Moving Forward in 2010 with New Technology and New Goals: [9th Jan 2010]

>>> A study from Nielsen has found that of the 195m Internet users in the United Sates, 93% use a broadband connection. This represents an increase of 16% since 2008. The study also found that more users than ever are accessing online video content with 138m watching videos, up 11%. On average, a US Internet user will watch 200 minutes of online video per month. Details of users social habits were also highlighted in the study. 56% spent an average of 6 hours per month on Facebook, which was the third most visited site by those aged 65 and over. Access to Twitter also increased by 500% during 2009. In fact, visits to social networking sites in general increased by 277% and the average US worker spent 5 hours of work time a month on a social networking site.


>>> The Strategy Analytics Mobile Broadband Opportunities service report, which aims to predict the future of mobile subscriptions, has found that subscriptions will increase from the current 300m to 1.3bn by the end of 2014. The report titled "Global Active Mobile Broadband Subscribers Forecast; 2008 - 2014" looked at increase in the use of smartphones such as the iPhone, Droid and the new Google Nexus One and the use of netbooks, mp3's, games players and e-readers, among others. They believe that use of these devices will fuel the need for more broadband services, which must be backed up by new business models and partnerships between the providers.


>>> AT&T has confirmed the completion of a software upgrade at it's 3G cell sites nationwide. The upgrade, known as High-Speed Packet Access 7.2 technology is the first part of a plan to enhance the network to provide the best possible mobile broadband experience. It will pave the way for faster speeds which will be in place during 2010 and 2011. The combination of the 7.2 technology and fiber optics could lead to speeds of 7.2Mbps.

AT&T has also suggested to the FCC that they stop using the old switched telephone network, describing them as "relics of a by-gone era". They have said that a deadline should be set for when these services will no longer be available. They commented that it makes no sense for providers to offer two separate services when customer preference is increasingly leaning toward an all broadband network. In their 32 page report, AT&T listed detailed statistics on the drop in use of the old telephone system. Currently just 20% of American households use the switched access lines for the telephone service and one quarter of households rely on a mobile phone exclusively.


>>> Verizon has announced that 2009 was a good year for the company with a series of enhancements to their network which has resulted in reliability and increased performance for it's customers. Executive vice president for Verizon, Dick Lynch, commented that the company won a number of high profile awards in 2009 and praises the performance of the Verizon network for the accolades. One of the most popular services on offer is their FiOS TV which gives users 138 channels, up one third since 2008.


>>> Google is asking the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for permission to become the administrator of a database allowing access to broadband Internet in an unlicensed spectrum known as "white space". The database would be required to ensure that users did not interfere with Television broadcasts. The use of white space could give providers a more affordable way of giving rural areas broadband, especially where fiber optics are unlikely to be in use for some time. The US television industry and wireless microphone makers are opposed to the idea, fearing interference. Broadband device makers have argued that their equipment is very accurate and that a querying database would prevent the same space being occupied by two users. Google wants the database to be free and open to the public, allowing people to see which channels are available.


>>> The FCC has put into place new rules regulating the construction and planning applications for cell towers. Local officials have expressed some concern as these types of applications can be very controversial and the number of applications looks set to increase over the next year. The new rules give city and county governments 150 days to consider new applications and 90 days for applications to extend current towers. Prior to the new rules, local governments generally had one year to decide, but no time limits were set. Wireless providers have welcomed the news.


>>> LG Electronics USA has joined forces with Skype and has announced the introduction of an HD TV which will be able to place calls using the Skype software. The announcement was made at the Consumer Electronics Show being held in Las Vegas this week. The software will be able to place high definition video calls and voice calls. It is expected that the software will be available on 26 of LG's HDTV's. A separate camera will be needed to use the video calling service.