Internet Gadgets Play a Key Role in People’s Lives
Posted by Dave Lowe on Friday, July 2, 2010 · 
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A recent survey conducted by Burst Media found people are becoming more dependent on Internet-connected gadgets like smartphones, PDAs and electronic netbooks to interact with friends, make decisions regarding purchases, engage in online research and react to advertising messages. The survey reached 1,768 online, U.S. respondents age 18 and over.
Key findings from the report indicate: more than 25% of the respondents feel completely disconnected if they are not online for over a week or more, three out of five (61%) respondents use their gadget to browse Web content at least daily, and the vast majority of respondents believe new technology significantly impacts their daily life. Read more
FCC Approves Verizon Wireline Assets Sale to Frontier Communications
Posted by Dave Lowe on Monday, May 24, 2010 · ·
In a not so surprising move, the FCC has approved the sale of Verizon’s wireline assets in fourteen states to Frontier Communications Corp. today. This acquisition has been discussed in the trade press for some time due to review and approval processes by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Department of Justice (DOJ) and concerned individual state regulatory agencies. However, final approval rested with the FCC, which has deemed the sale to be worthwhile.
Residential and small-business access lines in Arizona, California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia will be affected by the sale.
ISPs Add Rural Broadband Customers at Double-digit Pace
Posted by Dave Lowe on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 · ·
According to comScore, a regional consultancy located in Reston, Virginia, regional ISPs have been adding rural broadband customers in the U.S. at double-digit growth rates over the past year. It seems like these regional ISPs have focused their efforts in rural markets in anticipation of larger carriers ultimately reaching near-capacity penetration rates in urban and suburban markets; leaving only rural markets for future growth – a trend not without historical precident. Further, and for the most part, these regional ISPs have facilitated this growth without the aid of government provided stimulus funds. Read more