Service Providers

Virtual Testing Trims Real World Costs and Delivery Times
May 20, 2013

When you're a top Internet service provider in Turkey, and you deploy scores of applications each year, you have to find an efficient testing method that ensures the apps are working properly across all infrastructures. TTNET, with six million subscribers, found that service virtualization was the best solution.

Nokia Goes Slimmer, Shinier With New Lumia 925 Smartphone
May 14, 2013

Nokia on Tuesday unveiled the Lumia 925, which it described as a "new interpretation" of its flagship Lumia 920 smartphone. The Lumia 925 includes what the company claims is the most advanced lens technology and next-generation imaging software, which enables the phone to take the best low-light images.

Zact Connects Consumers to Customizable Wireless Plans
May 14, 2013

Zact, a startup that offers customized wireless plans, launched this week as the latest service provider to promise mobile customers more control over their monthly bills. The no-contract company allows users to pick and choose from data, talk and text limits per month, all from an app on their phone. A plan that Zact calls the "Sweet Spot" charges $27.09 per month for 500 minutes of talk.

Aereo's Audacious Ambitions
May 13, 2013

Aereo -- the lawsuit-embattled company that provides Internet-streamed, live, and recorded over-the-air broadcast television content -- may have started a trend. None other than Time Warner may be considering the redistribution of public broadcast content over the Internet too. What it comes down to is that a bunch of micro-antennas in a Brooklyn warehouse may change everything.

Sky HDTV Could Make Your Cord-Cutting Decision Easy
April 30, 2013

It's hardly a surprise that cable and satellite television service providers are in trouble. Take decades of complacency, add in mostly awful customer service, mix liberally with resistance to change, and you have an industry heading toward self-inflicted extinction.

Wireless: Fertile Ground for Wheeling and Dealing
April 18, 2013

Thanks to countless conversations with reporters, I have developed a crystal clear idea of why Dish Network and SoftBank want to acquire Sprint Nextel. It has less to do with wireless carrier ambitions, and much more to do with the future -- being leaders in a new space that's still largely under the radar. When wireless took off, it is was all about voice calls. Then the industry realized if it wanted to continue strong growth, it had to be about more.

It's Time for Aereo to Soar
April 04, 2013

Aereo streams television over the Internet for a fee -- so far only in the New York City region. Its expected rapid rollout has not happened over the past year. Why? One reason is that Aereo was being sued by various broadcasters. However, the decision handed down this week from the Second Circuit Court of Appeals looks good for Aereo.

FCC Chair Genachowski Calls It Quits
March 22, 2013

Julius Genachowski said Friday that he is stepping down as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, a post he has held since 2009. During his tenure, Genachowski faced a number of important issues, including media consolidation, cable and telecom industry competition and cooperation -- and, most notably, a sharp debate over broadband spectrum.

FCC Buckles on Cybersecurity
March 20, 2013

Internet service providers are resisting the Federal Communications Commission's recommendations for implementing security best practices, the agency has reported. The ISP members of the Communications, Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) say they believe additional evaluation is required to determine whether those best practices should apply to their industry.

FCC Twists Robocallers' Arms
March 19, 2013

The FCC last week issued citations to two service providers for delivering unauthorized robocalls to millions of wireless phones. The companies that received the citations are the Dialing Services and Richard Gilmore's Democratic Dialing. The calls were made on behalf of an assortment of clients including businesses, nonprofits and political groups.

National Security Letters' Constitutionality Likely a Matter for the Supreme Court
March 18, 2013

A U.S. District Court judge from the Ninth Circuit found that the government's controversial use of so-called National Security Letters violates the First Amendment and the concept of separation of powers. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston ordered the government to stop issuing the National Security Letters and to stop enforcing the gag order. Illston then stayed her order for 90 days so the government could petition the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

China's State-Run Anti-Apple Campaign Backfires
March 18, 2013

March 15 marks Consumer Rights Day in China. To honor the day, state-run CCTV runs a special program to out scams, malpractice and defective products. This year, CCTV set its crosshairs on Apple, declaring that the company downgraded post-sale customer service to Chinese consumers.

Verizon May Pay Dearly for Full Control of Its Precious
March 06, 2013

Verizon wants complete control of its joint Verizon Wireless division with Vodafone, so it is reportedly considering a merger of the two companies or a buyout. Vodafone currently holds a 45 percent stake in the wireless venture, estimated to be worth about $115 billion. The two have discussed a merger as recently as December.

The Center for Copyright Information is ready to start implementing the Copyright Alert System, it said Monday. Under the system, content partners, such as music and movie producers, will alert participating ISPs of alleged P2P copyright infringement by their customers. The ISPs will then forward those copyright alerts to the supposed offenders.

AT&T's Take on Shifting Cloud Challenges and Opportunities
February 25, 2013

Migrating to the cloud is all the rage, but companies large and small are finding that they need to move a wider variety of their daily operations to network-delivered services -- if they are available, and within their budgets. One of the world's largest service providers, global telecommunications giant AT&T, has created advanced cloud services for its business customers.

Holistic Tech Support in a DIY World
February 23, 2013

The evolving technological needs of consumers have prompted changes not only in tech support services, but also in the business strategies of technical support providers. Those providers need to adjust their business models in order to effectively meet consumers' needs and remain relevant. At first glance, many recent innovations would seem to eliminate the need for tech support.

Elevating Customer Service to the Next Level
February 21, 2013

Do you dread calling a company to get customer support? Most of us do. We are on hold forever and the problem drags on way too long, leaving brand loyalty damaged. Some companies are solving that problem by partnering with Support.com -- building customer loyalty, developing a competitive advantage, and turning a profit at the same time.

DoJ Tosses Monkey Wrench Into Sprint-Softbank Merger Plans
January 30, 2013

Citing national security concerns, the Justice Department on Tuesday asked the FCC to put the brakes on the pending Sprint-Softbank merger. The DoJ, FBI and DHS are reviewing the buy for national security, law enforcement and public safety concerns, according to a letter Justice sent to the FCC.

TV Industry Disruption: Aereo's Threat and Promise
January 24, 2013

So, what is Aereo all about? Well, it's a brand new idea, a Web TV service. The days of the $200 TV bill are numbered, said the CEO of Aereo in a recent interview. This sounds like a good idea, right? Well, the cable television model is old and broken, and the need for lower-cost alternatives is growing.

AT&T Wheels and Deals to Fend Off Spectrum Squeeze
January 22, 2013

AT&T has reached an agreement with Atlantic Tele-Network to buy its wireless assets for $780 million. The deal will add approximately 585,000 subscribers -- mainly in Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio and South Carolina -- to AT&T's user ranks. Perhaps more importantly, AT&T's acquisition of the Alltel brand will bring in spectrum complementary to AT&T's network.