November 2006 Archives

Holiday shoppers can now put broadband in their carts. The award-winning AT&T Yahoo!^® High-Speed Internet service will be available at 570 Wal-Mart stores in 13 states in November 2006. The deal offers consumers another convenient way to learn about, shop for and eventually purchase AT&T Yahoo! High-Speed Internet services. With more than 150 million customers shopping in its stores each week, Wal-Mart provides AT&T with the opportunity to reach more consumers.

"By offering information about AT&T Yahoo! High-Speed Internet services in a number of Wal-Mart Connection Center locations, millions of consumers will have the opportunity to conveniently learn about AT&T broadband services while shopping for their everyday necessities. This will open up a whole new world of online experiences for AT&T and Wal-Mart customers, from easily sharing photos and stories with distant family and friends to streaming music and video from their favorite performers in the comfort of their living room," said Rick Welday, chief marketing officer, AT&T Consumer. "We offer the fastest Internet speeds in the market for the price, which fits perfectly with the Wal-Mart everyday-low-price model."

With 8.2 million high-speed Internet lines, AT&T is the largest broadband provider among U.S. telecommunications providers. AT&T Yahoo! High-Speed Internet service offers consumers unmatched levels of personalization, customization and interactivity. Subscribers receive a leading combination of broadband access, powerful safety and security tools, and service and content that delivers a unique high-speed Internet experience.

If you would like to find out more details about AT&T Yahoo! High-Speed Internet service and order this service online, you can go to the AT&T page on WhiteFence.

The National Football League and Verizon Communications have agreed to deliver live NFL Network sports and entertainment programming via Verizon's consumer broadband services, beginning Dec. 7 with the matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns. Verizon already offers the NFL Network television channel to subscribers of its FiOS TV Service and is the only Internet service provider to deliver selected NFL Network programming over broadband.

The deal includes live, online broadcasts of NFL Network's Thursday and Saturday regular season games, certain college football bowl games telecast by the NFL Network, plus other programming for Verizon consumer broadband subscribers who also receive the NFL Network.

Additionally, all Verizon consumer broadband customers - including customers of both Verizon's FiOS Internet Service and Verizon Online's DSL service -- will be able to enjoy a variety of additional NFL-related and NFL Network programming, including weekly previews of NFL Network games, highlights of NFL Network games, off-season programming and links to an NFL.com fantasy football game.

"Customers who subscribe to video and broadband with Verizon can now enjoy live NFL action on their TVs, PCs and laptops, both at home and away from home," said Bob Ingalls, chief marketing officer of Verizon. "NFL Networks already is a premier part of our video offerings, and we're delighted to add it to our fast-growing roster of top-quality online entertainment programming.  This reflects our commitment to providing consumers more and better choices in video and online entertainment."

Through a separate agreement, Verizon provides the NFL Network TV channel to subscribers of its 200-channel all-digital FiOS TV Premier package.

To access the new, online NFL programming, customers will log onto their Verizon consumer broadband accounts and access the shows from the Verizon Surround online entertainment site (http://surround.verizon.net/).   They can enjoy live programs at home or use any broadband connection to log on remotely. 

Verizon FiOS TV subscribers -- or customers who subscribe to DIRECTV through Verizon -- who receive both the NFL Network and a Verizon consumer broadband service will have access to online broadcasts, including:

• Live NFL Network feed for NFL Network's Thursday and Saturday regular-season games, including alternative camera angles and audio feeds; real-time statistics; and in-progress highlights of NFL Network games and other college games.
• Special events, including college bowl games and college all-star games.

All of Verizon's consumer broadband subscribers will have access to:

• Weekly NFL preview videos, including a highlights package for each Thursday and Saturday game.
• Programming from NFL Network shows including NFL Total Access and NFL Point After.
• NFL off-season programming.
• Exclusive commentary from NFL analysts, including Rich Eisen, Vic Carucci and Pat Kirwan.
• NFLN Fan Challenge fantasy football game based on NFL Network's eight-game package.

EarthLink has proposed to build, own and operate a municipal wireless network in the City of Alexandria, and the franchise agreement, in the form of a city ordinance, will be introduced at the City Council meeting scheduled today, November 28th.

The approximately 16-square-mile Wi-Fi mesh network will provide affordable, high-speed Internet access for the residents of and visitors to the City of Alexandria, Virginia.  After a period for public review and comment, the franchise is scheduled to be formally awarded to EarthLink at City Council's meeting on Saturday, December 16th.

EarthLink has emerged as one of the leaders in municipal Wi-Fi development, having been awarded contracts in Philadelphia; Anaheim, California; Milpitas, California; and New Orleans.

"When the City launched 'Wireless Alexandria' last year, it was beginning its journey into making government more efficient and improving residents quality of life, which are just a few of the benefits of a city-wide municipal wireless network," said Donald Berryman, executive vice president of EarthLink and president of the ISP's municipal networks unit. "Alexandria is now taking the next step by authorizing EarthLink to build an affordable and portable state-of-the-art network that will enable Internet access anywhere throughout the City."

"This initiative has tremendous potential for Alexandria's residents, businesses, and government," said Mayor William D. Euille. "We believe this is a smart way for the City to encourage broadband development, without interfering with the private sector."

EarthLink will also help promote 'digital inclusion' by offering discounted Internet access at a price of $9.95 a month for certain qualifying, low-income residents and will also provide free public Internet access in approximately two dozen public, yet-to-be-determined locations, throughout the City of Alexandria.

As part of its commitment to open access, EarthLink will enable multiple, competing providers, such as PeoplePC, to offer their services to consumers and businesses over its network.

EarthLink will deploy Tropos Networks' MetroMesh Wi-Fi routers on light poles throughout the city that will enable reliable wireless data connectivity between consumers and the Internet. The Tropos system forms a wireless mesh, intelligently routing data to produce the best possible user experience. The network will be operated and optimized using Tropos Control, an end-to-end configuration, monitoring and maintenance tool suite. In addition, EarthLink will deploy Motorola's MOTOwi4™ portfolio of products, including its Canopy™ high-speed backhaul and Wi-Fi mesh network equipment.

A new world of advertising may be coming to a home near you. Recently, Charter Communications, Inc. launched a field pilot for dynamic OnDemand advertising in St. Louis, Missouri. St Louis is the largest media market to date to deploy dynamic on demand advertising and follows the successful completion of the company's lab trial in which advertising was dynamically inserted into on demand programs, enabling individual ad copy to be refreshed and rotated among viewer sessions within minutes. Atlas, C-COR, Harmonic and TVN Entertainment Corporation are full participants for the software, hardware and workflow management required to implement this new system.

"Charter is now taking dynamic ad insertion to the next phase, which means deploying it as a field pilot focusing on delivering dynamic on demand advertising built instantly in response to viewers' desires, all based on play lists by viewer sessions," said Todd A. Stewart, Charter's Corporate Vice President of National Advertising Sales and Development. "This is a breakthrough that entirely changes the landscape of on demand television advertising," said Mr. Stewart.

The field pilot was deployed in Charter's St. Louis metropolitan market in late October. Charter is partnering with Ogilvy North America whose national client is a participant in the pilot. Mediaedge:cia also has a client participating. Maria Mandel, Partner, Executive Director Digital Innovation for OgilvyInteractive, said, "We are excited by the potential of dynamic on demand television advertising and are looking forward learning its targeting and optimization capabilities."

Commercial content provided by advertisers is being placed in pre- and post-roll positions around free on demand content provided by Hollywood.com Television and Vehix.com. Video sessions are created as they are ordered and allow ad copy updates without having to incur the cost of re-encoding and re-distribution. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate the ability to immediately direct targeted messages to the right audience at the right time and reduce lead time from weeks to days. In the past, most video on-demand advertising was tied to specific content for the run of the ad, which forced advertisers to commit to a lead time of several weeks and run generic copy.

"This is an exciting time for advertisers using Charter OnDemand," said Mr. Stewart. "When this product is fully developed and launched, advertisers will reach the audience they want, and viewers will see more of the products they actually desire."

You can read more about the advertising pilot in this Charter press release.

Comcast Corp. is the nation's leading provider of cable entertainment and communications products and services, with 23.3 million cable customers, 10 million high-speed Internet customers and 1.6 million voice customers. The bundle includes digital voice, digital cable and high-speed Internet and is now available through WhiteFence in Fort Wayne/Huntington, Indiana.

AT&T Inc. and NBC Universal, Inc. have entered a distribution agreement to deliver NBC Universal linear, high-definition (HD) and on-demand programming as part of the AT&T U-verse^SM TV channel lineup.

Under the agreement, AT&T will distribute to U-verse customers the analog and digital signals of the NBC and Telemundo owned-and-operated broadcast stations, as well as NBCU's cable properties, including CNBC, CNBC World, MSNBC, Telemundo, mun2, Telemundo Puerto Rico, Bravo, the SCI FI Channel, Sleuth, ShopNBC, USA Network, Universal HD and the Olympics on Cable. The deal also includes video-on-demand (VOD) rights for Universal Pictures' movies.

"NBC Universal operates many of the most popular television services on the air today," said Dan York, head of programming, AT&T Entertainment. "We're thrilled to include the wide array of engaging and entertaining NBC Universal brands in our channel lineup and VOD offering."

"NBC Universal is proud to deliver diverse, quality programming; leading news coverage; and award-winning feature films to AT&T U-verse customers," said Henry Ahn, senior vice president, Affiliate Sales, NBCU Cable. "We appreciate AT&T's support of NBC Universal in the broad carriage of all of our cable properties, broadcast network, owned and operated stations, and VOD films."

AT&T U-verse TV is delivered by Project Lightspeed, the company's initiative to expand the fiber-optics network deeper into neighborhoods to deliver U-verse TV, AT&T Yahoo!^® High Speed Internet U-verse Enabled and, in the future, Voice over IP services. Through its subsidiaries, AT&T expects to reach nearly 19 million households by the end of 2008 as part of its initial deployment, using fiber-to-the-node (FTTN) and fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) technologies.

ComEd recently announced the successful results of its CARE (Customers' Affordable Reliable Energy) one Million Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Bulb Discount Program. Residential customers exceeded program goals by purchasing more than 1.2 million energy efficient light bulbs at nearly 350 participating retailers since the initiative began on Oct. 1.

We are very pleased such a large number of customers will use these discounted CFL bulbs in their homes. This is a significant achievement," said ComEd President J. Barry Mitchell. "Lower electricity use will be reflected in lower bills for customers. This also means the generators need to produce less electricity to meet customer demand, which means less greenhouse gases will be emitted."

By using these energy efficient bulbs, ComEd residential customers collectively could reduce their overall electric use by about 79 million kilowatt-hours in the coming year, or the amount of energy needed to annually power about 8,200 average area homes, and save up to $7.4 million annually on their electric bills, or about $6 in savings per year for each CFL installed. Additionally, the replacement of 1.2 million incandescent bulbs with CFLs will avoid about 17 million pounds of carbon dioxide gas per year from being emitted into the local environment, or the equivalent annual emissions of about 1,400 cars.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's joint national "ENERGY STAR® Change a Light, Change the World" campaign, qualified CFLs use up to 66 percent less electricity than equivalent incandescent light bulbs, and last up to 10 times longer. Replacing six 60-watt incandescent bulbs with comparable CFL bulbs may yield savings of up to 4 percent on a household's electric bill, or $120, over the lifetime of the bulbs.

The ComEd CARE 1 Million CFL Bulb Discount Program is the largest privately funded energy efficiency lighting promotion ever carried out in the Midwest and is the result of a partnership with the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and participating northern Illinois retailers. ComEd CARE is a multiyear initiative to help residential customers better manage their electric bills as Illinois transitions toward competitive market rates following the end of a nine-year rate freeze on Dec. 31, 2006.

Lifestyle and entertainment network WealthTV recently announced that it will be joining the programming lineup on TVMAX by the end of the year. Television viewers in the Houston metro area will soon have access to WealthTV's programming which features shows from exotic travel to luxurious lifestyles to programs on the latest medical advances. WealthTV will be featured on TVMAX's digital basic tier.

"TVMAX is further enhancing its programming lineup to satisfy their subscribers' passions. We are excited to be expanding our coverage in Texas which currently includes numerous partners in nearly all areas of the state," stated John Ghiorzi, EVP, affiliate relations.

"WealthTV delivers what our customers are dreaming of in an informative and entertaining fashion. The vicarious living aspect of WealthTV will play well with our customers," said David J. Curtin, Chief Operating Officer, TVMAX.

TVMAX follows a number of successful WealthTV launches in a myriad of communities across Texas.

Read more about the network at WealthTV.net.

TiVo recently announced that it has signed CBS Interactive to deliver original programming created for the Web directly to television through the TiVoCast service. Additionally, TiVo signed on a list of other partners to deliver broadband content to the television including Reuters, Forbes, dLife, Plum TV and Nano. Launched earlier this year, the TiVoCast service brings a whole new line-up of content to the television by offering broadband video previously found only on the Web and not widely available on TV.

CBS Interactive is the first network deal for TiVoCast. The content will consist of original programming from CBS's online destinations including CBS.com, CBS's broadband channel innertube, CBSNews.com and CBS SportsLine.

"This represents a great opportunity for CBS to showcase its growing online content on the television platform," said Quincy Smith, President, CBS Interactive. "TiVo's TiVoCast service allows for us to extend our reach, join other content innovators, and ultimately learn more about our audience with content such as Katie Couric's "Eye To Eye" from CBSNews.com, fantasy football shows from CBS SportsLine.com, or the wealth of original programming currently available on CBS.com."

"Web video has become an explosive pop culture phenomenon and TiVo is leading the way in bringing it from the PC to TV," said Tom Rogers, President and CEO of TiVo. "Television remains the number one platform on which consumers prefer to watch video so TiVoCast is a win-win both for consumers who enjoy the comfort and convenience of TV and for content providers who want to extend their reach."

TiVo also is announcing new content partnerships with Reuters, Forbes, dLife, Plum TV and Nano. These new channels join a stellar line-up of TiVoCast partners which includes leading video content providers: the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), The New York Times, Heavy, iVillage and CNET among others.

All the Web-based video content is included in the TiVo subscription fee and available to any broadband connected TiVo Series2™ TiVo box, with TiVoCast available on Series3™ TiVo boxes later this year.

For more, check out the TiVo press release.

According to a recent Mediaweek article, the Versus network will be launching a high-definition channel in early next year. The Comcast-owned cable network will offer Comcast Golf Channel programming on the new channel from noon to 7:00 p.m. and Versus programming from 7:00 p.m. to noon. The channel will be initially be carried on all Comcast systems, with DIRECTV also signing on to carry the channel.

Mediaweek says that the new channel will offer all high-definition National Hockey League games to be carried by Versus. The programming airing on the new HD channel will also air simultaneously on either the Golf Channel or Versus. The Golf Channel programming will include live golf tournament coverage, including the PGA, while programming from Versus offered in HD will focus on other sports in addition to hockey,  including boxing, professional bull riding, as well as hunting and fishing shows.

Rumor also has it that there are plans to air the Tour de France upconverted in high definition on the new channel, but negotiations are also taking place to try to get a pure high-definition feed of the event.

For more details, check out the Mediaweek article Versus to Offer High-Def Channel .

Verizon recently announced that, in a move similar to AT&T, the company will be helping U.S. troops and their families stay in touch during the holiday season. For the fourth consecutive year, Verizon Business will provide free phone calls for U.S. Armed Forces personnel stationed in Iraq. The calls will be provided from Nov. 22 through 28 and from Dec. 22 through Jan. 2.

"For our troops stationed far away from home, hearing the sound of a loved-one's voice can go a long way to lift the spirits during the holidays,'' said Jerry Edgerton, group president for Verizon Federal, the sales organization within Verizon Business dedicated to serving federal government customers. "Verizon Business has made it a tradition to help the troops stay connected during the holiday season as a gesture of appreciation for the sacrifices they make daily."

In addition to a mobile communications facility outfitted with phones to allow military personnel to make calls,  Verizon Business makes technology, resources and employee support available to military personnel and their families around the world.

Verizon Business also is supporting the USO of Metropolitan Washington on Dec. 17 at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, by hosting a Verizon Business Phone Home for the Holidays program in conjunction with the USO's holiday event.  Verizon Business will deploy one of its mobile emergency communications vehicles to allow troops and their families to make free local, long-distance and international calls as well as send e-mails.

RadioShack recently announced the launch of four new online consumer electronics educational courses through the RadioShack Learning Center at http://learningcenter.radioshack.com. Completely free, the courses are designed to allow consumers to learn about technology in an interactive, self-paced format.

"Since the launch of the RadioShack Learning Center in October, we have seen a lot of consumer excitement and interest in these classes," said Cara Kinzey, RadioShack's senior vice president-information technologies. "We know more consumers than ever are researching their technology purchases online before they shop, and the November courses cover some of the most popular product categories we offer. No doubt a major reason why this initiative has been so well received is that it taps a prevalent need for something RadioShack is known for: helping people get the most out of technology in every neighborhood in America."

New courses being added for November include: Digital & Wireless Accessories for Your Car, The Wireless Mobile Office, Designing the Ultimate Home Theater and Digital Music Essentials. November courses are available for enrollment through December 8.

The free courses are moderated and taught by subject matter experts from across the country, including award-winning authors, technology leaders and technology professionals. Powered Inc., which worked with RadioShack to develop and host the course content at the new RadioShack Learning Center, is a provider of online consumer education programs for some of the world's leading brands, including HP and Sony.

Three out of four (76 percent) holiday shoppers said they plan to shop for holiday gifts online, and a similar number, 75 percent, said they are likely to purchase gifts online from small businesses, according to a new survey commissioned by Yahoo! Small Business and conducted by Harris Interactive®. Survey respondents expressed strong support for e-commerce with small businesses that offer a secure payment system, easy customer checkout and free shipping.

Nearly a third of holiday shoppers (30 percent) said that they would do half or more of their holiday shopping online, and nearly two thirds (63 percent) said online specialty, 'niche,' or boutique retailers are one of the "best places" to shop for unusual or hard-to-find gifts.

"Many consumers rely on small businesses that are online during the holiday shopping season because they offer variety, value and unique gifts that aren't always available in stores," said Rich Riley, vice president and general manager of Yahoo! Small Business, the division of Yahoo! that powers more than 40,000 online stores. "The survey shows that shoppers have high expectations, but also high confidence in buying holiday gifts online with small businesses."

The nationwide survey of 2,766 U.S. online adults is being released in advance of the beginning of the peak holiday shopping season. The survey, conducted in late October, measured sentiment among the general online adult population about holiday shopping online.

For more information, check out the Yahoo! press release.

AT&T recently announced that it is working with United Service Organizations Inc. (USO) to distribute an additional 10,000 free prepaid phone cards to U.S. military members overseas in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East this holiday season. This is the third batch contributing to more than 30,000 prepaid phone cards— valued at $270,000— that AT&T has donated to the U.S. military in 2006.

This holiday phone card donation follows military donations made in honor of the Father's Day and July Fourth holidays. It is the company's third and final wave of donated prepaid cards this year and will be distributed to troops this holiday season in two ways: AT&T will hand out roughly half of the cards to troops on military bases in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Spain, and the USO will assist with the rest through USO distribution centers in South Korea, Japan Germany and Italy.

Distribution of the phone cards is already under way so that troops will have them in time for Thanksgiving, a peak time for phoning home from military calling centers, according to AT&T. According to the USO, the number one item requested by military personnel is a prepaid calling card. The phone card donation follows the company's $250,000 sponsorship of the USO's celebrity entertainment program this year.

"Many military members will be away from their loved ones on Thanksgiving and through the December holiday season, a time typically focused on families spending time together here at home," said Cathy Martine, senior vice president-AT&T National Mass Markets. "We want to help connect these families as the holidays approach— and to honor the many men and women who sacrifice so much."

If you would like to donate phone cards to deployed service members, visit the USO's Operation Phone Home??.

Comcast digital cable and high-speed Internet customers can get a sneak peek at the penguin stars of the new movie Happy Feet with exclusive content available 24x7 on Comcast's ON DEMAND service and on Comcast.net, its broadband portal.

The comedy adventure, Happy Feet, from Warner Bros. Pictures, debuts in theaters November 17. In the great nation of Emperor Penguins, deep in Antarctica, you're nobody unless you can sing-which is unfortunate for Mumble, who is the worst singer in the world. He is born dancing to his own tune - tap dancing. Mumble's mom, Norma Jean, thinks this little habit is cute, but his dad, Memphis, says "it just ain't penguin." Besides, they both know that, without a Heartsong, Mumble may never find true love. Leaving home, Mumble meets the Adelie Amigos, led by Ramon. The Adelies invite Mumble to party with them in Adelie Land, where Mumble seeks the counsel of Lovelace the Guru, a crazy-feathered Rockhopper penguin who will answer any of life's questions for the price of a pebble. Together with Lovelace and the Amigos, Mumble sets out across vast landscapes and, after some epic encounters, proves that by being true to yourself, you can make all the difference in the world.

Comcast offers fans a variety of exclusive Happy Feet entertainment on its signature video-on-demand service and award-winning portal, including:

• A Dancing Lesson with Savion Glover - Glover, an award-winning tap dancer who has starred in musicals, such as "The Tap Dance Kid" and "Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk," gives home audience members step-by-step instruction on how to do the tap with Mumble in his "I WISH" solo. As Savion teaches the entire routine, he gives away hints and tricks of his own to make learning easier. Clips of Mumble's dance help guide viewers to perfecting his moves.

• "Somebody To Love" Music Video - Viewers can enjoy special behind-the-scenes footage of Brittany Murphy, the voice of Gloria in Happy Feet, performing "Somebody To Love" from the Happy Feet soundtrack and talking about her animated, on-screen alter-ego.

• The Amigos Spanish Lesson 101 - Happy Feet fans can learn some key Spanish words and phrases from the film, taught by the Adelie Amigos, a group of un-Emperor-like penguins Mumble meets when he ventures away from the Emperor Nation.

• Penguin Environment Trivia - As the audience watches penguins in their natural habitat, Mumble shares interesting facts about life in Antarctica.

Comcast high-speed Internet customers also can download Happy Feet mobile tones and wallpapers for no additional charge.

In addition to the Happy Feet content, Comcast's ON DEMAND service offers a growing library of more than 8,000 programs each month, including 100 hours of high-definition content. Customers can watch programs any time they want to watch them - with the ability to fast forward, rewind and pause selections. Comcast.net, an online portal for the company's 11 million high-speed Internet customers, provides communications tools, search functionality, entertainment and information content, as well as account management functionality. The portal also features T online media player, which streams thousands of video clips related to news, entertainment, games, shopping, travel and other content that consumers want to view online.

Casting calls are familiar to many celebrities who participate in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, but a "caddie call" has an altogether different script. The "AT&T Caddie Call" is a program that will give fans a chance to show their golf knowledge and enter a sweepstakes for a chance to caddie for PGA Tour professional Camilo Villegas during a practice round the week of the 2007 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

Fans enter by going online to participate in the AT&T Caddie Call—an interactive game where they must answer questions on the rules of golf. Questions will be presented as a computer simulation or video footage. Those who answer all nine multiple-choice questions correctly are entered into a sweepstakes to caddie for Camilo.

The grand prize includes airfare, hotel accommodations and passes to the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, as well as the opportunity to caddie for Camilo during a practice round. Other golf fans who enter can win AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am merchandise and autographed memorabilia from Camilo.

The 2007 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am will be held from Feb. 5 to 11, 2007. You can read this AT&T press release to find out how to play.

EMBARQ recently presented the Single Marine Center at Parris Island a technology donation of more than $6,000, including multi-media computers, other equipment, and EMBARQ high-speed Internet DSL service.

"EMBARQ and our predecessor companies always have made support of our military personnel a priority," Green said. "When we consider everything our military personnel do for our nation's security, we believe it is important to do what we can for them."

According to Linda Green, EMBARQ's public affairs manager, EMBARQ and its predecessor companies have provided educational scholarships to dependents of military personnel for many years at military installations in the Carolinas. Some 28 $1,000 scholarships were presented earlier this year at six bases, including Marine Corps Air Station-Beaufort. The company's investment in those scholarships totals more than $1.5 million over the last 20 years.

EMBARQ also provided computers and high-speed Internet access to Tri-Command Military Housing at Edisto Woods Community Center and Dotcom Café in December 2004 through the company's Internet Connection Program.

Qwest Communications and the Minnesota Vikings recently announced a new sponsorship agreement that names Qwest the "Official Communications Services Provider of the Minnesota Vikings." Per the new agreement, communications services for the Vikings training facility in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, will be exclusively provided and maintained by Qwest.

"We are very pleased to announce we are partnering with a world-class organization such as Qwest," said Steve LaCroix, Minnesota Vikings vice president, sales and marketing. " 'The Vikings' training facility will be set up exclusively with Qwest services, which will allow staff and players to enjoy the ease, convenience and reliability of Qwest high-speed Internet, DIRECTV® service and Qwest Digital Voice."

In addition to recognition as the official communications services provider of the Minnesota Vikings, the agreement includes Qwest's increased support for local Vikings charities and community events in Minnesota.

For the 2007-2008 season, Qwest will co-sponsor the Viking Children's Fund Golf Tournament, which benefits the team's in-house charity, and will be the title sponsor of "Vikings Community Tuesdays," the community outreach efforts led by Minnesota Vikings players.

"Qwest is proud to be a sponsor of the Minnesota Vikings, and —through our world-class communications services — help bring more football to the Vikings' training facility and Minnesota communities," said John Stanoch, Qwest Minnesota state president. "Qwest is also thrilled to work with the Vikings to promote community programs and charitable activities. We look forward to a solid partnership with the Vikings — a win not only for Qwest, but also for Vikings fans and Minnesotans."

For more information, check out the press release Qwest Communications and Minnesota Vikings Strike Strategic Agreement for Communications Services.

With Thanksgiving only a week away, many people have started taking decorations out of the attic and untangling last year's lights to prepare for holiday decorating. In response, TXU Electric Delivery is urging all consumers to take time to review some simple electric safety rules before hanging indoor and outdoor electric lights.

"Holiday lighting is one of the great pleasures of this time of year," said Rob Trimble, president and chief operating officer, TXU Electric Delivery. "To make sure this is an accident-free holiday, please observe some simple precautions when putting up lights and decorations. Our goal is for everyone to have a safe and happy holiday season. Take time to be careful."

Before adding holiday lighting to your home or business, TXU suggests you remember the following:

• While up on the rooftop, stay away from electric lines to avoid electric shock. Keep tools and ladders away, too.
• Choose the right holiday lights. Choose only Underwriters Laboratory-approved lighting.
• Know the ins and outs. Before using lights outdoors, be sure they're rated for exterior use.
• Give lights the once-over. Assure that light cords are not worn and that sockets are not chipped.
• Watch your step. Keep wires away from walkways. Don't run cords beneath carpets.
• Use proper light clips. Never use staples to support holiday lights.
• More is not always better. Be careful not to overload electric outlets.
• Turn off the lights when you leave. And make sure they're off when you go to bed.

I would also suggest not getting into a National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation-style decorating war with your neighbors. Follow these great tips and you will be well on your way to a safe and happy holiday season!

Sprint Nextel this past weekend by Marketing y Medios, a leading publication that covers Hispanic-targeted marketing, advertising and media, as "'Marketing y Medios' Marketer of the Year for 2006," an award given to an elite group of companies that have demonstrated exemplary marketing to the Hispanic community. Sprint received this award at a celebration event held in conjunction with the ANA Multicultural Marketing Conference in Los Angeles.

The editors of Adweek's Marketing y Medios looked at the outstanding individuals who have made inroads into the U.S. Hispanic marketplace on behalf of their respective companies, looking at current strategies, planning, grass-roots marketing and an entrepreneurial spirit that sets marketers apart from competitors. Isaac Mizrahi, director of multicultural marketing for Sprint, was presented the award on behalf of the company.

"What an honor it is to be recognized by Marketing y Medios for focusing on a growing and very important market, one that is not only important to Sprint but that is helping shape the very framework of our country," said Mizrahi. "Wireless services are changing the way we live, work and play, and Sprint is at the forefront of providing the Hispanic community with innovative products and services, giving customers the power to do more in more places."

In addition to being the first carrier to introduce a live Spanish TV service for wireless phones earlier this year with the launch of Sprint TV En Vivo, Sprint is actively demonstrating its commitment to the Hispanic community through two high-profile Latin music sponsorships that deliver Latin music fans with unique, Spanish-language wireless content, delivered via the high-speed Sprint Power Vision(SM) Network.

• Sprint is a title sponsor of the 2007 U.S. Tour of MANÁ, one of the hottest Mexican rock bands of all times. Exclusive content was made available via the Sprint Power Vision(SM) Network in August.
• Sprint is also a sponsor of a new venture with Bad Boy Latino, a music label created by Emilio Estefan and Sean "Diddy" Combs that showcases emerging Latino artists and is distributed by Warner Music Group. Sprint introduced ChristianDaniel, the first Bad Boy Latino artist, by making his single release, titled Dónde Quedarán, video and the self-titled album available on the Sprint Power Vision(SM) Network two weeks before wider commercial distribution - a first in the U.S. mobile space.

In September, Sprint was honored by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), the largest and most influential advocate for Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States. Sprint was named its 2006 "Corporation of the Year," receiving the President's Award, the highest award bestowed on any company by the USHCC.

Sprint has been widely recognized for its commitment to inclusion and diversity. In addition to the Marketing y Medios and USHCC awards, Sprint has received recognition from Black MBA Magazine, DiversityBusiness.com, DiversityInc., Hispanic Magazine, Hispanic Network Magazine, the Human Rights Campaign, the Kansas City Asian American Chamber of Commerce, the Minority Business and Professional Network, the Northern Virginia Urban League and PR News.

What would make your dad's Comcast high definition TV service look even better? That's right - a new high definition television set. Now that we are entering the holiday season, it is time to start making your gift list. From cell phones to televisions to computers - the hardware you have in your home can make a big difference in your home services. Check out the CNET Holiday Gift Guide to find the best buys on the market now. Who knows - you might find something for yourself.

AT&T Inc. announced today that G.I. Jobs magazine has included AT&T in its list of America's "Top 50 Most Military-Friendly Employers." This is the third consecutive year that AT&T has been selected for this prestigious honor by the magazine, a national monthly periodical that provides resources to help military members transition into a civilian career. AT&T has been consistently recognized by G.I. Jobs based on the company's exceptional military and veteran recruitment and support programs.

"For more than 85 years, AT&T has remained dedicated to supporting active military personnel, their families and veterans through the hiring of military veterans and maintaining policies that support reservists when they are called to active duty," said Karen Jennings, AT&T's senior executive vice president of human resources and communications. "In addition to our employment commitments, AT&T contributes to nonprofits and other sponsorships that support military personnel, and we make sure that disabled veteran-owned business enterprises are involved throughout our supply chain."

AT&T provides multiple benefits policies for its military employees, including differential pay for up to 30 months for those who report to active duty, and benefit options for employees and their families. AT&T also guarantees the same or like position upon an employee's return from service. Furthermore, AT&T pursues recruiting opportunities with active duty, reserve and retired U.S. armed services personnel by attending job fairs and hosting presentations at military transition centers or bases.

"We understand and appreciate the sacrifices that America's men and women in uniform make because more than 775 AT&T employees have been called to active duty since 9/11, and more than 220 are still serving with U.S. armed forces," Jennings said.

AT&T's recognition as one of the most military-friendly companies in the United States coincides with the establishment of a new internal employee resource group, the AT&T Veterans, which consists of interested employee volunteers who organize company-sponsored events in honor of Veterans Day and Memorial Day, as well as fundraising opportunities and partnerships with organizations that support active duty, reserve and retired U.S. armed services personnel.

In 2006, AT&T has partnered with the United Service Organizations (USO) to distribute a total of 30,000 prepaid phone cards to U.S. military members overseas in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. According to the USO, the top item requested by military personnel is a prepaid phone card. AT&T has donated 20,000 cards already in 2006 and will be making a final donation later this year, as part of an ongoing campaign to help keep military families connected via the best valued prepaid phone cards.

The company and the AT&T Pioneers, active and retired AT&T employee volunteers, have been working in conjunction with the Freedom Calls Foundation to support U.S. military and their families through Telecom Challenge award-winning "Answering the Call—Let Freedom Ring" projects. These ongoing projects have helped thousands of military personnel and their families to date. From a high-tech perspective, the Pioneers bring families of deployed military personnel into AT&T videoconferencing sites for Freedom Calls to link family members both audibly and visually with their deployed soldier overseas.

Read more about this in AT&T press release.

EchoStar Communications Corporation and its DISH Network^TM satellite TV service have entered an agreement with Lionsgate Entertainment to carry the studio's titles on its Video On Demand platform, DISH On Demand, as well as Pay-Per-View services, including high definition.

DISH Network's DISH On Demand service gives customers the power to enjoy movies and other programs whenever they want and is currently available on the DISH Player-DVR 508, DISH Player-DVR 510, DISH Player-DVR 625, and ViP622 DVR receivers. Customers have immediate access to the newest VOD movies on DISH On Demand and can use the DVR features (Pause, Fast Forward, Rewind) to enhance their viewing experience.

DISH Network Pay-Per-View offers a variety of movies every day. Customers with HD-capable receivers can tune into Channel 9467 to see Pay-Per-View movies in HD. All Pay-Per-View movies can be ordered via remote control, by calling 1-800-333-DISH (3474) or online at www.dishnetwork.com/ppv.

"Lionsgate is a great addition to both DISH On Demand and Pay-Per-View," said Susan Arnold, vice president of Programming for EchoStar. "This agreement greatly enhances the variety of movie titles available to our customers."

TIME Magazine's list of Best Inventions 2006, which hit newsstands this week, includes the fan-favorite NASCAR NEXTEL FanView, a hand-held scanner that includes video, audio and data capabilities. Sprint Nextel, NASCAR and Kangaroo.TV introduced the newest at-track wireless technology for spectators in February.

"To be included in TIME Magazine's Best Inventions is an honor and a privilege. More so, it's a testament to Sprint Nextel, NASCAR and Kangaroo.TV's dedication to advance the sport through innovative wireless technology," said Dean Kessel, director of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series marketing for Sprint Nextel. "We want our legacy to denote technological advancements that enhance the fan experience and by creating this revolutionary device, fans sitting in the stands can experience racing like never before."

The first device of its kind in any major sport, NASCAR NEXTEL FanView combines the race telecast and up to seven in-car camera channels, direct audio feeds allowing the user to listen to live driver and team conversations, as well as the radio broadcast and an exclusive audio-replay feature. NASCAR NEXTEL FanView also taps directly into NASCAR's timing and scoring system, providing fans with real-time race data and statistics at the touch of a button. The device is available for rent at NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series events.

The Nov. 13 issue of TIME Magazine is on newsstands now. Inventions on the list range from YouTube to solar yachts. For more information on NASCAR NEXTEL FanView, visit www.sprint.com/nextelcup.

Charter Communications is a broadband communications company providing a full range of advanced broadband services to the home, including cable television, high-speed Internet and local telephone. Charter's Central Division serves more than 2.1 million customers. Local telephone is now available through WhiteFence in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin.

Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new ENERGY STAR specifications for computers and related equipment. Designed to save U.S. households and businesses more than $1.8 billion in energy costs over the next five years, these new modifications are also expected to prevent greenhouse gas emissions equal to the annual emissions of 2.7 million cars.

"As the driver of America's technology revolution, the innovative spirit of the computer industry is now powering our energy revolution," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "Through ENERGY STAR, President Bush and EPA are brightening our nation's future, and I applaud these leaders for developing energy efficient computers that are good for our environment and good our wallets."

Under the new specifications, only the most energy-efficient computer related equipment will earn the ENERGY STAR label, representing the top of their class. The new requirements include improved efficiency across all modes of a computer's operation, and require use of highly efficient internal and external power supplies. The new specifications go into effect on July 20, 2007.

If every computer purchased by businesses meets the new ENERGY STAR requirements in effect next year, businesses will save $1.2 billion over the lifetime of their new computers, equal to lighting 730 million square feet of U.S. commercial building space each year.

Government agencies buying ENERGY STAR will also garner big savings. If the government sector buys only computers that meet the new ENERGY STAR requirements, this sector will save nearly 1.4 billion kWh and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2 billion pounds each year.

On average, ENERGY STAR qualifying computer equipment will be 65 percent more efficient than conventional models.

Computers were the first product to qualify for EPA's ENERGY STAR in 1992. EPA and computer makers have worked together on improving computer energy efficiency ever since. The United States now has more 180 million computers in use; they consume nearly 58 billion kWh per year, or about 2 percent of annual U.S. electricity consumption.

For more information about the specifications, visit the ENERGY STAR Web site.

Verizon and Intel Corporation recently announced a collaboration that will enable consumers to play popular PC games on their television sets through Intel® Viiv™ technology-based PCs.

The Verizon Games on Demand service enables users to play popular PC games on their TVs through Intel Viiv technology-based PCs running Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. Using a wireless game controller and MCE remote control, consumers can play a variety of games from the comfort of their favorite couch or easy chair, also referred to as the "10-foot view" of the television set.

The companies will also market a version of PlayLinc, a new game messenger that they say provides a faster and more entertaining way to enjoy multiplayer games online. A free service, PlayLinc provides a variety of features, including free private servers, VoIP integration and the ability for players to track when their friends are online and ready to join a game.

"We're creating a graphics-rich, big-screen game-playing experience for the entire family," said Colson Hillier, director of new product development for Verizon. "The games that families now enjoy on their PCs will become larger than life, more fun to play and accessible in virtually every room of the house, through linkages between a family's PC and their TV. This is an extension of Verizon's commitment to provide customers with the content and service they want, whenever they want it, and however they want to receive it."

Read more in the press release Verizon and Intel Bring Online PC Gaming to TVs.

XM Satellite Radio recently announced that it is the winner of two prestigious awards from Popular Science magazine.

The Pioneer XM2go Inno, the first handheld player to offer MP3 music and live satellite radio on the go, was awarded the magazine's "Best of What's New 2006" Award in the Gadgets category. The XM Mini-Tuner, a portable cartridge that delivers XM to any compatible player, was honored in the Home Entertainment category. The XM Mini-Tuner is distributed by Audiovox.

The annual Best of What's New awards recognize breakthrough products and technologies that represent a significant leap forward in categories ranging from Auto Tech to Personal Health.

"One of the reasons that XM is the leader in satellite radio is that we consistently offer the most innovative products," said Blair Kutrow, senior vice president, product development, XM Satellite Radio. "The portable Inno offers the music fan the best of both worlds -- live XM Radio and MP3 music. With the XM Mini-Tuner, you can carry your XM subscription from one device to another. These awards are a testament to the talent and ingenuity of our product team and our manufacturing partners."

A new survey by BusinessWeek magazine shows that AT&T is one of the best places to work for recent college graduates. The magazine polled directors of undergraduate job placement centers and 37,000 undergraduate students to compile a list of 100 finalist companies for its "Best Places to Launch a Career" list.

BusinessWeek then examined entry-level pay, benefits, retention efforts and training programs at the 100 companies and compared them with compensation levels at other employers in the same industries. AT&T ranked 26th on the list, the only company in San Antonio to be included. The top ranked company for recent graduates is the Walt Disney Co. in Burbank, California.

"We value the energy and ideas that students and recent graduates contribute to our company, and we work very hard to recruit and retain the best talent in the world," says Karen Jennings, AT&T's senior executive vice president of human resources and communications.

AT&T officials also say their efforts to recruit women and minorities contributed to the high ranking. The company's work force is 45 percent female and 35 percent of people of color. Forty-four percent of AT&T's managers are women.

A report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers indicates that entry-level hiring is expected to increase by more than 17 percent in 2007.

Delphi announced it has received the final necessary approvals from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorizing the sale of its latest XM satellite radio receiver, the SKYFi3, to the public.

"Delphi officially introduced SKYFi3 to the market last week and early demand for the product has been tremendous," said Francisco (Frank) Ordonez, president, Delphi Product & Service Solutions. "With its impressive list of features, the SKYFi3 sets the new standard for plug-and-play systems."

While the SKYFi3 is 65 percent smaller than the previous generation product, Delphi says it maintains nearly every benefit. Optimized for the vehicle, the SKYFi3 receiver comes with a car dock included. SKYFi3 also offers an optimum balance of compact size, screen readability and portability outside the vehicle.

In addition, the SKYFi3 can store and manage up to 10 hours of XM programming through non-removable internal memory, as well as an unlimited number of MP3 files through optional and removable microSD cards. The SKYFi3 also has the largest 9 line display in its class and mounts vertically or horizontally using a low-profile car dock.

The Delphi SKYFi3 will be available for the holidays at select retailers with an expected retail price of $229.

For more information, check out the Delphi press release.

In response to the California Broadband Executive Order signed last month by Gov. Schwarzenegger, Verizon released the following statement:

"We are encouraged by Gov. Schwarzenegger's executive order committing to increase broadband access and deployment of high-speed networks to benefit the residents and the economy of California.

"Verizon is already in the process of upgrading its network in California, investing hundreds of millions of dollars and creating thousands of jobs over the past two years to build an unparalleled fiber-optic network in our service territory.

"This all-fiber network already provides thousands of California households with new choices in television programming and data connections of up to 30 megabits per second. Networks like this will make possible the groundbreaking broadband appications of the future, such as the telemedicine technology that the governor showcased."

According to a recent article in The Desert Sun, Time Warner Cable and NFL network are no closer to a deal than they were when I posted about the dispute in September, making it unlikely for a resolution before the network begins airing live games on Thanksgiving Night.

The article quotes NFL Network spokesman Seth Palansky on the issue. "Time Warner has made it clear to us they will not carry our channel," Palansky said. "With that being the case, we're working hard with people who do carry us to have special promotions to offer service to those customers."

In response, Time Warner Cable senior vice president of corporate communications Mark Harrard told the newspaper, "We want to be competitive on our basic [cable package], and we can't be competitive if basic absorbs the high price of the network, particularly a niche network. We are ready to sign up today or yesterday, if it makes business sense. We haven't been able to at this time. It's not a matter of who will yell chicken."

For more information on the ongoing dispute, read the full Desert Sun Times article No settlement in sight between Time Warner and NFL Network. If you are interested in switching from Time Warner Cable to a provider that offers NFL Network, check out packages that include the network from DIRECTV or DISH Network.

SIRIUS Satellite Radio announced it will broadcast comprehensive live coverage of the 2006 mid-term elections on Nov. 7 across multiple news and talk channels. Election-night coverage will feature reporting and analysis from SIRIUS hosts, reporters, stringers and bloggers, plus news coverage from top- level news organizations. Coverage will continue post-election on Nov. 8.

Subscribers will have access to exclusive coverage from hosts of SIRIUS Left, SIRIUS Patriot, SIRIUS OutQ, CNN, and Fox News. NPR will also provide comprehensive coverage, breaking news, opinion, analysis and much more, in addition to international coverage from BBC and World Radio Network.

Last month, I posted about the AT&T-BellSouth merger being postponed. Officials were supposed to discuss the issue further, but the special meeting regarding the acquisition was never convened.  Now The Associated Press is reporting that the FCC vote has been delayed again, with no further discussion scheduled.

According to the AP, failure to attach conditions to the merger brought a sharp response from the two Democratic commissioners, Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein, who accused the Justice Department of failing to protect consumers. Their opposition meant that AT&T was facing a potential 2-2 tie vote, which would have required a fifth vote from Robert McDowell, a former lobbyist for a trade group that opposed the merger.

AT&T's did offer last minute concessions, including $10-per-month Internet access in its service area, free modems, promises to freeze prices temporarily for competitors that use the company's networks, and even a pledge to bring back some BellSouth jobs shipped overseas. However, consumer groups criticized the concessions as "short-term candy for a few instead of long-term lower prices and better choices for all consumers."

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an executive order near the end of October to make it easier for the state to build broadband networks. According to the official press release, the goal of the order is to ensure all government agencies are using the best technologies to serve the people and create a broadband task force that lets experts from government and business work together to identify and eliminate obstacles to making broadband Internet access available across the state.

"California is home to the greatest technology entrepreneurs. Let's show the world what we can do," said Gov. Schwarzenegger at the UC Davis Health System Pediatric Telehealth Colloquium in San Francisco, where a doctor examined an 11-year old leukemia patient by video about 100 miles away in Sacramento. "If we want to stay number one in technology, we need action. In countries like Japan and South Korea, the people have access to great technologies at lower costs than anywhere in America. We can do that. Michigan has one of the largest wireless broadband networks in the country. We can do that. That's why I'm signing an executive order to help make California a leader in the telecommunications revolution."

After his speech to the colloquium, the Governor joined Silicon Valley CEOs and executives to discuss the economic development that increased broadband adoption would spur. "Broadband will help build California so we can grow our economy by competing in the global marketplace," said Gov. Schwarzenegger. "California must remain competitive so we continue to attract the best, brightest and most creative workforce in the world."

Research conducted on the California "One Gigabyte or Bust" Broadband Initiative estimated that enabling broadband access for 50 percent of Californians would have enormous economic impacts on the state, adding over $365 billion annually to the state's economy within seven years and helping create or retain two million sustainable jobs. Similarly, the California Communications Association estimates that every dollar invested in broadband networks generates $3 in economic activity, and that every $1 billion in telecom capital spending equates to 7,000 new telecom jobs—including jobs in network construction, engineering, operations and the creation of new equipment and products.

A U.S. Commerce Department study released this year found that the availability of broadband is directly tied to business growth—especially among new technology-intensive firms. The Governor's office believes that greater broadband access will directly support California's world-leading technology industry—creating jobs both in the communications sector and for high-tech companies like Intel, Google, Yahoo!, and eBay, which rely on Internet usage to drive business. They also feel that increasing broadband deployment will also further support the California economy by making the state an attractive home for the nation's—and the world's—preeminent scientists and researchers.

To read the full text of the executive order, see the official press release Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Executive Order to Help Make California the Leader in Telecommunications Revolution.

Last week, XM Radio announced its radios would be factory-installed in Lexus LS models starting in 2007. This week, the company announced that it is also signing a long-term agreement with Porsche Cars of North America Inc. to equip Porsche vehicles for the U.S. market with XM in 2007.

XM has been available as a popular factory-installed feature for Cayenne models since 2005 and will be the exclusive satellite radio option in the future. Under the new agreement, XM will also be available for other Porsche models in the future. Consumers who purchase a Porsche vehicle with XM receive a complimentary three-month subscription to the service.

In addition to XM's primary service of 170 digital radio channels of commercial-free music and premier sports, news, talk, and entertainment, XM will also develop satellite-delivered data services for Porsche vehicles. These services are expected to include the advanced XM NavTraffic real-time traffic data service which is now available in 44 major markets nationwide.

"XM has the technology and content that is consistent with Porsche's commitment to providing our customers the best possible driving experience," said Peter Schwarzenbauer, President and CEO, Porsche Cars of North America. "We are very pleased to be expanding our partnership with XM."

"Porsche is renowned for performance, quality, engineering, and innovation, and XM is proud to be a part of that tradition as we extend our partnership with one of the world's great brands," said Nate Davis, President and COO, XM Satellite Radio. "The fact that Porsche is offering XM exclusively is a testament to the quality of the programming we offer and our leadership in advanced technology. It underscores our company's position as the leading provider of satellite radio for the automobile market, as well as the overall leader in the satellite radio industry."

Not to be outdone by its biggest competitor, SIRIUS Satellite Radio has also signed an exclusive deal with a luxury car company. SIRIUS recently announced announced an exclusive agreement with Bentley Motors Inc. for the inclusion of SIRIUS in Bentley vehicles. SIRIUS will be available in select Bentley models in the U.S. beginning in the mid- 2007 model year and will become a standard feature available in all Continental GT, Continental GTC and Continental Flying Spur vehicles beginning in the 2008 model year.

"All vehicles equipped with SIRIUS will include a lifetime subscription to the service, which will enhance each Bentley's individual customization and give each customer a new vehicle experience," said Andrew Stuart, CEO for Bentley Motors Inc.

"SIRIUS' exceptional programming is a natural addition to the extraordinary reputation of a Bentley, and we are very excited about our relationship with such an internationally elite brand," said Mel Karmazin, CEO, SIRIUS.

Bentley customers can now order vehicles with SIRIUS Satellite Radio for delivery in early 2007.

With its recent launch of telephone service in Santa Barbara and Palos Verdes, California, Cox Communications has officially launched telephone service in all Cox markets. Cox will continue to expand its telephone service footprint in the communities it serves in early 2007.

According to Cox, more than 1.9 million households and 150,000 businesses rely on the company's Digital Telephone for quality and reliable telephone service. Cox says it does not transport phone calls through the public Internet. Rather, in some markets, the company uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to transport phone calls over a private, managed IP-based data network. With this architecture, a broadband connection is not required for Cox telephone service. Recognizing the characteristics of cable telephony and its commitment to reliability, ADT Security Services recently announced that it recognizes Cox Digital Telephone as a primary method of alarm transmission.

"Cox's number one commitment is to its customers," said David Pugliese, Cox's vice president of product marketing. "Our customers rely on us to deliver a reliable connection every day—for every type of residence or place of business. ADT's announcement today further validates our collective commitment to customer safety."

Cox says that, as the pioneer of cable telephony, its long-term strategy has been to deliver the convenience, quality and value of Cox Digital Telephone to all Cox markets. The company's 2006 telephone launches included Santa Barbara and Palos Verdes, California, Northwest Arkansas, Sun Valley, Idaho and Cleveland, Ohio.

To see if Cox Digital Telephone is available through WhiteFence in your area, enter your address now.

AT&T has launched a new home monitoring service that the company says will help customers stay more connected to their homes and families while they are away. Available nationwide, the new service enables customers to use both personal computers and Cingular wireless devices to access streaming digital video and other real-time data and information from their homes—at virtually any time and from anywhere.

AT&T considers this new service an example of the company's continuing commitment to innovation, and its strategy for delivering converged, IP-based services that enable customers to access content, critical applications and information virtually anytime, anywhere, and using any device.

The AT&T home monitor service combines live and recorded video (non-audio) capabilities with a range of environmental sensor options to provide customers with a toolkit to help them stay connected to the people and things they value most. For example, the service allows users to remotely control lighting in their homes, and it can provide a range of alerts and reports on home conditions, such as motion, door and window activity, water leakage, and temperature changes.

"Keeping track of home activities is increasingly challenging today, as we spend more time on the road and on the run," said Susan Johnson, senior vice president of Business Development at AT&T. "The new AT&T home monitoring service will provide an affordable, easy-to-use solution for a variety of challenges in managing a household. This service is ideal for a wide range of potential applications, from keeping an eye on children, elderly parents or pets to monitoring a second home or vacation home."

The service allows users to customize alerts and actions based on their specific needs. For example, a user can program the service to send a text message alert to a cell phone when motion is detected in an area of the home, while at the same time automatically turning on lighting and recording video of the same area.

The service is available via AT&T to customers of Cingular Wireless services, and can be accessed via virtually any Cingular wireless phone or PDA capable of supporting Internet access and Java, as well as nearly any broadband-enabled PC. The service is optimized for residential customers who subscribe to AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet as well as Cingular services.

The company says the new home monitoring service is an example of the new generation of converged, IP-based services that AT&T is working to deliver for residential and business customers. To maximize these extensive networks, AT&T and Cingular are developing and deploying advanced technology to enable seamless sharing of information between wireless and wireline networks and devices. Ultimately, AT&T will use this unified network to enable virtually seamless connectivity anywhere, anytime, and on almost any device, giving consumers what they want, when they want it, wherever they are. Increasingly, services will be accessible from any of the "three screens" that many consumers value most: the TV, PC and cell phone.

"Our home monitoring service is an early yet powerful example of the potential of converged services," Johnson said. "As AT&T works to blend the lines between communications applications, customers will no longer be tied to a specific device to access a specific service. Voice, data, and video services will be accessible from a range of devices, allowing customers to communicate and access information how they prefer, wherever they happen to be."

For more details, check out the AT&T press release.

On Sept. 23, 1999, the drama "True Crime" went trucking to Tucson from a small warehouse in San Jose, California. The comedy "Analyze This" was off to Annapolis, Maryland. And two classic doctors, one named "Doolittle" and the other "Strangelove," prepared to make house calls in St. Louis, Missouri and Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Seven years and a lot of DVDs later, the movie subscription service launched that September day approaches a milestone few could have thought possible. Sometime next year, at its current rate, Netflix says it will deliver the one billionth movie in its history.

The company said that is considering a number of ways to mark the occasion and that ideas are welcome when they announced that the impending milestone will be the centerpiece of a new national advertising campaign that debuted in October and underscores for consumers the scale, reliability and rapid adoption of its service. The company currently ships approximately one and a half million DVDs a day from 41 distribution centers geographically dispersed across the United States.

The new ads will carry the campaign line "Nearly one billion movies delivered so far. Zero late fees." and enjoy an initial network TV run across all day parts on NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox. The commercials will appear on such highly visible shows as "Grey's Anatomy," "Dancing with the Stars," "Ugly Betty," "CSI," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," and "Late Night with David Letterman." Netflix said the new campaign message will also be delivered through network radio and will be integrated into its online communications through ads on leading Web sites like Yahoo!, MSN and AOL, as well as its own site.

"The central message we want to convey to consumers is that Netflix offers the easiest, most convenient and most reliable way to enjoy the widest variety of movies," said Neve Savage, the company's vice president of marketing. "We deliver that theme, and our run-up to a billion deliveries, with some entertaining and attention-grabbing production, as well as a touch of humor."

At the end of September, Netflix was serving 5.7 million subscribers with a library of 65,000 titles spanning more than 200 genres. The service is widely recognized as among the best and most reliable in Internet commerce and has for three consecutive polls been named the number one Web site for customer satisfaction by the independent researchers ForeSee Results and FGI Research.

For more information, see the Netflx press release.