[digitimes] According to a new report from Ovum, China's 3G mobile broadband (MBB) connections will overtake fixed broadband connections by 2014. The primary drivers include growing demand for mobility, cheaper devices and attractive pricing strategies for MBB arising from the operator's ambitious 3G growth plans.
Ovum predicts high growth rates of MBB connections over the next few years, from 30 million of total connections in 2010 to 377 million in 2014. That represents 1157% growth from 2010. Ovum expects that handsets will account for 86% of total connections by 2014, explained Tracey Chen, senior analyst at Ovum.
Notebooks currently dominate connections, but handsets will increase dramatically during the next years, overtaking laptop users. This trend is driven by high handset penetration and operator efforts to market mobile Internet services on these handsets. However, notebook users will contribute a disproportionate share of revenue due to more lucrative pricing plans, said Chen.
Extensive municipal government investment in Wi-Fi technology (so-called "wireless city" projects) will be a medium term threat to MBB in the low-end consumer segment, particularly for notebooks, because these Wi-Fi services are offered free of charge. Though Wi-Fi is not allowed on handsets at this time, any relaxation can only increase the threat.
In the long run, the threat posed by Wi-Fi in the low-end market will depend on whether significant government support for Wi-Fi is sustained. In response, the operators offer dual mode 3G plus Wi-Fi datacards, and have chosen a mixed 3G/Wi-Fi strategy.
In contrast to the low-end market, Ovum expects that medium to high-end consumers and enterprise customers will prefer the network coverage and information security advantages of 3G MBB. Operators have worked with a few municipal governments to redeploy 3G networks for use in wireless city projects. This is eating into their 3G spectrum allocations, leading to accelerated consumption of their limited spectrum resources. Spectrum management issues, particularly the allocation of further 3G spectrum, require clarification and will hold back mass deployment of 3G until resolved.
Finally, the China mobile broadband market is in its early stages. In the coming years we expect to see mobile broadband grow in sophistication, with more segmented pricing and packaging, national mobility coverage and wider device choices to attract different user groups.
Mobile broadband in China to overtake fixed broadband in 2014, says Ovum
Saturday, March 27, 2010
USA - FCC's proposed 'non-discrimination' standard deliberately ignores economic literature and communications law jurisprudence
[prnewswire] The Federal Communications Commission's recently proposed "non-discrimination" principle is incompatible with established definitions of discrimination in the economics literature and communications jurisprudence according to a new law and economic analysis released by the Phoenix Center today. As a result, the analysis, Non-Discrimination or Just Non-Sense: A Law and Economics Review of the FCC's New Net Neutrality Principle by Phoenix Center Chief Economist Dr. George Ford and Phoenix Center President Lawrence J. Spiwak, warns that the Commission's "flawed standard is likely to create numerous unintended consequences that are antithetical to economic welfare and the stated goals of the Commission in promulgating the rules in the first instance."
Under the FCC's proposed new non-discrimination rule, "a broadband Internet access service provider may not charge a content, application, or service provider for enhanced or prioritized access to the subscribers of the broadband Internet access service provider." As Ford and Spiwak explain, however, "standard and prioritized/enhanced [broadband] services are different services, and a different price for different services is not discrimination under any meaningful standard." Stated another way, argue the authors, the "FCC has concluded that it is discriminatory if a gallon of water has a different price than a gallon of milk."
"Even under the best designed, analytically consistent regulations, there can be costly unintended consequences. When regulations are fabricated from whole cloth, however, the risk is likely to be much higher, since the impacts of such regulations have not been contemplated theoretically or measured empirically," says study co-author Dr. George Ford, the Phoenix Center's Chief Economist. "For example, the FCC's proposed rule will likely block efficient voluntary transactions and block quality improvements. When that happens, consumers and content providers lose. Eventually, it will be the content sector pleading for the elimination of this rule."
"The intent of our analysis is neither to challenge the FCC's jurisdiction to protect an 'Open Internet' nor the broader idea that the FCC should establish clear rules in the first instance," according to Phoenix Center President Lawrence J. Spiwak. "Instead, we merely seek to point out the patent analytical flaws in the FCC's current proposed approach so as to avoid heartache later on down the road."
FCC's Proposed 'Non-Discrimination' Standard Deliberately Ignores Economic Literature and Communications Law Jurisprudence
See also Phoenix Center Policy Perspective No.. 10-03: Non-Discrimination or Just Non-Sense: A Law and Economics Review of the FCC's New Net Neutrality Principle
Under the FCC's proposed new non-discrimination rule, "a broadband Internet access service provider may not charge a content, application, or service provider for enhanced or prioritized access to the subscribers of the broadband Internet access service provider." As Ford and Spiwak explain, however, "standard and prioritized/enhanced [broadband] services are different services, and a different price for different services is not discrimination under any meaningful standard." Stated another way, argue the authors, the "FCC has concluded that it is discriminatory if a gallon of water has a different price than a gallon of milk."
"Even under the best designed, analytically consistent regulations, there can be costly unintended consequences. When regulations are fabricated from whole cloth, however, the risk is likely to be much higher, since the impacts of such regulations have not been contemplated theoretically or measured empirically," says study co-author Dr. George Ford, the Phoenix Center's Chief Economist. "For example, the FCC's proposed rule will likely block efficient voluntary transactions and block quality improvements. When that happens, consumers and content providers lose. Eventually, it will be the content sector pleading for the elimination of this rule."
"The intent of our analysis is neither to challenge the FCC's jurisdiction to protect an 'Open Internet' nor the broader idea that the FCC should establish clear rules in the first instance," according to Phoenix Center President Lawrence J. Spiwak. "Instead, we merely seek to point out the patent analytical flaws in the FCC's current proposed approach so as to avoid heartache later on down the road."
FCC's Proposed 'Non-Discrimination' Standard Deliberately Ignores Economic Literature and Communications Law Jurisprudence
See also Phoenix Center Policy Perspective No.. 10-03: Non-Discrimination or Just Non-Sense: A Law and Economics Review of the FCC's New Net Neutrality Principle
Twitter spam shows large fall
[network world] Twitter has published figures that appear to show a dramatic fall in spam on the service.
In a blog statement, the company reckons that the number of 'spammy tweets' posted per day is now around 1 percent and falling, a sharp drop compared to the high point last August of between 8 and 11 percent.
"We're constantly battling against spam to improve the Twitter experience and we're happy to report that it's working," says the company, which now employs a special Trust and Safety team just to battle the problem.
The exact definition of spam on Twitter involves detecting more complex patterns of behaviour than it would on email. The most obvious problem is the setting up of bogus accounts which then generate tweets or direct messages that lead to malicious websites, but also the repeated following and 'unfollowing' of users in order to attract attention, Twitter says.
Twitter spam shows large fall
In a blog statement, the company reckons that the number of 'spammy tweets' posted per day is now around 1 percent and falling, a sharp drop compared to the high point last August of between 8 and 11 percent.
"We're constantly battling against spam to improve the Twitter experience and we're happy to report that it's working," says the company, which now employs a special Trust and Safety team just to battle the problem.
The exact definition of spam on Twitter involves detecting more complex patterns of behaviour than it would on email. The most obvious problem is the setting up of bogus accounts which then generate tweets or direct messages that lead to malicious websites, but also the repeated following and 'unfollowing' of users in order to attract attention, Twitter says.
Twitter spam shows large fall
Consumers Don't Relate Bot Infections to Risky Behavior
[prnewswire] A significant percentage of consumers continue to interact with spam despite their awareness of how bots and viruses spread through risky email behavior, according to the Messaging Anti-Abuse Working Group (MAAWG) based on a new survey it released today covering North America and Western Europe. Even though over eighty percent of email users are aware of the existence of bots, tens of millions respond to spam in ways that could leave them vulnerable to a malware infection, according to the 2010 MAAWG Email Security Awareness and Usage Survey.
In the new survey, half of users said they had opened spam, clicked on a link in spam, opened a spam attachment, replied or forwarded it – activities that leave consumers susceptible to fraud, phishing, identity theft and infection. While most consumers said they were aware of the existence of bots, only one-third believed they were vulnerable to an infection.
"Consumers need to understand they are not powerless bystanders. They can play a key role in standing up to spammers by not engaging and just marking their emails as junk," said Michael O'Reirdan, MAAWG chairman.
"When consumers respond to spam or click on links in junk mail, they often set themselves up for fraud or to have their computers compromised by criminals who use them to deliver more spam, spread viruses and launch cyber attacks," O'Reirdan said.
The research findings on awareness of bots, email security practices, and attitudes toward controlling spam were generally consistent with the first MAAWG consumer survey in 2009 covering North America. The new 2010 survey was expanded to cover Western Europe and looks at consumers' attitudes in Canada, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.
It Won't Happen to Me Syndrome
Less than half of the consumers surveyed saw themselves as the entity who should be most responsible for stopping the spread of viruses. Yet, only 36% of consumers believe they might get a virus and 46% of those who opened spam did so intentionally.
This is a problem because spam is one of the most common vehicles for spreading bots and viruses. The malware is often unknowingly installed on users' computers when they open an attachment in a junk email or click on a link that takes them to a poisoned Web site, according to O'Reirdan.
Younger consumers tend to consider themselves more security savvy, possibly from having grown up with the Internet, yet they also take more risks. Among the survey's key findings:
* Almost half of those who opened spam did so intentionally. Many wanted to unsubscribe or complain to the sender (25%), to see what would happen (18%) or were interested in the product (15%).
* Overall, 11% of consumers have clicked on a link in spam, 8% have opened attachments, 4% have forwarded it and 4% have replied to spam.
* On average, 44% of users consider themselves "somewhat experienced" with email security. In Germany, 33% of users see themselves as "expert" or "very experienced," followed by around 20% in Spain, the U.K. and the U.S.A., 16% in Canada and just 8% in France.
* Men and email users under 35 years, the same demographic groups who tend to consider themselves more experienced with email security, are more likely to open or click on links or forward spam. Among email users under 35 years, 50% report having opened spam compared to 38% of those over 35. Younger users also were more likely to have clicked on a link in spam (13%) compared to less than 10% of older consumers.
* Consumers are most likely to hold their Internet or email service provider most responsible for stopping viruses and malware. Only 48% see themselves as most responsible, though in France this falls to 30% and 37% in Spain.
* Yet in terms of anti-virus effectiveness, consumers ranked themselves ahead of all others, except for anti-virus vendors: 56% of consumers rated their own ability to stop malware and 67% rated that of anti-virus vendors' as very or fairly good. Government agencies, consumer advocacy agencies and social networking sites were among those rated most poorly.
The survey was conducted online between January 8 and 21, 2010 among over a thousand email users in the United States and over 500 email users in each of the other five countries. Participants were general consumers responsible for managing the security for their personal email address.
Both the survey's key findings and the full report are available at the MAAWG Web site, www.MAAWG.org. The 2010 research was conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs, and the full report includes country comparisons for many of the questions along with detailed charts.
Consumers Don't Relate Bot Infections to Risky Behavior as Millions Continue to Click on Spam
In the new survey, half of users said they had opened spam, clicked on a link in spam, opened a spam attachment, replied or forwarded it – activities that leave consumers susceptible to fraud, phishing, identity theft and infection. While most consumers said they were aware of the existence of bots, only one-third believed they were vulnerable to an infection.
"Consumers need to understand they are not powerless bystanders. They can play a key role in standing up to spammers by not engaging and just marking their emails as junk," said Michael O'Reirdan, MAAWG chairman.
"When consumers respond to spam or click on links in junk mail, they often set themselves up for fraud or to have their computers compromised by criminals who use them to deliver more spam, spread viruses and launch cyber attacks," O'Reirdan said.
The research findings on awareness of bots, email security practices, and attitudes toward controlling spam were generally consistent with the first MAAWG consumer survey in 2009 covering North America. The new 2010 survey was expanded to cover Western Europe and looks at consumers' attitudes in Canada, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.
It Won't Happen to Me Syndrome
Less than half of the consumers surveyed saw themselves as the entity who should be most responsible for stopping the spread of viruses. Yet, only 36% of consumers believe they might get a virus and 46% of those who opened spam did so intentionally.
This is a problem because spam is one of the most common vehicles for spreading bots and viruses. The malware is often unknowingly installed on users' computers when they open an attachment in a junk email or click on a link that takes them to a poisoned Web site, according to O'Reirdan.
Younger consumers tend to consider themselves more security savvy, possibly from having grown up with the Internet, yet they also take more risks. Among the survey's key findings:
* Almost half of those who opened spam did so intentionally. Many wanted to unsubscribe or complain to the sender (25%), to see what would happen (18%) or were interested in the product (15%).
* Overall, 11% of consumers have clicked on a link in spam, 8% have opened attachments, 4% have forwarded it and 4% have replied to spam.
* On average, 44% of users consider themselves "somewhat experienced" with email security. In Germany, 33% of users see themselves as "expert" or "very experienced," followed by around 20% in Spain, the U.K. and the U.S.A., 16% in Canada and just 8% in France.
* Men and email users under 35 years, the same demographic groups who tend to consider themselves more experienced with email security, are more likely to open or click on links or forward spam. Among email users under 35 years, 50% report having opened spam compared to 38% of those over 35. Younger users also were more likely to have clicked on a link in spam (13%) compared to less than 10% of older consumers.
* Consumers are most likely to hold their Internet or email service provider most responsible for stopping viruses and malware. Only 48% see themselves as most responsible, though in France this falls to 30% and 37% in Spain.
* Yet in terms of anti-virus effectiveness, consumers ranked themselves ahead of all others, except for anti-virus vendors: 56% of consumers rated their own ability to stop malware and 67% rated that of anti-virus vendors' as very or fairly good. Government agencies, consumer advocacy agencies and social networking sites were among those rated most poorly.
The survey was conducted online between January 8 and 21, 2010 among over a thousand email users in the United States and over 500 email users in each of the other five countries. Participants were general consumers responsible for managing the security for their personal email address.
Both the survey's key findings and the full report are available at the MAAWG Web site, www.MAAWG.org. The 2010 research was conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs, and the full report includes country comparisons for many of the questions along with detailed charts.
Consumers Don't Relate Bot Infections to Risky Behavior as Millions Continue to Click on Spam
USA - Wireless broadband access in rural areas has significant cost advantages over wired access
[prnewswire] A study authored by Brattle Group principal Coleman Bazelon and sponsored by Qualcomm shows that wireless broadband access has significant cost advantages over wired access in reaching homes in rural areas, making it an attractive and efficient option for meeting the broadband needs of rural America.
Current U.S. policy promotes nationwide broadband deployment and adoption, with an emphasis on meeting the needs of unserved and underserved communities. To assist policy-makers in evaluating different approaches to serve the most rural counties in the U.S., the study examined the relative costs of providing wireless and wireline infrastructure to the least populated areas of the country -- those covering about six percent of the population and half of the landmass of the U.S.
The key difference between providing broadband services to urban versus rural areas is the significantly different population density of customers, which directly impacts the fixed costs of providing wireline and wireless network service. The report's analysis focused on the per household costs of the fixed part of the distribution network, or the cost of running distribution wires (typically along telephone and utility poles) for a wireline network and the cost of towers, radios, and antennas for a wireless network.
Applying a cost per mile of $12,500 for a cable distribution network and taking into account road and housing density in rural areas, the analysis found that the average cost per household for wireline broadband infrastructure is an estimated $2,426. Wireless networks cover the areas around cell sites. Taking account of the capital and spectrum costs of covering rural areas, the analysis found that the average cost per household for wireless broadband infrastructure is an estimated $300.
By comparing the costs and coverage of wireline versus wireless broadband, the study found that providing broadband access for significant portions of the U.S. would be less expensive if access were provided by wireless rather than wireline infrastructure, with savings ranging from up to $1,000 per household in a few select counties to more than $7,500 per household for much of the Great Plains and Intermountain West. In total, the area analyzed in this study covered about 1.7 million square miles, or more than 56 percent of the U.S. land mass (excluding Alaska), and almost 18 million people, more than one-third of the population of non-metro counties and almost six percent of the total U.S. population. The study found a wireless cost advantage in all counties examined.
"Even using conservative estimates for the analysis, the findings of this study clearly show the economic superiority of wireless for serving rural America," notes Dr. Bazelon. "As the Federal Communications Commission implements its National Broadband Plan, including the recommendation to create a Mobility Fund in the universal service program to provide funding to cover the costs of extending wireless coverage in rural areas, and the federal government prepares to spend billions of dollars on rural broadband infrastructure, wireless broadband infrastructure should play a central role," he concluded.
Wireless Broadband Access in Rural U.S. Has Significant Cost Advantages Over Wired Access
see also full text of report
Current U.S. policy promotes nationwide broadband deployment and adoption, with an emphasis on meeting the needs of unserved and underserved communities. To assist policy-makers in evaluating different approaches to serve the most rural counties in the U.S., the study examined the relative costs of providing wireless and wireline infrastructure to the least populated areas of the country -- those covering about six percent of the population and half of the landmass of the U.S.
The key difference between providing broadband services to urban versus rural areas is the significantly different population density of customers, which directly impacts the fixed costs of providing wireline and wireless network service. The report's analysis focused on the per household costs of the fixed part of the distribution network, or the cost of running distribution wires (typically along telephone and utility poles) for a wireline network and the cost of towers, radios, and antennas for a wireless network.
Applying a cost per mile of $12,500 for a cable distribution network and taking into account road and housing density in rural areas, the analysis found that the average cost per household for wireline broadband infrastructure is an estimated $2,426. Wireless networks cover the areas around cell sites. Taking account of the capital and spectrum costs of covering rural areas, the analysis found that the average cost per household for wireless broadband infrastructure is an estimated $300.
By comparing the costs and coverage of wireline versus wireless broadband, the study found that providing broadband access for significant portions of the U.S. would be less expensive if access were provided by wireless rather than wireline infrastructure, with savings ranging from up to $1,000 per household in a few select counties to more than $7,500 per household for much of the Great Plains and Intermountain West. In total, the area analyzed in this study covered about 1.7 million square miles, or more than 56 percent of the U.S. land mass (excluding Alaska), and almost 18 million people, more than one-third of the population of non-metro counties and almost six percent of the total U.S. population. The study found a wireless cost advantage in all counties examined.
"Even using conservative estimates for the analysis, the findings of this study clearly show the economic superiority of wireless for serving rural America," notes Dr. Bazelon. "As the Federal Communications Commission implements its National Broadband Plan, including the recommendation to create a Mobility Fund in the universal service program to provide funding to cover the costs of extending wireless coverage in rural areas, and the federal government prepares to spend billions of dollars on rural broadband infrastructure, wireless broadband infrastructure should play a central role," he concluded.
Wireless Broadband Access in Rural U.S. Has Significant Cost Advantages Over Wired Access
see also full text of report
Telepresence growth to peak in 2009-10 - Frost & Sullivan
[PRnewswire] Large businesses are increasingly turning to video as an alternative to travel when budgets are strapped - among the gainers are telepresence solutions. Revenues for ready-built telepresence suites in Asia-Pacific grew an estimated 71.1 percent in 2009 (up from 46.6 percent in 2008).
For 2010, Frost & Sullivan expects a growth of 64.4 percent, with revenues of just over US$73.0 million by year-end. Weaker growth is expected thereafter.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Asia-Pacific Telepresence Market, finds that the market - covering 14 Asia-Pac countries, including Japan - earned estimated revenues of US$44.4 million in 2009. The market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 22.9 percent (2009-2015) per annum, before reaching a market size of US$110.1 million by end-2015.
If you are interested in more information about this study, then send an e-mail to Sarah Lourdes at sarah.lourdes@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website and country.
Although a far more costly visual communication tool to conventional video conferencing systems, Frost & Sullivan industry manager Pranabesh Nath believes that "the immersive nature of telepresence enhances user experience and productivity, while simultaneously trimming the operational expenditure of a company.
"Major vendors were quick to seize the opportunity presented by the harsh economic climate and were successful in selling a large number of ready-built systems in the last two years," he adds. "Many even offering generous discounts to make a sale."
Not for long; Nath expects stiff competition in the next two years from more affordable mid-range high-definition (HD) video conferencing systems, as well as customised immersive solutions which system integrators are starting to offer at lower price points.
Growth in revenues for ready-built telepresence systems are expected to decline sharply after 2010, dropping to 32.1 percent growth in 2011 before falling to well below ten percent for subsequent years. No growth is expected in 2015; of course by then, the unit-price for ready-built systems would have declined too.
Nath is not ready to dismiss it though. "Telepresence is a small, but very visible segment that is expected to significantly impact the visual collaboration market," he says.
"We are already witnessing a blurring of boundaries between an immersive telepresence suite and conventional HD video system, and this will only accelerate in the next one to two years," he adds.
Vendors currently market telepresence systems as ready-built units, but in future, Nath believes it is quite likely that newer business models will emerge from greater involvement with service providers offering customised immersive systems as a managed service. He expects this to show promising uptake as it eliminates the need for users to invest in hardware and in-house maintenance skills.
Asia-Pac accounted for just over 15 percent of the world telepresence market in 2009. Regional adoption was highest in Australasia which accounted for 30 percent (US$13.5 million) of the Asia-Pac revenues last year.
Telepresence Growth Peaks in 2009-10, Frost & Sullivan Predicts
For 2010, Frost & Sullivan expects a growth of 64.4 percent, with revenues of just over US$73.0 million by year-end. Weaker growth is expected thereafter.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Asia-Pacific Telepresence Market, finds that the market - covering 14 Asia-Pac countries, including Japan - earned estimated revenues of US$44.4 million in 2009. The market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 22.9 percent (2009-2015) per annum, before reaching a market size of US$110.1 million by end-2015.
If you are interested in more information about this study, then send an e-mail to Sarah Lourdes at sarah.lourdes@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website and country.
Although a far more costly visual communication tool to conventional video conferencing systems, Frost & Sullivan industry manager Pranabesh Nath believes that "the immersive nature of telepresence enhances user experience and productivity, while simultaneously trimming the operational expenditure of a company.
"Major vendors were quick to seize the opportunity presented by the harsh economic climate and were successful in selling a large number of ready-built systems in the last two years," he adds. "Many even offering generous discounts to make a sale."
Not for long; Nath expects stiff competition in the next two years from more affordable mid-range high-definition (HD) video conferencing systems, as well as customised immersive solutions which system integrators are starting to offer at lower price points.
Growth in revenues for ready-built telepresence systems are expected to decline sharply after 2010, dropping to 32.1 percent growth in 2011 before falling to well below ten percent for subsequent years. No growth is expected in 2015; of course by then, the unit-price for ready-built systems would have declined too.
Nath is not ready to dismiss it though. "Telepresence is a small, but very visible segment that is expected to significantly impact the visual collaboration market," he says.
"We are already witnessing a blurring of boundaries between an immersive telepresence suite and conventional HD video system, and this will only accelerate in the next one to two years," he adds.
Vendors currently market telepresence systems as ready-built units, but in future, Nath believes it is quite likely that newer business models will emerge from greater involvement with service providers offering customised immersive systems as a managed service. He expects this to show promising uptake as it eliminates the need for users to invest in hardware and in-house maintenance skills.
Asia-Pac accounted for just over 15 percent of the world telepresence market in 2009. Regional adoption was highest in Australasia which accounted for 30 percent (US$13.5 million) of the Asia-Pac revenues last year.
Telepresence Growth Peaks in 2009-10, Frost & Sullivan Predicts
Friday, March 26, 2010
UK - A quarter of internet users aged 8-12 say they have under-age social networking profiles
[ofcom] A quarter of children aged 8-12 who use the internet at home say they have a profile on Facebook, Bebo or MySpace, new Ofcom research revealed today. These sites have a minimum user age of 13.
But 83 per cent of these children have their profile set so that it can only be seen by friends, and 4 per cent have a profile that can't be seen. Nine in ten parents of these children who are aware that their child visits social networking sites (93 per cent) also say that they check what their child is doing on these types of sites. However one in six (17 per cent) parents of this group are not aware that their child visits social networking sites.
Ofcom's annual Children's Media Literacy Audit provides an overview of media literacy among children and young people and their parents and carers. The report also includes internet audience data which showed that amongst 5-7 year old home internet users, just over a third (37 per cent) visited Facebook in October 2009 (but did not necessarily have a profile).
A quarter of internet users aged 8-12 say they have under-age social networking profiles
But 83 per cent of these children have their profile set so that it can only be seen by friends, and 4 per cent have a profile that can't be seen. Nine in ten parents of these children who are aware that their child visits social networking sites (93 per cent) also say that they check what their child is doing on these types of sites. However one in six (17 per cent) parents of this group are not aware that their child visits social networking sites.
Ofcom's annual Children's Media Literacy Audit provides an overview of media literacy among children and young people and their parents and carers. The report also includes internet audience data which showed that amongst 5-7 year old home internet users, just over a third (37 per cent) visited Facebook in October 2009 (but did not necessarily have a profile).
A quarter of internet users aged 8-12 say they have under-age social networking profiles
UN tells Iran to stop jamming int'l broadcasts
[ynet] The UN telecommunications agency says Iranian jamming of international satellite broadcasts is "forbidden" and has ordered the Islamic republic to clear the interference.
The International Telecommunication Union stopped short Friday of blaming the government for the jamming, but said the source was clearly from Iranian territory. ITU said Friday it was acting on a complaint from France, representing satellite provider Eutelstat.
UN tells Iran to stop jamming int'l broadcasts
The International Telecommunication Union stopped short Friday of blaming the government for the jamming, but said the source was clearly from Iranian territory. ITU said Friday it was acting on a complaint from France, representing satellite provider Eutelstat.
UN tells Iran to stop jamming int'l broadcasts
Bahrain fixed line, mobile numbers grow
[ame] Bahrain's telecoms regulator has said the number of fixed lines in the kingdom rose from 220,000 at the end of 2008 to 230,000 by the end of Q2 2009. At the end of Q2 2009 there were about 1.4 million mobile subscribers in Bahrain, with prepaid subscribers representing 83% of mobile subscribers, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority said.
Bahrain fixed line, mobile numbers grow
Bahrain fixed line, mobile numbers grow
Egypt prohibits mobile VoIP calls
[ame] Amr Badawy, the executive president of Egypt's National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority, has announced the start of a ban on international calls made through mobile internet connections, Reuters has reported. 'The ban is on Skype on mobile internet, not on fixed, and this is due to the fact it is against the law since it bypasses the legal gateway,' he said. Under Egyptian law, international calls must pass through a network controlled by majority state-owned Telecom Egypt.
Egypt prohibits internet voice calls
Egypt prohibits internet voice calls
UAE limits VoIP to local firms
[ame] Mohammed Gheyath, executive director for technology development affairs at the UAE's Telecoms Regulatory Authority, has said that only local firms will be given licences for VoIP, Reuters has reported. 'No licences for international companies like Skype for the time being, they can join existing licensees and have partnerships with them,' he said. Currently, local operators Etisalat and Du as well as satellite firms Yahsat and Thuraya are licensed to offer VoIP.
UAE limits VoIP to local firms
UAE limits VoIP to local firms
Internet in the Andes: New APC research
[apc] The Andean region has some of the lowest fixed telephone line, mobile telephony and broadband penetration rates of all Latin America, the continent with the starkest economic disparities in the world. In the 90s, Andean countries adopted new liberalisation and privatisation policies in order to attain universal access. Almost 20 years later, these promises have not been fulfilled. APC studied each country through national reports in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela in order to understand this failure. As the State in countries like Venezuela and Ecuador has begun to play a more pro-active role, the research also analyses their effectiveness and the opportunities and challenges of this renewed involvement. The end goal is for civil society in the region to have the solid tools they need to ensure that inclusive and democratic policies around broadband are put in place.
The project under which research was carried out is called Communication for Influence in Latin America and the Caribbean (CILAC). CILAC also promoted the creation of AndinaTIC, a network of civil society organisations from the Andean region that are working on ICT policy advocacy. AndinaTIC members produced national advocacy reports, which are available below.
Internet in the Andes: New APC research
The project under which research was carried out is called Communication for Influence in Latin America and the Caribbean (CILAC). CILAC also promoted the creation of AndinaTIC, a network of civil society organisations from the Andean region that are working on ICT policy advocacy. AndinaTIC members produced national advocacy reports, which are available below.
Internet in the Andes: New APC research
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Mobile - Telecom operators join forces against mobile spam
[Reuters] Telecom operators are cooperating to halt extensive mobile spamming spreading from Asia to Europe and North America as this could hurt their brands and alienate subscribers.
The telecoms industry group GSMA unveiled on Wednesday a new spam reporting service, a world wide centre of messaging threats and misuse, analysing mobile users reports.
The new service, operated by messaging security firm Cloudmark, is in trials with operators including AT&T, Korea Telecom and Vivendi's SFR.
Unwanted mobile messaging -- spam, viruses or phishing attacks -- have surged in Asia as messaging prices have dropped to zero or close to zero, and already account for around 20 percent of all text messages. "We believe this will move over to Europe and United States probably during the next 18 months," Hugh McCartney, chief executive of Cloudmark told Reuters in an interview.
So far in Europe and North America less than 1 percent of messages are spam, McCartney said.
"Operators just want to make sure it will never reach the level seen in Asia," he said.
So far mobile telecom operators in the mature markets have been able to block most of the so far simple attacks, but Cloudmark and other mobile and messaging security firms expects risks to grow as messaging costs fall, attracting spammers.
Cloudmark, majority-owned by private equity firms including Summit Partners and Nokia Growth Partners, competes with bigger rivals Symantec and Cisco in messaging security market.
Telecom operators join forces against mobile spam
The telecoms industry group GSMA unveiled on Wednesday a new spam reporting service, a world wide centre of messaging threats and misuse, analysing mobile users reports.
The new service, operated by messaging security firm Cloudmark, is in trials with operators including AT&T, Korea Telecom and Vivendi's SFR.
Unwanted mobile messaging -- spam, viruses or phishing attacks -- have surged in Asia as messaging prices have dropped to zero or close to zero, and already account for around 20 percent of all text messages. "We believe this will move over to Europe and United States probably during the next 18 months," Hugh McCartney, chief executive of Cloudmark told Reuters in an interview.
So far in Europe and North America less than 1 percent of messages are spam, McCartney said.
"Operators just want to make sure it will never reach the level seen in Asia," he said.
So far mobile telecom operators in the mature markets have been able to block most of the so far simple attacks, but Cloudmark and other mobile and messaging security firms expects risks to grow as messaging costs fall, attracting spammers.
Cloudmark, majority-owned by private equity firms including Summit Partners and Nokia Growth Partners, competes with bigger rivals Symantec and Cisco in messaging security market.
Telecom operators join forces against mobile spam
China cuts 2010 telecom capex by 21 percent
[eetimes] With its 3G building binge largely over, China's three major telecom operators will cut their spending on capital equipment by more than 20 percent in 2010. The decline is greater than expected, driving analyst to anticipate lower revenues for system and chip makers including Ericsson.
China's carriers were a bright light in the downturn of 2008-2009 as they finally gave the green light to building out their 3G cellular networks. With the build outs largely complete, market watchers had expected declines in 2010, but not ones as steep as the carriers reported in recent quarterly financial calls.
China's carriers are now expected to spend a total of about 262 billion renminbi, down 21 percent from 2009, and mobile spending should be down about 25 percent, according to Barclays Capital. Flat spending in Europe and an uptick in U.S. mobile network spending will offset the losses.
Overall capex on wireless networks will dip 1.8 percent worldwide, according to a recent iSuppli report.
China Unicom which reported its plans Tuesday (March 23) is taking the biggest cuts, slashing its total capex budget 35 percent in 2010 to 73.5 billion renminbi.
China Telecom is keeping its wireline spending flat at about $28 billion renminbi, but it expects to cut its mobile spending by 50 percent in 2010 to about 26.8 billion renminbi after doubling mobile capex in 2010, Barclays reported.
For its part, China Mobile will only shave its total capex five percent in 2010. Like the other carriers, it will increase spending on wireless handsets as it tries to more than double its 3G subscribers to 10 million in 2010. For China Mobile that means about US$500 million in additional handset subsidies this year.
Among equipment vendors, Ericsson is likely to suffer most, followed by Nokia Siemens Networks, Alcatel Lucent, Motorola and China's top equipment vendors HuaWei and ZTE. Among chip makers, Altera and Xilinx have the greatest exposure to the market for base stations and other wireless gear.
Despite the downturn in China spending, Barclays Capital did not change overall revenue estimates for the FPGA makers. Analysts noted wired telecom business from Cisco, HuaWei, ZTE and others remains strong. In addition, capex for wireless systems in the U.S. is expected to be up about 12 percent in 2010, driven in part by the first deployments of FPGA-rich LTE systems and high-end 3G services.
Dell 'Oro Group recently estimated carriers will spend about $240 million on LTE this year, soaring to $5 billion in 2014.
Analysts from J.P. Morgan Chase and Co. were more cautious on the impact for FPGA makers, though they maintained neutral ratings for Altera and Xilinx.
"We believe Xilinx and Altera are at risk of an inventory build up," said J.P. Morgan Chase analysts in a research note. "The China base station market represents roughly eight percent of total Xilinx revenue and 12 percent of total Altera revenue," it said.
China cuts 2010 telecom capex by 21 percent
China's carriers were a bright light in the downturn of 2008-2009 as they finally gave the green light to building out their 3G cellular networks. With the build outs largely complete, market watchers had expected declines in 2010, but not ones as steep as the carriers reported in recent quarterly financial calls.
China's carriers are now expected to spend a total of about 262 billion renminbi, down 21 percent from 2009, and mobile spending should be down about 25 percent, according to Barclays Capital. Flat spending in Europe and an uptick in U.S. mobile network spending will offset the losses.
Overall capex on wireless networks will dip 1.8 percent worldwide, according to a recent iSuppli report.
China Unicom which reported its plans Tuesday (March 23) is taking the biggest cuts, slashing its total capex budget 35 percent in 2010 to 73.5 billion renminbi.
China Telecom is keeping its wireline spending flat at about $28 billion renminbi, but it expects to cut its mobile spending by 50 percent in 2010 to about 26.8 billion renminbi after doubling mobile capex in 2010, Barclays reported.
For its part, China Mobile will only shave its total capex five percent in 2010. Like the other carriers, it will increase spending on wireless handsets as it tries to more than double its 3G subscribers to 10 million in 2010. For China Mobile that means about US$500 million in additional handset subsidies this year.
Among equipment vendors, Ericsson is likely to suffer most, followed by Nokia Siemens Networks, Alcatel Lucent, Motorola and China's top equipment vendors HuaWei and ZTE. Among chip makers, Altera and Xilinx have the greatest exposure to the market for base stations and other wireless gear.
Despite the downturn in China spending, Barclays Capital did not change overall revenue estimates for the FPGA makers. Analysts noted wired telecom business from Cisco, HuaWei, ZTE and others remains strong. In addition, capex for wireless systems in the U.S. is expected to be up about 12 percent in 2010, driven in part by the first deployments of FPGA-rich LTE systems and high-end 3G services.
Dell 'Oro Group recently estimated carriers will spend about $240 million on LTE this year, soaring to $5 billion in 2014.
Analysts from J.P. Morgan Chase and Co. were more cautious on the impact for FPGA makers, though they maintained neutral ratings for Altera and Xilinx.
"We believe Xilinx and Altera are at risk of an inventory build up," said J.P. Morgan Chase analysts in a research note. "The China base station market represents roughly eight percent of total Xilinx revenue and 12 percent of total Altera revenue," it said.
China cuts 2010 telecom capex by 21 percent
Africa - Bharti a game changer
[financial express] Bharti Airtel’s entry into the African market has caught the world’s attention as apart from making the company the country’s first truly multinational telecom operator, the move is being largely viewed as a potential game changer in one of the world’s most attractive telecom markets, Africa. The world would now watch with rapt attention how Sunil Bharti Mittal transplants his low cost-high volume mobile business across the Indian borders and once the task is successfully accomplished would emerge as the unchallenged telecom czar who rewrote the entire economy of the telecom business.
It is not that the task comes without challenges. The foremost would be to turn the African operations of Zain profitable in a market dominated by formidables like Vodafone and Bharti’s first preference to enter the African market, MTN.
The top 10 mobile operators in the continent share the bulk of 77% subscribers. Of the continent’s 334 million serviced mobile phone customers, the UK-based Vodafone, which is the world’s largest mobile firm by revenues, holds the highest market share of close to 18.7%. The South African telecom giant MTN is a close second with 18% market share and Bharti’s latest acquisition, Zain is third with a subscriber market share of 11%.
A market leader in its home market, Bharti has successfully kept Vodafone a distant second in the GSM mobile space in India and would enter the African market with the confidence and practical experience to take on the company it has not allowed to snatch its leadership slot in India. But then in India it had the first mover advantage, something which is lacking in Africa.
Secondly, the tariff wars in India have conditioned Bharti enough to understand the price sensitivity in emerging market economies, which has resulted in the company’s lean cost model. Bharti has championed the outsourcing model wherein it has retained only the core function of a telecom operator and outsourced the rest of the activities to market leaders in those activities who best know how to do it.
Finally, unlike India, no other telecom market in the world provides operators an environment to post fat Ebitda margins of close to 40% with the lowest price, which is the average revenue per user. In Africa, the Arpu is approximately $8 while in India it is around $5.
But there is a lot of difference between creating a successful greenfield venture and building a profitable company spanning...
Game changer in Africa
It is not that the task comes without challenges. The foremost would be to turn the African operations of Zain profitable in a market dominated by formidables like Vodafone and Bharti’s first preference to enter the African market, MTN.
The top 10 mobile operators in the continent share the bulk of 77% subscribers. Of the continent’s 334 million serviced mobile phone customers, the UK-based Vodafone, which is the world’s largest mobile firm by revenues, holds the highest market share of close to 18.7%. The South African telecom giant MTN is a close second with 18% market share and Bharti’s latest acquisition, Zain is third with a subscriber market share of 11%.
A market leader in its home market, Bharti has successfully kept Vodafone a distant second in the GSM mobile space in India and would enter the African market with the confidence and practical experience to take on the company it has not allowed to snatch its leadership slot in India. But then in India it had the first mover advantage, something which is lacking in Africa.
Secondly, the tariff wars in India have conditioned Bharti enough to understand the price sensitivity in emerging market economies, which has resulted in the company’s lean cost model. Bharti has championed the outsourcing model wherein it has retained only the core function of a telecom operator and outsourced the rest of the activities to market leaders in those activities who best know how to do it.
Finally, unlike India, no other telecom market in the world provides operators an environment to post fat Ebitda margins of close to 40% with the lowest price, which is the average revenue per user. In Africa, the Arpu is approximately $8 while in India it is around $5.
But there is a lot of difference between creating a successful greenfield venture and building a profitable company spanning...
Game changer in Africa
Africa - The Rationale For Indian Telecommunications Investment In Africa
[glg group] Although India and Africa are vastly different in many respects they are also very similar in terms of their current total populations and aggregate, or average wealth, as well as their history of European colonialism. Mobile telecommunications is another area of similarity between the subcontinent and the continent. In both environments mobile telephony has emerged as the vehicle through which tens indeed hundreds of millions of Africans and Indians have gained their first access to telecommunications services for voice communication and messaging. The economic and social impacts of this development – the result of a combination of technological progress and market liberalization – have already been remarkable. Yet the potential of telecommunications access has only just begun to be exploited. It will be multiplied many times as and if new broadband wireless networks are deployed. Both Africa and India pose formidable challenges to the further development of affordable, more powerful telecommunications services, which are in some key respects very different from those confronting operators in regions such as Western Europe, North America, and Japan. These obstacles are the result of low income levels and major deficiencies in infrastructure (transport, electric power) as well as institutional weaknesses and episodes of social violence that erupt in many localities. Nevertheless it is encouraging how many innovations have been introduced from inexpensive terminals adapted to harsh environments to renewable, self-contained energy sources to imaginative distribution channels and operational procedures to enable affordable, suitable and useful services to be brought to millions of low ARPU users. Indian operators have been pioneers in these developments. Interest in the low cost Indian operator model has been heightened by Bharti's attempts to become a major player in Africa through an acquisition. So it is instructive to assess the differences between Africa and India to understand the extent to which Bharti's Indian experience can be transferred to Africa. There are significant differences between India and Africa in terms of the economies of scale that can be achieved and the required investments given their very different population densities, workforces, and political and regulatory structures. Africa includes over 50 countries and hence regulatory regimes, while India has one regulator, albeit with 23 mobile license areas or circles. India is also a high density area, so it inevitably enjoys greater economies of scale and lower capex per population covered compared to African countries. Furthermore India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world with a large service sector. Hence not only does the Indian economy do more value addition and exhibits a relatively higher propensity to spend than Africa, but it is better equipped to implement the outsourcing model for which Bharti and its private sector compatriots are well known.Nevertheless the potential for growth in Africa is enormous. Mobile markets in Africa are turning into a battleground between operators based in Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, and India, and quite likely China. M&A will undoubtedly be part of the initiatives and competitive maneuvering that will define and reshape the future structure and dynamics of these markets that are not only important in their own right, but also provide core elements of the capabilities available to Africans that can enable them to enhance the quality of their lives and the wealth of their economies.
The Rationale For Indian Telecommunications Investment In Africa
The Rationale For Indian Telecommunications Investment In Africa
CRASA - ‘Impact Assessment important in telecommunications system development’
[chronicle] IMPACT Assessment (IA) is an essential step in the development of telecommunications systems in the Southern African region as it prepares the evidence for decision makers on the pros and cons of making various policies, a telecommunications expert has said.
In his presentation at a three-day Communications Regulator’s Association of Southern Africa (Crasa) workshop being held here, the telecommunications regulatory advisor, Mr Eric Borgstrain, said: “Impact assessment enables the regulatory authorities to make better policies and laws and explains why actions are necessary and facilitates better informed decision making among other things.”
He said the southern Africa regulators should embrace IA.
In his presentation, an independent telecommunications policy analyst, Mr Evan Sutherland, told the delegates that IA helped eliminate unnecessary and burdensome regulations.
“There is a need for constant review of policies in order to continuously meet the needs of the consumers,” he said.
Crasa operations manager Ms Bridget Linzie said it was being acknowledged that IA was
an effective tool for modern, evidence-based policy-making that facilitates for structured framework for handling policy challenges.
“It is also being advised that these IA should be embedded in all our policy and regulation making process.”
Ms Linzie took time to note that the global realisation that Information Communication and Technologies (ICTs) were an integral part of the social and economic development brought in the need for an efficient telecommunications system.
“Even our own governments have come to an agreement that ICTs are tools that will allow us to achieve the millennium development goals. While our business has understood that it is the telecomm system, through effective information and communication exchange, that has brought in business efficiencies and growth. In addition the telecoms system has rendered decision making more effective and extended the markets to global magnitude,” she said.
More than 100 delegates drawn from different Sadc countries are meeting in Victoria Falls for an impact assessment workshop, which is running under the theme: “Promoting a change in Sadc culture in policy and regulation making”.
The meeting continues today.
‘Impact Assessment important in telecommunications system development’
In his presentation at a three-day Communications Regulator’s Association of Southern Africa (Crasa) workshop being held here, the telecommunications regulatory advisor, Mr Eric Borgstrain, said: “Impact assessment enables the regulatory authorities to make better policies and laws and explains why actions are necessary and facilitates better informed decision making among other things.”
He said the southern Africa regulators should embrace IA.
In his presentation, an independent telecommunications policy analyst, Mr Evan Sutherland, told the delegates that IA helped eliminate unnecessary and burdensome regulations.
“There is a need for constant review of policies in order to continuously meet the needs of the consumers,” he said.
Crasa operations manager Ms Bridget Linzie said it was being acknowledged that IA was
an effective tool for modern, evidence-based policy-making that facilitates for structured framework for handling policy challenges.
“It is also being advised that these IA should be embedded in all our policy and regulation making process.”
Ms Linzie took time to note that the global realisation that Information Communication and Technologies (ICTs) were an integral part of the social and economic development brought in the need for an efficient telecommunications system.
“Even our own governments have come to an agreement that ICTs are tools that will allow us to achieve the millennium development goals. While our business has understood that it is the telecomm system, through effective information and communication exchange, that has brought in business efficiencies and growth. In addition the telecoms system has rendered decision making more effective and extended the markets to global magnitude,” she said.
More than 100 delegates drawn from different Sadc countries are meeting in Victoria Falls for an impact assessment workshop, which is running under the theme: “Promoting a change in Sadc culture in policy and regulation making”.
The meeting continues today.
‘Impact Assessment important in telecommunications system development’
Wired.com - Why Isn’t My House Out-Thinking My Dog Yet?
[wired.com] Seen any sci-fi movies in the past decade? Good. Then this scene should be familiar: As you move through your sparsely furnished apartment, lights automatically flick on and off. Your heating system anticipated your arrival and raised the temperature to 72 degrees. Your oven is preheated and ready to cook that cryo-packed meal you picked up at Blade Runner Joe’s. Welcome to the smart home of the future! Or not.
On the spectrum of technology’s unfulfilled promises, home automation — or domotics — sits somewhere between flying cars and holodecks. As predictable as our personal routines may seem, there’s enough variability to make intelligent automation insanely difficult. It requires devices and networks that simply don’t exist. “There’s no consumer-level AI yet,” says Gordon Meyer, author of Smart Home Hacks.
But while sassy robo-maids and self-cleaning floors are still a far-off fantasy, remote-controlled homes are a reality. In fact, you probably own the device that would make it all possible: your smartphone. This sensor-crammed, Web-enabled wonder is perfect for monitoring and controlling your abode.
The software is already being developed. Between the iPhone, Android, and Symbian, there are dozens of apps that’ll let you tweak your thermostat and lights or cue up a little mood music from the road. Unfortunately, these solutions are usually tied to a single appliance or system and depend on proprietary hardware or services. Home automation needs a standard platform to go mainstream.
Burning Question: Why Isn’t My House Out-Thinking My Dog Yet?
On the spectrum of technology’s unfulfilled promises, home automation — or domotics — sits somewhere between flying cars and holodecks. As predictable as our personal routines may seem, there’s enough variability to make intelligent automation insanely difficult. It requires devices and networks that simply don’t exist. “There’s no consumer-level AI yet,” says Gordon Meyer, author of Smart Home Hacks.
But while sassy robo-maids and self-cleaning floors are still a far-off fantasy, remote-controlled homes are a reality. In fact, you probably own the device that would make it all possible: your smartphone. This sensor-crammed, Web-enabled wonder is perfect for monitoring and controlling your abode.
The software is already being developed. Between the iPhone, Android, and Symbian, there are dozens of apps that’ll let you tweak your thermostat and lights or cue up a little mood music from the road. Unfortunately, these solutions are usually tied to a single appliance or system and depend on proprietary hardware or services. Home automation needs a standard platform to go mainstream.
Burning Question: Why Isn’t My House Out-Thinking My Dog Yet?
USA - Prison Mobile Phone Debate Jammed Up in the System
[wired] On paper, it’s a no-brainer: Prisoners have mobile phones they are using to run gangs, call friends, and intimidate witnesses. Tech companies have the equipment to jam the phones by flooding the airwaves, and prisons want to use them. But the 1930s law setting up the nation’s telecommunications bureaucracy makes such jamming illegal.
That drives Howard Melamed, the CEO of CellAntenna, crazy. Witnesses are dying and gangs are flourishing because Congress has yet to put the Safe Prison’s Act bill on President Obama’s desk, Melamed argues. His company, which mostly sells tech to expand cell coverage inside buildings, also does some business in jammers. And over the last seven years, he’s become one of the most public faces of the campaign to rid prisons of rogue cell phones.
“Criminals behind bars are doing what they do best which is break the law,” Melamed said. “People are being killed by criminals using cell phones in prisons to arrange hits on witnesses.”
It’s not an insignificant problem. Mobile phones make their way into prisons by visitors smuggling them in — in whole or in part — or from prison employees who can make thousands of dollars per cell phone. Since cell phones aren’t explicitly considered contraband under federal law, there’s not much punishment for employees who sneak them in. California found more than 4,000 phones in 2009, while the feds found close to 2,000 in their prisons and work camps. In a recent case in Maryland, a number of employees were indicted after the DEA wiretapped a jailed gang leader, catching him complaining about having to settle for salmon and shrimp, instead of lobster, to go with his champagne.
Prison Mobile Phone Debate Jammed Up in the System
That drives Howard Melamed, the CEO of CellAntenna, crazy. Witnesses are dying and gangs are flourishing because Congress has yet to put the Safe Prison’s Act bill on President Obama’s desk, Melamed argues. His company, which mostly sells tech to expand cell coverage inside buildings, also does some business in jammers. And over the last seven years, he’s become one of the most public faces of the campaign to rid prisons of rogue cell phones.
“Criminals behind bars are doing what they do best which is break the law,” Melamed said. “People are being killed by criminals using cell phones in prisons to arrange hits on witnesses.”
It’s not an insignificant problem. Mobile phones make their way into prisons by visitors smuggling them in — in whole or in part — or from prison employees who can make thousands of dollars per cell phone. Since cell phones aren’t explicitly considered contraband under federal law, there’s not much punishment for employees who sneak them in. California found more than 4,000 phones in 2009, while the feds found close to 2,000 in their prisons and work camps. In a recent case in Maryland, a number of employees were indicted after the DEA wiretapped a jailed gang leader, catching him complaining about having to settle for salmon and shrimp, instead of lobster, to go with his champagne.
Prison Mobile Phone Debate Jammed Up in the System
USA - Competition lacking in National Broadband Plan
[tmcnet] The National Broadband Plan released by the Federal Communications Commission last week has come under fire from public interest groups.
Those groups cite a concern that the plan doesn’t go far enough in increasing competition in the broadband market.
According to the New America Foundation, a 100-megabit broadband connection costs as little $16 per month in Sweden and $24 per month in Korea, while service that is only half that fast costs $145 per month in the U.S.
“The Berkman Center report commissioned by the FCC (News - Alert) provides an in-depth assessment of the regulatory and economic environments of numerous countries around the globe. As an agency committed to making "data-based policies" the FCC's omission of extensive research they themselves commissioned from The National Broadband Plan is glaring,” said Sascha Meinrath, director of the Open Technology Initiative, New America Foundation.
More competition would lower the prices for consumers, public-interest groups say.
The “open access” rules sought by public-interest groups would require large phone and cable TV companies to lease their networks to smaller competitors so they can offer services at their own prices. Because it is so expensive to extend lines to every home and business, they say, such obligations may be the only way to drive competition in many markets.
“Open access and infrastructure-sharing have proven to be a key differentiator between countries whose broadband services are faster and cheaper and those, like the U.S., who are lagging behind. This phenomenon, in fact, parallels the assessment conducted by "The Economist" last September looking at how companies overseas have expanded mobile telecommunications to customers whose average return per user is a tiny fraction of what we pay here in the U.S.,” Meinraht said. “As ‘The Economist's’ special report underscores, whether fixed line or mobile, sharing of telecommunications infrastructure lowers the prices for customers.”
The National Broadband Plan has set a goal of 100 Mbps service provided to 100 million U.S. homes by 2020 and also calls for releasing 500 MHz of additional spectrum for wireless broadband.
Competition lacking in National Broadband Plan
Those groups cite a concern that the plan doesn’t go far enough in increasing competition in the broadband market.
According to the New America Foundation, a 100-megabit broadband connection costs as little $16 per month in Sweden and $24 per month in Korea, while service that is only half that fast costs $145 per month in the U.S.
“The Berkman Center report commissioned by the FCC (News - Alert) provides an in-depth assessment of the regulatory and economic environments of numerous countries around the globe. As an agency committed to making "data-based policies" the FCC's omission of extensive research they themselves commissioned from The National Broadband Plan is glaring,” said Sascha Meinrath, director of the Open Technology Initiative, New America Foundation.
More competition would lower the prices for consumers, public-interest groups say.
The “open access” rules sought by public-interest groups would require large phone and cable TV companies to lease their networks to smaller competitors so they can offer services at their own prices. Because it is so expensive to extend lines to every home and business, they say, such obligations may be the only way to drive competition in many markets.
“Open access and infrastructure-sharing have proven to be a key differentiator between countries whose broadband services are faster and cheaper and those, like the U.S., who are lagging behind. This phenomenon, in fact, parallels the assessment conducted by "The Economist" last September looking at how companies overseas have expanded mobile telecommunications to customers whose average return per user is a tiny fraction of what we pay here in the U.S.,” Meinraht said. “As ‘The Economist's’ special report underscores, whether fixed line or mobile, sharing of telecommunications infrastructure lowers the prices for customers.”
The National Broadband Plan has set a goal of 100 Mbps service provided to 100 million U.S. homes by 2020 and also calls for releasing 500 MHz of additional spectrum for wireless broadband.
Competition lacking in National Broadband Plan
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