News of the Day

sponsored by 

Telus pulls out of Bell Canada bidding
In a surprise, last-minute move, Telus announced it had decided not to make a bid for Bell Canada, citing frequent delays in the negotiation process. Bell Canada, in a statement, said: "In a deal of unprecedented complexity and size in Canada, we have succeeded in creating a truly competitive process." Takeover bids were due to Bell Canada on Tuesday; sources say three private-equity firms submitted bids before the deadline. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (6/27)

Business & Industry Watch

sponsored by 

"Sprint Ahead" ad campaign erases Nextel name
A new Sprint ad campaign rolling out on Sunday will make no mention of the Nextel name, two years after the two companies merged. The "Sprint ahead" campaign will also replace the familiar Sprint yellow and tout the "magic screen you carry in your pocket." The Washington Post (6/27)

AT&T's Jeff Weber fields brand questions
Jeff Weber, AT&T's vice president of video products, pointed to customers' trusting the AT&T name as one reason why they're willing to buy video services from a telecom. Telephony Online (6/26)

T-Mobile USA launches HotSpot @Home today
After a successful trial in Seattle, T-Mobile USA announced that its HotSpot @Home dual-mode phone service launches nationwide today. The unlicensed mobile-access service will allow users to connect via Wi-Fi or cellular networks, and to switch without breaking a call connection. T-Mobile service is targeting HotSpot @Home at people considering dropping their landlines in favor of mobile phones. The Seattle Times (6/27)

Vodafone, Groove to test SMS-triggered music downloads
Next month, Vodafone U.K. will begin a three-month test of Groove Mobile's SMS-triggered music-download service. Customers will be able to download music directly from labels and artists without incurring fees from Vodafone. If successful, a full commercial launch may follow in the fall. Telephony Online (6/26)

Saudi Telecom expands into Southeast Asia
Saudi Arabia's state-owned Saudi Telecom announced Tuesday that it would invest $3.05 billion in Malaysian billionaire T. Ananda Krishnan's holding company, Binariang GSM. The deal will result in Saudi Telecom receiving a 25% stake in Maxis Communications, which Krishnan recently took private, and a 51% stake in Natrindo Telepon Seluler. Forbes (6/27)

Technology Trends

sponsored by 

TI to develop ultra-low-power Bluetooth chipset
Texas Instruments is the latest company to embrace ultra-low-power Bluetooth technology and will soon begin development of a new chipset for the specification. Ultra-low-power Bluetooth technology touts a similar range as its predecessor and can transmit data at a speed of up to 1Mbps. Network World/IDG News Service (6/26)

WSJ's Mossberg calls iPhone a "breakthrough"
Walter Mossberg, The Wall Street Journal's chief technology columnist, calls the iPhone a "beautiful" and "breakthrough" handheld computing device. Mossberg also mentioned potential flaws such as the lack of a removable battery, but called the lack of a keyboard a "nonissue." Reuters (6/27)

HDTV penetrates 30% of U.S. households
Thirty percent of U.S. households have HDTV, and 50% of those households are interested in upgrading their HD-subscription packages, according to a new study, "HDTV: You Have the Set, But Do You Have the Content." The study found that gaming and movies are driving forces for HDTV conversion. TMC Internet Telephony (6/2007)

IP Download

Intelliverse adds VoIP-monitoring services
Customers of Intelliverse's Talking Planet and callEverywhere services will now be able to passively monitor live traffic and conduct active on-demand testing. Intelliverse announced Tuesday that the monitoring services will be enabled by converged service assurance capabilities from Brix Networks. Telephony Online (6/26)

Wayport to launch "Entertainment on Demand" for hotels
Wayport is launching an IPTV service, called "Entertainment-on-Demand," that will serve up HD on-demand gaming, Internet and interactive services coupled with TV that will run over Wayport's IP network. The service will allow hotels to use a customizable interface on a per-hotel or per-room basis. Internet Travel News (6/27)

The Buzz (CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS) Volt Telecom Group is working with one of the nation's largest communications holding company to upgrade its existing infrastructure within California. We are seeking splicers to be an integral part of this exciting new project. For more information, see our announcement or contact Sonya Young at 714.921.7506. ADVA Optical Networking is at the forefront of providing Optical+Ethernet solutions that advance next-generation networks for data, storage, voice and video services. Our innovative products have been deployed at more than 200 carriers and 10,000 enterprises around the world. For further information go to: www.advaoptical.com. Interested in learning more about advertising in the USTelecom dailyLead? Contact Amy Abbey at 202-737-5500 ext 250 or aabbey@smartbrief.com.

Regulatory & Legislative

Ohio joins ranks of statewide franchises
Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland has approved ending local control of cable-franchise deals in the state, which is expected to fuel competition for video customers. Akron Beacon Journal (Ohio) (6/27)

LeadQuote

Email: ustelecom@dailylead.com
Legal and Privacy information at http://www.dailylead.com/legal.jsp
Unsubscribe