networking

SBC fights regulations

SBC Communications is working the regulatory circuit as it tries to avoid complying with federal and local regulations on its next-generation services.

On Thursday, the FCC rejected the Baby Bell??s request to have its voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, service freed of traditional phone regulation, reports Reuters. The FCC rejected the request based on procedural issues, but it could take up the issue again at a later date, said Reuters.

SBC is also looking to be exempt from regulation on its proposed Internet Protocol TV service. The company has been publicly pushing its stance, saying that its new … Read more

BellSouth touts video IM

Soon customers of BellSouth??s DSL service will be able to chat face to face with their friends and family over the Internet. The regional phone company announced yesterday that it is trialing a video chat service that allows customers with a Webcam and microphone to chat through the BellSouth instant-messaging client.

Call me old fashioned, but I think I??d rather stick with the kind of IM where no one has to know that I am sitting at my computer in my pajamas.

SBC promises to get 'naked'

SBC Communications is going to start testing 'naked' DSL, according to Dave Burstein in his latest DSL Prime newsletter. CFO Rich Lindner supposedly told analysts at a conference that he "expects [SBC] will do trials of naked DSL, especially bundled with wireless."

SBC hasn't yet confirmed these comments. And the company isn't saying yet when testing is likley to begin or when the service might eventually be available.

'Naked' DSL has become a hot topic, especially in light of the recenty proposed mega mergers between SBC and AT&T and Verizon and MCI. Consumer advocates … Read more

Verizon ups bid for MCI

Could the third time be a charm for Verizon?

MCI has once again accepted Verizon??s offer to buy the troubled long distance carrier. On Monday, Verizon said it would increase its bid for MCI to at least $26 a share, bringing the total price tag to $8.4 billion. Even though this price is still lower than Qwest??s latest offer, MCI??s board has once again agreed to go with Verizon??s offer. Qwest??s most recent offer is valued at round $9.74 billion.

This is the third time the board has accepted Verizon??s offer to … Read more

MCI?s top shareholder scores big

Carlos Slim Helu is slick.

The Mexican telecommunications magnate, who is the largest shareholder in MCI, has managed to sell his minority stake in the company to Verizon for a price that??s 11 percent above what Verizon plans to pay the rest of the company??s shareholders.

And while everyone else will take their money mostly in stock, Slim will walk away with cash. Verizon also threw in another little perk. In one year, it will give Slim an adjustment based on appreciation of its stock price. In the end the price tag could exceed $27 per share, well … Read more

"Wireless Philadelphia" moves forward

Philadelphia officially released its business plan for "Wireless Philadelphia" on Thursday. The city-wide Wi-Fi network will use utility poles to mount wireless gear to provide service to city residents at about $16 to $20 a month.

The city plans to use a cooperative wholesale model, similar to one that has been proposed by UTOPIA, a consortium of 11 cities building a broadband fiber network in Utah. Under this model, the city will create a non-profit organization that will contract out to private organizations that will build the network. The non-profit organization will get its funding through foundation grants … Read more

Qwest's offer rejected again

Can you hear me now, Qwest? Thanks, but no thanks.

The board of directors at MCI has once again rejected Qwest Communications' takeover bid, but the drama may not be over as Qwest plans to take its fight to shareholders.

Late Tuesday night, MCI announced it was rejecting Qwest's offer of $8.9 billion for Verizon's $7.5 billion bid. But Qwest isn't giving up just yet. The company looks to be preparing for a proxy fight with Verizon.

"We are confident that our offer is superior, and statements of support from many MCI shareowners indicate … Read more

MCI drama close to an end

By midnight tonight, the "who will buy MCI saga" should be over. Qwest, which raised its offer again last week, said that it would give MCI until midnight on April 5th to make its final decision.

MCI, which is the second largest long distance carrier in the U.S., has already accepted Verizon's offer twice. On Monday, Verizon's CEO Ivan Seidenberg sent a letter to MCI's board of directors stating that his company would not get into a bidding war with Qwest. If the board decides to accept Qwest's new offer, Verizon will step … Read more