Intelsat debuts IPTV solution
Intelsat launched a satellite broadcast system called Ampiage that's designed to help telecoms and MSOs launch MPEG-4 based IPTV services. The move could put some heat on SES Americom, the market leader in IPTV delivery solutions. Telecommunications (4/12), Broadcasting & Cable (4/12)  
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Verizon takes to the streets for FiOS promotions
Verizon Communications has launched a grass-roots sales and marketing campaign in Virginia's Fairfax County and other local markets to pitch its FiOS TV service. The strategy is part of the company's effort to woo subscribers from cable, by getting to know customers on a more intimate level. The Wall Street Journal (4/13)
Verizon wins another California franchise: Lake Elsinore, Calif., approved a video franchise for Verizon Communications. The city will become the fifth California municipality to offer FiOS TV. Multichannel News (4/12)
AT&T jumps into muni Wi-Fi game
AT&T Inc. has joined the bidding to build and operate a wireless broadband network in Grand Rapids, Mich., and is looking at getting involved with similar projects elsewhere. Broadband Daily (subscription required) (4/13)
AOL morphs into entertainment portal
AOL, which recently changed its name from America Online, is in the process of transforming itself from an Internet service provider into an entertainment powerhouse, signing development deals with players such as reality TV powerhouse Mark Burnett. As AOL changes, it's revamping rules on advertising and product placement. NYTimes.com (4/13)
Vodafone mulls expansion into fixed-line services
Vodafone Group is considering a move into fixed-line phone service as it seeks to shore up its position in established markets. The company has said it plans to focus heavily on fixed/mobile convergence, although it hasn't indicated whether it will buy or lease Internet lines. The Wall Street Journal (4/13)
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Every decision-maker needs to understand the industry's costs, risks, and breakthrough opportunities. With this guide you can -- even if you have no technical background. Includes coverage of today's most critical issues, including the rapid globalization of telecommunications, breakthrough optical networking technologies, the latest progress towards digital convergence, speech recognition, next-generation 3G wireless networks and much more. Buy Today!
New "Gold Rush" in Web content
AOL is launching an original-to-the-Web reality show called "Gold Rush," centered on a participatory scavenger hunt in which users use clues hidden online to locate real caches of gold. As AOL rebrands and reimagines itself as an entertainment portal, its audience is shifting, causing a drop in usage statistics, which executives insist is temporary. NYTimes.com (4/13)
Google patent for voice search may shed light on wireless plans
Google has just won a patent for voice interface for search engines. The company has indicated an interest in bringing voice-based search to mobile devices. InformationWeek (4/12)
FCC makes compromises on spectrum auction rules
The FCC said it would withhold some information about bidders in an upcoming wireless spectrum auction, but agreed to reveal certain details about which companies received approval to bid in the auction if competition requirements were met. The agency also said it would offer other information including the bids for each license and set $2.06 billion as a minimum to be raised for the auction to be valid. Reuters (4/12)
China to allow choice in 3G standards
The U.S. government said China will allow wireless carriers to choose which 3G wireless standard they use, rather than requirng carriers to use the TD-SCDMA standard. The pact came out of trade talks between the countries. The China Post/Associated Press (4/13)
Profile: FCC's Martin proves to be adept regulator
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is a force to be reckoned with, according to this profile. A number of high-profile wins over issues such as a la carte pricing and 911 service for VoIP have solidified his "reputation as a smooth, effective operator -- in sharp contrast to [predecessor Michael] Powell, a stubborn idealist who often clashed with the two Democrats on the commission." Forbes (4/13)
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