* Verizon’s FiOS TV service wins franchises in N.Y.
By Traci Patterson
Verizon’s FiOS TV service will soon be available to New York State consumers in Roslyn Estates, located on Long Island, and the Village of Hamburg – the first municipality in western New York to approve Verizon’s video service.
The votes bring to 104 the total number of New York communities that have approved video franchises for Verizon.
As with all local franchise approvals in New York, the agreements between Verizon and the respective communities are subject to review by the New York State Public Service Commission.
* SureWest trialing free Wi-Fi hotspots in Calif.
By Traci Patterson
SureWest Communications has launched free Wi-Fi Internet hotspots, on a trial basis, at two Roseville, Calif., locations. The trial is being marketed to existing and potential SureWest subscribers.
Rocky Ridge Town Center and The Preserve at Creekside apartment community are receiving the free Wi-Fi, allowing consumers at these locations to access SureWest’s advanced network via high-speed wireless Internet. After the six-month-long trial, SureWest will evaluate the public response and assess ways for the continuation and expansion of the service, the company said.
“With the continuing advances we are making in the world of technology, people now want to stay connected everywhere they go,” said Bill DeMuth, SureWest’s SVP and CTO. “SureWest features one of the most advanced and superior broadband networks in the nation, and this trial will allow more people to experience our service. Laptops, mobile phones and other Wi-Fi-enabled devices offer people nearly unlimited mobility, and we see this as a service SureWest can continue to expand on and grow after this six-month trial.”
* Moto picks Zander’s successor as chairman
By Brian Santo
Motorola has elected David Dorman, former chairman and CEO of AT&T, to serve as its Chairman, succeeding Ed Zander.
Zander had been CEO and chairman, but was forced to relinquish the CEO title after the company’s mobile devices unit began to falter. He was replaced by Greg Brown several months ago. At the time, Zander said he would retire as chairman at the 2008 annual meeting, scheduled for May 5.
Dorman had been a member of Motorola’s board since 2006. He is currently a managing director and senior advisor at the firm of Warburg Pincus and Co. He joined AT&T as president in December 2000 and served as chairman and chief executive officer from 2002 until November of 2005.
More Broadband Direct:
• Tandberg bows newest content delivery system at NAB
• Harmonic increases support for mobile video applications
• Yahoo acquires IndexTools, intros Amp
• Mondor replaces Trimm as Concurrent CEO
• Cisco to buy remaining interest in Nuova Systems
• FTTH market small, but growth is accelerating
• NCTA, Cable Europe collaborate on each other’s shows
• Pixelmetrix to intro new DVStation interfaces at NAB
• Grant program takes shape at Yassini Center
• Broadband Briefs for 4/09/08
