Google Voice Offers Number Portability, User Stats
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, November 2, 2009 · 
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Google Voice announced last week that it is now offering number portability, potentially broadening the appeal of the nascent and controversial service.
Previously users of Google Voice had to adopt a new Google phone number. However, consumers can now utilize their existing mobile phone numbers and gain access to Google Voice, albeit a select group of features.
In related news, Google mistakenly revealed confidential information last week in its filings at the FCC. Although later redacted from the documents, Business Week managed to get ahold of the originals before Google acted upon the error and replaced the documents originally made public.
Level 3 Enters Wireless Backhaul Market
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, October 26, 2009 · ·
Level 3 Communications announced last week that it is entering the wireless backhaul market with the launch of Level 3 Tower Access, a new service that offers direct wireless tower connectivity to the Level 3 network.
The new service allows a wireless carrier to backhaul its voice, data and Internet services, and scale its network capabilities as mobile bandwidth and end-user demand grow.
Level 3 Tower Access offers wireless providers the opportunity to connect to the Level 3 IP backbone and, in some cases, the company will construct wireless towers at or near its existing network facilities.
Level 3 is billing the service as a prime competitor to rural incumbent providers. Read more
Level 3 Requests Stimulus Funds for Middle Mile
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, August 24, 2009 · ·
After the three largest U.S. telcos (AT&T, Qwest and Verizon) and cable operator (Comcast) announced they would abstain from filing in the first round of broadband stimulus applications, Level 3 has taken a different path, positioning itself as a neutral “middle-mile” wholesale service provider to last-mile broadband operators.
The company has applied for $15 million in grant funding. Level 3 plans to use this funding, along with an additional $5 million in its own capital, to create new access points or middle-mile connections to its network in more than 50 rural markets in six states. Read more
