AOL boosts free offerings in ongoing strategy shift
By early September, AOL is expected to complete its transition to a free, content-rich Web portal that offers free services aimed at broadband users, including an AOL.com e-mail account, a local phone number with unlimited incoming calls and more. Predictions that AOL would eliminate its dial-up service may have been premature, although it is expected that many users will stop paying for services that are now available for free. CNET (8/2), Bloomberg Businessweek/Associated Press (8/2)  
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Verizon discusses Verizon Wireless, FiOS plans
Verizon Communications said it has no immediate plans to buy Vodafone Group's 45% stake in Verizon Wireless. The telecom also said it is making good progress with FiOS, and that it added 111,000 subscribers to the service in the second quarter. Los Angeles Times (8/2), The Wall Street Journal (8/2)
Small MSOs must wait to participate in Sprint Nextel venture
Small cable operators won't be able to participate in the wireless venture between Sprint Nextel Corp. and four major MSOs until the beginning of 2007 at the earliest, a Sprint executive said. Multichannel News (8/1)
Report: Alcatel eyeing Nortel mobile unit
Alcatel reportedly is in talks to buy UTRAN, the high-speed mobile division of Nortel Networks. Alcatel said it is "open to all options that would allow us to boost our presence in that technology." Nortel did not comment. VARBusiness/Reuters (8/1)
Other News
Some Vonage IPO buyers refuse to pay for shares
The Wall Street Journal (8/2)
Cable, telecom battle over bundle heats up
The Hollywood Reporter (8/1)
Report: VoIP service revenues to hit $120B in 2009
Networking Pipeline (8/1)
XO takes aim at Level 3 with fiber move
Telephony Online (8/2)
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VoIP, VoIP and more VoIP
Get your VoIP books at Telecom Store. Don't miss: Steven Shepard's Voice Over IP Crash Course with practical technology coverage and the business, strategic and competitive implications of VoIP deployment; the easy-to-understand VoIP for Dummies detailing the options for VoIP and converged telecommunications; Carrier Grade Voice Over IP, a must-have, practical primer on true "carrier class" VoIP covering cutting-edge signaling schemes and quality of service (QoS) technologies; and many more.
Landlords stay out of Wi-Fi business in NYC
Wi-Fi seems to be everywhere these days, but most landlords of large commercial buildings in New York generally don't see the need to provide Wi-Fi service for tenants. The reasons vary, and range from an alleged lack of demand to lack of desire to be responsible for service interruptions. Some businesses say landlords would be wise to offer Wi-Fi as an incentive to draw tenants. NYTimes.com (8/2)
MSN has advantages over rivals in online video
As the craze in Web video continues, Microsoft's MSN is in a better position than many of its mainstream rivals. The Web site got an early start in the genre, continues to sign deals for TV content and has become a preferred choice among online advertisers. The Wall Street Journal (free content) (8/2), Los Angeles Times (8/1)
Bringing broadcast to broadband
Reid Johnson, president, CEO and founder of Internet Broadcasting, talks to TVWeek about how his company brought 79 TV stations to the Internet in 10 years. TVWeek.com (7/31)
BT slashes tariffs, price war expected
In the wake of Ofcom's lifting of retail price controls on BT Group, the telecom has announced huge cuts to its tariffs. The move could save customers up to $375 million and is likely to touch off a price war among U.K. carriers. Telecommunications (8/2)
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