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Motorola shuffles management, cuts first-quarter outlook

Motorola cited weaker-than-anticipated revenue from its cell-phone unit as one of the reasons for cutting its first-quarter forecast. The company also is shaking up its management, announcing that Greg Brown will step in as president and chief operating officer, while Thomas Meredith will take on the role of acting chief financial officer.  Bloomberg1/ClipSyndicate (3/22) Houston Chronicle/Associated Press (3/21) The Washington Post/PC World (3/22) Chicago Tribune (3/22)

• Analysts weigh in on Motorola: Analysts consider what Motorola needs to do to turn itself around, such as retooling its product portfolio. Forbes (3/22)

Business & Industry Watch

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Wharton: Verizon evolves with the times
Although risk is involved, Verizon Communications' decision to invest billions in a new fiber-optic network that will support a host of bundled services is a good move, according to professors at the Wharton School. Looking beyond the network build out, the professors say they believe it is essential for Verizon to have a clear vision as to how it will leverage its network. Knowledge@Wharton (3/21)

• Verizon's FiOS rides into Port Richey, Fla.: Verizon Communications won a franchise agreement for its FiOS TV service in Port Richey, Fla. The service will eventually be available to more than 1.9 million residents in Florida. CED Magazine (3/2007)

Apple TV goes on sale, but may have tough climb ahead
Apple's newly launched Apple TV unit is already facing stiff competition from Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Netgear's EVA8000. Apple's decision to require high-definition televisions for playback is expected to limit the device's appeal. The New York Times (3/22)

Sprint bundles GPS
Sprint Nextel is offering navigation services as a bundled feature in some of its wireless data plans. The navigation services will be included in plans that start at $20 a month and also include Web browsing, e-mail and multimedia. Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg (3/22) RCR Wireless News (3/21)

Telus questions Bell Canada's "most powerful network" claim
A lawsuit brought before the British Columbia Supreme Court by Telus Corp. is requesting a gag order be placed on Bell Canada's boast that it has the most powerful wireless network in Western Canada. A Bell representative declined to comment on the suit, saying the matter is before the courts. National Post (Canada)/CanWest News Service (3/21)

Telstra sees value in the phone booth
Despite the uptake of mobile phones, Telstra is looking for ways to maintain its pay-phone network, including adding SMS and Wi-Fi connectivity features. The telecom provider also is redesigning booths to support advertising. The Age (Melbourne, Australia) (3/22)

Integra Telecom buys Eschelon Telecom
Integra Telecom is purchasing Eschelon Telecom for $710 million, including the assumption of debt. CED Magazine (3/2007)

Other News

• Former Qwest executive testifies he expressed concern to Nacchio
  USA TODAY/Associated Press (3/21)

Technology Trends

Opinion: IPTV to spark television war
IPTV is off and running in parts of Europe and most of Asia, and it will make headway in the U.S. over the next few years. As telecoms embrace video, some cable companies will struggle to compete against IPTV if they fail to change their service model, one writer says. MarketWatch (3/21)

Genband purchases switching business from Tekelec
Texas-based Genband has announced that it will acquire Tekelec's switching business unit. Genband CEO, Charlie Vogt, has announced that his company will pay Tekelec $1 million, although the total acquisition price has yet to be disclosed. Telephony Online (3/21)

YouTube to have new rival from News Corp., NBCU
News Corp. and NBC Universal reportedly are teaming to create an online video site with TV shows and movies and clips users can share with friends that is meant to challenge dominant video site YouTube. Entities contributing content to the new site, which could be announced today, reportedly include such Google rivals as Yahoo!, Microsoft Corp., Time Warner's AOL and News Corp.'s MySpace. Los Angeles Times (3/22)

Verso, Navini join forces for VoWiMAX
Navini Networks has forged a deal with Verso Technologies to co-market VoIP services using mobile WiMAX. West African ISP Direct on PC is the first customer to sign up for the wireless VoIP offering. Wi-Fi Planet (3/21)

Dutch broadband market hits 5-million-customer mark
The Dutch broadband market grew 21.5% in 2006 to end the year with more than 5 million subscribers, 3 million of which are ADSL customers, according to the Telecompaper's quarterly Dutch broadband report. Telecompaper (The Netherlands) (3/22)

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Regulatory & Legislative

Court: FCC, not states, can regulate VoIP
The FCC acted within its powers when it prohibited states from trying to regulate VoIP providers like Vonage Holdings using their telecom laws, a federal appeals court has ruled. Multichannel News (3/21)

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