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Senate panel passes telecom billThe U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday approved a proposed telecom bill that would give telecoms a national video franchise and would address challenges facing the Universal Service Fund. The Committee rejected an amendment on Net neutrality. San Francisco Chronicle (6/29), The Wall Street Journal (6/29), Broadcasting & Cable (6/28), Reuters (6/29)
Verizon Wireless to reduce contract exit feesVerizon Wireless said it would reduce the $175 fee it charges subscribers who cancel their contract before the term is up. The carrier did not release specific details about pricing, but said the fees would vary based on the amount of time left on a contract. The Washington Post (6/29) AT&T pitches TV service in Tupperware-style partiesAs AT&T Inc. tries to generate buzz and new customers for its "U-verse" TV service, the company is hosting house parties in San Antonio, similar to the Tupperware parties of the 1950s, and the technique seems to be working. The Wall Street Journal (6/28) Cable firms take on Web, each other with online videoCable companies are jumping into Web video -- which could set the stage for a new era of intraindustry competition in which cable companies will serve their own customers via TV, while trying to serve rivals' customers via the Web. Comcast is at the fore of the movement, buying new technology and acquiring broadband rights to content, while Time Warner has begun routing Internet content to subscribers' TVs. The Wall Street Journal (6/29) Comcast buys broadband, wireless video tech company: Comcast has purchased thePlatform, a Seattle-based company that develops technology for delivering video to broadband and wireless networks. Customers of thePlatform include Comcast, Court TV and ABC News. The Seattle Times (6/29) BellSouth expands wireless broadbandBellSouth said it will expand its wireless broadband service to five more cities in the Southeastern U.S.: Melbourne, Fla.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Greenville, Miss.; Charleston, S.C.; and Albany, Ga. The service primarily targets customers in rural areas. Telephony Online (6/28) Other News
ReplayTV to sell DVR software for PCs
Cingular CTO: IMS a game-changer for telecoms
Verizon's FiOS picks up franchise in Virginia
Take a Stephen Shepard Crash Course in IMS, VoIP and TelecomStay on top of today's technology with the Telecom Bookstore and Steven Shepard's popular Crash Course books: IMS Crash Course, a broad look at how IMS works, its system requirements, and potential regulatory issues; VoIP Crash Course, offering practical technology coverage and the business and strategic implications of deploymen; and the best-selling Telecom Crash Course, a true tutorial that offers context and humor to teach the key technologies.
S. Korean telecoms to launch WiBroWireless carrier SK Telecom and fixed-line operator KT on Friday plan to launch a commercial wireless broadband service based on WiBro technology, South Korea's homegrown version of WiMax. The service will offer connection speeds between 1 Mbps and 3 Mbps and will first be rolled out in Seoul. Red Herring (6/29) Verizon launches 100 Mbps home routerVerizon Communications is offering a 100 Mbps home router to its FiOS customers. The router uses in-home coaxial wiring and provides wireless connectivity. CED Magazine (6/2006) EA executive ponders the future of gamingElectronic Arts Canada executive John Schappert talks about the competition, the current and future state of gaming and idea generation. Cross-platform gaming is beginning to take hold, but the most significant strides have not yet been made, he says. TechNewsWorld (6/28)
Anaheim's Wi-Fi network goes liveEarthLink is expected to launch its first municipal wireless network today in Anaheim, Calif. The $22-a-month service may serve as a litmus test for Wi-Fi networks being built in other cities by EarthLink and other providers. Los Angeles Times (6/29) CNET special report: Municipal Wi-Fi: This CNET report looks at the lessons learned so far from municipal Wi-Fi projects in Anaheim, Calif., Tempe, Ariz., and other U.S. cities. CNET (6/29) New regs may not lead to more cross-ownershipSince the last FCC media ownership review in 2002, dramatic changes in the way media is delivered and consumed have taken place, causing some observers to speculate that changes in cross-ownership regulations may not lead to more cross-ownership. Big media companies are focusing on ways to make money distributing video, music and news online without expensive infrastructure or regulatory hurdles, and less on owning several broadcast entities or newspapers in the same media market. The Washington Post (6/29)
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Contributing Editor: