Qwest and CenturyLink Merger Going Ahead: [30th Dec 2010]

The planned merger between Qwest and CenturyLink has reached agreement after Washington state officials placed conditions on the deal. The companies have agreed to invest $80 million in broadband infrastructure over the next five years and will freeze rates on some business services for three years. In addition the companies will also have to continue to offer their "naked" DSL packages and honor any price for life deals which have already been agreed. The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission still needs to approve the merger, which is likely to happen next week.


The Center for Disease Control has released the details of their latest study which has once again highlighted the death of landlines. They discovered that one in every four households in the US has no landlines and relies on a wireless phone. 24.9% of all US adults live in a household where there is no landline and 29% of all children. When it comes to homes with no landline, one of the main deciding factors is age. 51% of adults aged 25-29 live in a wireless only household. In addition one in every six homes receive almost all their calls via a wireless phone even if they have a landline. Those on lower incomes were also more likely to rely on wireless phones only and those who live in the southern states were less likely to have a landline.


A recent investigation by the Wall Street Journal has found that many apps and other software applications for smartphones are transmitting data to third parties without the smartphone owner being aware or giving consent. Of those tested; 47 apps transmitted the user's whereabouts and five sent details relating to age, gender and personal details. Those apps used by iPhone users were the most likely to transmit data. It was found that most apps fail to offer consumer protection, privacy policies and opt-outs. Apple have said that they do not transmit data without the user's permission, but many of those tested seem to violate this rule.


AT&T are to expand their free WiFi zone in new York City's Time Square in a bid to ease the congestion on their 3G network. John Donovan from AT&T has commented that the pilot schemes they have been running have been so successful that they are expanding the network into Time Square, particularly in the zones close to the Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Further expansion is also due to take place in other areas such as near sports stadiums. He has pointed out however that the use of WiFi does not rule out investment in the 3G network. AT&T also has WiFi networks in hotspots such as McDonalds, Barnes and Noble and Starbucks.


A group of protesters in Sante Fe have been trying to persuade local officials to remove all of their local WiFi spots due to their concerns over the possible effects on their health. They have argued that their electromagnetic allergies mean that they are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. One man even said that he was driven out of his home by wireless signals. Just 12 individuals have signed a petition against the upgrade of AT&T's WiFi spots in the city. They claim that they are suffering from immune deficiency, chronic fatigue and migraines due to the WiFi spots.


Comcast have presented the FCC with a letter which details the conditions they are willing to be in place for the Comcast and NBC merger which is due to be finalized in the coming month. Comcast have agreed to focus on local news, public affairs and public interest programming; expand access to broadband services via construction and courtesy connections for community organizations and offer a $9.95 high speed Internet package which low income households can be eligible to receive. In addition their broadband service will be extended to a further 40,000 homes over the next three years.