News
• FCC holds 2nd forum on network neutrality
By Brian Santo
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is bringing its traveling network neutrality road show to Stanford University, in Palo Alto, Calif., today. The Commission expects to hear testimony from consumers who claim to have been subject to network neutrality violations. The organization hosted a similar forum last month in Cambridge, Mass.
The impetus for the meetings is the latest flare-up over network neutrality, this one centering largely (but not exclusively) on Comcast’s network management practice of delaying some peer-to-peer (P2P) traffic to relieve network congestion.
Comcast has since formed relationships with two leading P2P companies – BitTorrent (story here) and Pando Networks (story here), to address P2P technology and traffic management.
• DirecTV offering local broadcast channels in Maine
By Traci Patterson
DirecTV is now delivering local broadcast network programming via satellite in Bangor, Maine. The local broadcast networks include WVII/ABC, WFVX/FOX/MNT, WLBZ/NBC and WMEB/PBS.
The satellite provider now provides standard-definition (SD) local channels in 150 markets nationwide, representing close to 95 percent of U.S. TV households.
DirecTV said that customers in Bangor must have MPEG-4 equipment and a multi-satellite receiver and dish, and they must upgrade to the Choice Xtra programming package ($44.99 per month). New customers can subscribe to the new Choice programming package (for $39.99), which includes more than 140 movie, sports, family, music and local broadcast network channels, the company said.
• SureWest stops paying quarterly dividends to aid reinvestment
By Traci Patterson
SureWest Communications’ board of directors has decided that, effective with the second quarter’s dividend distribution, the company will cease paying quarterly dividends to facilitate reinvestment in the company.
The final quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share is payable June 16 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 15, the company said. SureWest has approximately 11,000 shareholders, who in the aggregate hold about 14 million shares.
Steve Oldham, SureWest's president and CEO, said: “SureWest has a solid capital structure and is well positioned for future growth. While ceasing dividend payments on our common shares was a decision the board did not make lightly, we believe it is in the best interest of the company and its shareholders as we pursue our growth strategy. Over the long term, we expect that shareholders will receive a higher return on capital by our reinvesting in the company than they would receive from dividend payments.”
• Juniper releases Junos guide
By Brian Santo
Juniper Networks has published “Junos Enterprise Routing: A Practical Guide to Junos Software and Enterprise Certification,” which includes a practical introduction to the recently available Junos software 9.0 with security services for implementation on the Juniper Networks J-series services routers.
The guide, co-authored by instructors and creators of the Juniper Networks Enterprise Routing certification exams, is the official study guide for all three Juniper Enterprise Routing certification exams. It is also a complete reference for design, maintenance and troubleshooting.
A sample chapter can be found here. More information is available from O’Reilly Media here.
• Yahoo may ally with Google on AdSense
By Brian Santo
Yahoo’s test of Google’s AdSense has been successful, and Yahoo is preparing to use the Google service commercially, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources. AdSense provides advertising associated specifically with Web searches.
If Yahoo does indeed join Google’s AdSense program, that would solve one of Yahoo’s major operational weaknesses.
The move is clearly one tactic that may help Yahoo either get more money out of Microsoft or avoid a takeover attempt entirely. Should the deal be seen as increasing the company’s financial value, it could raise Yahoo’s stock price, which might force Microsoft to increase the value of its takeover bid. Alternatively, it might align Yahoo more strongly with AOL (some speculate), which might help Yahoo entirely avoid a Microsoft takeover.
• Reuters: French broadcaster suing YouTube
By Mike Robuck
Reuters recently reported that TFI, which is France’s largest commercial broadcaster, has filed suit against Google-owned YouTube for damages of $158.3 million.
Last year, Viacom filed a $1 billion copyright suit against YouTube that accused the online video provider of profiting from Viacom content that is uploaded by YouTube users.
More Broadband Direct:
Comcast debuts multi-room DVR service in N.J.
ACA keeps a light on Verizon privacy problem
Verizon launches HD VOD in N.Y.
More companies pitch in for CableCares effort in New Orleans
Starcom first to sign up for DirecTView service
comScore: Online video viewing increases 66% compared with a year ago
