The FCC has started formal proceedings for its review of Verizon Wireless’ multi-billion-dollar purchases of AWS spectrum from a group of cable companies that purchased the spectrum five years ago but never realized their plans to use it. The agency opened a docket for the transactions late Thursday, WT Docket No. 12-4. Verizon submitted applications […]
Telecommunications
Samsung-connected TVs to host Verizon FiOS
Following behind similar deals with Comcast and Time Warner Cable, Samsung Electronics America said it will host the Verizon FiOS TV App on its Smart TVs and Smart Blu-ray Players. Starting sometime later this year, the app will allow Verizon FiOS TV subscribers to instantly access 26 live TV channels directly through their broadband-connected TVs […]
Bright House vows to expand Wi-Fi network in Florida
Bright House Networks said it will continue to build Wi-Fi access points not only in its own Florida service area, but across the state. The company expects to continue its build-out throughout 2012 with thousands of Bright Wi-Fi locations. Bright House has initially concentrated in marina areas, including Clearwater, Daytona Beach, Ybor City and River […]
@ CES: Ericsson’s Vestberg brings wireless vision to CES
Ericsson CEO Hans Vestberg is never shy about expressing his vision for the connected-everything world of the future. In fact, he just might be the single biggest promoter of the mythical “connected toothbrush.” And while Vestberg’s keynote at this year’s International CES might have bordered on science fiction, it’s certainly an informed projection of how […]
@ CES: Customer data will drive TV 3.0
There are a lot of different scenarios for what the TV of tomorrow may look like, but a panel session at CES did drive home the point that collecting customer data can play a key role. The “Inventing TV 3.0 – Defining the set-top-connected TV, streaming media adapter, downloadable consumer experience” session featured six panelists […]
@ CES: Cable One testing EchoStar’s Aria platform
Cable One looks like it’s the first customer for EchoStar’s Aria platform, which was designed for Tier 2 and Tier 3 cable operators. EchoStar’s Michael Hawkey, vice president of sales and marketing, said at an EchoStar press conference and breakfast this morning that Cable One was testing Aria, but he wasn’t able to provide any […]
@ CES: DLNA bows Premium Video; Comcast, Intel demo it
Yesterday at CES, the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) unveiled its Premium Video platform, which enables networking to various DLNA-certified devices in the home, while Comcast and Intel demonstrated it over on the show floor. By using DLNA Premium Video, service providers can enable whole-home networking to DLNA-certified products, including digital TVs, tablets, mobile phones, […]
@ CES: More TV Everywhere at IP&TV World Forum
Video service providers and a Sony exec detailed how they are keeping up with customer demands for TV Everywhere services at the IP&TV World Forum yesterday. TV Everywhere services are top of mind for video service providers, and moderator Colin Dixon, senior partner of advisory services at The Diffusion Group, asked the panel to detail their plans […]
Amazon gets on board with UltraViolet for online movie ‘lockers’
An Amazon executive said Tuesday that the retailer has signed a deal with a Hollywood studio to sell movies that can be downloaded from an online “locker” system five studios have put together. The extent of Amazon’s support of the UltraViolet online locker system is unclear. But the deal signals that Amazon is at least […]
@ CES: T-Mobile comes out swinging
The industry hasn’t heard a whole lot from T-Mobile USA lately – it went into quiet mode during AT&T’s doomed buyout – but that changed at the 2012 International CES show in Las Vegas on Tuesday evening, when the company’s executives took the stage to talk about how the failed merger was more benefit than […]