FCC Pushes Broadband but comes under fire from AT&T & Verizon: [27th Nov 2009]

>>> A workshop held at the Federal Communications Commission has outlined concerns regarding the National Broadband Plan. Industry leaders and academics pointed out that funding into research had been inadequate and that students gaining a PHD in the telecommunications field were choosing not to continue due to the job, being seen as unrewarding. The conclusion was that federal funding was required to allow people to focus on impartial research, which could be beneficial to the entire nation.


The FCC is asking for input on the speed of service for broadband customers and the effect of network management on the customer experience. This is in addition to the earlier questions they asked for their National Broadband Plan which is due to go to congress in February. They also want input on how information should be portrayed in advertisements and how customers can monitor the performance of their provider. The FCC wants to make sure that public institutions benefit from the the high speed fiber optic networks first.


The Telecommunications industry, in particular AT&T and Verizon, are not happy about a recent survey of global broadband services which indicates that sharing of lines provides better penetration rates. It is feared that this could lead to network lines being opened up forcing ISPs to share line space. The survey was prepared for the FCC and according to AT&T is slanted and violates professional statistical standards. The Telecoms Association warns that the FCC should not rely on the study when formulating its national Broadband Plan.


The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Julius Genachowski, has said that a mere 10% rise in US broadband availability could result in a 1.2-1.5 point increase in GDP. He spoke at the Clinton Presidential Library in Arkansas and outlined the problems with adoption of broadband in the US. 10% of the population do not have any access to broadband and only 55-70% of those on low incomes and and in rural areas choose to have Internet in their homes. He said that broadband is critical to the nation and compared it to the development of the road and rail network.


>>> The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has decided to start awarding government broadband grants in December, delivering the money in February. They had initially said the money would be awarded at the same time the grants were awarded, but changed their minds due to the complexity and volume of the applications received. There have been 2,200 applications adding up to $28bn for the $4bn worth of grant available.


>>> Time Warner Cable will officially launch its 4G mobile network in Dallas next week through Clearwire. The launch will include an appearance at the House of Blues by Indycar drier Danica Patrick - "the fastest woman in the world". The network is advertised as providing speeds of up to 6Mbps. The service is branded as Road Runner Mobile and will be sold in bundles along with a minimum of one other service.


>>> AT&T has this week announced the launch of its DataConnectPass "pay as you need it" data service to be used with the fastest 3G service in the US. Perfect for travelers or people on holiday, the pass can be bought in daily, weekly or monthly packages and can be used when needed. The SIM is simply inserted into the netbook or laptop and activated by following the prompts. It can only be used on AT&T's wireless network in the United Sates. The launch follows a similar product from Verizon which was released last week.


>>> A Perrysburg township in Toledo is to be a test case in installing fiber optics without having to dig trenches. The Buckeye Cable System allows fiber optics to be threaded into existing coaxial cable without having to disturb the surrounding area. Part of the old cable is stripped out and the new fiber optics are injected into the line. Just one hole is dug at the junction box to expose the end of the cable. The cables should be replaced by the end of the week and will be ready for use by the end of December. This is the first large scale test of this technology in the US.


>>> Ciena Corp, the fiber optic product maker has won its bid for Nortel Networks by raising its offer to $769m. Nokia Seimens had bid $770m but was unwilling to pay a $21m breakup fee. Ciena will gain customers in Asia and Europe as well as in the US. Nortel entered bankruptcy in January and has been selling off the business since then. It is thought that their problems stemmed from the decline in upgrades to networks due to the recession.