Friday, September 30, 2005
Wireless Internet service providers soaring
DenverPost.com - BUSINESS: "The estimated 3,000 wireless Internet service providers in the United States, known as WISPs, are becoming less wispy every day."
Thursday, September 29, 2005
FCC Extends VoIP 911 Deadline
RED HERRING | FCC Extends VoIP 911 Deadline: "The U.S. Federal Communications Commission said it would give VoIP providers more time to receive acknowledgements from customers if their network doesn’t provide access to 911 emergency lines.
The FCC said it won’t begin enforcing the rule until October 31, instead of this Wednesday, but only if the VoIP providers submit a status report by October 25. Many VoIP providers have already submitted reports, and the FCC has felt encouraged so far by the level of compliance."
The FCC said it won’t begin enforcing the rule until October 31, instead of this Wednesday, but only if the VoIP providers submit a status report by October 25. Many VoIP providers have already submitted reports, and the FCC has felt encouraged so far by the level of compliance."
Light Reading - Networking the Telecom Industry
Light Reading - Networking the Telecom Industry: "Consumers and business users hungry for increased network capacity are ready to add a little fiber to their diets. According to new research from IDC, the worldwide fiber access equipment market will reach $1.9 billion in 2009, as users migrate to higher speed data services and innovative new services such as IPTV, HDTV, and video-on-demand (VOD)."
IPTV will trip up Bells, analysts say
IPTV will trip up Bells, analysts say: "WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Bells will find the sledding so tough in IPTV that they may bow out, according to three analysts speaking at this week's Next Generation Networks 2005 conference here."
Bell triple-plays don't threaten cable’s dominance
Bell triple-plays don't threaten cable’s dominance: "As cable companies continue raising the speeds of their broadband offerings, they will maintain their dominance in that market for the foreseeable future and penetrate the voice market faster than Bell companies penetrate video, according to a report released today by Convergence Consulting."
Monday, September 26, 2005
It’s VoIP 2.0 Or Death
It’s VoIP 2.0 Or Death: "There I go. I said it. Now to all the service providers out there who aren’t looking for ways to add services and increase revenue beyond providing cheap minutes… Your days are indeed numbered.
The biggest concern I would have as a VoIP service provider is software companies from AOL to eBay giving enhanced services away forfree while you are trying to make a buck selling them."
The biggest concern I would have as a VoIP service provider is software companies from AOL to eBay giving enhanced services away forfree while you are trying to make a buck selling them."
VoIP wants to cut the computer cord
VoIP wants to cut the computer cord | CNET News.com: "Mark Bruk, a frequent business traveler, always packs a Plantronic headset with an ear bud and microphone so he can plug into any computer and make phone calls on the cheap.
Once he finds an Internet connection, he only needs to download a piece of software, or 'softphone,' to make the call using voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, technology. The software, created by his own company, takes about 30 seconds to download and, presto, he's making a call."
Once he finds an Internet connection, he only needs to download a piece of software, or 'softphone,' to make the call using voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, technology. The software, created by his own company, takes about 30 seconds to download and, presto, he's making a call."
Cable's Digital Drive Irks Basic Customers
Cable's Digital Drive Irks Basic Customers - Yahoo! News: "PHILADELPHIA - LaRonika Thomas got upset when Comcast moved the Sci-Fi channel to its digital service this summer, ensuring she couldn't continue to watch her favorite show, 'Firefly,' without paying $20 more a month."
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Browsers Battle for Second Place
Browsers Battle for Second Place: "In the Internet-browser game, the idea of beating No. 1 Microsoft, whose Internet Explorer comes automatically bundled on most Windows computers, is so far out of reach that other players try for the next best thing: second place."
FCC Requires Certain Broadband and VoIP Providers to Accommodate Wiretaps
LinuxElectrons™ - FCC Requires Certain Broadband and VoIP Providers to Accommodate Wiretaps: "Washington, D.C. – Responding to a petition from the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Agency, the FCC Commission determined that providers of certain broadband and interconnected voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services must be prepared to accommodate law enforcement wiretaps, the Federal Communications Commission ruled yesterday.
The Commission found that these services can essentially replace conventional telecommunications services currently subject to wiretap rules, including circuit-switched voice service and dial-up Internet access. As replacements, the new services are covered by the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, or CALEA, which requires the Commission to preserve the ability of law enforcement agencies to conduct court-ordered wiretaps in the face of technological change. "
The Commission found that these services can essentially replace conventional telecommunications services currently subject to wiretap rules, including circuit-switched voice service and dial-up Internet access. As replacements, the new services are covered by the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, or CALEA, which requires the Commission to preserve the ability of law enforcement agencies to conduct court-ordered wiretaps in the face of technological change. "
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Light Reading - Networking the Telecom Industry
Light Reading - Networking the Telecom Industry: "A GPON request for proposals (RFP) from the three U.S. RBOCs could arrive as early as November, sources say.
The long-anticipated RFP, which would outline the large North American carriers' needs for a combination of passive optical and gigabit Ethernet technologies, would indicate the RBOCs are serious about jumping to the next level of broadband."
The long-anticipated RFP, which would outline the large North American carriers' needs for a combination of passive optical and gigabit Ethernet technologies, would indicate the RBOCs are serious about jumping to the next level of broadband."
Playing Games with VOIP - Yahoo! News
Playing Games with VOIP - Yahoo! News: "The overriding theme among attendees of this week's VON Fall 2005 Conference was that compelling new communications applications will drive uptake of VOIP technologies, and some observers feel one form of those systems may already be live."
It's Not TV, It's Yahoo - New York Times
It's Not TV, It's Yahoo - New York Times: "As Discovery orbited the Earth in early August, millions of people visited Yahoo, which runs the most popular news site on the Internet, to see the nail-biting conclusion to the troubled shuttle mission. Could NASA find a way to bring the astronauts home safely?"
Microsoft's nightmare inches closer to reality | CNET News.com
Microsoft's nightmare inches closer to reality | CNET News.com: "As early as May 1995, three months before Netscape Communications' initial public offering sparked the dot-com boom, Microsoft executives were worried that the nascent World Wide Web could one day become a significant threat to the Windows franchise."
Friday, September 23, 2005
Comcast launches local Internet phone service
Comcast launches local Internet phone service: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance: "Comcast Corp. said it has launched Internet telephone service in Western Washington, although the service won't be available in downtown Seattle until November. The company (NASDAQ: CMCS - News) is already the largest cable provider in the state."
Muni Networks: The Public's Not Buying
Light Reading - Networking the Telecom Industry: "Broadband Cities Conference -- Elected officials are excited about municipal networks. Incumbent carriers are fretting about them. But the average Joe still hasn't got a clue, according to several sources at the conference sessions held here.
Instead of battle-planning for the RBOCs and sharing best practices, city managers and network equipment vendors here were addressing a more fundamental problem: How do you convince a bunch of folks in the middle of Utah that they need 100 Mbit/s going to their homes?"
Instead of battle-planning for the RBOCs and sharing best practices, city managers and network equipment vendors here were addressing a more fundamental problem: How do you convince a bunch of folks in the middle of Utah that they need 100 Mbit/s going to their homes?"
Networking the Telecom Industry
Light Reading - Networking the Telecom Industry: "SALT LAKE CITY -- Broadband Cities Convention -- Utah’s incumbent broadband providers appear to be fighting back, dropping broadband prices to retard the uptake of new triple-play services provided by Utah Telecommunication Open Infrastructure Agency (UTOPIA)."
Katrina spurs federal action on VoIP | CNET News.com
Katrina spurs federal action on VoIP | CNET News.com: "Hurricane Katrina's thrashing of communications networks has amplified the need for Congress to take action on Net phone policy, senators said Thursday.
At a hearing convened by the Senate Commerce Committee, senators pledged to take steps to ensure that all communications networks, including voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, can connect their customers to the 911 system. One such bill was introduced in May."
At a hearing convened by the Senate Commerce Committee, senators pledged to take steps to ensure that all communications networks, including voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, can connect their customers to the 911 system. One such bill was introduced in May."
Verizon switches on TV service | CNET News.com
Verizon switches on TV service | CNET News.com: "Verizon Communications officially launched its paid television service on Thursday, opening its push to take on cable companies in the video market."
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Study: Broadband penetration slowing
Study: Broadband penetration slowing | CNET News.com: "Americans are putting the breaks on broadband adoption growth, according to a new study.
The survey, published by independent think tank Pew Internet & American Life Project, found that high-speed Internet adoption, after growing quickly in the past several years, has been losing steam and is poised to slow even further. During the first six months of 2005, 53 percent of home Internet users said they use a broadband connection, up from only 50 percent during the previous six months."
The survey, published by independent think tank Pew Internet & American Life Project, found that high-speed Internet adoption, after growing quickly in the past several years, has been losing steam and is poised to slow even further. During the first six months of 2005, 53 percent of home Internet users said they use a broadband connection, up from only 50 percent during the previous six months."
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Google builds an empire to rival Microsoft | CNET News.com
Google builds an empire to rival Microsoft | CNET News.com: "Google's one-of-a-kind computer network gives it a chance to surpass Microsoft to become the most dominant company in tech, according to the author of a recently published book on the search giant.
Google already has plenty of influence. It handles nearly half of the world's Web searches. It's hiring some of the biggest names in the industry, from the controversial Kai-Fu Lee of Microsoft to the legendary Vint Cerf, an early Internet pioneer. And it has become such the topic du jour in Silicon Valley that its search for a new corporate chef warrants significant local news coverage"
Google already has plenty of influence. It handles nearly half of the world's Web searches. It's hiring some of the biggest names in the industry, from the controversial Kai-Fu Lee of Microsoft to the legendary Vint Cerf, an early Internet pioneer. And it has become such the topic du jour in Silicon Valley that its search for a new corporate chef warrants significant local news coverage"
Comcast Delivers New Ultra-Fast Speed Tiers - 8Mbps and 6Mbps: Financial News
Comcast Delivers New Ultra-Fast Speed Tiers - 8Mbps and 6Mbps: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance: "Comcast, the nation's top broadband provider, today announced it is enhancing its residential Internet speed tiers in southern California, introducing new faster speeds to deliver the ultimate broadband experience -- 8Mbps/768kbps and 6Mbps/384kbps -- at no additional charge."
WSJ.com - Getting Your MTV From the Phone Company
WSJ.com - Getting Your MTV From the Phone Company: "Firing the first volley in a long-anticipated war, Verizon Communications Inc. is about to become the first major phone company to begin offering consumers TV service.
The service will be cheaper than cable TV, raising the prospect of the sort of price war that has brought down phone rates and, more recently, the cost of high-speed Internet access."
The service will be cheaper than cable TV, raising the prospect of the sort of price war that has brought down phone rates and, more recently, the cost of high-speed Internet access."
WSJ.com - BBC Test May Push Internet TV Viewing Closer to Mainstream
WSJ.com - BBC Test May Push Internet TV Viewing Closer to Mainstream: "The British Broadcasting Corp. will later this month begin a test that could spur more television networks to broadcast their programs over the Internet, altering the way people view their favorite shows.
About 5,000 selected viewers in the United Kingdom will be issued a computer program called the iMP (interactive media player) that allows them to download and share most of the BBC's TV programs for up to seven days, including its long-running soap opera EastEnders, the nightly news and major sporting events."
About 5,000 selected viewers in the United Kingdom will be issued a computer program called the iMP (interactive media player) that allows them to download and share most of the BBC's TV programs for up to seven days, including its long-running soap opera EastEnders, the nightly news and major sporting events."
Internet phone service getting a boost
Rocky Mountain News: Technology: "Qwest Communications and Microsoft will jointly launch Internet telephone services to small and medium-sized businesses next year, and Level 3 Communications and EarthLink are teaming up to offer similar services to consumers."
Avidly Seeking Wireless Clues From Google - New York Times
Avidly Seeking Wireless Clues From Google - New York Times: "Google, with deep pockets and seemingly boundless ambition, keeps marching steadily beyond Internet searching into new markets like e-mail, advertising, book searches, a satellite map service, instant messaging and telephony. Where next?"
Telecom mergers are part of the competitive process
Telecom mergers are part of the competitive process - 2005-09-19: "Federal regulators are reviewing two major proposed telecom mergers: Verizon Communications Inc. seeks to merge with MCI Inc., and SBC Communications Inc. wants approval to acquire AT&T Corp. Critics claim these mergers would reduce competition and promote monopoly. In reality, these mergers are part of a healthy competitive process and would foster innovation and bring benefits to consumers."
Qwest accuses SBC of blocking competition
DenverPost.com - BUSINESS: "Qwest's battle to disrupt two huge mergers in the U.S. telecommunications industry is moving from rhetoric to allegations of anti-competitive behavior.
In a nine-page filing to be made today with the Federal Communications Commission, Qwest accuses telecom giant SBC of making an industry blacklist and blocking competitors through onerous pricing rules.
The filing comes as the FCC, the U.S. Department of Justice and regulators in various states consider two mega-mergers: SBC-AT&T and Verizon-MCI. On Tuesday, reports surfaced that the FCC could approve both mergers as early as Oct. 12."
In a nine-page filing to be made today with the Federal Communications Commission, Qwest accuses telecom giant SBC of making an industry blacklist and blocking competitors through onerous pricing rules.
The filing comes as the FCC, the U.S. Department of Justice and regulators in various states consider two mega-mergers: SBC-AT&T and Verizon-MCI. On Tuesday, reports surfaced that the FCC could approve both mergers as early as Oct. 12."
Qwest to Try to Sway FCC Review of SBC-AT& T Merger
Qwest to Try to Sway FCC Review of SBC-AT& T Merger: "Qwest Communications International Inc. yesterday raised questions about the pending merger of two major rivals, accusing SBC Communications Inc. of anti-competitive practices as the government considers SBC's purchase of AT&T Corp.
Denver-based Qwest said SBC was making it harder for competitors to serve lucrative medium to large companies and was limiting the ability of rivals to lease SBC lines at cheaper government-regulated rates. It also said SBC appeared to be pressuring smaller phone companies not to merge with unspecified 'blacklisted' rivals."
Denver-based Qwest said SBC was making it harder for competitors to serve lucrative medium to large companies and was limiting the ability of rivals to lease SBC lines at cheaper government-regulated rates. It also said SBC appeared to be pressuring smaller phone companies not to merge with unspecified 'blacklisted' rivals."
Microsoft, Qwest Team Up on VoIP - Yahoo! News
Microsoft, Qwest Team Up on VoIP - Yahoo! News: "Microsoft and Qwest--which also will provide e-mail, Internet access, instant messaging, and VoIP integration with other desktop applications--will roll out their first joint services early next year, according to Michael O'Hara, general manager of Microsoft's communications sector."
Voice Over Internet Market Sees Changes
Voice Over Internet Market Sees Changes - Yahoo! News: "What a difference a year and $2.6 billion makes. The renegade cool that once surrounded Skype Technologies SA at past gatherings of the Internet telephone industry has been replaced by mockery and awe at this week's VON show."
Google confirms it's testing wireless service
Google confirms it's testing wireless service | CNET News.com: "Google, the online search leader, confirmed on Tuesday it has begun a limited test of a free wireless Internet service, called Google WiFi.
The existence of the Wi-Fi service, which offers high-speed connections to the Internet over short distances, is confirmed by public pages on the company's Web site and was first reported in a Silicon Valley newspaper in July."
The existence of the Wi-Fi service, which offers high-speed connections to the Internet over short distances, is confirmed by public pages on the company's Web site and was first reported in a Silicon Valley newspaper in July."
