Sunday, July 31, 2005
Tom's Hardware Guide: Secure VOIP
Tom's Hardware Guide: Tom's Hard News: "Voice Over IP's fast road to popularity may be littered with security potholes. Many people use VoIP, not realizing that their calls could be vulnerable to attack or eavesdropping. PGP creator Phil Zimmermann wants to make VoIP more secure with a soon to be released application that promises encryption without using third-party certificates."
Communications Engineering & Design: August, 2005 - Operation: VoIP
Communications Engineering & Design: August, 2005 - Operation: VoIP: "As an entirely new exercise for the cable industry, VoIP is mandating new skill sets, tools, equipment and even a fresh corporate engineering culture and mindset for the burgeoning VoIP business, predicted to reach 18 million subscribers by 2009, according to a recent forecast from the Yankee Group."
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Weigh conditions on phone deals, lawmakers say - Yahoo! News
Weigh conditions on phone deals, lawmakers say - Yahoo! News: "Two U.S. senators on Friday recommended antitrust authorities and communications regulators consider attaching conditions on two large telecommunications acquisitions, including a requirement that they offer stand-alone high-speed Internet service."
Talk Is Cheap, but Not That Cheap
Talk Is Cheap, but Not That Cheap - New York Times: "REMEMBER when the phone bill was just one bill? Last month, I realized that my husband and I were paying for six different phone/cable/D.S.L./local/long-distance/cellular services. Not only is it a pain to keep track of all these charges, our monthly telecom costs are infuriatingly high: $350 or more."
Friday, July 29, 2005
Tech-friendly Palo Alto
Light Reading - Networking the Telecom Industry: "Tech-friendly Palo Alto, Calif.’s initiative to provide broadband service over a city-owned fiber network appears to be losing momentum, raising doubts about the workability of the concept in other cities (see FTTP Gets Plenty of Airtime ).
The city council voted 5-1 Monday night to end a trial providing fiber infrastructure and broadband to 70 homes in one neighborhood in Palo Alto. The participants reportedly received 100-Mbit/s data service for $85 a month"
The city council voted 5-1 Monday night to end a trial providing fiber infrastructure and broadband to 70 homes in one neighborhood in Palo Alto. The participants reportedly received 100-Mbit/s data service for $85 a month"
The future of television lies on television, not the Net
USATODAY.com - The future of television lies on television, not the Net: "There are a group of technologies that are finally ready for prime time, and that together are going to reshape the way we watch television."
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Bill launched to overhaul broadband rules | CNET News.com
Bill launched to overhaul broadband rules | CNET News.com: "A debate over upgrading U.S. telecommunications laws for the digital era began in earnest Wednesday with a proposal aimed at substantially deregulating broadband, satellite and cell phone services."
In One Stroke, Podcasting Hits Mainstream
In One Stroke, Podcasting Hits Mainstream - New York Times: "EVER since Steven P. Jobs returned to Apple Computer in 1997 after a 12-year absence, his company has thrived by executing the same essential formula over and over: Find an exciting new technology whose complexity and cost keep it out of the average person's life. Streamline it, mainstream it, strip away the geeky options. Take the credit."
Revolution on the Radio - New York Times
Revolution on the Radio - New York Times: "Plug a set of headphones into a radio tuned to an FM jazz station. Hear the hiss at the bottom of the range and the fuzz at the top. Remember why you like compact discs.
But don't be impatient: wait eight seconds. An 'HD' light appears on the tuner. And now the bottom drops out. The hiss turns to silence. The stereo channels separate, opening a cramped room into a performance hall. And the high fuzz is now crisp high notes from a trumpet or Ella Fitzgerald."
But don't be impatient: wait eight seconds. An 'HD' light appears on the tuner. And now the bottom drops out. The hiss turns to silence. The stereo channels separate, opening a cramped room into a performance hall. And the high fuzz is now crisp high notes from a trumpet or Ella Fitzgerald."
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
U.S. senator unveils bill that aids phone carriers
Latest News and Financial Information | Reuters.com: "'We need to get investment dollars flowing,' Ensign told reporters. 'Wall Street likes clear, understandable rules that minimize litigation and uncertainty.'
His measure would prevent companies from limiting where consumers surf on the Internet as well as ensure Internet phone service cannot be blocked by broadband providers.
Local and state authorities would still be able to collect up to 5 percent of gross revenue from pay television services and local governments could continue managing rights of ways.
But Ensign's measure would bar municipal governments from offering communications services unless commercial companies have refused to serve the area. It would not affect those services already offered by local governments."
His measure would prevent companies from limiting where consumers surf on the Internet as well as ensure Internet phone service cannot be blocked by broadband providers.
Local and state authorities would still be able to collect up to 5 percent of gross revenue from pay television services and local governments could continue managing rights of ways.
But Ensign's measure would bar municipal governments from offering communications services unless commercial companies have refused to serve the area. It would not affect those services already offered by local governments."
Internet Phones Call on Wi-Fi - Yahoo! News
Internet Phones Call on Wi-Fi - Yahoo! News: "Internet phones are going wireless. Internet phone vendors have merged wireless networking with voice over Internet Protocol phone service to create the Wi-Fi VoIP phone. This promising--if somewhat rough around the edges--technology brings wireless calling to Net phones."
DenverPost.com - BUSINESS
DenverPost.com - BUSINESS: "A new wireless technology known as WiMax may one day beam ultra-fast Internet into small towns and urban office buildings that today are beyond the reach of technologies such as DSL, cable or fiber optics."
Telecom Plugs Into Wireless
Telecom Plugs Into Wireless: "Verizon Communications Inc., the largest U.S. telephone company, reported surging profit yesterday, but its underlying numbers show the industry's struggle to exploit high-growth wireless and broadband services to offset the shrinking residential telephone business."
PGP creator cooks up Net phone protection | CNET News.com
PGP creator cooks up Net phone protection | CNET News.com: "Phil Zimmermann hopes that his secure Net phone-calling efforts will be as successful as his Pretty Good Privacy e-mail encryption program.
Zimmermann has developed a prototype of an Internet telephony application that encrypts calls to prevent eavesdropping. He plans to unveil the prototype on Thursday at the Black Hat Briefings security industry conference in Las Vegas."
Zimmermann has developed a prototype of an Internet telephony application that encrypts calls to prevent eavesdropping. He plans to unveil the prototype on Thursday at the Black Hat Briefings security industry conference in Las Vegas."
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Latest News and Financial Information | Reuters.com
Latest News and Financial Information | Reuters.com: "Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin on Tuesday pushed his colleagues to move quickly to ease regulations on high-speed Internet service offered by U.S. telephone companies.
Martin said he has circulated a proposal that would treat the service, known as digital subscriber line (DSL) broadband, as an information service. If approved, that would exempt it from most traditional telephone rules, such as requirements to lease network access to competitors."
Martin said he has circulated a proposal that would treat the service, known as digital subscriber line (DSL) broadband, as an information service. If approved, that would exempt it from most traditional telephone rules, such as requirements to lease network access to competitors."
Internet phone providers given more time on 911 - Yahoo! News
Internet phone providers given more time on 911 - Yahoo! News: "Internet telephone service providers are getting a month longer to get their customers to acknowledge they know about the limitations of dialing 911 for help, U.S. communications regulators said on Tuesday."
Hackers Skip Windows to Embed New Infections
Hackers Skip Windows to Embed New Infections: "The online security climate continues to deteriorate, as computer hackers are targeting an increasing number of popular programs such as the iTunes music service and software that makes backup copies of data, according to an Internet safety study released yesterday."
WSJ.com - Ahead of the Tape
WSJ.com - Ahead of the Tape: "As it becomes progressively easier to set up shop on the Internet, those weeds may be the biggest challenge to Amazon's long-run growth. Established companies are using e-commerce as a way to circumvent middlemen and deal directly with their customers while niche players selling everything from home-brewing equipment to yoga props are gaining a global footprint."
US wireless broadband firms terrified of WiMAX
US wireless broadband firms terrified of WiMAX: "ALL THREE major US cellular companies say they'll have wireless broadband networks up and running by the end of this year. Verizon Wireless's EVDO service has been up the longest and it's a sweet piece of work, delivering download speeds between 300-600 Kbps anywhere you can get a good cell phone signal in most major cities across the country. If high-speed EVDO isn't available, the service falls back to 1xRTT and about 70 Kbps download speeds. I've used the EVDO service on several occasions and it beats the hell out of trying to find a wireless hotspot in an airport. The only downside to the service is a flat-rate cost of $80 a month – about the sum total of what I currently pay for cable modem service plus cable TV."
Monday, July 25, 2005
Apple Plants a Seed to Help Raise Podcasting
Apple Plants a Seed to Help Raise Podcasting: "What, you don't have a podcast yet?
That's this year's version of, 'What, you don't have a blog yet?' Podcasts -- downloadable audio clips that you can listen to on your computer or on a digital music player such as an iPod -- are riding an extraordinary wave of hype."
That's this year's version of, 'What, you don't have a blog yet?' Podcasts -- downloadable audio clips that you can listen to on your computer or on a digital music player such as an iPod -- are riding an extraordinary wave of hype."
Lost a BlackBerry? Data Could Open A Security Breach
Lost a BlackBerry? Data Could Open A Security Breach: "The ability to carry vast amounts of data in small but easily misplaced items such as computer memory sticks and mobile e-mail devices has transformed the way Americans work, but it has also increased the risk that a forgotten BlackBerry or lost cell phone could amount to a major security breach."
ITown is gearing up to deliver broadband to your town
USATODAY.com - ITown is gearing up to deliver broadband to your town: "Veteran telecom executive Brian Thompson hopes to do for broadband what the Bell System did for traditional phone service more than 100 years ago: Bring it to the masses."
A Radio Program Turns to a Blog to Cull Ideas - New York Times
A Radio Program Turns to a Blog to Cull Ideas - New York Times: "With its long reliance on talk formats and call-in programs, radio was arguably the first open-source media form. Now a new Public Radio International program, 'Open Source from P.R.I.,' will test whether the collective intelligence permeating the Web can make not just loud radio, but smart radio. Not only does the program pull from unfiltered voices and opinions found on blogs, Open Source uses its own blog (www.radioopensource.org) to cull ideas and sources from its listeners."
Microsoft's Virtual Earth latest to connect map and search
The Seattle Times: Business & Technology: Microsoft's Virtual Earth latest to connect map and search: "This is the year that online maps and Web search come together."
Bells Get Another Shot With Texas Bill
Bells Get Another Shot With Texas Bill - Yahoo! News: "A bill that would make it easier for telephone companies to sell cable TV may be put to a vote again in the Texas statehouse this week, revived for the second time since May courtesy of an unrelated stalemate over public school funding."
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Online News Consumers Become Own Editors
Online News Consumers Become Own Editors - Yahoo! News: "NEW YORK - J.D. Lasica used to visit 20 to 30 Web sites for his daily fix of news. Now, he's down to three — yet he consumes more news online than ever. Lasica is among a growing breed of information consumers who use the latest Internet technologies to completely bypass the home pages of news sites and jump directly to articles that interest them."
U.S. telecom overhaul chances this year seen slim
Latest News and Financial Information | Reuters.com: "U.S. lawmakers have been promising to begin overhauling the country's telecommunications laws this year to keep up with advancing technologies, but analysts say the odds of passing a bill this year are slim."
View from the Top: The broadband race
View from the Top: The broadband race: "Most U.S. broadband customers think they have a good thing going.As long as they can surf news sites and download their favorite music and games at 1-3 megabits per second, they feel as though they have entered digital Nirvana.Compared to the old days of holding one's breath waiting for a dial-up connection, and then praying an outside call would not break it, broadband really has redefined the way people surf the Internet. It is always on, always fast and always reliable."
Technology News: Wireless : VoIP, Wireless Communications Challenge 911 System
Technology News: Wireless : VoIP, Wireless Communications Challenge 911 System: "Increasingly, individuals work with cell phones Sprint has the infrastructure in place to meet all your business communications needs. From one company. Today. Click here and see how Sprint helps business. Latest News about cell phone rather than landlines, and businesses and consumers are reducing their telecommunications costs by installing Voice over IP (VoIP) links. The transformation from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to next generation (wireless and Internet) services is well underway; however, while the new technologies offer many benefits, they also have one limitation: They may not work with 911 services.
Aware of the problem, users, special interest groups and the government have been pushing equipment vendors and service providers to support a new emergency-calling system, dubbed e911. This service not only works with new technologies, but it also provides additional data to emergency responders, such as specific locations inside large buildings, so they are better able to respond to emergencies."
Aware of the problem, users, special interest groups and the government have been pushing equipment vendors and service providers to support a new emergency-calling system, dubbed e911. This service not only works with new technologies, but it also provides additional data to emergency responders, such as specific locations inside large buildings, so they are better able to respond to emergencies."
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Salt Lake Tribune - Business
Salt Lake Tribune - Business: "Utah's fledgling fiber-optic consortium demanded dismissal of a Qwest Communications lawsuit Friday that could cripple its plans for a multi-city fiber-optic network. "
Thursday, July 21, 2005
iTown Pushes Public-Use Broadband in State
iTown Pushes Public-Use Broadband in State: "Telecommunications providers are sometimes unwilling to connect broadband fiber directly to homes in smaller communities because demand is low and payoff is unlikely. Municipalities sometimes react by installing their own systems, but keeping pace with technology and finding funding can be difficult."
InformationWeek > VoIP > VoIP Market To Hit $4 Billion By 2010: Report > July 20, 2005
InformationWeek > VoIP > VoIP Market To Hit $4 Billion By 2010: Report > July 20, 2005: "The North American voice over IP (VoIP) is on the brink of a phenomenal growth spurt over the next six years, driven by the pervasiveness of broadband Internet access and the availability of low-cost VoIP services, according to Frost & Sulllivan."
Verizon's fiber race is on | CNET News.com
Verizon's fiber race is on | CNET News.com: "Verizon Communications has stepped up its battle against cable operators with plans to debut a broadband-over-fiber service later this summer.
The service, called Fios, will be launched in Keller, Texas, and later parts of southern California and Florida, the company said Monday. At up to 30mbps (megabits per second), Fios is a quantum leap compared with Verizon's DSL (digital subscriber line) service, which runs at a maximum of 1.5mbps."
The service, called Fios, will be launched in Keller, Texas, and later parts of southern California and Florida, the company said Monday. At up to 30mbps (megabits per second), Fios is a quantum leap compared with Verizon's DSL (digital subscriber line) service, which runs at a maximum of 1.5mbps."
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Congress Braces for TV Over IP Fight - Yahoo! News
Congress Braces for TV Over IP Fight - Yahoo! News: "TV over Internet Protocol may come eventually to a television set near you, but not before a regulatory fight in the U.S. Congress."
Technology News: Networks: Cable Broadband Looking for Leapfrog
Technology News: Networks: Cable Broadband Looking for Leapfrog: "Industry analysts said speeds are certain to improve from today's average 5 to 6 Mbps via cable modems, but some doubted the Teleste projections, particularly for use by consumers and corporations."
Viodi View - Consumer Tidbits from Parks & Associates
Viodi View - Consumer Tidbits from Parks & Associates: "Scherf pointed out that price reductions are working for telcos with regards to picking up broadband market share. Price will be even more important in attracting new customers who are more price sensitive. For instance, 54% of broadband intenders plan on subscribing to the the telcos’ offering versus 29% who profess that they will go with their cable operator. Still, cable is enjoying $40 to $42 average revenue per month per broadband user versus $30 to $33 for telcos."
� Getting beyond the WiMAX hype | George Ou | ZDNet.com
� Getting beyond the WiMAX hype | George Ou | ZDNet.com: "WiMAX has been one of the most prolific buzz words of wireless networking for nearly two years and it is probably one of the more hyped and misunderstood technologies in recent memory."
Broadband's bargain hunt | CNET News.com
Broadband's bargain hunt | CNET News.com: "After five years as a cable modem subscriber, Sushim Mandal is considering switching his broadband connection to a new Verizon Communications service called Fios, which extends a high-speed fiber network directly to consumers' homes.
Mandal, an engineer at Intel, said he's tired of paying a $50 monthly subscription for his cable modem service when on most days he gets only about half the bandwidth for which he is paying. Since cable networks share capacity, heavy usage can diminish overall network performance and cut into the bandwidth of customers like Mandal."
Mandal, an engineer at Intel, said he's tired of paying a $50 monthly subscription for his cable modem service when on most days he gets only about half the bandwidth for which he is paying. Since cable networks share capacity, heavy usage can diminish overall network performance and cut into the bandwidth of customers like Mandal."
VOIP Growth
Light Reading - Networking the Telecom Industry: "Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) service providers are gearing up to deal with the substantial increase in demand as well as challenges associated with moving into the mass market. They have to address the issues of pricing, regulatory uncertainty, and competition to be successful in the big league.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (www.telecom.frost.com), North American Residential VoIP Markets, reveals that market revenue totaled $295.1 million in 2004 and expects to reach $4,076.7 million in 2010."
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (www.telecom.frost.com), North American Residential VoIP Markets, reveals that market revenue totaled $295.1 million in 2004 and expects to reach $4,076.7 million in 2010."
Super speed broadband seen over cable TV in 2006 - Yahoo! News
Super speed broadband seen over cable TV in 2006 - Yahoo! News: "HELSINKI (Reuters) - Broadband Internet access via TV cables can reach 100 Megabits per second as early as next year, 50 times faster than the average broadband speeds now offered to cable TV homes, a Finnish firm said on Wednesday.
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Similar data transmission speeds are possible over fibre networks, but these cost much more for the operators to build."
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Similar data transmission speeds are possible over fibre networks, but these cost much more for the operators to build."
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
WSJ.com - BellSouth Shaves DSL Prices
WSJ.com - BellSouth Shaves DSL Prices: "BellSouth Corp. plans to trim prices on its high-speed Internet service in another sign of the escalating broadband war between cable and phone companies.
Starting July 25, the Atlanta company will drop the cost of basic digital-subscriber-line, or DSL, service by $10 to $32.95 a month for customers who also buy its basic phone plan. Both new and some existing customers are eligible for the lower rate, which BellSouth describes as a long-term price cut, not a temporary promotion."
Starting July 25, the Atlanta company will drop the cost of basic digital-subscriber-line, or DSL, service by $10 to $32.95 a month for customers who also buy its basic phone plan. Both new and some existing customers are eligible for the lower rate, which BellSouth describes as a long-term price cut, not a temporary promotion."
TelecomWeb
TelecomWeb: "The citizens of Lafayette, La., by an overwhelming margin of 62 percent to 38 percent, last Saturday voted to go ahead with the city’s planned $125 million municipal fiber-to-the-home project, capping an acrimonious 18-month battle in which incumbents BellSouth and cableco Cox did their best to deep-six the plan."
SBC: Fiber to Reach 18M Homes
SBC: Fiber to Reach 18M Homes: "SBC is taking a pragmatic approach to fiber deployments ahead of its IPTV rollout, an SBC executive said at Yankee Group's IPTV Decision Summit here today.
Jeff Weber, vice president of the San Antonio telecom's Project Lightspeed fiber program, said it's inaccurate to say SBC is using fiber-to-the-node architecture exclusively over fiber-to-the-home."
Jeff Weber, vice president of the San Antonio telecom's Project Lightspeed fiber program, said it's inaccurate to say SBC is using fiber-to-the-node architecture exclusively over fiber-to-the-home."
All Traffic, All the Time and Just a Click Away
SBC's Aggressive Pricing Moves - Forbes.com
SBC's Aggressive Pricing Moves - Forbes.com: "Banc of America Securities said SBC Communications (nyse: SBC - news - people ) led the Bells in aggressive pricing last quarter. But the competition had a muted response to the provocation, according to the research firm."
Bloggers, on your mark - Yahoo! News
Bloggers, on your mark - Yahoo! News: "Right-wing Internet bloggers dogged Dan Rather in 'Memogate' so effectively that it might have cost him his anchor chair at CBS News."
Why You Shouldn't Implement Gigabit Networking - Yahoo! News
Why You Shouldn't Implement Gigabit Networking - Yahoo! News: "If there is one absolute truth of networking, it would seem to be this: faster is always better. Since the days when Novell Netware and Banyan Vines were synonymous with state-of-the-art networking and only
NASA had 2400 bps dial-up, the conventional wisdom has held that network nirvana is only a megabit-per-second around the corner. "
NASA had 2400 bps dial-up, the conventional wisdom has held that network nirvana is only a megabit-per-second around the corner. "
WSJ.com - Fighting a Broadband Battle
WSJ.com - Fighting a Broadband Battle: "Kevin Martin often played the agitator in former Chairman Michael Powell's Federal Communications Commission, breaking on key issues to form a working coalition with the agency's two Democratic commissioners. As the FCC's new chairman, Mr. Martin has discovered he needs Republican reinforcements of his own to implement an ambitious agenda."
Verizon Pursues Local Cable Franchises
Verizon Pursues Local Cable Franchises: "Verizon Communications Inc. is making an aggressive push to break into the cable television market in the Washington region as part of a broader effort to expand its telephone network and offer an array of services nationwide."
The Charleston Gazette - Business
The Charleston Gazette - Business: "A Virginia company announced plans Monday to build a series of open-access broadband networks in communities across West Virginia."
» Norwood, Mass. city power utility to offer VoIP | IP Telephony | ZDNet.com
» Norwood, Mass. city power utility to offer VoIP | IP Telephony | ZDNet.com: "The town of Norwood, Mass. is getting ready to debut its own VoIP service next month.
The service, which will be offered by Norwood's city-owned Norwood Light, will be available to all of the city's nearly 12,000 homes. Town accountant Robert Thornton tells the Quincy (Mass.) Patriot Ledger that 100 or so Norwood residents have already asked about the service."
The service, which will be offered by Norwood's city-owned Norwood Light, will be available to all of the city's nearly 12,000 homes. Town accountant Robert Thornton tells the Quincy (Mass.) Patriot Ledger that 100 or so Norwood residents have already asked about the service."
» Here are world's top ten VoIP providers by sub count | IP Telephony | ZDNet.com
» Here are world's top ten VoIP providers by sub count | IP Telephony | ZDNet.com: "According to the overall numbers, there were some 17,400,000 VOIP subscribers worldwide in 1Q of this year- up 3 million from 14,400,000 in 1Q 2004."
Monday, July 18, 2005
Stock Market News and Investment Information | Reuters.com
Stock Market News and Investment Information | Reuters.com: "WASHINGTON, July 18 (Reuters) - U.S. local telephone companies likely outgunned the cable industry last quarter in the race for new high-speed Internet subscribers by their widest margin to date, according to analysts' estimates."
Lightwave - iTown Communications launches fiber-enabled broadband project in West Virginia
Lightwave - iTown Communications launches fiber-enabled broadband project in West Virginia: "July 18, 2005 Charleston, WV -- iTown Communications today initiated its 'West Virginia First,' an advanced broadband project for communities across West Virginia. Through the project, a fiber-optic Local Community Public-Use Network (LCPN) will directly connect to homes, businesses, schools, government offices, and other institutions in participating communities. iTown says its LCPN is purposely designed as an open network so that many different retail service providers can connect to deliver video, Internet, telephone, security, and other services, thereby bringing competition and choice to the region's consumers. The project's initial phase focuses on the state's Beckley-Bluefield and Wood County areas."
TelecomWeb
TelecomWeb: "The Texas State House of Representatives late yesterday followed the Texas State Senate by resurrecting and passing a hotly contested bill that eliminates local franchise requirements for telcos to enter video markets in favor of statewide jurisdiction. The vote gave the likes of SBC Communications and Verizon Communications a major victory against state cable operators that were attempting to delay an ILEC video onslaught. The two legislative bodies must now work out what are considered minor differences in their bills."
Science & Technology at Scientific American.com: Copper for Fiber -- [ TELECOM ] -- Fiber optics into the home, with help from DSL
Science & Technology at Scientific American.com: Copper for Fiber -- [ TELECOM ] -- Fiber optics into the home, with help from DSL: "In the 1990s telecommunications firms began laying down a glut of fiber-optic cables in preparation for hyperfast Internet connections and other data-hungry applications. Unfortunately, going the 'last mile'--connecting the main optical lines to homes--proved financially burdensome, and companies largely shelved such plans after the technology stock bubble burst in 2000."
Mainstream Media Is Tuning In to 'Podcasting'
Mainstream Media Is Tuning In to 'Podcasting': "It started out as a hobby: host your own laid-back audio show out of the basement 'Wayne's World'-style, and then make it available to Internet users for listening on their digital media players. All you needed was a cheap microphone, something to say and time to kill.
But last month, the grass-roots phenomenon known as 'podcasting' went mainstream. Apple Computer Inc. made the talk or music shows, known as 'podcasts,' easier to find and download on its iTunes online music store. The site went from zero podcast subscriptions to more than a million in just two days."
But last month, the grass-roots phenomenon known as 'podcasting' went mainstream. Apple Computer Inc. made the talk or music shows, known as 'podcasts,' easier to find and download on its iTunes online music store. The site went from zero podcast subscriptions to more than a million in just two days."
Marrying Maps to Data for a New Web Service - New York Times
Marrying Maps to Data for a New Web Service - New York Times: "In 1991, David Gelernter, a computer scientist at Yale, proposed using software to create a computer simulation of the physical world, making it possible to map everything from traffic flow and building layouts to sales and currency data on a computer screen."
Voters approve citywide fiber project | CNET News.com
Voters approve citywide fiber project | CNET News.com: "Voters in Lafayette, La., on Saturday approved a bond offering to fund a citywide fiber-optic project, an issue that was the source of considerable friction during the past year.
Voters approved the measure 12,290 to 7,507, or 62 percent to 38 percent, according to the Lafayette Daily Advertiser."
Voters approved the measure 12,290 to 7,507, or 62 percent to 38 percent, according to the Lafayette Daily Advertiser."
Sunday, July 17, 2005
BayouBuzz.com - Louisiana Politics and News
BayouBuzz.com - Louisiana Politics and News: "One of the most important votes for the City of Lafayette, the state of Louisiana and the government and technology world in general is over with the Lafayette project getting the go ahead for bonds for a public telecommunications project. It was approved Saturday night by the voters by a 24% margin."
RED HERRING | Intel Backs Public Networks
RED HERRING | Intel Backs Public Networks: "Intel has endorsed legislation that would allow cities to participate in high-speed Internet networks, a move that thrusts the company into the municipal broadband debate.
In a statement about the bill, S. 1294, Intel Communications Policy Director Peter Pitsch said Friday it 'strikes an appropriate balance between pre-empting state prohibitions on the municipalities that provide broadband service and requiring municipalities to operate in a competitively neutral manner under open, transparent processes.'"
In a statement about the bill, S. 1294, Intel Communications Policy Director Peter Pitsch said Friday it 'strikes an appropriate balance between pre-empting state prohibitions on the municipalities that provide broadband service and requiring municipalities to operate in a competitively neutral manner under open, transparent processes.'"
Voters approve citywide fiber project
Voters approve citywide fiber project | Tech News on ZDNet: "Voters in Lafayette, La., on Saturday approved a bond offering to fund a citywide fiber-optic project, an issue that was the source of considerable friction during the past year.
Voters approved the measure 12,290 to 7,507, or 62 percent to 38 percent, according to the Lafayette Daily Advertiser."
Voters approved the measure 12,290 to 7,507, or 62 percent to 38 percent, according to the Lafayette Daily Advertiser."
Microsoft Courts Hollywood Allies
Microsoft Courts Hollywood Allies: "When Apple Computer Inc. transformed the digital music scene in April 2003 by selling songs over the Internet, the richest man in the world was not amused.
Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates had struggled for a decade to get his software into consumers' home entertainment systems. Now the digital media party was finally starting, and he wasn't invited."
Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates had struggled for a decade to get his software into consumers' home entertainment systems. Now the digital media party was finally starting, and he wasn't invited."
Friday, July 15, 2005
Techworld.com - Why would you use WiMax indoors?
Techworld.com - Why would you use WiMax indoors?: "We’ve all heard the ebb and flow of WiMax enthusiasm – ranging from 'it'll take over the world' hype to 'it's already a bust' anti-hype, and everywhere in between. What's for sure is that a lot of companies, ranging from start-ups to (most famously) Intel, have bet a lot on the future of WiMax.
Most discussions of WiMax these days tend to center on mobility (whether the broader WiMax market will develop around fixed systems, or wait for the advent of mobile) or the role of 'pre' WiMax gear in developing the market."
Most discussions of WiMax these days tend to center on mobility (whether the broader WiMax market will develop around fixed systems, or wait for the advent of mobile) or the role of 'pre' WiMax gear in developing the market."
City's fiber project goes to a vote
City's fiber project goes to a vote | CNET News.com: "The fate of a citywide fiber-optic project will be in voters' hands on Saturday as Lafayette, La., residents go to the polls to decide on a bond offering that will fund the project.
The city of 116,000 residents known for its vibrant Cajun culture has been planning to build its own fiber-optic network for more than a year. But local phone company BellSouth and cable operator Cox Communications have challenged the city-owned utility, which plans to build and operate the network."
The city of 116,000 residents known for its vibrant Cajun culture has been planning to build its own fiber-optic network for more than a year. But local phone company BellSouth and cable operator Cox Communications have challenged the city-owned utility, which plans to build and operate the network."
Light Reading - Networking the Telecom Industry
Light Reading - Networking the Telecom Industry: "CTO Bill Smith says his company hopes to trial its new IPTV service with hundreds of subscribers by the end of this year, and to roll the service out commercially in 2006."
2theadvocate.com: News - Fiber plan pros, cons debated 07/15/05
2theadvocate.com: News - Fiber plan pros, cons debated 07/15/05: "LAFAYETTE -- With Saturday's election close on whether Lafayette Utilities System can borrow up to $125 million to enter the telecommunications business, BellSouth Louisiana President Bill Oliver spoke Thursday about problems he sees with LUS' business plan."
Telcordia rolls out FTTP general requirements
Lightwave - Telcordia rolls out FTTP general requirements: "Piscataway, NJ -- In its ongoing effort to provide the fiber-optic industry with generic requirements for network elements that are critical to the success of FTTP deployments, Telcordia recently introduced its GR-3120, Issue 1, Generic Requirements for Hardened Fiber Optic Connectors (HFOCs), which been accepted as an industry standard."
USATODAY.com - Faster connections always bring major changes
USATODAY.com - Faster connections always bring major changes: "I was chatting with some folks at a nearby telecom company called Citizens about bandwidth. The company is small, but it's doing something very cool: It's about to launch an IPTV service."
Public Broadband Hits Speed Bumps - Yahoo! News
Public Broadband Hits Speed Bumps - Yahoo! News: "Imagine if your town decided to provide low-cost, high-speed Internet access much as it does other public services. Now picture your regional cable and DSL providers suing to stop your town from doing so.
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That's what happened to North Kansas City, Missouri, when it announced plans to build a fiber-optic network that would compete with local DSL provider SBC."
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That's what happened to North Kansas City, Missouri, when it announced plans to build a fiber-optic network that would compete with local DSL provider SBC."
WSJ.com - Texas Legislation May Pave Way For Phone Companies' TV Service
WSJ.com - Texas Legislation May Pave Way For Phone Companies' TV Service: "The Texas state Senate has resurrected legislation to allow phone companies to more easily compete with cable operators to offer television services, a measure that is being closely watched as competition between the two industries heats up.
The bill, heavily lobbied for by SBC Communications Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc., would permit phone companies to enter the video market without seeking franchises from individual municipalities, as cable companies have long been required to do."
The bill, heavily lobbied for by SBC Communications Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc., would permit phone companies to enter the video market without seeking franchises from individual municipalities, as cable companies have long been required to do."
Thursday, July 14, 2005
USATODAY.com - Can the future of TV be seen on the Web?
USATODAY.com - Can the future of TV be seen on the Web?: "NEW YORK — CBS News sat on the sidelines during the cable TV revolution, allowing rivals led by CNN, Fox and NBC to dominate the world of 24-hour news.
But determined not to make that mistake twice, CBS plans to launch a 24-hour, Internet-based video news service that will let visitors pick reports they want to watch."
But determined not to make that mistake twice, CBS plans to launch a 24-hour, Internet-based video news service that will let visitors pick reports they want to watch."
For Surfers, a Roving Hot Spot That Shares - New York Times
For Surfers, a Roving Hot Spot That Shares - New York Times: "With a device called the Junxion Box, the production company can set up a mobile multiuser Internet connection anywhere it gets cellphone service. The box, about the size of a shoebox cover, uses a cellular modem card from a wireless phone carrier to create a Wi-Fi hot spot that lets dozens of people connect to the Internet."
WiMAX Team-Up - Yahoo! News
WiMAX Team-Up - Yahoo! News: "WiMAX wireless broadband technology got a boost in mid-June, as
Nokia and Intel announced plans to accelerate its deployment. In addition to joint marketing efforts, the partners will produce mobile clients and devices tuned for the power and performance that notebook PCs will require."
Nokia and Intel announced plans to accelerate its deployment. In addition to joint marketing efforts, the partners will produce mobile clients and devices tuned for the power and performance that notebook PCs will require."
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
High-Speed Internet Service War Sparks
High-Speed Internet Service War Sparks: "PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Telephone and cable TV companies are slashing broadband prices and boosting connection speeds as the two monopoly-prone industries prepare to lock horns on multiple fronts.
Comcast Corp. fired the latest shot in the battle this week by announcing plans to boost the speed of its entry-level cable broadband service to 6 megabits per second -- as much as four times faster than a typical DSL connection over a phone line."
Comcast Corp. fired the latest shot in the battle this week by announcing plans to boost the speed of its entry-level cable broadband service to 6 megabits per second -- as much as four times faster than a typical DSL connection over a phone line."
Venture to Put Live Shows on Internet and Radio - New York Times
Venture to Put Live Shows on Internet and Radio - New York Times: "In a bid to widen significantly the audience for concerts and live events, America Online and XM Satellite Radio are backing a venture that will deliver live performances to Internet, satellite and wireless customers and through other media."
The CBS Evening Blog - New York Times
The CBS Evening Blog - New York Times: "CBS News is turning its eye on itself.
As part of an ambitious attempt to revive CBSNews.com with a broad array of free video news produced just for its Web site, CBS said yesterday that it would also introduce a Web log to comment on CBS newscasts, whether broadcast or online."
As part of an ambitious attempt to revive CBSNews.com with a broad array of free video news produced just for its Web site, CBS said yesterday that it would also introduce a Web log to comment on CBS newscasts, whether broadcast or online."
Comcast revs up downloads | CNET News.com
Comcast revs up downloads | CNET News.com: "Cable modem operator Comcast is bumping up the speeds at which its broadband subscribers can receive data.
The company announced Tuesday that it would increase the downstream speeds of its basic and premium residential broadband services. The basic service will jump to 6 megabits per second from 4mbps. The premium service will rise to 8mbps from 6mbps. Upstream, or data-sending, speeds will remain the same: 384kbps for the basic service, 768kbps for the premium."
The company announced Tuesday that it would increase the downstream speeds of its basic and premium residential broadband services. The basic service will jump to 6 megabits per second from 4mbps. The premium service will rise to 8mbps from 6mbps. Upstream, or data-sending, speeds will remain the same: 384kbps for the basic service, 768kbps for the premium."
Skype, Boingo team on mobile services | CNET News.com
Skype, Boingo team on mobile services | CNET News.com: "Wireless hot spot operator Boingo Wireless on Tuesday began offering dramatic discounts to users of Skype, an Internet telephony operator with tens of millions of users."
Time for a Digital Age Communications Act | Perspectives | CNET News.com
Time for a Digital Age Communications Act | Perspectives | CNET News.com: "
When then-President Bill Clinton signed the Telecommunications Act in February 1996, he expressed hope that this 'truly revolutionary' legislation would foster a marketplace 'where competition and innovation can move as quick as light.' Ten years later, it's clear things didn't turn out that way.
In fact, the statute entrenched too much of the legacy regulation put in place when communications markets were characterized by monopolistic power. Even though the 1996 Act acknowledged the Internet's existence for purposes of attempting to legislate control of offensive content, when it came to foreseeing the Net's marketplace impact, and that of other new technologies, Congress didn't look far enough ahead."
When then-President Bill Clinton signed the Telecommunications Act in February 1996, he expressed hope that this 'truly revolutionary' legislation would foster a marketplace 'where competition and innovation can move as quick as light.' Ten years later, it's clear things didn't turn out that way.
In fact, the statute entrenched too much of the legacy regulation put in place when communications markets were characterized by monopolistic power. Even though the 1996 Act acknowledged the Internet's existence for purposes of attempting to legislate control of offensive content, when it came to foreseeing the Net's marketplace impact, and that of other new technologies, Congress didn't look far enough ahead."
Digital TV changeover suggested for 2009 | CNET News.com
Digital TV changeover suggested for 2009 | CNET News.com: "WASHINGTON--Millions of American television sets that receive only analog over-the-air broadcasts could go dark if not upgraded by Jan. 1, 2009."
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Numbers of Mobile Phones Pass Total Landlines in the US
The US FCC suggested that cellphone ownership has now surpassed the number of landlines in the US. According to an 2004 FCC study, customers received local telephone service via 145.1 million ILEC lines and 32.9 million CLEC lines for a total of 178 million landlines. There were, however, a total of 181.1 million mobile service subscriptions at the end of 2004. Nationwide, wireless subscribers increased eight percent during the second half of 2004 from 167.3 million to 181.1 million. For the full twelve-month period, wireless subscribers increased by 15 percent. This marks the first time that wireless subscriptions passed the total number of landlines in service.
Source: Faulkner Information Services
Source: Faulkner Information Services
The Wikification of Knowledge - Yahoo! News
The Wikification of Knowledge - Yahoo! News: "The most talked-about thing going on right now is the wiki. Essentially, wikis are a fast way to do online collaboration, and people seem to enjoy them. These are online collaboration efforts that let users edit, on an ongoing basis, volumes of information that could not otherwise be organized. It's kind of a public process."
Skype, Boingo tie up in phone deal | CNET News.com
Skype, Boingo tie up in phone deal | CNET News.com: "VoIP provider Skype and wireless hot spot operator Boingo Wireless will unveil a new initiative Tuesday that combines each company's respective technologies.
Skype is among the most popular providers of voice over Internet Protocol software for making inexpensive or free phone calls using the Internet. Boingo Wireless, founded by EarthLink creator Sky Dayton, makes available Wi-Fi technology to dispense high-speed Internet access (it's currently used in about 13,000 locations)."
Skype is among the most popular providers of voice over Internet Protocol software for making inexpensive or free phone calls using the Internet. Boingo Wireless, founded by EarthLink creator Sky Dayton, makes available Wi-Fi technology to dispense high-speed Internet access (it's currently used in about 13,000 locations)."
Monday, July 11, 2005
USATODAY.com - Towns battle big companies to expand broadband
USATODAY.com - Towns battle big companies to expand broadband: "Lafayette, La., is on the leading edge of the broadband revolution. Or at least it could be if BellSouth would just step out of the way, says Joey Durel, president of the city-parish.
'We want to bring fiber to every home and business in Lafayette that wants it,' he says."
'We want to bring fiber to every home and business in Lafayette that wants it,' he says."
Internet at home riding power lines
DenverPost.com - BUSINESS: "Douglas County's Liberty Media Corp. has teamed with Google, Goldman Sachs and Hearst Corp., among others, to help roll out a new technology for delivering high-speed Internet access over power lines."
Rocky Mountain News: Technology
Rocky Mountain News: Technology: "IBM will announce today a partnership with CenterPoint Energy, a utility based in Houston, to develop broadband services to be delivered over electric power lines."
Rocky Mountain News: Technology
Rocky Mountain News: Technology: "While a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision is getting most of the attention, Colorado's legislature passed a bill this past session that could make it more difficult for cities to build their own high-speed communications networks.
Municipalities across the country have undertaken the construction of their own networks when they feel private companies haven't done enough to deploy affordable broadband services."
Municipalities across the country have undertaken the construction of their own networks when they feel private companies haven't done enough to deploy affordable broadband services."
Court ruling could spur or squelch broadband competition
Rocky Mountain News: Technology: "Colorado homes and small businesses with high-speed Internet lines surged 46 percent in 2004, faster than the national average."
Broadband's power-line push | CNET News.com
Broadband's power-line push | CNET News.com: "A big-ticket investment by three corporate heavyweights in a little-known start-up that provides Internet access over electrical lines has sparked renewed interest in a technology that's never come close to living up to its billing."
Sunday, July 10, 2005
U.S. losing share of science and engineering grads | CNET News.com
U.S. losing share of science and engineering grads | CNET News.com: "More than half a century of U.S. dominance in science and engineering may be slipping as America's share of graduates in these fields falls relative to Europe and developing nations such as China and India, a study released on Friday says.
The study, written by Richard Freeman at the National Bureau of Economic Research in Washington, warned that changes in the global science and engineering job market may require a long period of adjustment for U.S. workers."
The study, written by Richard Freeman at the National Bureau of Economic Research in Washington, warned that changes in the global science and engineering job market may require a long period of adjustment for U.S. workers."
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Blogs seen as powerful new tool in U.S. court fight - Yahoo! News
Blogs seen as powerful new tool in U.S. court fight - Yahoo! News: "WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Political groups preparing to battle over the first
U.S. Supreme Court nomination in 11 years have a powerful new tool -- Internet blogs -- to spread information quickly and influence decision makers without relying on traditional media."
U.S. Supreme Court nomination in 11 years have a powerful new tool -- Internet blogs -- to spread information quickly and influence decision makers without relying on traditional media."
Legal Peer-to-Peer Emerges from the Grokster Fire - Yahoo! News
Legal Peer-to-Peer Emerges from the Grokster Fire - Yahoo! News: "The fallout of the recent
Grokster v. MGM Supreme Court decision hasn't meant much to the wellspring of new legally minded peer-to-peer companies who are looking to turn a pirate's territory into a legitimate delivery system for music, movies and video games."
Grokster v. MGM Supreme Court decision hasn't meant much to the wellspring of new legally minded peer-to-peer companies who are looking to turn a pirate's territory into a legitimate delivery system for music, movies and video games."
Images from phones add to London attacks coverage - Yahoo! News
Images from phones add to London attacks coverage - Yahoo! News: "LONDON (Reuters) - Mobile phones transformed victims into journalists after the transport attacks in London as amateur photographs and video footage played a key role in newspaper, television and Internet coverage."
Media Honchos Consider Online Strategies
Media Honchos Consider Online Strategies: "SUN VALLEY, Idaho (AP) -- As they work to come to grips with the Internet, entertainment moguls have a very clear goal: don't let what happened to the music industry happen to the rest of the entertainment industry"
VoIP Is Growing Fast, Says Report - Softpedia News
VoIP Is Growing Fast, Says Report - Softpedia News: "Internet telephony, the already famous VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol), is one of the most successful alternatives to classical wired telephony, especially concerning the calls' pricing, and it's no wonder that the number of people using this type of services has doubled over the past year, according to a report of the analysts from Point Topic. "
Top Tech News - - U.S. Lacks Initiative on Broadband Innovations
Top Tech News - - U.S. Lacks Initiative on Broadband Innovations: "The United States is failing to take the initiative to establish a national R&D mandate on broadband Latest News about Broadband technologies, resulting in the loss of our competitive edge to other nations in Asia and Europe."
Top Tech News - Tech Trends - Sprint Delivers Wireless Broadband
Top Tech News - Tech Trends - Sprint Delivers Wireless Broadband: "Sprint Latest News about Sprint is rolling out a wireless Latest News about wireless high-speed data network that promises to enable faster downloads for customers accessing the Internet remotely.
The third-largest U.S. wireless carrier initially will offer its Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO) service in business corridors that have high demand for wireless-broadband services, such as airports and central business districts."
The third-largest U.S. wireless carrier initially will offer its Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO) service in business corridors that have high demand for wireless-broadband services, such as airports and central business districts."
PC Pro: News: Google helps power broadband over electricity lines
PC Pro: News: Google helps power broadband over electricity lines: "Google is looking to boost broadband over power lines. It is among a group of companies making new investments in this specialised form of Internet access.
Specifically, Google, the Hearst Corporation and Goldman Sachs are investing in Current Communications Group. This is a company that provides broadband services over electric power lines and in-home electric wiring."
Specifically, Google, the Hearst Corporation and Goldman Sachs are investing in Current Communications Group. This is a company that provides broadband services over electric power lines and in-home electric wiring."
FCC Cites Strong Broadband Growth
FCC Cites Strong Broadband Growth: "The broadband revolution is picking up steam.
The Federal Communications Commission said high-speed Internet connections increased 34% last year, putting a total of 38 million lines in service."
The Federal Communications Commission said high-speed Internet connections increased 34% last year, putting a total of 38 million lines in service."
Americas Network - WavMax Acquires Two More Wireless Broadband Companies
Americas Network - WavMax Acquires Two More Wireless Broadband Companies: "Wireless broadband service provider WavMax, announced the acquisition of two additional wireless ISPs (WISPs) in the Colorado market. Located in the Colorado Springs market, they follow WavMax's two other metro Denver acquisitions in 2004."
Friday, July 08, 2005
DSL Leads High-Speed Surge
DSL Leads High-Speed Surge: "The number of high-speed Internet lines in the United States increased 34 percent, to 37.9 million lines, last year, the Federal Communications Commission said yesterday, as price wars between Internet service providers made fast connections increasingly affordable."
CNN.com - Man charged with stealing Wi-Fi signal - Jul 7, 2005
CNN.com - Man charged with stealing Wi-Fi signal - Jul 7, 2005: "Police have arrested a man for using someone else's wireless Internet network in one of the first criminal cases involving this fairly common practice."
Out With the Old Phone, in With the Cash - New York Times
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
� 366,000 Swedish households have access to IPTV | IT Facts — Your Daily Research Synopsis | ZDNet.com
� 366,000 Swedish households have access to IPTV | IT Facts — Your Daily Research Synopsis | ZDNet.com: "Sweden is one of Europe's most active IPTV markets. Both Viasat and Canal Digital have made their packages available over broadband Internet in recent months. Viasat is available on broadband provider Bredbandsbolaget's fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network to 300,000 households, 2,300 of which had signed up to the service at first quarter 2005. Canal Digital is available on nine FTTH city networks across Sweden, reaching 66,000 households. Both Viasat and Canal Digital hope that by offering their packages on IP networks they can extend their subscriber base. Incumbent telco TeliaSonera launched a pay TV offering in January 2005"
Friday, July 01, 2005
New tax for broadband customers? | CNET News.com
New tax for broadband customers? | CNET News.com: "Many broadband customers will pay new universal service taxes akin to those on their telephone bills if Congress bows to suggestions from rural legislators."
