TAC Meeting PostponedCybertelecom
Telecommunications World
Daily telecommunications news, stories and etc.
10.31.2006
Missoula Plan for Intercarrier Compensation Reform workshopThe UTC will host
Missoula Plan for Intercarrier Compensation Reform workshop
The UTC will host a workshop on the topic of the Missoula Plan for Intercarrier Compensation Reform
In the Spotlight: James Murdoch Dawn of the rising
In the Spotlight: James Murdoch Dawn of the rising son
James Murdoch has always had the air of a technology geek. In the past, the younger son of Rupert Murdoch, the billionaire media mogul, seemed slightly uncomfortable...
Urban stepping up the pace with Wimax
Urban Wimax plans to launch London's first Wimax broadband access for small businesses in January, bolstered by a funding round due to begin next week. The first...
Verizon boosted by surge in mobile phone subscriptionsSurging subscriber growth
Verizon boosted by surge in mobile phone subscriptions
Surging subscriber growth at Verizon Wireless, the joint venture US mobile carrier, helped Verizon Communications offset the costs of rolling out its FiOS advanced...
Telecom Italia may sell TIMThe Financial Times and also the
Telecom Italia may sell TIM
The Financial Times and also the International Herald Tribune are reporting yesterday and today about plans from Telecom Italia to spin off there fixed and mobile businesses and finally to sell off Telecom Italiy Mobile (TIM).
Of course everybody here at ETSI TISPAN (including TI staff) is wondering why? Is it because they simply need the money or do they have a good idea to get rid of the mobile part before it goes down the drain, concentrating on broadband and IPTV in future via the fixed lines?
In 2001 Marco Provera (CEO) has initiated a consolidation of the fixed and mobile businesses to save money and leverage a combined mobile and fixed service.Lars
Is fixed-mobile convergence not so a good idea after all?
Lars Godell from Forester Reseach says: "I think that is being driven by TI's own short-term financial considerations and has nothing to do with the overall trends in the industry".
Of course everybody here at ETSI TISPAN (including TI staff) is wondering why? Is it because they simply need the money or do they have a good idea to get rid of the mobile part before it goes down the drain, concentrating on broadband and IPTV in future via the fixed lines?
In 2001 Marco Provera (CEO) has initiated a consolidation of the fixed and mobile businesses to save money and leverage a combined mobile and fixed service.Lars
Is fixed-mobile convergence not so a good idea after all?
Lars Godell from Forester Reseach says: "I think that is being driven by TI's own short-term financial considerations and has nothing to do with the overall trends in the industry".
Richard
6.12.6 :: EU v US :: Municipal Broadband Growing :: I Know What You Searched Last Nite ::
Cybertelecom
10.29.2006
Instant messagingAnnounced some time ago, Microsoft and Yahoo have begun
Instant messaging
Announced some time ago, Microsoft and Yahoo have begun a beta test in which MSN and Yahoo IM users can interchange messages. If you primarily use MSN IM and you would be interested in trying the beta, please send me your MSN screen name and I will add you.
Why do you think AOL IM is not part of this test?
Why do you think AOL IM is not part of this test?
Martin Weiss
America's lifestyle
"Islam does not hate freedom, democracy or even the "American way of life". It is the price other people have to pay for America to have that way of life - that is what has everybody so pissed off.
I have for years tried to tell anyone interested in discussing the subject this very thing against reassurances to the contrary by every single person. They insist that foreigners love Americans and everything American.
I believe it to be irrelevant in either case as it will and has been decided at the macro-economic level. When goods stop crossing borders Armies do. When western hegemony can no longer be enforced and it is no longer in China's interest, that is when U.S. consumption becomes detrimental to their growth and development decisions will be made regardless of what ordinary citizens think."
NO COMMENT.
I have for years tried to tell anyone interested in discussing the subject this very thing against reassurances to the contrary by every single person. They insist that foreigners love Americans and everything American.
I believe it to be irrelevant in either case as it will and has been decided at the macro-economic level. When goods stop crossing borders Armies do. When western hegemony can no longer be enforced and it is no longer in China's interest, that is when U.S. consumption becomes detrimental to their growth and development decisions will be made regardless of what ordinary citizens think."
NO COMMENT.
fd@easymediabroadcast.com (Patrizia Broghammer)
Vodafone revamps with Musiwave dealVodafone is revamping its web portal
Vodafone revamps with Musiwave deal
Vodafone is revamping its web portal for music and video downloads as part of ongoing efforts by the mobile phone operator to increase revenues generated from its...
Rural Telephone Service Workshop
UTC invites comments on rural telephone service. Workshop will be August 17, 2006. Docket No. 061116.
Wedding giftPatricia Russo has handed Alcatel's Serge Tchuruk an early
Wedding gift
Patricia Russo has handed Alcatel's Serge Tchuruk an early wedding present. The Lucent chief executive, due to take charge of the new Alcatel- Lucent combination,...
Commission defers investigation of alleged release of phone records to NSA
UTC asks for legal, jurisdictional issues in ACLU request to investigate alleged phone company information sharing. Docket No. 060856
10.28.2006
Wedding giftPatricia Russo has handed Alcatel's Serge Tchuruk an early
Wedding gift
Patricia Russo has handed Alcatel's Serge Tchuruk an early wedding present. The Lucent chief executive, due to take charge of the new Alcatel- Lucent combination,...
10.27.2006
Project Lights Outinfo@riedelcommunications.com (Riedel Communications)Critical thinking"WSJ writes:Critical thinking means being
Project Lights Out
info@riedelcommunications.com (Riedel Communications)
Critical thinking
"WSJ writes:
Critical thinking means being able to evaluate evidence, to tell fact from opinion, to see holes in an argument, to tell whether cause and effect has been established and to spot illogic. "
Critical thinking is the exercise of the brain.
It is moving neurons and synapses.
The more you exercise your brain the more critical you become.
It is where progress and innovations come from.
It is elaborating other people's ideas, finding the good and the bad.
Discharging the bad and developing the good.
Without critical thinking, man would not have evolved.
Critical thinking is the meaning of our lives.
However, critical thinking would not exist without communication.
Ideas make new ideas and from new ideas, this world grows.
Critical thinking should be encouraged by every democratic and progressive society.
That is why "Today s democracies" do not do it...
Critical thinking means being able to evaluate evidence, to tell fact from opinion, to see holes in an argument, to tell whether cause and effect has been established and to spot illogic. "
Critical thinking is the exercise of the brain.
It is moving neurons and synapses.
The more you exercise your brain the more critical you become.
It is where progress and innovations come from.
It is elaborating other people's ideas, finding the good and the bad.
Discharging the bad and developing the good.
Without critical thinking, man would not have evolved.
Critical thinking is the meaning of our lives.
However, critical thinking would not exist without communication.
Ideas make new ideas and from new ideas, this world grows.
Critical thinking should be encouraged by every democratic and progressive society.
That is why "Today s democracies" do not do it...
fd@easymediabroadcast.com (Patrizia Broghammer)
Esser's crusadeSeven years ago, German capitalism changed forever when Vodafone
Esser's crusade
Seven years ago, German capitalism changed forever when Vodafone of the UK launched its audacious hostile takeover bid for Mannesmann, the German engineering company...
Electric Lightwave and Qwest disagree about payment for, definition of, "local traffic"
Should internet-bound traffic be considered "local" for payment under interconnection agreement? Docket No. 063040
T Italia forced to backtrack on break-up planTelecom Italia has
T Italia forced to backtrack on break-up plan
Telecom Italia has backtracked on a plan to break up the company just six weeks after the announcement of the new strategy plunged the group into turmoil. Italy's...
Missoula Plan for Intercarrier Compensation Reform workshop
The UTC will host a workshop on the topic of the Missoula Plan for Intercarrier Compensation Reform
10.26.2006
T Italia forced to backtrack on break-up planTelecom Italia has
T Italia forced to backtrack on break-up plan
Telecom Italia has backtracked on a plan to break up the company just six weeks after the announcement of the new strategy plunged the group into turmoil. Italy's...
US DOC Announces Joint Agreement with ICANNRobert CannonThe beauty of
US DOC Announces Joint Agreement with ICANN
Robert Cannon
The beauty of the Virtual World:everything is CHEAPLY POSSIBLE
"It is vital for the survival of news(papers) that we have guts enough to rediscover our real value and essence and build from there."
It is much simpler: just follow what the consumers want.
In a fast changing society the communication means HAVE to change FAST.
Or to die.
"Everything must change in order to be always the same"
Do newspapers want to attract customers as they used to?
They have to understand that life has changed and so the consumers' needs.
When TV appeared Hollywood slowly adapted to the new reality and came to people's home.
Now the Internet has revolutioned the way people buy, entertain and inform themselves.
So that stores, entertainments and information HAS to come to them or just loose them.
This is the choice to do.
And it won't be painless, because gone are also the big revenues.
In a virtual world everything has got very cheap, because there is no paper, no printing, not even few almost monopolistic newspaper, and many which recooked the same news.
There is a huge world which is slowly opening, which could mean huge revenues because of the number.
Yes, in today's world what makes good revenues is the huge number.
What about a newspaper on line for a 10 dollars yearly fee?
Or even less.
It looks very cheap, but it could be profitable.
What about a newspaper made by many selected articles, to suit the tastes of the people.
What about many niche markets?
What about real news in real time?
What about a newspaper which is international and in the same time has local news?
What about the end of "the same size fits all?"
This is the beautiful of the Internet and the virtual THING: everything is cheaply possible.
And the one who will have the best ideas in the shortest time, HE will be the winner.
No, the newspaper time is not over, it just began...
It is much simpler: just follow what the consumers want.
In a fast changing society the communication means HAVE to change FAST.
Or to die.
"Everything must change in order to be always the same"
Do newspapers want to attract customers as they used to?
They have to understand that life has changed and so the consumers' needs.
When TV appeared Hollywood slowly adapted to the new reality and came to people's home.
Now the Internet has revolutioned the way people buy, entertain and inform themselves.
So that stores, entertainments and information HAS to come to them or just loose them.
This is the choice to do.
And it won't be painless, because gone are also the big revenues.
In a virtual world everything has got very cheap, because there is no paper, no printing, not even few almost monopolistic newspaper, and many which recooked the same news.
There is a huge world which is slowly opening, which could mean huge revenues because of the number.
Yes, in today's world what makes good revenues is the huge number.
What about a newspaper on line for a 10 dollars yearly fee?
Or even less.
It looks very cheap, but it could be profitable.
What about a newspaper made by many selected articles, to suit the tastes of the people.
What about many niche markets?
What about real news in real time?
What about a newspaper which is international and in the same time has local news?
What about the end of "the same size fits all?"
This is the beautiful of the Internet and the virtual THING: everything is cheaply possible.
And the one who will have the best ideas in the shortest time, HE will be the winner.
No, the newspaper time is not over, it just began...
fd@easymediabroadcast.com (Patrizia Broghammer)
The beauty of the Virtual World:everything is CHEAPLY POSSIBLE"It is
The beauty of the Virtual World:everything is CHEAPLY POSSIBLE
"It is vital for the survival of news(papers) that we have guts enough to rediscover our real value and essence and build from there."
It is much simpler: just follow what the consumers want.
In a fast changing society the communication means HAVE to change FAST.
Or to die.
"Everything must change in order to be always the same"
Do newspapers want to attract customers as they used to?
They have to understand that life has changed and so the consumers' needs.
When TV appeared Hollywood slowly adapted to the new reality and came to people's home.
Now the Internet has revolutioned the way people buy, entertain and inform themselves.
So that stores, entertainments and information HAS to come to them or just loose them.
This is the choice to do.
And it won't be painless, because gone are also the big revenues.
In a virtual world everything has got very cheap, because there is no paper, no printing, not even few almost monopolistic newspaper, and many which recooked the same news.
There is a huge world which is slowly opening, which could mean huge revenues because of the number.
Yes, in today's world what makes good revenues is the huge number.
What about a newspaper on line for a 10 dollars yearly fee?
Or even less.
It looks very cheap, but it could be profitable.
What about a newspaper made by many selected articles, to suit the tastes of the people.
What about many niche markets?
What about real news in real time?
What about a newspaper which is international and in the same time has local news?
What about the end of "the same size fits all?"
This is the beautiful of the Internet and the virtual THING: everything is cheaply possible.
And the one who will have the best ideas in the shortest time, HE will be the winner.
No, the newspaper time is not over, it just began...
It is much simpler: just follow what the consumers want.
In a fast changing society the communication means HAVE to change FAST.
Or to die.
"Everything must change in order to be always the same"
Do newspapers want to attract customers as they used to?
They have to understand that life has changed and so the consumers' needs.
When TV appeared Hollywood slowly adapted to the new reality and came to people's home.
Now the Internet has revolutioned the way people buy, entertain and inform themselves.
So that stores, entertainments and information HAS to come to them or just loose them.
This is the choice to do.
And it won't be painless, because gone are also the big revenues.
In a virtual world everything has got very cheap, because there is no paper, no printing, not even few almost monopolistic newspaper, and many which recooked the same news.
There is a huge world which is slowly opening, which could mean huge revenues because of the number.
Yes, in today's world what makes good revenues is the huge number.
What about a newspaper on line for a 10 dollars yearly fee?
Or even less.
It looks very cheap, but it could be profitable.
What about a newspaper made by many selected articles, to suit the tastes of the people.
What about many niche markets?
What about real news in real time?
What about a newspaper which is international and in the same time has local news?
What about the end of "the same size fits all?"
This is the beautiful of the Internet and the virtual THING: everything is cheaply possible.
And the one who will have the best ideas in the shortest time, HE will be the winner.
No, the newspaper time is not over, it just began...
fd@easymediabroadcast.com (Patrizia Broghammer)
RFC :: FCC :: FCC Seeks Further Comment on AT&T Bell South Merger
Robert Cannon
Bundling of telecommunications services workshopUTC will host a workshop on
Bundling of telecommunications services workshop
UTC will host a workshop on developing an interpretive or policy statement relating to the bundling of telecommunications services
Wal-Mart: On the Importance of Being Ernest
The past few weeks have been a blur of client meetings and in-the-trenches PR work, so you can excuse me that I missed it when Business Week ran a story about a Wal-Mart blog gone bad and when my colleague John Wagner pointed out a similar story in Media Post. I am not going to write a scathing criticism of Edelman s at this point, others have done a fine job of describing why this is such a bad move on their part.
However, I do have another perspective on this situation.
For those who were as behind as I was Two working journalists, Laura St. Claire, a freelance writer and Jim Thresher, a 25-year employee of The Washington Post and a professional photographer cooked up an idea to take a long vacation in an RV and maybe even help pay for the trip by writing some articles about the experience for RV Magazine. Fair enough.
Writers do this all the time. As an editor for Modern Homes, a magazine published by the Manufactured Housing Institute, I know it is common practice for writers to send things to the editor on spec in hopes they will be published and payment made.
Listen to what Laura says happened next, So I called my brother, who works at Edelman and whose clients include Working Families for Wal-Mart, in order to find out if we d be allowed to talk to people and take pictures in Wal-Mart parking lots. As a freelance writer, I ve learned over the years that it s always better to ask about stuff like that in advance.
Now, I happen to know that Edelman has been trying to give bloggers better access to the company, which I think is admireable, but what happened next was, as Debbie Weil said in the Media Post article, foolish on so many levels.
They offered to pay for the entire trip and suggested that Laura and Jim blog about it as they went. A journal without editors, as Laura describes it on the site.
I am going to take Laura at her word that she really is a fan of the kitchy culture of RVers who stay the night it Wal-Mart parking lots and that she wanted to write about it and experience it for herself. I am also going to take her word that she didn t take any editorial direction from Wal-Mart or Edelman, their PR agency.
They did have a link to the right of the page that said the site was sponsored by Working Families for Wal-Mart; but this is unambiguously a Wal-Mart backed group. Ethically, the journalists were walking a fine line. No working journalist in his or her right mind would be financed by a company and then claim that it was balanced journalism. And Jim s employer seems to agree, ordering him to repay the cost of the trip and to remove both his photography and comments from the blog.
And further complicating this, Laura's brother works for Edelman -- a clear conflict of interest.
As for Edelman s role in this, it should have been clear to the decision makers that if this was discovered, and it nearly ALWAYS will be, that it would be a major fiasco. In this case, media relations would have been a good strategy. Facilitate the trip, don t fund it.
As public relations professionals, it is our job to rein in our ideas and test them in light of intense scrutiny before releasing them into the wild.
I highly respect many of the people working for Edelman, but I have to agree with Todd Defren that they need to tighten the reins in order to shore up their credibility, and that someone with authority needs to speak up soon. Of course, this may be seen as more advice from the rabble, but I think it has some merit.
Update: Richard Edelman takes full responsibility for the lack of transparency in the Wal-Marting Across America campaign. He also references the WOMMA values and guidelines on transparency. I also would like to see a lessons-learned post, not because Edelman owes us anything, but because it would be helpful for all of us pioneering in this new area of communication.
Constantin Basturea has a good wrap-up of the blogosphere response to the Edelman campaign.
Photo by Krispy
However, I do have another perspective on this situation.
For those who were as behind as I was Two working journalists, Laura St. Claire, a freelance writer and Jim Thresher, a 25-year employee of The Washington Post and a professional photographer cooked up an idea to take a long vacation in an RV and maybe even help pay for the trip by writing some articles about the experience for RV Magazine. Fair enough.
Writers do this all the time. As an editor for Modern Homes, a magazine published by the Manufactured Housing Institute, I know it is common practice for writers to send things to the editor on spec in hopes they will be published and payment made.
Listen to what Laura says happened next, So I called my brother, who works at Edelman and whose clients include Working Families for Wal-Mart, in order to find out if we d be allowed to talk to people and take pictures in Wal-Mart parking lots. As a freelance writer, I ve learned over the years that it s always better to ask about stuff like that in advance.
Now, I happen to know that Edelman has been trying to give bloggers better access to the company, which I think is admireable, but what happened next was, as Debbie Weil said in the Media Post article, foolish on so many levels.
They offered to pay for the entire trip and suggested that Laura and Jim blog about it as they went. A journal without editors, as Laura describes it on the site.
I am going to take Laura at her word that she really is a fan of the kitchy culture of RVers who stay the night it Wal-Mart parking lots and that she wanted to write about it and experience it for herself. I am also going to take her word that she didn t take any editorial direction from Wal-Mart or Edelman, their PR agency.
They did have a link to the right of the page that said the site was sponsored by Working Families for Wal-Mart; but this is unambiguously a Wal-Mart backed group. Ethically, the journalists were walking a fine line. No working journalist in his or her right mind would be financed by a company and then claim that it was balanced journalism. And Jim s employer seems to agree, ordering him to repay the cost of the trip and to remove both his photography and comments from the blog.
And further complicating this, Laura's brother works for Edelman -- a clear conflict of interest.
As for Edelman s role in this, it should have been clear to the decision makers that if this was discovered, and it nearly ALWAYS will be, that it would be a major fiasco. In this case, media relations would have been a good strategy. Facilitate the trip, don t fund it.
As public relations professionals, it is our job to rein in our ideas and test them in light of intense scrutiny before releasing them into the wild.
I highly respect many of the people working for Edelman, but I have to agree with Todd Defren that they need to tighten the reins in order to shore up their credibility, and that someone with authority needs to speak up soon. Of course, this may be seen as more advice from the rabble, but I think it has some merit.
Update: Richard Edelman takes full responsibility for the lack of transparency in the Wal-Marting Across America campaign. He also references the WOMMA values and guidelines on transparency. I also would like to see a lessons-learned post, not because Edelman owes us anything, but because it would be helpful for all of us pioneering in this new area of communication.
Constantin Basturea has a good wrap-up of the blogosphere response to the Edelman campaign.
Photo by Krispy
Tags:
kamichat@yahoo.com (Kami Huyse, APR)
10.25.2006
The Italian Economics SchoolLooking at Telecom Italia and Alitalia, Le
The Italian Economics School
Looking at Telecom Italia and Alitalia, Le Republica said:
"Make debt public after privatizing the profits."
"Make debt public after privatizing the profits."
Richard
ENUM Day in AustraliaAustralia is currently running an ENUM trial
ENUM Day in Australia
Australia is currently running an ENUM trial until June 2007. An ENUM Day will be held at November 15th, 2006 in Sydney. The agenda can be retrieved from here.
Richard
Spectrum Auction No. 66 updateToday's USA Today has this article
Spectrum Auction No. 66 update
Today's USA Today has this article about the spectrum auctions, which, they report, could end today. How do the results reported in this article compare with the interim results discussed earlier on this blog? Do you see any change in strategy by the carriers as the auction proceeded?
Technorati Tags:
Wireless, spectrum, auctions, Verizon, T-mobile, cellular, 3G
Technorati Tags:
Wireless, spectrum, auctions, Verizon, T-mobile, cellular, 3G
Martin Weiss
Mobile Broadband Access - Myth and Reality - No IM allowed
I posted something similar already in September 2005 about E-Plus and Skype, but VoIP is VERBOTEN.
This time the phun comes from T-Mobile UK, regarding their web'n' walk professional product, which proudly presents it's great value for 20 Pounds a month:
Web n walk professional makes surfing the internet on your laptop simple and easy. Just put the web n walk card in your laptop and away you go. And it's great value.
*Web n Walk professional is subject to a minimum term contract and credit check. Compatible handset or device required.
OK, this is normal
To ensure a high quality of service for all our customers, a fair use policy applies. T-Mobile defines fair use as total UK data use (both sent and received) of up to 2GB per month. T-Mobile may contact customers who exceed this volume of data in two (or more) consecutive months in any six month period to ask them to reduce their usage. If usage is not reduced, notice may be given, after which network protection controls may be applied which will result in a reduced speed of transmission.
So unlimited means 2GB. And note the ENSURE high Quality for ALL OUR CUSTOMERS: you must not use it too much, because if two or three of you bastards are in one cell, there will be troubles. This definitely leads to the next statement, which is outragous:
Use of Voice over Internet Protocol and Messaging over Internet Protocol is prohibited by T-Mobile. If use of either or both of these services is detected T-Mobile may terminate all contracts with the customer and disconnect any SIM cards and/or web n walk cards from the T-Mobile network.
Not only VoIP, but also IM is VERBOTEN. And because they cannot prevent it technically, they do it in the contract.
So no Skype, Jabber, Messenger, etc. not even with text messages.
They must have a lousy network, if even text messages are degrading it.
What applications will they block next? Video download from Warner Bros? Large File tranfer? VPNs?
This raises one question: is the contract really terminated. Since the above 20 quids are for a 18 month minimum contract, do they simply throw you out or do you have to pay the fully monty?
I suspect the latter, because otherwise this would be a nice way to get out of such a contract ;-)
This time the phun comes from T-Mobile UK, regarding their web'n' walk professional product, which proudly presents it's great value for 20 Pounds a month:
Web n walk professional makes surfing the internet on your laptop simple and easy. Just put the web n walk card in your laptop and away you go. And it's great value.
- Download and send large files and emails quickly
- Fast download and upload speeds
- No data download limits*
*Web n Walk professional is subject to a minimum term contract and credit check. Compatible handset or device required.
OK, this is normal
To ensure a high quality of service for all our customers, a fair use policy applies. T-Mobile defines fair use as total UK data use (both sent and received) of up to 2GB per month. T-Mobile may contact customers who exceed this volume of data in two (or more) consecutive months in any six month period to ask them to reduce their usage. If usage is not reduced, notice may be given, after which network protection controls may be applied which will result in a reduced speed of transmission.
So unlimited means 2GB. And note the ENSURE high Quality for ALL OUR CUSTOMERS: you must not use it too much, because if two or three of you bastards are in one cell, there will be troubles. This definitely leads to the next statement, which is outragous:
Use of Voice over Internet Protocol and Messaging over Internet Protocol is prohibited by T-Mobile. If use of either or both of these services is detected T-Mobile may terminate all contracts with the customer and disconnect any SIM cards and/or web n walk cards from the T-Mobile network.
Not only VoIP, but also IM is VERBOTEN. And because they cannot prevent it technically, they do it in the contract.
So no Skype, Jabber, Messenger, etc. not even with text messages.
They must have a lousy network, if even text messages are degrading it.
What applications will they block next? Video download from Warner Bros? Large File tranfer? VPNs?
This raises one question: is the contract really terminated. Since the above 20 quids are for a 18 month minimum contract, do they simply throw you out or do you have to pay the fully monty?
I suspect the latter, because otherwise this would be a nice way to get out of such a contract ;-)
Richard
10.24.2006
Telecoms in the EUThe ITU's newsblog pointed to these three
Telecoms in the EU
The ITU's newsblog pointed to these three studies of telecommunications in Europe. These studies are part of the ongoing review of the EU Communications Framework. They also pointed to this paper for your further reading pleasure. The upcoming Telecommunications Policy Research Conference will also feature a panel on this topic.
We will certainly be hearing more about this in the future!
Technorati Tags:
ITU, EU, Communications, Telecommunications, , TPRC
We will certainly be hearing more about this in the future!
Technorati Tags:
ITU, EU, Communications, Telecommunications, , TPRC
Martin Weiss
OECD broadband statisticsThe OECD periodically publishes broadband statistics for its
OECD broadband statistics
The OECD periodically publishes broadband statistics for its member countries, which are all industrialized. The latest report can be found here. There are a few surprises here of note:
Technorati Tags:
OECD, broadband, network neutrality, DSL, cable modem
- First, the US ranks ahead of Japan in broadband penetration, which I believe to be a first.
- Another interesting thing is that the US is the only OECD member country in which cable modem subscribership is ahead of DSL. But, the use of each of these technologies is remarkably balanced (8/100 for DSL and 9.8/100 for cable) compared with other OECD countries.
Technorati Tags:
OECD, broadband, network neutrality, DSL, cable modem
Martin Weiss
Mobile Broadband Access - Myth and Reality - No IM allowed
I posted something similar already in September 2005 about E-Plus and Skype, but VoIP is VERBOTEN.
This time the phun comes from T-Mobile UK, regarding their web'n' walk professional product, which proudly presents it's great value for 20 Pounds a month:
Web n walk professional makes surfing the internet on your laptop simple and easy. Just put the web n walk card in your laptop and away you go. And it's great value.
*Web n Walk professional is subject to a minimum term contract and credit check. Compatible handset or device required.
OK, this is normal
To ensure a high quality of service for all our customers, a fair use policy applies. T-Mobile defines fair use as total UK data use (both sent and received) of up to 2GB per month. T-Mobile may contact customers who exceed this volume of data in two (or more) consecutive months in any six month period to ask them to reduce their usage. If usage is not reduced, notice may be given, after which network protection controls may be applied which will result in a reduced speed of transmission.
So unlimited means 2GB. And note the ENSURE high Quality for ALL OUR CUSTOMERS: you must not use it too much, because if two or three of you bastards are in one cell, there will be troubles. This definitely leads to the next statement, which is outragous:
Use of Voice over Internet Protocol and Messaging over Internet Protocol is prohibited by T-Mobile. If use of either or both of these services is detected T-Mobile may terminate all contracts with the customer and disconnect any SIM cards and/or web n walk cards from the T-Mobile network.
Not only VoIP, but also IM is VERBOTEN. And because they cannot prevent it technically, they do it in the contract.
So no Skype, Jabber, Messenger, etc. not even with text messages.
They must have a lousy network, if even text messages are degrading it.
What applications will they block next? Video download from Warner Bros? Large File tranfer? VPNs?
This raises one question: is the contract really terminated. Since the above 20 quids are for a 18 month minimum contract, do they simply throw you out or do you have to pay the fully monty?
I suspect the latter, because otherwise this would be a nice way to get out of such a contract ;-)
This time the phun comes from T-Mobile UK, regarding their web'n' walk professional product, which proudly presents it's great value for 20 Pounds a month:
Web n walk professional makes surfing the internet on your laptop simple and easy. Just put the web n walk card in your laptop and away you go. And it's great value.
- Download and send large files and emails quickly
- Fast download and upload speeds
- No data download limits*
*Web n Walk professional is subject to a minimum term contract and credit check. Compatible handset or device required.
OK, this is normal
To ensure a high quality of service for all our customers, a fair use policy applies. T-Mobile defines fair use as total UK data use (both sent and received) of up to 2GB per month. T-Mobile may contact customers who exceed this volume of data in two (or more) consecutive months in any six month period to ask them to reduce their usage. If usage is not reduced, notice may be given, after which network protection controls may be applied which will result in a reduced speed of transmission.
So unlimited means 2GB. And note the ENSURE high Quality for ALL OUR CUSTOMERS: you must not use it too much, because if two or three of you bastards are in one cell, there will be troubles. This definitely leads to the next statement, which is outragous:
Use of Voice over Internet Protocol and Messaging over Internet Protocol is prohibited by T-Mobile. If use of either or both of these services is detected T-Mobile may terminate all contracts with the customer and disconnect any SIM cards and/or web n walk cards from the T-Mobile network.
Not only VoIP, but also IM is VERBOTEN. And because they cannot prevent it technically, they do it in the contract.
So no Skype, Jabber, Messenger, etc. not even with text messages.
They must have a lousy network, if even text messages are degrading it.
What applications will they block next? Video download from Warner Bros? Large File tranfer? VPNs?
This raises one question: is the contract really terminated. Since the above 20 quids are for a 18 month minimum contract, do they simply throw you out or do you have to pay the fully monty?
I suspect the latter, because otherwise this would be a nice way to get out of such a contract ;-)
Richard
10.23.2006
Sonaecom loses move to cut bidPortugal's stock market regulator has
Sonaecom loses move to cut bid
Portugal's stock market regulator has rejected a request from Sonaecom to approve a reduction of its hostile bid for its bigger rival Portugal Telecom from 9.5 to 9.41 a share.
Commission defers investigation of alleged release of phone records to NSA
UTC asks for legal, jurisdictional issues in ACLU request to investigate alleged phone company information sharing. Docket No. 060856
Pixelate Thisinfo@riedelcommunications.com (Riedel Communications)Bundling of telecommunications services workshopUTC will host
Pixelate This
info@riedelcommunications.com (Riedel Communications)
Bundling of telecommunications services workshop
UTC will host a workshop on developing an interpretive or policy statement relating to the bundling of telecommunications services
10.22.2006
Commission revises hearing schedule in McLeod USA - Qwest disputePetition
Commission revises hearing schedule in McLeod USA - Qwest dispute
Petition to enforce interconnection agreement. Docket No. 063013
Cingular profits quadruple on subscriber growthStronger than expected subscriber growth
Cingular profits quadruple on subscriber growth
Stronger than expected subscriber growth and reduced subscriber "churn" helped Cingular Wireless, the biggest US mobile carrier, nearly quadruple profits in the third quarter.
AT&T, TCG, and Time Warner Telecom complain against Qwest
Companies allege Qwest didn't reveal discounts it gave to their competitors. Docket No. 051682
Telecom newsThere has been a lot of telecom news over
Telecom news
There has been a lot of telecom news over the past week. You might want to take a look at my other blog, where I post on these topics.
Martin Weiss
AT&T, TCG, and Time Warner Telecom complain against Qwest
Companies allege Qwest didn't reveal discounts it gave to their competitors. Docket No. 051682
Eons My Place : Social Networking for The 50-plus Crowd IMG_2374Originally
Eons My Place : Social Networking for The 50-plus Crowd
Wanted:
50-plus individual to build a community.
Gen X and Y need not apply.
According to projections by the U.S. Census Bureau, a whopping 7,918 Americans turn 60 every day in 2006. That amounts to 330 people every hour.
If you haven t noticed, it has become essential for marketing and public relations to find innovative ways to reach this demographic. This hasn t gone unnoticed by a new social networking site Eons, which claims it has garnered 300,000 users since its launch on July 31, 2006, and is aimed squarely at the 50-plus crowd.
But if you are under 49 years old, don t bother applying. The Eons community site, which according to author and one of the fine readers of Communication Overtones, Kare Anderson,
was lanched by Monster.com founder Jeff Taylor, is closed to those under 50.
And Kare points out that Jeff himself isn't yet 50, how ironic.
If you are close to the magic age, you can get on a waiting list to get an invitation to the site around your birthday.
There was an interesting article by Clayton Collins in the Christian Science Monitor today about Eons. He reported that in addition to user-generated content, they have hired editors for the site, like Sue Bloom, a published digital photographer and parent of two adult daughters, to run the a photography group and write a blog. The group gained 200 members in 50 days.
They also are using five partner corporations that provide content, including Hyatt, Liberty Mutual and Verizon.
They allow would-be writers to submit story ideas to site editors, and it sounds like the gig pays, but you need to be in the 50-plus demographic since you need to access the site to write something relevant.
The site is built to deliver the 50-plus crowd to advertisers, but since I can t get in and take a look, I can t report about the possible public relations opportunities there. If you aren t part of the demographic, I would consider tasking a 50-plus year-old employee to participate in the community. As for me, I am calling my Mom ;-)
The site is represented by The Castle Group Inc., a PR firm located in Boston, Mass.
If you have innovative ideas for reaching Boomers, either through Eons or other sources, leave a comment so we can share resources.
Photo by Bruce Moon
50-plus individual to build a community.
Gen X and Y need not apply.
According to projections by the U.S. Census Bureau, a whopping 7,918 Americans turn 60 every day in 2006. That amounts to 330 people every hour.
If you haven t noticed, it has become essential for marketing and public relations to find innovative ways to reach this demographic. This hasn t gone unnoticed by a new social networking site Eons, which claims it has garnered 300,000 users since its launch on July 31, 2006, and is aimed squarely at the 50-plus crowd.
But if you are under 49 years old, don t bother applying. The Eons community site, which according to author and one of the fine readers of Communication Overtones, Kare Anderson,
was lanched by Monster.com founder Jeff Taylor, is closed to those under 50.
And Kare points out that Jeff himself isn't yet 50, how ironic.
If you are close to the magic age, you can get on a waiting list to get an invitation to the site around your birthday.
There was an interesting article by Clayton Collins in the Christian Science Monitor today about Eons. He reported that in addition to user-generated content, they have hired editors for the site, like Sue Bloom, a published digital photographer and parent of two adult daughters, to run the a photography group and write a blog. The group gained 200 members in 50 days.
They also are using five partner corporations that provide content, including Hyatt, Liberty Mutual and Verizon.
They allow would-be writers to submit story ideas to site editors, and it sounds like the gig pays, but you need to be in the 50-plus demographic since you need to access the site to write something relevant.
The site is built to deliver the 50-plus crowd to advertisers, but since I can t get in and take a look, I can t report about the possible public relations opportunities there. If you aren t part of the demographic, I would consider tasking a 50-plus year-old employee to participate in the community. As for me, I am calling my Mom ;-)
The site is represented by The Castle Group Inc., a PR firm located in Boston, Mass.
If you have innovative ideas for reaching Boomers, either through Eons or other sources, leave a comment so we can share resources.
Photo by Bruce Moon
kamichat@yahoo.com (Kami Huyse, APR)
Italian corporate elite move to steady TI
Mediobanca and Generali, two of the most powerful financial groups in Italy, agreed to join an expanded controlling group of shareholders in Telecom Italia in a crucial step aimed at stabilising the telecoms group.
10.21.2006
Growing painsI got the impression listening to Ken Ducatel from
Growing pains
I got the impression listening to Ken Ducatel from the EU a couple of weeks back at Telco 2.0 that the Commission considers the creation of Openreach to be a very significant development, and I got the vague sense that its evolution will have a bearing on the direction of structural separation as an avenue of exploration across the community. Given that as a background, I'm sure there will be interest in Brussels and elsewhere in this just-published report from OFCOM on assessing the impacts of the regulatory settlement one year on - progress, yes, but not plain sailing.
james.enck@dir.co.uk (James Enck)
FiOS Update
Verizon's FiOS is a project that has garnered attention from many sources. Some say that it is too expensive, especially considering that AT&T is choosing a less costly architecture. This report posted today in BusinessWeek reports some project cost estimates and gives some initial market results.
Is this a worthwhile gamble for Verizon? Will they be vindicated, or will the cheaper architectures turn out to be the better choice?
Technorati Tags:
Verizon, AT&T, FiOS, broadband
Is this a worthwhile gamble for Verizon? Will they be vindicated, or will the cheaper architectures turn out to be the better choice?
Technorati Tags:
Verizon, AT&T, FiOS, broadband
Martin Weiss
Closed platforms and digital musicYou might have spotted this article,
Closed platforms and digital music
You might have spotted this article, as I did today. Nicholas Carr must have as well, because he had this thoughtful reflection on his blog. This topic also caught the attention of Arik Hesseldahl at BusinessWeek, who has this interesting article to complement the others. I have studied standards and standards development, phenomena that are a way to acheive interoperability among products from competing suppliers. What is interesting is that we are moving into a "battle of the systems" model, rather than a "battle of the components" model.
Is this a transitory phenomenon, or is there something about the information industries that is pulling in this direction? Do you see similar phenomena in other instances of the information industries?
You might also be interested in this article at ZDNet, which mentions some of the consequences of the shifting sands of industry structure. Can you think of other times that were similar, or do you think this is without precedent?
Technorati Tags:
Standards, mp3, itunes, network externalities, music, information, systems
Is this a transitory phenomenon, or is there something about the information industries that is pulling in this direction? Do you see similar phenomena in other instances of the information industries?
You might also be interested in this article at ZDNet, which mentions some of the consequences of the shifting sands of industry structure. Can you think of other times that were similar, or do you think this is without precedent?
Technorati Tags:
Standards, mp3, itunes, network externalities, music, information, systems
Martin Weiss
RFC :: NIST :: SCADA & BGP
Robert Cannon
10.20.2006
Missoula Plan for Intercarrier Compensation Reform workshopThe UTC will host
Missoula Plan for Intercarrier Compensation Reform workshop
The UTC will host a workshop on the topic of the Missoula Plan for Intercarrier Compensation Reform
About pay-bloggingThe insidious effort to buy bloggers voice and credibility
About pay-blogging
The insidious effort to buy bloggers voice and credibility in the name of buzz just won t stop. So I want to make my own blogger s pledge to you:
1. No one can buy my editorial voice or opinion.
2. No one can buy my editorial space; if it s an ad it will clearly be an ad.
3. No one should be confused about the source of anything on my pages.
4. I will disclose my business relationships whenever it is relevant and possible.
Jeff Jarvis
Everything you say is wonderful and I am sure it would be difficult to find somebody who disagrees.
But there are several points which you do not mention.
First: you can blog as a hobby and you can shout whatever you like.
But then you need a real job and may be you do not have so much time left for blogging.
Second: is it so important to know if you really like or enjoy something or you say it because you are paid?
There are millions on this earth who like things I do not, and I usually do not buy something because Madonna says it is great.
Every idealism is wonderful on the paper, but the moment it reaches reality is not as shiny as it looked.
Because it doesn't consider the humanity as it is.
It is wonderful to be honest, to pay the taxes till the last dollar (or euro) not to cheat your wife, not to drink, not to swear, not to eat too much, to do exercises every morning and so on...
Ideal life should be like that.
But life is usually lived by human beings who have to make ends meet, yes also the ends of their need to be a little less perfect and a little more human.
All this to say:
How many of us would like to be offered 5000 dollars to write a post on a blog...
Why do they always ask the ones who are too honest to accept...
Do not misunderstand me, I am just trying to be a little more understandable, a little less God...
1. No one can buy my editorial voice or opinion.
2. No one can buy my editorial space; if it s an ad it will clearly be an ad.
3. No one should be confused about the source of anything on my pages.
4. I will disclose my business relationships whenever it is relevant and possible.
Jeff Jarvis
Everything you say is wonderful and I am sure it would be difficult to find somebody who disagrees.
But there are several points which you do not mention.
First: you can blog as a hobby and you can shout whatever you like.
But then you need a real job and may be you do not have so much time left for blogging.
Second: is it so important to know if you really like or enjoy something or you say it because you are paid?
There are millions on this earth who like things I do not, and I usually do not buy something because Madonna says it is great.
Every idealism is wonderful on the paper, but the moment it reaches reality is not as shiny as it looked.
Because it doesn't consider the humanity as it is.
It is wonderful to be honest, to pay the taxes till the last dollar (or euro) not to cheat your wife, not to drink, not to swear, not to eat too much, to do exercises every morning and so on...
Ideal life should be like that.
But life is usually lived by human beings who have to make ends meet, yes also the ends of their need to be a little less perfect and a little more human.
All this to say:
How many of us would like to be offered 5000 dollars to write a post on a blog...
Why do they always ask the ones who are too honest to accept...
Do not misunderstand me, I am just trying to be a little more understandable, a little less God...
fd@easymediabroadcast.com (Patrizia Broghammer)
European regulators stick to roaming plans
New plans by Telefonica and O2 for further cuts in mobile roaming charges have failed to persuade European regulators to abandon their legislation to curb what they regard as excessive fees, write Andrew Parker and Sarah Laitner.
Rural Telephone Service WorkshopUTC invites comments on rural telephone service.
Rural Telephone Service Workshop
UTC invites comments on rural telephone service. Workshop will be August 17, 2006. Docket No. 061116.
10.19.2006
FiOS UpdateVerizon's FiOS is a project that has garnered attention
FiOS Update
Verizon's FiOS is a project that has garnered attention from many sources. Some say that it is too expensive, especially considering that AT&T is choosing a less costly architecture. This report posted today in BusinessWeek reports some project cost estimates and gives some initial market results.
Is this a worthwhile gamble for Verizon? Will they be vindicated, or will the cheaper architectures turn out to be the better choice?
Technorati Tags:
Verizon, AT&T, FiOS, broadband
Is this a worthwhile gamble for Verizon? Will they be vindicated, or will the cheaper architectures turn out to be the better choice?
Technorati Tags:
Verizon, AT&T, FiOS, broadband
Martin Weiss
Links Page
solokay1@yahoo.com (Solomon Ige)
10.18.2006
Motorola 3Q Profits Drop 45 Percent
Motorola Inc., the world's second-largest cell-phone maker behind Finland's Nokia Corp., reported a 45 percent decline in third-quarter profit Tuesday on revenue that came in well below analysts' expectations.
The earnings met Wall Street's estimates, but sales of the company's hot-selling Razr phones left total revenue still nearly half a billion dollars lower than forecast.
Earnings for the July-through-September period were $968 million, or 39 cents a share, down from $1.75 billion, or 69 cents a share, a year earlier.
Excluding certain items, the Schaumburg, Ill.-based company said operating earnings were 34 cents per share, matching the consensus estimate of analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial.
Revenue was $10.6 billion, up 17 percent from $9.05 billion a year ago but well under the consensus estimate of $11.07 billion.
Shares in Motorola closed down 64 cents, or 2.5 percent, at $24.85 on the New York Stock Exchange before the report was released. They touched a six-year high of $26.30 last Friday.
Apple Expected to Unveil Two iPhones in Early 2007
Apple is preparing to launch two iTunes-enabled mobile phones in the early part of 2007, according to reports from one analyst.
One of the new phones will be a smartphone with a built-in keyboard, and one will feature video capability, says Prudential Equity Group analyst, Jesse Tortora, who notes that at least one model is also likely to be Wi-Fi-enabled.
Tortora boldly predicts that the new “iPhones” will be formally unveiled at the MacWorld San Francisco conference in January.
Despite the much hyped nature of the iPhone concept, however, some industry watchers to question the long-term viability of Apple’s new devices. Many are predicting a problem with battery life, saying that the multitude of seemingly impressive features will ultimately cause annoyance, by dramatically cutting the time between recharges.
Some doubters also question Apple’s ability to bring anything new to the mobile device market, which is already bursting with innovation from well-established players.
Apple is intent on proving these people wrong, however, by tapping into its pre-established market of 60 million iPod users, and the ongoing success of the iTunes music store. By doing this, the company is hoping that its wildly popular portable music franchise will spill over into the 2 billion-strong mobile phone market.