March/April 2004

4/30/04
Senate extends ban on Internet access tax until 2007.

Reuters: "AT&T proposes limiting phone network leasing."

The Star-Ledger: "AT&T offers the Baby Bells 'a test of sincerity' on rates."

BellSouth reaches commercial agreements, rejects AT&T proposal.

InternetWeek.com: "Boom times for U.S. broadband usage expected to continue.

Broadband adoption set to surge as more than 30 million households to have broadband connection by year's end.

Wheat Wireless Services announces that "... VoIP will be available onboard ships whether far out to sea or in coastal waters."

4/29/04
Former State Rep. David Wright looks at "telecom boom' in OP-ED published in today's editions of The Patriot-News.

AT&T to make offer to end battle with Baby Bells. "The firm will propose using its own gear while leasing rivals' local networks. It aims to restrain wholesale rates," says The Los Angeles Times.

In Florida, new telecom law to take effect could have an impact on national debate over VOIP, broadband taxes.

The Baltimore Sun takes on broadband, President's call for ban on taxes: "There's no question that expanding U.S. broadband penetration remains a critical need," the paper says.

Bloomberg: AT&T Wireless may sell all or part of Rogers stake.

Judge gives MCI green light to sell Brazilian unit.

P.S.U. and Audible "team up to make Audiobook downloads available to students and faculty."

BellSouth and baby Bells take on FCC. "Wholesale prices (for baby Bells line leases) have been set so low that incumbent carriers have little incentive to upgrade old networks, let alone build new ones," spokesman says, quoting Wall Street Journal.

Telecommunications policy and business publisher Pike & Fischer announces launch of VoIP Monitor at (www.voip-monitor.com.)

Comcast, Time Warner may link on Adelphia-analysts.

Vietnam embraces VOIP.

Verizon officials get an earful, reports The Richmond Times-Dispatch. "Shareholders sound off at annual meeting, but fail to pass a measure," the paper says.

4/28/04
Telecom execs tell Senate Committee that the Telecommunications Act of 1996 is "... outdated and doesn't reflect the popularity of the Internet and related technologies."

North Pittsburgh Systems, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2004 Earnings.

BellSouth will become the first major telecom company to offer unlimited local, long-distance, high- speed Internet and wireless services in a bundled package to small businesses throughout its entire network.

Verizon Adds 1.4 Million Wireless, 345,000 DSL Lines.

Verizon's cell phone division and "growth in its high-speed Internet services" drive sales increase.

Internetweek.com looks at "last-ditch Senate battle" over broadband taxes.

AP reports that "Senators failed to reach a compromise Tuesday on renewing an expired ban on taxing the services that connect consumers to the Internet."

4/27/04
Qwest Communications International drops access fees for VOIP. Company says "... it will not charge direct access fees to carriers that complete an Internet telephone call on its network, making it the first regional telephone company to welcome broadband competitors on its wires."

In Boston, AT&T joins Internet call market. The Globe looks at "...new $40-a-month unlimited Internet calling plan."

Dialpad offers broadband VOIP.

Calpers amends proxy vote decision on Verizon.

The Star Ledger looks at Verizon NJ and company's battles with BPU.

Comcast Online, now the nation's largest provider of broadband with 5.3 million subscribers, names new president.

SmartphoneNotes now compatible with Verizon Wireless Smartphones.

Debate over Verizon's possible sale of upstate NY lines continues.

New York AG Spitzer tells FCC that Nextel should pay more for "a swath of higher-frequency spectrum it would get in exchange for moving its airwaves to minimize radio interference with public safety communications."

4/26/04
On June 1, federal proposed rules for Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) go into effect.

AP: Bush calls for ban on broadband taxes. "Bush is urging Congress to slap a permanent ban on taxes consumers pay for high-speed Internet hookups called broadband," the wire service reports.

Sen. McCain sets hearings on phone law. "... legislators are once again revisiting a law that affects every aspect of commercial communication -- from the monthly rates people pay for telephone service to the rules governing indecent speech on television," reports The Post.

The Washington Post takes a look at the spread of WiFi and its impact on broadband access, competition. "Now that WiFi access points can cost under $100, the technology has jumped quickly from esoteric to everyday," the paper says.

In NY, Verizon considers sale of upstate network.

1 million overcharged by AT&T.

4/23/04
Reuters: Verizon offers competitors Internet lines.

Wireless continues to grow: ALLTEL Reports Solid First Quarter as Wireless Growth Accelerates; Gross Customer Adds Set New Record; Net Customer Adds Reach Five-Year High, reports TMCnet..com.

Net2Phone Adds Wi-Fi VOIP to Strategy.

VOIP fragmenting US telecoms market

FCC rejects AT&T VOIP petition

VOIP could "shatter US telecoms."

AT&T Wireless posts first quarter loss.

Verizon Pennsylvania names two Directors to spearhead external, regulatory activities.

4/22/04
Report: WiMax to lead broadband wireless market.

Motorola introduces new cable modems designed for wireless home networking and Internet telephony.

TechWeb: "Slugfest brews over phone access fees."

Who's afraid of VOIP?

Thanks to technology, libraries are wired and "reborn.

Study looks at cell phone communication in Susquehanna County.

Where is telecom headed? "Intel chief technology officer Pat Gelsinger says every computer-related wire, except the power cord, should be done away with," reports ZDNet.

SBC competitors wary of line-lease proposal. "SBC Communications on Tuesday proposed a nationwide rate for leasing its lines to competing phone companies, but competitors express skepticism about the plan," reports The Sacramento Bee.

In New York, rural phone companies must port numbers. PSC won't exempt them from obligation to let people take number to competitors, reports The Post-Standard.

Nettel Holdings succeeds in testing of new automomated VOIP order processing system.

Kerry's broadband policy plans emerging.

4/21/04
The Heritage Foundation looks at debate over who owns America's telephone networks. "... today's networks are overwhelmingly the product of new investment made long after legal monopolies and guaranteed rates of return were abolished," the white paper notes.

Acceris Communications launches local bundled product in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Firm to provide "... local toll and long distance bundled service to residential and small business customers."

MCI's challenge is to keep customers, says The Post.

Grants may turn PSU into security research center. New money could "... make Penn State a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) research center and to increase the technological capabilities of small Centre County businesses."

FCC calls truce with NextWave in dispute over wireless licenses.

internetnews.com staffs 2004 Broadband Summit. "Old rules slow broadband rollout," Verizon official says.

CIO Today says 'Broadband revolution is finally here.'

MCI faces $1 billion bill for Chapter 11.

Forbes: Sprint, Cingular grow as AT&T Wireless shrinks.

Progress Telecom and Epik Communications merge to create '... second largest wholesale network in the Southeast behind BellSouth.'

Business Wire: DSL Extreme named 2004 Gold Award winner by Broadband Reports.

AT&T wins $4 million networking deal from Childtime Learning Centers Inc.

4/20/04
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission wins praise from Vonage for VOIP vote.

TechNewsWorld looks at VOIP, 911 challenges.

AT&T brings VOIP to New York.

Broadband usage soars in the states.

MCI CEO sees wireless, data as priorities, says Reuters.

Business Wire: Verizon Wireless achieves highest scores in VocaLabs SectorPulse Wireless Quarterly Report.

MCI emerges from bankruptcy.

AT&T introduces calling plan for broadband users in Bay Area.

AT&T likely to buy Global Vantedge.

The Post profiles a DC firm that is bringing fiber optics to "the next level."

4/19/04
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission holds off on Net phone rules.

AT&T continues rollout of VOIP service with addition of 11 new markets.

Forty percent of Internet users have broadband at home.

Newsweek says that "the phone business is in turmoil" in a look at changing industry. "Since competition opened the field, the real cost of local, basic service has dropped by 11 percent, reports the Federal Communications Commission," the magazine reports.

Telecoms struggle with impact of Internet calls, says Reuters.

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission refrains from imposing regulatory burdens on VoIP providers.

The Patriot-News profiles yet another new player in the Wi-Fi market as sector continues to grow.

The Los Angeles Times looks at Covad's 'Ride From Boom to Bust and Back Again.' The company is "... becoming a full-fledged provider of voice and data services."

Sprint and AT&T Wireless sign bilateral airport Wi-Fi roaming agreement.

4/16/04
Comcast Corp. is "tuning in to the demand for live recording" says The Tribune-Review.

"... some of the nation's largest phone companies are taking tentative steps to resolve disputes with competitors over access to their local telephone networks," reports The Washington Post.

State College-based C-COR.net agrees to acquire Lantern Communications, says Forbes.

FCC proposes more unlicensed spectrum for wireless broadband.

AT&T Wireless launches music recognition service.

In Canada, telephone companies eye VOIP development.

Covad, Qwest Enter New Line-Sharing Era, reports internetnews.com. "It's the first time a competitive carrier such as Covad and a Baby Bell have negotiated commercial line sharing terms since the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to phase out federally mandated line sharing by October," the service reports.

4/15/04
A U.S. Appeals court gives "phone giants and their rivals more time to reach agreements on costs for wholesale rates."

Chicago Tribune business news says "telecom industry's version of "Let's Make A Deal" continues.

AT&T Wireless to tout network upgrades, says Reuters.

In Albany, lawmakers focus on VOIP. 'Hearing focuses on fact new telecom firms are not regulated, taxed in state."

Verizon NY considers selling upstate lines. No sale pending.

Nextel selling broadband wireless service after successful trial program.

Verizon readies national broadband network.

Verizon completes IP/MPLS Network, will launch new services. Philadelphia market among those cited.

CNET profiles attorney who takes on cable companies, Baby Bells.

4/14/04
Sen. John Sununu (R-New Hampshire) and Rep. Chip Pickering (R-Mississippi) propose legislation "to place regulatory control of Voice over IP (VoIP) technology squarely under the federal government."

"BellSouth, crowded by competitors poaching on its turf, has launched a higher-speed Internet service," reports The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"Verizon joins other Baby Bells, including SBC Communications and BellSouth" with new fees, says CNET. "Baby Bells" continue to pay Universal Service Fees while cable competitors get free ride.

AT&T Eyes Wireless Broadband. New technology bolsters possibilities.

Consumers Union asks FCC to prevent wireless carriers from service-locking wireless phones.

Federal appeals court tentatively halts cable ruling, says AP. "If upheld, the circuit's decision would likely subject cable operators to the same rules that the phone companies must adhere to - such as allowing access to competitive Internet providers," the wire service reports.

Lawmakers in Kentucky approve bill to deregulate broadband service.

Verizon, other Baby Bells to add Internet surcharge.

4/13/04
Cable is king but DSL makes gains, says The NY Times.

Wireless Access Communications moves into The Science Center in Philadelphia, "... one of the world's oldest, largest and most highly respected urban technology parks."

CTE Substantially Completes Initial $100 Million of Authorized Common Stock Repurchases.

EarthLink Bundles Subscription-Only Sports Features from Popular Web sites.

Atlantic Broadband eases into local cable business, reports The Altoona Mirror.

4/12/04
Verizon to Challenge Nextel's Free Spectrum Deal with $5 Billion Offer, reports The Miami Herald.

AT&T to roll out VoiP service in eastern Pa. "Consumer Electronics Association analysts predict Internet telephony will forever change the way people think of phone service," reports The Express-Times.

The Telecommunications of 1996 could be due for overhaul.

WorldCom defends corporate structure as a dozen state Attorneys General pursue tax claims.

Yankee Group survey finds Verizon at the top of the corporate market for cellular.

4/9/04
Use of instant messaging has spread from teens and kids to a wider base, including corporate users.

Voice-over-Internet protocol offers low cost and improved service

4/8/04
Costly FCC decision requires AT&T to pay for Internet calls

Nextel has support of FCC for new spectrum in exchange for clearing up interference problems.

Philadelphia-based Comcast Corporation adds On Demand programming

Two new cyber schools added in Pennsylvania, making statewide total 11

No tactics planned at this point by cable companies to squelch Internet phone competitors who piggyback on their networks.

4/7/04
Forbes contends that VOIP "... has become the most ominous cloud hanging over the future of traditional phone companies."

Local phone companies are "willing to extend a deadline for eliminating government rules on selling their networks to competitors so that they can try to reach new deals on their own," says The Union-Tribune.

D&E Communications Deploys Tut Systems Digital TV Platform to Deliver Triple Play Services

Quincy, Mass.-based Atlantic Broadband purchases cable systems, including one serving 161,000 in western Pa.

Strategy Analytics: Sprint PCS Users Lead Landline Substitution While Verizon Wireless Leads Customer Satisfaction

Pittsburgh-based technology start-up is sold.

4/6/04
NJ regulators issue ruling on rates Verizon can charge competitors. "... wholesale rate issue is being reviewed by regulators in Pennsylvania," reports The Express-Times.

Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority awards $2 million in grants.

Covad Begins Receiving Broadband Orders from ACN as Part of Their Bundled Voice and Broadband Services.

Verizon Communications "outperform," estimates raised.

Bank agrees to fund development of a new technology center in York.

4/5/04
State taxation on broadband access provided through telephone digital subscriber lines gives cable providers competitive pricing edge. "You're giving the advantage to one technology over another," contends Sen. George Allen, R-Va.

Internet phone service "goes mainstream."

TechNewsWorld looks at definition of broadband, and "promise of a broader superhighway."

SBC Communications and Sage Telecom announce "historic seven-year commercial agreement" for SBC to provide wholesale local phone services to Sage covering all 13 states comprising SBC's local phone territory. Internet, data services covered as well.

4/2/04
CNN looks at 'dead telecoms.'

A federal appeals court stands behind earlier ruling that cable TV operators should "open their lines to rivals who also want to use them to sell high-speed Internet service." AP says "decision would likely subject cable operators to the same rules as local phone companies."

FCC Chairman Powell reacts to court decision on cable TV operators. Consumer groups declare victory as one advocate declares that "... This creates a true opportunity for consumers to pick and choose from a broad array of cable Internet services."

ABC News visits Voice On the Net conference and focuses on VOIP and new technologies that will spark more competition.

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission launches Public Awareness Campaign.

FCC mulls appeal in court battle over cable access.

4/1/04
D&E Communications signs five-year contract with wireless service provider T-Mobile USA to transport voice and data in the central Pennsylvania region.

In New Jersey, the "phone wars" are heating up, says The Star-Ledger.

The Federal Communications Commission wants regional phone companies and their competitors to bring in mediator to settle long-running battle over fees for use of networks. FCC wants sides "... to agree on a system for determining how much money competitors must pay for access to the local telephone networks."

Telephony Online looks at VOIP and telco video delivery. "Ultimately, it may be the battle between cable modems and DSL-based Internet access that is key to wrapping up the customer for triple-play services," the article contends.

AT&T Wireless losing customers to Verizon, reports the Associated Press.

The Washington Post looks at President Bush's call for high-speed Internet access. How do you define broadband?

3/31/04
Entrepreneur unveils high-speed fiber optic network in Wilkes-Barre.

Waynesburg College wins praise for bolstering technology in Greene County. College works with local partners to "use technology to improve education and stimulate economic development."

Grant to fund expansion of digital broadcasting in Altoona-Johnstown region.

The Arizona Republic looks at boom in Internet phone service. "By the end of 2006, 1.8 million households will be making calls from phones plugged into the Net, up from 135,000 users in 2003," the paper reports. Voice over Internet Protocol is going mainstream.

The FCC is expected to ask federal appeals court for a 45-day delay in "case over telephone competition rules to give Baby Bells and their rivals more time to negotiate wholesale pricing agreements" reports The Los Angeles Times.

3/30/04
Cable war in Kutztown sparks debate about taxpayer subsidized system. "Officials at Service Electric believe Kutztown is wasting taxpayer money to compete against a company that has installed a comparable system," says The Miami Herald.

AT&T offers Internet-based phone service to NJ customers. The NY Times looks at latest development as "fierce competition for subscribers in the telecommunications industry" continues.

Greensburg-based Internet Service Provider Winbeam buys Altoonanet. Company expands broadband access to consumers in Blair, Mercer County.

Verizon to provide 45 New Jersey colleges with broadband, video network.

Pittsburgh-based Telerama Wireless Corp. enters West Coast market with launch of 13 Wi-Fi "hot spots."

3/29/04
Wireless provider Intellimark has major impact in central Pennsylvania as competition in telecom heats up.

Shares of State College-based broadband equipment supplier C-Cor soar 235 %.

President Bush makes push for affordable, high-speed Internet access by 2007.

The Chicago Tribune looks at Bush's call for affordable broadband.

RNC offers New Broadband Subscription Service in Eastern Pa.

Bush and Kerry focus on telecommunications, technology sectors.

3/26/04
Lehigh Valley a hot spot for semiconductor Industry
Business and technology leaders in the Lehigh Valley agreed this week that while the dot.com boom is bust, the semiconductor industry is alive and well in the Lehigh Valley. At a symposium sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Technology Network at Lehigh University. Agere Systems plans on focusing on the "personal broadband," space, according to The Express-Times.

Comcast Expands
Cable TV giant Comcast announced plans to but Paul G. Allen's Vulcan Programming Inc for $300 million.

U.S. Senators target cable TV operators
"The cable industry is urging the government not to return to the days when it regulated rates and demanded public access channels and other programming, arguing such mandates stifle innovation. But recent events have brought the industry unwanted congressional attention," reports The Washington Post.

Future of Internet phone service debated
Never before have there been so many ways to get phone service, use the Internet or receive video images," says Robert Samuelson of The Washington Post.

3/25/04
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell called Monday for a "light regulatory touch" on Voice over Internet Protocol technology

Expansion of telecommunications industry now allows electric utility companies to provide Internet service through power lines. Internet service provider EarthLink to begin offering cell phone service on Blackberry e-mailers. Service to cost $40 to $75 a month.

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