Wireless
FCC issues NPRM for 3.5 GHz band
December 14, 2012 2:52 pm | by Andrew Berg, Wireless Week | News | CommentsThe FCC will move ahead with a plan to make available 100 megahertz of shared spectrum in the 3.5 GHz Band (3550-3650 MHz) for the use of small cell and database technologies. The Commission said the proposal lays the groundwork for the widespread deployment of small cell technologies across the spectrum.
Seattle adds partner to develop computing network
December 14, 2012 2:51 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsSeattle Mayor Mike McGinn says the city has reached an agreement with a broadband developer to build out its fiber network for high-speed computing for homes, businesses and services. The deal allows Gigabit Squared to start raising money for engineering work.
U.N. group gives nod for greater Internet oversight
December 14, 2012 2:49 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA U.N. conference weighing possible Internet rules shifted into a high-stakes showdown after advancing a proposal for greater government oversight. The proposal was a blow to U.S.-led efforts to keep new regulations from touching the ’Net.
U.S. airlines adding Internet on overseas flights
December 13, 2012 8:39 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsAirline passengers can already get online 30,000 feet over Oklahoma. Soon, U.S. airlines will offer Internet connections over the ocean, too. United, Delta and American – the nation's three biggest airlines – said that they're within weeks of having their first international flights with Internet service.
FCC gives Dish OK on AWS spectrum
December 12, 2012 2:52 pm | by Andrew Berg, Wireless Week | News | CommentsThe FCC late yesterday gave approval for Dish Network to deploy a terrestrial wireless broadband network on its holdings of what was previously spectrum reserved for satellite transmissions. The decision came concurrent with the commission’s Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) for an auction of the H Block, a chunk of airwaves adjacent to Dish’s AWS spectrum in which Sprint has expressed interest.
Report: Sprint, Clearwire deal could come soon
December 12, 2012 2:41 pm | by Ben Munsen, Wireless Week | News | CommentsSprint and Clearwire are nearing a deal that would allow Sprint to buy the remaining 49 percent of Clearwire that it doesn't already own, according to a report from CNBC. In October, Sprint acquired a 4.5 percent stake in Clearwire from Eagle River Holdings LLC to push it up to a 50.8 percent controlling interest in the company.
MVNO FreedomPop enters in-home broadband market
December 12, 2012 2:37 pm | by Ben Munsen, Wireless Week | News | CommentsThe MVNO operating on Clearwire’s WiMAX network announced its foray into home broadband, and that it has begun accepting orders for its Hub Burst modem/router. The broadband service will operate on a “freemium” model similar to the wireless data services that FreedomPop began offering earlier this year, but customers’ initial data allocation will be upped to 1GB.
Time Warner Cable updates app to include VOD
December 12, 2012 1:42 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | CommentsWith the update, Time Warner Cable is now serving up 4,000 VOD titles on iPad, iPhone and iPad touch devices to subscribers. The movies and shows come in both SD and HD formats from 91 providers. Users have access to the VOD programming associated with their subscription packages. Other cable operators, such as Cablevision, also offer subscribers access to their VOD libraries across multiple screens.
Cox CTO Hart to deliver keynote address at SEMI Forum
December 11, 2012 2:39 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | CommentsThe Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) announced that Cox Communications executive vice president and CTO Kevin Hart will be the keynote speaker at its SCTE SEMI (Smart Energy Management Initiative) Forum 2013 in April.
Belden purchases PPC for $515M
December 11, 2012 2:31 pm | by Brian Santo | News | CommentsBelden continued its expansion into the broadband space with an acquisition of privately held PPC for $515.7 million. For the last few years, Belden has been expanding out of its origins in broadcast equipment into other areas of the communications market.
Huawei will open an R&D center in Finland
December 11, 2012 2:29 pm | by Andrew Berg, Wireless Week | News | CommentsHuawei announced a move to set up shop on Nokia's home turf. The Chinese company says it will invest $90 million over a five-year period to establish a research and development (R&D) center in Helsinki, Finland. The move will add to its existing R&D deployments.
Avvasi enables ops to improve video QoE
December 10, 2012 1:37 pm | by Brian Santo | Products | CommentsAvvasi has introduced a new system network operators can use to actively adjust the quality of video – per subscriber and per device. While the system could be used by any broadband provider, Avvasi’s new product (like its previous products) are aimed at LTE network operators.
Comcast’s next-gen X1 platform heads west to Calif.
December 10, 2012 1:06 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | CommentsComcast’s X1 platform, which was originally called “Xcalibur” internally, represents the future of video because it combines cloud-based navigation, personalization and search functions, and an interactive programming guide with customized apps and social media features.
Dish: Sprint trying to block new market entrant
December 10, 2012 12:30 pm | by Andrew Berg, Wireless Week | News | CommentsThe back and forth between Dish Network and Sprint continued, as Dish Network submitted an ex parte filing that blasts Sprint's suggestion that the FCC do more to protect the H-block from being interfered with by Dish's AWS-4 spectrum.
STMicroelectronics to exit Ericsson joint venture
December 10, 2012 12:28 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsEurope's largest chipmaker, STMicroelectronics, said it plans to exit its money-losing joint venture ST-Ericsson as it struggles to manage a downturn in global demand. Swiss-based STMicroelectronics said it is negotiating "exit options" from ST-Ericsson.
