Service Providers

AT&T Makes Video-Streaming Splash
January 07, 2013

AT&T has announced a new service to compete with such video-on-demand offerings as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime. The service is aimed at its U-verse customers, offering unlimited access to AT&T's library of some 1,500 movies from a TV, computer or wireless device. It will cost $5 a month, a price that is competitive with, if not undercutting, its rivals.

iPhone, Android or Something Completely Different?
December 20, 2012

Two questions: 1) Which is the best smartphone for you -- an Apple iPhone or one running Google's Android operating system? 2) Which carrier is best for you? A word to the wise -- choose carefully. Once you start down either path, chances are you will stay on it. Why? Because these companies are building a new cloud world.

Sprint Chases Clearwire Buyout Deal
December 13, 2012

Sprint Nextel has made a $2.1 billion offer for the shares of Clearwire that it doesn't already own, according to a regulatory filing. The news comes after rumors surfaced earlier this week that the company was in talks with Intel and Comcast to buy out their stakes. The offer, which works out to $2.90 per share, also comes with interim financing of $800 million for Clearwire, if it agrees to the deal.

Dish Network Gets Down to Earth
December 13, 2012

The Federal Communications Commission approved a proposal from the Dish Network that would allow it to convert spectrum currently allocated for satellite service into airwaves that could support a land-based wireless network. Dish did not lay out specific plans for its next step with the spectrum, saying only that it would "consider its strategic options and the optimal approach" to putting it to use.

C Spire Gets Into the Shared-Data Game
December 06, 2012

C Spire Wireless is joining AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless in offering a shared data plan for its wireless service. This lets customers bundle all of their mobile devices on one plan. In general, I like the idea, but shared data plans aren't for everyone. All of these plans are similar, but there are important differences. This is a new way of thinking about wireless data and many customers like it.

The Skies Have It: Affordable Broadband Internet for All
December 05, 2012

The rural broadband delivery business is rapidly changing. When Dish Network's super-cheap broadband-via-satellite service, dishNET, went live in October, it prompted a satellite Internet price-war. dishNET download speeds reach 10 Mbps. Service starts at $39.99 a month for 10 GB of data at 5 Mbps if you bundle it with Dish Network's television service.

CR's Cellphone Service Rankings May Help Businesses More Than Consumers
December 03, 2012

It's that time of year again: Consumer Reports has published its annual list of best cellphone carriers. Verizon is at the top, having received the most favorable scores for voice and data service quality. It also scored well for staff knowledge and resolution of issues. Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T each got middle to low marks, especially in the voice and text service quality categories.

Europe Joins Free Internet Chorus
November 30, 2012

The European Union announced on Friday that it would oppose attempts to increase regulation of the Internet at a United Nations conference that will take place next week in Dubai. This move comes as some countries have called for tighter rules on Web service providers and phone operators. The International Telecommunication Union, an agency within the United Nations, is hosting the event.

Shore Up Before the Next Disaster Strikes
November 29, 2012

From time to time, we receive stark reminders of just how delicate our IT systems really are. Disaster preparation has risen to the top of the to-do list at many companies, thanks to the wrath of Hurricane Sandy several weeks ago. How can we maximize our chances of keeping communications open and data safe? I will present two relatively new ideas you should consider.

AT&T to Plow More Billions Into Spectrum Hunt
November 07, 2012

AT&T on Wednesday announced that it will boost capital spending by as much as 16 percent to $22 billion a year for the next three years to upgrade its wireless and wireline networks. The increase is necessary to compete with Verizon Communications, which is currently upgrading its own network.

Sprint Customers Flee to Speedier Networks
October 26, 2012

With recent news of Softbank's proposed $20.1 billion investment hovering in the background, Sprint Nextel has reported less-than-pretty earnings for the third quarter 2012. The carrier posted a net loss of $767 million, compared with a net loss of $301 million in the third quarter of 2011. It also lost about 459,000 contract customers for the quarter.

Isis Tiptoes Into Chilly Mobile Payments Water
October 22, 2012

Isis, a joint venture of AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, has debuted its long-awaited mobile wallet initiative in Austin and Salt Lake City. It joins a number of other initiatives -- Square and Google Wallet, to cite just two examples -- competing in the nascent mobile payments industry. Whether Isis will gain more traction than they have, however, remains to be seen.

IBM Taps Middleman to Reach Mid-Market
September 27, 2012

IBM launched a major initiative on Wednesday with the goal of targeting middle-market companies via their managed service providers. Increasingly, middle market companies are turning to companies that deliver technology solutions on a pay-as-you-go-model, said Mike McClurg, IBM's VP of global mid-market sales.

The Future of Comcast is on the Line
September 27, 2012

Comcast has grown and changed so much over the last 15 years that many expect this wave to continue. It may, but for that to happen Comcast must realize the marketplace is changing and steer through the upcoming rapids. Can it do that? Back in the 1990s, Comcast was a small cable television company. Back then, its competition was limited.

Why Cablevision Is Tweaking Its Own Nose
September 13, 2012

Cablevision recently invested in upgrading its cable television network to improve the quality of service. Now it is launching a curious marketing and advertising campaign to let customers know about it. It wants to shine up its Optimum brand. Good idea, but the funny part is, it is poking fun at itself in the process. Why -- and will it work?

Carrier Snapshots: Where They're At
September 06, 2012

Labor Day has come and gone, and now it's time for the big end-of-year season to begin. Expect lots of new product announcements, starting with the new Apple iPhone next week. It's all about what's new and what's coming next in wireless, telecom, television and technology. So here's a look at where several top companies stand on the growth Wave.

DoJ Gives Verizon Spectrum Deal a Yes, But ...
August 17, 2012

The United States Department of Justice approved Verizon's $3.6 billion bid for additional spectrum, albeit with changes mandated by antitrust regulators to ensure the deal won't lead to diminished competition, lower-quality products or higher consumer costs.

Google Fiber: Internet, TV Will Never Be the Same
August 02, 2012

Last week, Google started selling a very high-speed Internet and television service in Kansas City. This service stands a good chance of blowing customers' minds and changing expectations. The question is, will Google get into this business and compete with cable television and phone companies? Or is it doing this just to make a point? Only time will tell. Even Google doesn't know yet.

Viacom, DirecTV Mend Fences - but at What Cost?
July 20, 2012

DirecTV subscribers will soon be able to get their MTV, as well as their daily fix of "The Daily Show" on Comedy Central, plus Nickelodeon and the 14 channels owned by Viacom, under a new agreement the two companies announced on Friday. While terms of the deal were not disclosed, it appears that Viacom will receive more than $600 million a year in programming fees from satellite operator DirecTV.

Wireless Gains Offset Weak Broadband Sales for Verizon's Q2
July 20, 2012

Verizon proved Wall Street right Thursday, just meeting expectations for its second fiscal quarter and bringing in a net income gain of 13 percent thanks to higher-than-expected wireless subscriptions. The wireless provider earned $1.83 billion, or 64 cents per share on the quarter, up from $1.61 billion, or 57 cents per share, from the same period a year ago.