News of the Day

Cisco Systems buys WebEx for $3.2 billion

The $3.2 billion deal Cisco Systems struck to buy WebEx Communications, which specializes in Web conferencing, highlights the recent trend of major tech firms using the Internet for jobs that used to be done by software. Microsoft Corp., Google and other tech giants are also buying up companies that focus on Web technology to perform tasks.  Bloomberg1/ClipSyndicate (3/15) The Wall Street Journal (3/16) The New York Times/Dealbook (3/15)

Business & Industry Watch

Alcatel-Lucent inks Wi-Fi deal in Italy
Alcatel-Lucent has signed on to deliver a Wi-Fi network in Trento, Italy. Local authorities awarded the contract for the network, which will consist of 1,600 WiFi access points. Forbes/AFX News Limited (3/16)

Government telecom contract to be worth $48 billion
The yet-to-be-awarded Networx Universal contract from the U.S. General Services Administration has been described as the largest telecom contract offered by the U.S. government to date. AT&T, Verizon Communications, Sprint Nextel and Qwest Communications International are vying for a piece of it. The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (3/15)

Nacchio set to defend insider-trading charge
Next week, the insider-trading trial of former Qwest Communications International CEO Joseph Nacchio is set to get under way. Nacchio plans to base his defense on the fact that he had access to information about classified "black book," or national-security-related, federal contracts. The Wall Street Journal (3/16)

Qualcomm, Nortel expand on licensing agreement
Qualcomm has inked a deal with Nortel Networks that will expand the patent and product scope of the companies' previous cross-license partnership. Qualcomm is now licensed to manufacture and sell components for use in CDMA-subscriber devices and infrastructure products. CNET/Reuters (3/15)

YES to add new HD channel
YES Network will launch a new stand-alone HD channel April 1. YES, which carries New York Yankees home and away games, has secured carriage deals for access to the new HD channel. Mediaweek (3/15)

Other News

• Motorola chief received $1.27 million bonus last year
  Chicago Tribune (3/16)

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Technology Trends

DVRs a key weapon in battle of providers
Digital video recorders have been almost universally embraced by their owners ever since TiVo introduced them in the late 1990s, but now DVRs are becoming a key component in the battle between cable, telecom and satellite companies. One reason the DVR wars are heating up is new technology that combines phone, TV and Internet features in one box. The Wall Street Journal (3/16)

• Verizon Wireless, TiVo connect for mobile program scheduling: DVR pioneer TiVo has hooked up with Verizon Wireless to offer customers mobile program scheduling. The service will allow customers to program shows onto their DVRs remotely from their cell phones. MediaPost Communications (3/16)

Schools embrace automated calling
Even though the systems were designed for emergencies, more schools are turning to automated calling systems to communicate with parents about everything from delayed openings to pep rally times. The Wall Street Journal (3/16)

Markets for fixed, mobile WiMAX equipment post gains
The market for fixed WiMAX equipment generated more than $180.7 million in revenue in the fourth quarter, while the market for mobile WiMAX brought in $45.8 million, industry research found. Worldwide, the mobile and fixed markets grew 286% to $549.2 million last year. cellular-news (U.K.) (3/16)

IP Download

Quality key to IPTV uptake
Quality, not content, will help IPTV providers attract and retain customers, one writer says. When it comes to watching television, consumers expect to turn on the programming and have it work, he writes. Telecommunications (3/15)

VoIP offers enough security for enterprise use
VoIP has a place in enterprise, according to a panel of U.K.-based IT bosses, who point to the technology's cost-saving potential and say that VoIP offers enough security, despite some vulnerabilities. Silicon.com (3/16)

Skype upgrades Internet telephony, IM software
Skype has built Web 2.0 features into the latest version of its Internet telephony and instant-messaging software, Skype 3.1, which now offers users the ability to create business reviews and interact with other users by selling their marketing expertise. InfoWorld/IDG News Service (3/15)

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