Inventive, Offensive & Apprehensive - this week in broadband: [12th May 2011]

A new browser app developed by Georgia Tech could allow users to make better use of their broadband connection. It could also ensure that providers are keeping to their speed promises. The Kermit app which was unveiled this week could help users to check whether their broadband is being throttled or when caps on usage are being deployed. The monitoring tool makes the Internet speed very obvious to the user and is suitable for even those who are not technically minded. The app also allows different devices in the home to be throttled by the user to allow other devices to have priority. It will also provide usage trends and to cut off Internet access at inappropriate times. Currently the app cannot be purchased, but it is being tested for possible future sale.

The anti-competitive nature of the possible purchase of T-Mobile by AT&T has been tested this week as it emerged that there is little public support for the idea. However AT&T went before Congress this week and claimed that any one company having greater capacity will actually drive competition, not reduce it. They also argued that it will result in lower prices. While industry experts are scratching their heads about how this could be true, the consumer group Public Knowledge pointed out that the claims were disingenuous and that AT&T had a habit of putting investors first. They point out that if AT&T had capacity problems they should not have sought so many customers and that simply lowering competition and raising prices will result in more customers leaving. Sprint have also pointed out that innovation needs competition and that this could be a backwards step for the US broadband industry.

Meanwhile Sprint has been forced to pull an advertisement which has been deemed offensive. The ad has an older man in a pink dress who uses the tagline "it makes sense, if you don't think about it". The ad mocks a similar ad which came from T-Mobile which pointed out the good points of the deal with AT&T. Their ad featured a woman, however. However complaints from transgender groups have led to the ad being pulled. The company which signed off the ad has apologized and agreed it was insensitive and that they wanted to get the ad out before the AT&T meeting with Congress.

Researchers have concluded that broadband Internet connections can lead to higher incidences of drug addiction. The study which was conducted by the University of Southern California points out that prescription drugs bought online are fast replacing illegal drugs, particularly on college campuses. Dana Goldman from the university went on to say that FCC data on access to the Internet has correlated with details on the numbers of people admitted to treatment centers for drug abuse. The study indicates that a 10% increase in broadband availability leads to a 1% increase in admissions. However illegal drug use either fell or stayed the same. The researchers also say that the problem of overseas pharmacies outside of US jurisdiction needs to be tackled.

Verizon have indicated that they intend on selling more LTE network devices as they have fixed the teething trouble they had with the network in the last few weeks. A recent outage with the network left many users disappointed at not being able to use the 4G speeds. Brian Higgins from Verizon Wireless has commented this week that they don't expect to see the same problem occur again. Demand has nevertheless been strong for the devices with half of the 500,000 units sold so far this year being dongles. The rest were the LTE Thunderbolt by HTC. Other devices are currently in the pipeline.