April 2005 Archives

Today Verizon announced yet more deals with entertainment providers for its FiOS TV service scheduled for launch later this year:

Verizon Signs Additional Programming Deals for FiOS TV

Verizon has previously announced agreements with A&E, Showtime, NBC Universal Cable, Starz and Discovery. See my previous blog entry: Verizon Signs Showtime for FiOS Video.

Under the new deals, FiOS TV will offer Varsity TV, Gospel Music Channel, Soundtrack Channel, MavTV and GolTV.

The company's rollout of extensive FTTP (fiber to the premises) networks is making it possible for Verizon to become a video provider in its markets. According to today's release, Verizon is constructing FTTP in half the states where it offers landline communications. FiOS TV will include "hundreds of other digital video channels, high-definition programming, video-on-demand content, music channels, an interactive programming guide ...."

The latest FiOS TV deals are described as follows:

Varsity TV
As the only 24-hour network dedicated exclusively to teenagers, Varsity TV delivers programming produced by, for and about teens. Varsity TV complements the other offerings of the Varsity Media group, which delivers content at VarsityTV.com, Varsity On Demand and Varsity Mobile. The collective offerings allow teens to experience entertainment on their own terms and on the screen of their choice. Varsity TV's programming features teen-created and professionally produced sports series, reality shows, dramas, comedies, music shows, animation and films.

Gospel Music Channel
The first 24-hour network devoted to all styles of gospel music. It captures the rich history and contemporary styles of gospel music and is targeted to viewers of all ages who are fans of all gospel music styles. The program schedule includes music videos, artist profiles, specials and live concerts of top artists such as Amy Grant, Mahalia Jackson, CeCe Winans, Switchfoot, Jars of Clay and Jump 5.

Soundtrack Channel
The only cable and satellite channel exclusively featuring music videos from movie and television soundtracks, including original movie videos that are produced for the channel. Soundtrack Channel also features entertainment news, behind-the-scenes specials and celebrity interviews.

MavTV
A new network targeting men aged 18-54. The emphasis is on sports and gaming, but it also presents all the other themes relevant to men, including women and relationships, gadgets, finance, health and fitness, and entertainment.

GolTV
The only bilingual (English/Spanish) channel in the United States dedicated to world soccer. It offers more than 1,500 live matches annually, news updates and informative programming.

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AB -- 4/29/05

Kevin J. Martin, FCC chairman announced staff appointments today. Here is the FCC's press release from this morning:

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Chairman Kevin J. Martin Announces His Intention to Appoint the FCC Chief Of Staff, Announces a Staff Change, and Announces His Intention to Appoint Select Bureau Chiefs

Today, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin announced his intention to appoint Daniel Gonzalez as the Commission’s Chief of Staff and that Michelle Carey will join his personal staff as Legal Advisor for Wireline Issues.  Chairman Martin also announced his intention to appoint Monica Desai as Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Chief, Kris Monteith as Enforcement Bureau Chief, and Tom Navin as Wireline Competition Bureau Chief. 

Of these announcements, Chairman Martin said, “I want to thank Dan, Michelle, Monica, Kris, and Tom for agreeing to serve the Commission in these capacities.  I am grateful for their commitment to public service and look forward to working with them.  I am particularly excited that Michelle has agreed to join my personal staff as my Legal Advisor for Wireline issues.  Michelle has served this agency admirably in the past, and I want to thank her for her efforts and assistance going forward.  She will be a great asset to my team.”

Daniel Gonzalez has served as Chairman Martin’s Senior Legal Advisor and Wireline Advisor since February 2002.  Mr. Gonzalez has a notable career of service at the Commission, having served previously as an attorney in the Common Carrier Bureau’s Policy and Program Planning Division and the Accounting and Audits Division and as a Legal Advisor to the Common Carrier Bureau Chief and Commissioner Rachelle B. Chong.  Prior to joining Chairman Martin’s staff in 2002, Mr. Gonzalez served as Vice President of External and Regulatory Affairs for XO Communications.  Mr. Gonzalez received his B.A. from the State University of New York and his J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law.

Since September 2004, Michelle Carey served as Deputy Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau.  Prior to that, she was Chief of the Competition Policy Division for nearly five years, where she managed rulemaking proceedings concerning a variety of issues including local competition, broadband, and IP-enabled services.  She also supervised numerous adjudicatory proceedings, including applications by the regional Bell companies to provide long-distance service and wireline telecommunications mergers.  Prior to becoming Chief, Ms. Carey was Deputy Chief and, before that, a staff attorney in both the Policy and Enforcement divisions of the former Common Carrier Bureau.  Before joining the Commission, Ms. Carey clerked for the Honorable Hart T. Mankin of the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals.  Ms. Carey received her B.A., magna cum laude, from Georgetown University and her J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center.

Monica Desai has worked at the Commission since 1999 in a variety of capacities.   She previously served as an interim legal advisor to then-Commissioner Martin on spectrum and international issues and various common carrier and media issues.  She has also worked as an attorney-advisor in the Pricing Policy Division of the Wireline Competition Bureau, as well as the Commercial Wireless Division and the Public Safety and Private Wireless Division of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.  Before joining the FCC, Ms. Desai previously served as an associate at the law firm of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal, a law clerk to the Honorable Deborah K. Chasanow (United States District Court, District of Maryland), and as an adjunct professor at the George Mason University School of Law.  Ms. Desai received her B.B.A., magna cum laude, in Finance from George Washington University, where she was a National Merit Scholar, and she received her J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center.

Kris Monteith most recently served as Deputy Bureau Chief for Outreach and Intergovernmental Affairs in the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau.  In that capacity, Ms. Monteith oversaw the Commission’s interaction with local, state, and tribal governments and other federal agencies, and she was responsible for consumer outreach to inform and educate the public about the Commission’s rules, policies, programs, and plans.  Ms. Monteith previously served as Chief of the Policy Division of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Deputy Chief of the former Common Carrier Bureau’s Competitive Pricing Division, the Designated Federal Official to the North American Numbering Council, and as a Senior Attorney in the then-Common Carrier Bureau’s Network Services Division.  Before joining the Commission in 1997, Ms. Monteith was an attorney for McDermott, Will & Emery and Keller and Heckman.  She received her B.A. from the University of Colorado and her J.D. from the George Washington University. 

Tom Navin most recently served as the Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau’s Competition Policy Division, where he was responsible for managing implementation of many key aspects of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, including the Commission’s UNE Triennial Review pursuant to section 251 and issues affecting Broadband policy such as VOIP and wireline broadband Internet access.  Previously, Mr. Navin served as Deputy Chief of his current division and Deputy Chief of the Wireless Bureau’s Policy Division.  Before joining the FCC, he was an associate at McDermott, Will & Emery.  Mr. Navin received a B.S. from Wake Forest University, and a J.D. from the University of Virginia, where he was an Executive Editor of the Virginia Journal of International Law. 

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AB -- 4/29/05

Today a stream of announcements came out from the various preferred suppliers chosen for BT's 21st Century Network program, crowned by this summary from BT itself:

BT Announces Preferred Suppliers for 21st Century Network Program

BT describes 21st Century Network as "the world's most radical next generation network transformation program." BT expects to spend as much as 10 billion pounds sterling on the program to build out its new communications infrastructure in the UK.

The following roster of preferred suppliers not only identifies the players in the upcoming buildout but also the nature and scale of the 21st Century Network effort as BT sees it:

1. Fujitsu and Huawei have been chosen in the access domain which will
link BT's existing access network with the new 21CN.

2. Alcatel, Cisco and Siemens have been selected as preferred suppliers
for metro nodes which provide routing and signalling for 21CN's
voice, data and video services.

3. Cisco and Lucent will be 21CN's preferred suppliers for core nodes
providing high capacity and cost efficient connections between metro
nodes.

4. Ericsson has been selected in the i-node domain -- in essence the
intelligence that controls the services.

5. Ciena and Huawei have been chosen in the transmission domain to
supply the optical electronics that will convert the signals carried
at high capacity over the cables connecting the metro and core nodes.

In today's news release, Matt Bross, BT Group's chief technology officer, comments on the importance of this program: "The capability that BT is putting in place through this investment in 21CN is unequalled anywhere in the world. It will enable us to introduce new services at a speed that is simply impossible today."

BT said that it spent two years in discussions with over 300 potential suppliers before settling on this short list. It describes this competitive process as "one of the largest single procurement programs ever undertaken in the communications industry."

AB -- 4/28/05

This morning Qwest announced that it is expanding its outreach efforts on over 60 tribal lands in 14 states to reach more residents who qualify for the company's Tribal Lifeline and Tribal Link-Up assistance programs. The announcement is available on TMCnet at:

Qwest Expands Outreach to Low-Income Residents on Tribal Lands; More are Now Eligible for Low-Cost Telephone Service

The programs provide for reduced rates for households meeting certain income guidelines. Residents on tribal lands can receive basic telephone service for as little as $1.00 per month and installation services at up to 50% off. The discount Tribal Lifeline and Tribal Link-Up services are offered under reimbursement programs established by the FCC.

AB -- 4/28/05

According to an announcement today, a new company, Celona Technologies, has entered the Operations Support Systems (OSS) market area with products particularly targeted at product portfolio management for telecommunications companies. Today's release says that the new company has already gone live with BT Retail as a client.

Celona's news release from today is available on TMCnet at:

This interesting release just arrived at TMCnet outlining how the Superior Court of California in Napa County is using speech technology to provide court information to callers:

Superior Court Adopts Speech Technology to Better Serve Citizens Via the Telephone

The release is interesting enough (reads almost like a case study) that it is worth reproducing a sizable excerpt:

Edify Corporation and American Telesource Inc. (ATI) today announced that the Superior Court of California, Napa County, has invested in self-service speech technology that automates jury management and criminal and traffic fine collection, in both English and Spanish. Residents use ordinary human speech or simple touch-tone commands to gain around-the-clock access to updated court information, reserving staff time for questions that require live assistance. Automating employee and customer processes significantly enhanced service to residents, raised staff productivity and dramatically cut operational costs.

With decreasing budgets and tight resources, local governments are turning to new technology to make the most out the residents' tax dollars while giving them the best possible service. At the forefront of this trend is the Superior Court of California, Napa County, which serves a population of 132,000. The county realized its juror management and criminal and traffic fines collection processes were frustrating for staff and citizens alike. Every week, the court issues approximately 1,100 jury service summons and handles an average of 500 requests for deferment of service or disqualification. All of these tasks were being handled manually by jury staff who felt buried in paperwork and phone messages. Prospective jurors endured lengthy and cumbersome wait times when trying to find out court instructions on the phone during overloaded peak hours. Staff in the criminal and traffic divisions faced similar challenges. Napa County looked to Edify and ATI for a comprehensive solution that would enhance customer service, help court clerks recover from piles of busywork, and cut costs.

"We are 100% focused on providing the best possible service to our constituents," said Jeanette Vannoy, information technology manager for the Superior Court of California, County of Napa. "ATI's government expertise coupled with Edify's proven platform and speech technologies enabled us to not only exceed our expectations in process efficiency and service levels, but also allowed us to use public money wisely by lowering costs while improving service."

Two full-time employees used to feel overwhelmed by paperwork and telephone calls. Now, just one clerk works just part-time, giving personal attention to people who really need it. The criminal and traffic divisions also reported lower volumes of live calls now that the automated system is resolving questions so effectively.

"A key government initiative is to reduce spending without impacting customer service, and Napa County is leading the way in executing on this vision and setting a precedent for counties in California and throughout the country," said Mitch Mandich, president and CEO of Edify. "Automated speech recognition solutions enable organizations to deliver higher levels of service and satisfaction to constituents while increasing operational efficiency and reducing costs."

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AB -- 4/26/05

Verizon announced today that it signed on Showtime Networks as a content provider for the Verizon FiOS TV service scheduled to launch later this year. Verizon's massive rollout of fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) is positioning it as a strong triple-play provider in many markets in the the near future. Showtime will provide premium movie services over FiOS.

Today's announcement is available at:

Verizon Signs Agreement With Showtime Networks for Premium Movie Services

Last week we picked up announcements of Verizon's video content deals with A&E Television Networks and NBC Universal Cable -- see those releases below:

Verizon and A&E Television Networks Sign Deal for Distribution of All Its Networks

Verizon and NBC Universal Cable Reach Extensive Agreement for Distribution of NBCU Cable and Broadcast Networks

So -- if the telcos are going to be providing TV programming, should they be regulated in the same way as the cable companies? 'Of course!' says Comcast. 'Certainly not!' says SBC. For reporting on this issue, see Bob Liu's article:

SBC: IP Video Service Isn't Cable

We also discussed this question in our TMCnet podcast last week. To listen to that program right now, click here to call up the MP3 file -- or go here to subscribe to our weekly communications podcast.

AB -- 4/26/05

Veraz Networks announced today that it has released an addition to its Any IP Enhanced Applications Solutions family to provide a turnkey prepaid services solution for service providers. Veraz's release from today is available on TMCnet at:

Veraz Networks Offers Prepaid Services Application Solution Maximizing Service Provider’s Enhanced Services Reach

Veraz says the platform's capabilities include "online credit card validation for recharge, multiple languages, multiple currencies, fraud control and an extensive set of real time rating features."

Veraz's release quotes Kevin Mitchell, Directing Analyst at Infonetics Research on the value of prepaid VoIP solutions for service providers:

"VoIP is attractive to new and established service providers as they are actively seeking to keep their costs low while effectively competing in the market with new, differentiable services. Prepaid solutions based on VoIP can allow carriers to address new market segments and be accomplished more quickly and economically than traditional ways. Aiming to help carriers with rolling out new services, Veraz turnkey Prepaid solutions complements their core softswitch and gateway offering."

AB -- 4/26/05

A release just arrived at TMCnet announcing that Qwest is filing comments today with the FCC in opposition to the pending merger of SBC and AT&T. The release is available at:

Qwest Communications Files Comments at FCC to Block SBC-AT&T Merger; Divestitures and Conditions Necessary to Protect Consumers and Businesses

Qwest calls this issue "the most significant matter to come before the FCC since the divestiture of the Bell System" and says that the merger would "constitute a significant setback to federal and state policymakers' efforts to bring about competition in the telecommunications industry" and would result in "higher prices, reduced service quality and less choice and innovation."

The release quotes Steve Davis, Qwest senior vice president of public policy: "SBC proposes to acquire its largest competitor and greatest strategic threat. It is inconceivable that this transaction could be in the public interest without the imposition of significant conditions and required divestitures."

The release goes on to say:

"To protect the public, it is essential that if the merger application is not denied outright, then the FCC must condition its approval, at a minimum, on significant divestitures of facilities and other related overlapping operations in SBC's 13-state operating territory. In addition, because the proposed merged company will benefit from the elimination of AT&T as a competitor -- and benefit from the elimination of other competitors' access to AT&T's wholesale services and access facilities -- other significant conditions must be imposed in order to attempt to level the playing field."

On the heels of the Qwest release, an opposing announcement arrived from the Communications Workers of America, available at:

SBC-AT&T Merger Merits Quick Approval, CWA Tells FCC

According to CWA, SBC-AT&T merger will:

+ Create a "premier U.S. communications company," with the ability to "expand the delivery of advanced technologies, services and features to all classes of customers."

+ "Create a company with the resources and end-to-end network essential in the deployment of advanced next-generation Internet-Protocol enabled networks and services."

+ Assure that "national security will be safeguarded, by ensuring that AT&T, on which the government heavily depends for national security and other needs, will be a strong American company."

+ "Enhance, not reduce, competition by combining the different strengths of the two merger partners -- AT&T's global network and research innovation and SBC's financial strength and local exchange, broadband and wireless capabilities."

+ "Provide employees at both companies with the opportunity to share in the growth of the merged entity rather than the job loss that has been the fate of all too many AT&T employees in recent years."

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AB -- 4/25/05

Various news outlets are reporting that Adelphia Communications has agreed to pay $715 million to settle its federal fraud case. Here is the Bloomberg report:

Adelphia to Settle Fraud Case for About $715 Million

BusinessWeek's report is here:

Adelphia to pay $700M to resolve probe

And CNN's here:

Adelphia to pay $715M for fraud

Bloomberg says that the Rigas family, founders of the company, will forfeit 95% of their assets in the settlement. The government will use the money to set up a victims' compensation fund.

AB -- 4/26/05

Fluke Networks and Ipswitch Inc. have announced a new partnership to bundle key products designed for real-time testing, monitoring and analysis of networks. You can read the full release on TMCnet at:

Fluke Networks Announces Partnership with Ipswitch, Inc. to Offer New Network Management Solutions

The two companies are combining Key Device Watch, based on Ipswitch's WhatsUp network monitoring tool, with Fluke's portable test products LinkRunner and NetTool. Ipswitch might be best known as developer of the WS_FTP file transfer protocol program (at least that's the case for me).

The joint announcement from today describes the capabilities of Key Device Watch in this way:

"The software enables users to map to their networks, monitor critical devices such as email or web sites, and receive alerts about any problems via email, sound, or visual pop-up, in order to speed problem resolution. A trend analysis feature, which tracks network diagnostics with graphical reports and charts, is also available in this bundle."

In describing the significance of this combined offering, Alex Neihaus, Vice President of Marketing at Ipswitch, is quoted as saying:

"As networks grow and become more complex, the administrator's ability to identify and address issues becomes even more important. Our partnership with Fluke Networks allows us to combine our strengths with theirs to deliver a unique, high-capability network monitoring solution for network administrators."

This picture gives you an idea of the combined user experience of the two Fluke devices with the Key Device Watch application:

AB -- 4/25/05

ViseonMedia announced today that The Weather Channel Interactive will provide video and data for VisiFone Multimedia users as part of a consumer pilot in late 2005.

ViseonMedia's news release is quoted below:

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VisiFone VoIP Media Channel to Provide WeatherChannel, News, Information, and Entertainment Content

San Francisco, CA - April 25, 2005 - ViseonMedia, a subsidiary of Viseon, Inc. (OTCBB: VSNI) and exclusive provider of TV-quality content to VisiFone Multimedia digital home telephone users worldwide, today announced that The Weather Channel Interactive, Inc, which produces the top-10 web property, weather.com, has agreed to provide its award-winning local, and national weather information for use as part of a U.S. VisiFone consumer pilot slated for late 2005. The new VisiFone Multimedia digital telephone for VoIP is capable of displaying fully interactive video and digital audio without the complexities of a personal computer, in addition to being a digital telephone/videophone. The Weather Channel Interactive will deliver selected video and data content to ViseonMedia, who will in turn format and distribute the content to VisiFone homes throughout the United States. The Weather Channel Interactive joins Discovery Networks and Fox News Channel in the pilot. Additional content providers are slated to come on board in the next few weeks.

"We are pleased to participate with Viseon in its innovative pilot program by providing weather content in the new VisiFone service targeted to VoIP customers. From our pioneering cable network to our successful Web site and broadband products, we have always stayed on the forefront of the evolving media industries. We welcome the VisiFone initiative as a promising new way to offer our weather information to consumers and to continue to be the anytime-anywhere weather information source as new media platforms emerge," said Jody Fennell, vice president of business development at weather.com.

"We are tremendously pleased to include The Weather Channel in our VisiFone lineup," said ViseonMedia President and CEO J.D. De Haseth. "The Weather Channel is the world's most trusted source of weather information, according to recent studies. And after more than 20 years on cable and 10 years on the Internet, The Weather Channel products available will be the primary weather destination for VisiFone users."

ViseonMedia will deliver weather, news, information, and entertainment programming to VisiFone users around the globe. Content providers will ultimately include cable channels, local and national broadcast networks, web portals and print media. Consumers can choose to view personally customized news, sports, weather, and entertainment as well as control the features of their VoIP services directly on the screen of their VisiFone. ViseonMedia interactive programming on the VisiFone is not designed to replace the television or the web portal experience. Instead, it is a dedicated third screen within the home where consumers can automatically view personalized information on their schedule.

According to International Data Corporation, 3 million users will have VoIP service in 2005, reaching 27 million users by 2009. For further information, please see the company websites at www.viseonmedia.com and www.viseon.com

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AB -- 4/25/05

The Radicati Group issued its Radicati Market Stats and Commentary earlier this week. I have been reviewing their reports for several months now. Particularly of interest are their predictions about spam. This week's report says they expect spam traffic in corporations to increase to 64% of all traffic in 2008, up from 48% this year. Radicati expects the market for anti-spam engines to reach $198 million in 2009, up from $95 million this year.

Following is an excerpt from this week's report:

EMAIL

We expect spam traffic in corporations to increase from 48% of total e-mail traffic in 2005, to 64% in 2008.

EUROPEAN MESSAGING SOFTWARE

The number of email users in Europe is set to increase from 201 million in 2005, to 252 million users in 2009.

In 2005, the European messaging software market will generate €697B. Over the next four years, this figure will increase at an average rate of 8.4% a year, totaling around €961B by 2009.

The number of corporate mailboxes in Europe is set to grow from 124M mailboxes in 2005, to 168M mailboxes in 2009.

SECURITY

In 2005, we estimate that 52% of corporate mailboxes are protected by a single anti-virus solution; by 2009 we estimate that 51% of corporate mailboxes will be protected by 2 anti-virus layers.

Worldwide revenue in the Anti-Spam Engine market is set to increase from $95 million in 2005, to $198 million in 2009.

WIRELESS EMAIL

We project that the number of worldwide enterprise wireless email users will increase from 3.2 million in 2004, to 38.7 million users in 2008.

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AB -- 4/22/05

Chinese telecom equipment manufacturer and wireless provider ZTE Corporation opened its Asia-Pacific headquarters today in Singapore in Parkview Square. The company issued this announcement:

ZTE Opens Asia-Pacific Headquaters In Singapore

Zhang Yun, the Chinese Ambassador to Singapore, praised ZTE as "the largest listed telecommunications manufacturer in China," and said: “With its substantial investment into R&D, and its proprietary intelligent property rights, ZTE illustrates the strength of Chinese companies in high-technology markets."

AB -- 4/22/05

This announcement came in this afternoon about a new computer self-support system:

New Software Transforms Tech Support

Syberfix Solutions is releasing Personal Online Support, a small-footprint software program that resides on the user's desktop and can instantly connect to a network of certified tech support helpdesks who can provide support and repair remotely and securely. From what I can tell, the remote support system is focused for the most part on basic repair issues, such as hardware, operating system, and networking.

Besides this personal product targeted at home and small business users, Syberfix also offers products for professional support providers that can include remote diagnostics, CRM tools and knowledge management capabilities.

AB -- 4/21/05