tactical issues needed to evaluate and implement successful deals today's integrated communications marketplace. This day-long program on Monday, Oct. 24 is included in a TELECOM '05 full conference registration. Register today.
Triple-play provider announces FTTH solution
Optical Entertainment Network announced plans to beginning marketing an FTTH solution that does not retrofit legacy technologies. The company's triple-play service offers a variety of features including 440 IPTV channels, VoIP and high-speed data for under $50 per month. Telephony Online (10/4)
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Interested in learning more about advertising in the USTelecom dailyLead? Contact Mark Lasser at 202-737-5500 x317 or mark.lasser@smartbrief.com.
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Some business travelers hope cell phone ban remains
A commercial flight can be the only escape from cell phones and e-mail for some busy business travelers. However, these travelers soon may become reachable: Federal regulators are reassessing rules banning cell phones, and international carriers have added Internet access to their aircraft. Some travelers say they hope federal regulators do no lift the ban on cell phones. NYTimes.com (10/4)
Oregon woman sues RIAA
A Portland woman who says she never downloaded copyrighted signs from a P2P network is suing the recording industry under Oregon's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act. The lawsuit alleges the Recording Industry Association of America's widespread lawsuits against file-swappers constitute "extreme acts of unlawful coercion, extortion, fraud and other criminal conduct." InternetNews.com (10/4)
Editorial: Keep U.S. control of ICANN
The San Francisco Chronicle's editorial page calls for the continuation of the current U.S. control over the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. The editorialists write, "Junking a system that has worked so well, all in the name of removing perceived U.S. control shouldn't be done lightly." San Francisco Chronicle (10/4)
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