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Daily news and top headlines for broadband communications engineering and design professionals
Verizon finalizes 3 spectrum deals to rural telecoms
February 19, 2013 1:11 pm | by Ben Munson, Wireless Week | CommentsVerizon Wireless completed three sales of its 700 MHz A- and B-block spectrum licenses to rural telecoms. Nortex Communications picked up the Texas RSA 6-Jack 700 MHz lower B-block license, and Panhandle Telecommunication Systems acquired the Texas RSA 2-Hansford 700 MHz lower B-block license.
Former Insight exec Griffith joins Willner at Penthera
February 19, 2013 1:06 pm | by Mike Robuck | CommentsIt was an offer that Melani Griffith couldn’t refuse. Griffith started her new job at Penthera Partners, which reunited her with former Insight Communications head honcho Michael Willner. Griffith was hired as Penthera’s executive vice president of business development.
Kansas House approves telecom deregulation bill
February 19, 2013 12:58 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsKansas would lessen its regulation of telecommunications but begin to phase out consumer-financed subsidies for universal landline service under a bill approved by the state House. The House's 118-1 vote sends the measure to the Senate, where it also is expected to have bipartisan support.
Comcast earns carrier Ethernet 2.0 certification
February 15, 2013 2:47 pm | by Brian Santo | CommentsComcast has earned Carrier Ethernet 2.0 (CE 2.0) certification from the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF), becoming the first service provider to achieve certification. There are several certification categories. Comcast earned certification for E-Line and E-LAN services.
Cable-Tec reschedules for October
February 15, 2013 2:44 pm | by Brian Santo | CommentsThe SCTE has moved Cable-Tec Expo from New Orleans in September to Atlanta in October. Shifts in the schedules of other major conferences created scheduling overlaps that would have been untenable for many vendors who intended to exhibit at almost any combination of events.
S&P raises Comcast debt rating after NBC deal
February 15, 2013 2:42 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsStandard & Poor's Ratings Services said that it has raised its credit rating on Comcast after the cable company agreed to buy the remainder of NBCUniversal it did not already own, for $16.7 billion. S&P raised the rating to "A-" from "BBB+" and said that the outlook is positive.
DirecTV’s Q4 earnings, revenue beat expectations
February 15, 2013 2:39 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsDirecTV beat Wall Street estimates for the fourth quarter, propelled by business operations, as well as asset sales and one-time tax benefits. The company posted earnings of $942 million, or $1.55 per share, for the October-to-December period.
Liberty Global cuts Q4 loss on subscriber growth
February 15, 2013 2:35 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsLiberty Global said its fourth-quarter loss narrowed, helped by subscriber growth around the world. Liberty posted a loss of $331.3 million, or $1.27 per share, compared with a loss of $435 million, or $1.58 per share, in the same quarter the year before.
Opera acquires Skyfire for video optimization tech
February 15, 2013 2:32 pm | by Andrew Berg, Wireless Week | CommentsOpera Software announced that it has acquired Silicon Valley based Skyfire Labs, which specializes in mobile video optimization and cloud solutions for mobility. Skyfire also produces a mobile browser that allows iOS users to watch Flash-based video content on their devices.
Comcast using upgraded Elemental tech for VOD
February 14, 2013 3:00 pm | by Brian Santo | CommentsComcast will be using an upgraded version of Elemental Technologies’ video processing system to begin optimizing the delivery of linear video on demand. Comcast had previously used Elemental Technologies’ products to help deliver video on Xfinity.
GTCR, Rural Broadband strike deal to buy NewWave Communications
February 14, 2013 2:52 pm | by Mike Robuck | CommentsPrivate equity firm GTCR and Rural Broadband Investments have struck a deal to buy NewWave Communications from Pamlico Corporation. Financial terms of the definitive agreement weren’t released, and neither was the target date for the closing.
NDS acquisition, Wi-Fi, key drivers in Cisco’s Q3 growth
February 14, 2013 2:45 pm | by Brian Santo | CommentsCisco's latest quarterly report provided further evidence that spending on technology gear is rising modestly in most parts of the world, despite persisting concerns about a still-shaky economy. During the quarter, the company announced it is dumping its Linksys unit.
CBS, Amazon ink deeper TV Everywhere accord
February 14, 2013 2:40 pm | by Mike Robuck | CommentsCBS and Amazon have announced an expanded content licensing agreement that serves up classic series and hit television shows from CBS Television Distribution and Showtime Networks to Amazon’s Prime Instant Video service. The additional content is available for streaming at no additional cost to Amazon Prime subscribers.
NCTC picks SageQuest for GPS fleet tracking
February 14, 2013 2:36 pm | by Mike Robuck | CommentsThe National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC) has named Fleetmatics Group’s SageQuest GPS fleet tracking platform as an exclusive provider to its members. Fleetmatics Group's products are marketed both under the Fleetmatics and SageQuest brands
Comcast all in on NBCUniversal; broadband subs drive Q4
February 13, 2013 3:20 pm | by Mike Robuck | CommentsComcast announced that it was buying out General Electric’s 49 percent stake in NBCUniversal for $16.7 billion instead of waiting until next year’s previously scheduled date of July to take full control of NBCUniversal. Comcast earned $1.52 billion, or 56 cents per share, in the fourth quarter.
