33% Report Internet Access is a ‘Fundamental Resource’
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, September 26, 2011 · 
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Demonstrating the increasing role of the network in people’s lives, an international workforce study announced last week by Cisco revealed that one in three college students and young professionals (33%) believes that the Internet is a fundamental resource for the human race – as important as air, water, food and shelter. In addition, about half (49% of college students and 47% of employees) believe it is “pretty close” to that level of importance. Combined, four of every five college students and young employees believe the Internet is vitally important as part of their daily life’s sustenance.
Case in point, more than half of the respondents (55% of college students and 62% of employees) said they could not live without the Internet and cite it as an “integral part of their lives.” If forced to make a choice, the majority of college students globally – about two of three (64%) – would choose an Internet connection instead of a car. Read more
Dish Lifts the Veil on Broadband Plan
Posted by Steve Fravel on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 · ·
In an effort to capitalize on the court approved purchase of TerreStar and DBSD from bankruptcy, Dish Network has petitioned the FCC to allow consolidation and transfer of its satellite licenses along with a waiver of the integrated service requirement. Dish intends to take the combined satellite spectrum and begin offering a hybrid-terrestrial satellite broadband service.
USDA: More Farms Gain Access to Broadband
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, August 15, 2011 · ·
The number of farms in the United States with broadband Internet access continues to increase, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistic Service report, Farm Computer Usage and Ownership, August 2011, issued last Friday. A total of 62% of U.S. farms now have Internet access, compared with 59% in 2009.
DSL is the most common method of accessing the Internet, with 38% of U.S. farms subscribing to the service, up from 36% in 2009. Approximately 20% of farms have access to some form of wireless broadband Internet access, while 15% subscribe to satellite broadband service. Cable was reported as the primary access method on 11% of the farms, the same level as 2009.
The most notable figure in the report is the current percentage of farms with dial-up Internet access–just 12%, a marked decrease from the 23% reported just two years ago. Read more
VOTW: Going Cashless
Posted by Josh Seidemann on Friday, August 5, 2011 · ·
And last but not least, our video of the week (VOTW). The bells of cash registers were replaced by beeps as electronic machines moved to the fore. Now, some retail outlets are going “cashless.” In this week’s VOTW, a tablet and broadband combine to an experience worthy of the Jetsons.
Blockbuster To Offer Subscription Streaming
Posted by Steve Fravel on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 · ·
Though Blockbuster currently provides an “on-demand” streaming service, Dish Network confirmed on Tuesday that Blockbuster would begin providing a subscription streaming service. This will place it squarely in competition with Netflix.
Dish Network purchased the video rental company in April for $320 million. Blockbuster is equipped with a huge film library and a 28-day advantage over Netflix and Redbox for some new-release titles. Though no timeline was given, it is believed that the new streaming service will begin fairly soon.
LightSquared and Sprint Sign 15-Year Deal
Posted by Steve Fravel on Friday, July 29, 2011 · ·
LightSquared has signed a 15-year deal with Sprint-Nextel for spectrum hosting and network services. Sprint will earn $9 billion while allowing $4.5 billion in usage credits to LightSquared in the first 11 years. LightSquared wholesale customers will have access to 4G and 3G data services in a nationwide footprint. Sprint and LightSquared indicated that their agreement is subject to resolving the ongoing GPS interference concerns and final approval by the FCC. Read more
RUS Awards $192M in Broadband Loans
Posted by Jesse Ward on Thursday, July 28, 2011 · ·
The USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announced yesterday that it has awarded $192 million in loans for projects that will deliver broadband services to rural customers across eight states.
This financing is part of the $690 million investment USDA will make during FY 2011 in the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan Program, which funds facilities and equipment to upgrade, expand, maintain and replace rural telecommunications networks. This is in addition to the $3.5 billion in broadband funding RUS awarded for projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Read more