News of the Day

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FCC's video-franchising order eases market entry
In a move designed to speed broadband deployment across the country, the FCC has released an order that imposes a 90-day deadline for local authorities to accept or decline telecoms' video-franchise agreements. The Wall Street Journal (3/6) Telephony Online (3/5)

Business & Industry Watch

ION lands AT&T U-Verse deal
AT&T is beefing up the content of its U-verse digital-video service through an agreement with ION Networks. The agreement covers ION Television, ION Life and the children's network qubo. American City Business Journals/San Antonio (3/5)

• AT&T launches U-verse in Dallas-Fort Worth area: AT&T's U-verse service launched in some areas of the Dallas-Fort Worth region Tuesday. Bundled-service packages start at $59 a month and include video programming and broadband Internet access. The Dallas Morning News (3/6)

Baltimore County approves Verizon video launch
Verizon Communications secured the right to compete with Comcast in Baltimore County. The telecom company plans to offer video services to some areas in the county by this summer. The Sun (Baltimore) (3/6)

Motorola board readies for possible Icahn fight

Motorola board members have filed a proxy urging shareholders to fight to keep activist investor Carl Icahn from obtaining a seat on the company's board. Icahn has suggested that Motorola could provide more value to shareholders through an aggressive buyback plan, but one analyst points out that the company likely wants to use its cash on hand for future acquisitions.  Bloomberg1/ClipSyndicate (3/5) Chicago Sun-Times (3/6) The New York Times/Bloomberg (3/6)

Nokia enters mobile advertising
Nokia is making a push into mobile advertising with the launch of a fully managed ad service called Nokia Ad Service. The company also introduced Nokia Advertising Connector, which is designed to ensure that the correct ads are served on the correct devices. Mobile Entertainment (3/2007)

USTelecom applauds FCC move to bring video competition to consumers
The FCC has released an order streamlining the video-franchising process to help spur broadband deployment and video competition. USTelecom CEO Walter McCormick applauded the order, calling it "a critical step forward in bringing consumers greater choices, exciting new services and vibrant video competition." McCormick pointed to the billions of dollars large and small telecom providers are investing in new infrastructure to deliver high-speed Internet and innovative video services to their communities.

Technology Trends

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Opinion: Video the key to digital media
Emily Tan asked some of the top digital-media executives in the industry what they see as the biggest trend in digital media, and most answered that video would play a key role. The rise of video across many platforms was one of the factors cited in its growing prominence. Advertising Age (3/5)

Cisco extends Unified Communications software
Cisco Systems has upgraded its Unified Communications software to support wireless devices, which will enable users to view presence information and access voice mail from their e-mail accounts. CNET (3/5)

Hovr sees advertising as a path to free mobile games
Hovr's AdLogic Platform is designed to enable ads to be inserted into mobile games. The ad-subsidized games, in turn, will open mobile gaming to a wider audience and enable advertisers to reach a greater number of people, according to the company. BusinessWeek (3/6)

Visine pops up in AMC flicks
Johnson & Johnson brand Visine and cable channel AMC are teaming up for a novel promotion: Visine banner ads will appear on the bottom of the screen in selected movie scenes in which a character is experiencing eye irritation. Multichannel News (3/5)

IP Download

Alarm systems still have issues with VoIP
VoIP companies have made progress in overcoming issues presented by home alarm systems, including the need for rewiring homes and loss of coverage if a power outage occurs. Proof that advancements are being made, however, is illustrated by the fact that two of the largest home-security firms in the U.S., ADT and Brinks Home Security, are showing support for VoIP providers that address incompatibility. Telephony Online (3/5)

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Regulatory & Legislative

Supreme Court rejects Ebbers request for appeal
Former WorldCom CEO Bernard Ebbers had his request to review his fraud and conspiracy conviction turned down by the U.S. Supreme Court. Ebbers is serving a 25-year sentence. The New York Times/Associated Press (3/5)

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