Service Providers

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.

FCC Gives ISPs Gold Star for Keeping Speed Promises
July 20, 2012

More Internet service providers are delivering on the download speeds they advertise, according to the United States Federal Communications Commission. In a report released on Thursday, the FCC stated that tests conducted in April showed that more ISPs delivered their promised speeds, compared to tests conducted in August.

Shared Wireless Data Plans: AT&T vs. Verizon
July 19, 2012

AT&T Mobility just announced its shared wireless data plans on Wednesday. Verizon Wireless did the same thing a few weeks ago. Verizon has been taking a lot of heat on this topic, but not because it's a bad idea. It's actually a great idea. The problem is its approach, which I'll discuss. I think AT&T's plan will be welcomed in the marketplace.

Microsoft, NBC Part Ways
July 16, 2012

The MS part of MSNBC.com has pulled out of the joint venture. This ends the partnership between Microsoft and NBC News, which is now owned by Comcast. In 2005, Microsoft sold its stake in the MSNBC cable channel to NBC, and it now will sell its 50 percent interest in the website for an undisclosed amount.

AMC Taunts Dish With 'Breaking Bad' Freebie
July 13, 2012

AMC will stream the first episode in the upcoming fifth season of "Breaking Bad" for Dish customers at a site that greets visitors with the welcoming words, "Dish dropped AMC, so we're offering a special live stream of the premiere for Dish customers, right here." Viewers are invited to begin registering at the site on Friday afternoon in order to watch the episode on Sunday.

DirecTV, Viacom Cross Swords, Customers Get Hurt
July 12, 2012

A months-long disagreement over the fees DirecTV should pay to Viacom for some of its most popular programming has turned into steely-eyed brinkmanship between the two companies -- and DirecTV's customers caught in the middle. Viacom proposed increasing the fees DirecTV pays for programming offered on Nickelodeon, MTV, and Comedy Central by 30 percent. DirecTV refused, and Viacom pulled the plug.

Net Neutrality and the Naked Internet
July 12, 2012

Net neutrality boils down to the basic decision we need to make as a country. There are three different tracks we can take, and we have to choose one. One, broadband is just another service from the phone company or cable television company. They control everything, including which sites get the fastest speeds. Two, broadband is our way to access the Internet so every site gets the same fast speed.

Skyping in Ethiopia Could Result in Stiff Jail Term
June 18, 2012

Ethiopia has passed a draconian new law criminalizing the use of Voice over Internet Protocol services such as Skype or Google Talk. People who violate the ban will find themselves facing 10-to-15 years in prison. The government has cited national security as a reason.

DoJ May Put Kibosh on Cable Cos.' Data Caps
June 14, 2012

The Department of Justice reportedly is investigating whether cable companies such as Comcast and Time Warner are violating antitrust rules through practices that limit their broadband customers' access to online video. The Justice Department apparently has questioned these companies, as well as other cable providers and online video sites Netflix and Hulu.

The End of the Social Age
May 30, 2012

I was so looking forward to getting the Facebook IPO out of the way, and then splat, like a ripe tomato in the kisser, we have to learn that the underwriters might not have shared some pre-IPO information transparently. Enough already! Bankers appear to be tone deaf to the fallout from their gross behavior.

Networks Hammer Dish Over Ad-Skipping DVR
May 25, 2012

Fox, CBS and NBC filed lawsuits against Dish Network Thursday over a feature found in a new digital video recorder that lets subscribers automatically skip the advertisements on recorded shows from major networks. Dish countered by asking a judge to declare that the feature does not infringe on any copyrights as claimed by the networks.

Cable ISPs Form Fellowship of the WiFi
May 21, 2012

Five major cable service providers in the United States are teaming up to allow their high-speed Internet customers access each other's metro WiFi networks. The five are Bright House Networks, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox Communications and Time Warner Cable. The agreement will create a chain of more than 50,000 hotspots.

How Industry Analysts View the Changing Tech Marketplace
April 19, 2012

Just like 10 years ago, and then again five years ago, the technology industry is changing. That means companies are enjoying new opportunities and wrestling with new challenges. Only some will win. I'll offer my perspective as an analyst on who is winning, who is losing and why. I believe you will find this column both interesting and valuable.