What Would Smartphones Be Capable of Within the Next 5 Years?

What Would Smartphones Be Capable of Within the Next 5 Years?
By Ross Toorani

What will we do with our cellphones within the next 5 years?

Smart phones have changed the way people conduct business and watch TV. People no longer have to get on a desktop computer to search the Internet. Smart phone users can carry out a variety of tasks, such as writing, scheduling appointments, play games, listen to music, watch videos, participate in online shopping, watch movies and more. This leads people to saying; what will we do with our cellphones within the next 5 years?

Many companies are getting creative and coming out with different technology every year. Smart phone users may have the ability to touch an item through the phone in the near future. If someone is shopping for a shirt, then the shopper can feel the fabric through the screen.

Companies like Apple have people asking; where are smart phones going? Apple comes out with a smartphone about every year and customers are always wondering what they will add next. How smart phones will affect the usage of computers? In the next few years, tablets, netbooks, desktop computers and laptops will become obsolete. The smartphone is going to be able to perform all of the functions of a regular computer.

Many people are still using a laptop or desktop because of the interface. Keyboards are the best method of inputting data and it is hard to perform some activities on a four inch screen. However, future technology will change the method for inputting data. Voice recognition is getting to a point that it can replace the keyboard. There are other options, such as infrared keyboards, muscle-computer interfaces and brain-computer interfaces. These devices in the future could reach a maturity level that they are favored over a conventional keyboard.

What will be the next generation of cellphones? The next generation of cellphones will have hardware advancements. It is a hassle to charge phone through a cigarette lighter or electric socket. Wireless charging will be available in the future and something to look forward to as a cellphone user.

Security is another issue because passwords are inadequate. Cellphone companies are going to find ways to make cellphones more secure to prevent people from stealing information. Smartphones of the future may require a fingerprint or an eyeball to unlock it for use.

Are we going towards the global village via cellphones? Technology is bringing people together in all corners of the world. Smartphones are going to take the Internet and information it brings to the next level. Technology gives people access to information and changing lives.

If you are interested to find out more about smartphones and apps visit http://Mobilecana.com or visit us at http://www.Facebook.com/Mobilecana

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ross_Toorani

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The Key Components That Make a Successful Unified Communications System

The Key Components That Make a Successful Unified Communications System
By Harveen Pal

Unified communications (UC) is a system that integrates the diverse communication applications and tools into one comprehensive environment for optimizing business processes. This merger has transformed business communication and brought about improved functionality, higher employee productivity and reduced IT management expenses in the company that uses it. No wonder unified communications is becoming increasingly indispensable for all types and scales of businesses.

The relevance of these solutions is increasing also because of the growing trend of remote working. In the past few years, there has been an increase in the number of employees who do not go to office to work. While this gives great flexibility to the workers, the company also benefits as it saves on renting of office space, power costs, provision of amenities for employees, etc. The concept of remote working depends a lot on UC for success.

To determine whether your business can benefit from unified communications, you have to understand what it exactly means. It is a solution that comprises of several components. Some of these include

• Call Control: The IP PBX is an important UC enabler as it provides the basic plumbing that is required for this solution.


• Video: Video is a critical link of unified communications. Easy connections and high-definition videos make video conferencing a powerful business tool that offers a great experience to the participants.


• Presence: Presence enables assessing the users' present availability as well as ability to interact and communicate. In the business world where time is of primary importance, Presence forms the cornerstone of successful UC.


• Instant Messaging: Instant messaging translates the availability of a person into effective communication and is therefore, an important UC element.


• Unified Messaging: This integrates fax, email, voice mail and other communication technologies and allows the users to access the messages from a single interface.


• Mobility: Mobile communication devices are commonplace today. Their integration with the enterprise communications enables the users to work efficiently from wherever they are as the audio or video communication can be launched from the mobile devices too.


• Collaboration & Document Sharing: Collaborative capabilities like audio, video and web conferencing, file/document sharing, white-boarding, shared workspaces, etc. allow the participants to engage in real-time interaction and simultaneously look at common documents and presentations.

As both the vendors and users of UC are realizing the potential offered by this technology architecture, its deployment is increasing at a fast pace. The businesses that have implemented the system have got a definite edge over the ones that haven't progressed to it yet.

By enabling you, your employees and your clients to communicate and collaborate with each other from wherever they are, unified communications solutions offer the perfect communication system for your business.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harveen_Pal

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Benefits Of Using Managed Communications Network For Your Business

Benefits Of Using Managed Communications Network For Your Business
By Ariel Norton

A virtual private network or a managed communications broadband VPN network is an inexpensive solution for connecting to you, suppliers, workers, and customers. There are innumerable benefits associated to using managed communications. Every medium and large-sized business requires secure access of systems and information to let the staff connect with them through remote networking. Even small businesses are increasingly switching to managed communications to securely exchange information.

But a VPN network is quite complex to carry out and keep up. Even the slightest technical error can have a serious impact on the network performance and workers in remote locations will be unable to gain access. That is why when a VPN network is not managed it can prove at times as a very problematic issue for the business. The latest advancement in the broadband VPN technology allows you to link load-balance broadband and broadband. This gives you the flexibility to choose the area for your bandwidth capacity.

With the help of the right investment in IT systems including broadband VPN networks, companies can substantially reduce their costs and efficiently work over a wider geographical area. Having access to a global broadband network can help small or medium-sized business to act like large ones. Being able to connect with a wider audience is sure to give the business a boost. Managed communications can help you to effectively communicate with your business colleagues and partners in diverse places without having to use a public network for the same.

Most managed communications service providers will be able to give you customized services to suit your requirements. You can make broadband connectivity at high speeds to any desired place. You can even choose specific network speeds between different locations. One of the best things about this service is that there is no limit on how many sites you want connected on this network. These networks make use of layered IP technology and carrier grade 3DES architecture that make sure security and privacy on the network.

Network professionals handle the installation and maintenance of these systems with ease to make sure you get uninterrupted connectivity. This will make sure a smooth-functioning of your business activities. With a managed communications broadband VPN, you can make the information you give to customers available regardless of the area they are in. The above mentioned benefits show that having a managed VPN service can give you an edge in the competitive business environment.

In the communication world there are several important things to have in place for your company to be successful. Such things like a content distribution network, interactive video services, managed communications and wireless technology are all important pieces to have in place for your business to run smoothly.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ariel_Norton

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Mobile Phone Networks (2G, 3G, 4G) - What Exactly Are These?

Mobile Phone Networks (2G, 3G, 4G) - What Exactly Are These?
By Prasanna Londhe

As usage of the Internet on mobile phones increases, there are terminologies that are thrown around by manufacturers and mobile phone operators at the junta. The 'G' in 2G, 3G, 4G even stands for Generation. The previous iteration of mobile technology used analog radio signals. Since 2G, digital radio signals were used instead. After the introduction of 2G, the previous generation was referred to as '1G' or 1st Generation of wireless telephone technology.

After 2G, came two stepping stone iterations that most of us will associate with. With 2.5G (a.k.a GPRS) brought internet speeds up the range of 100 kbps. Next in line was 2.75G or EDGE, which increased the maximum theoretical speed by more than double to 236.8 kbps.

Next came the big leap - 3G. OK, the leap may sound big in terms of the push from 2 to 3(G), but actually the speed didn't really increase greatly, since the first iteration of 3G took it up to 384 kbps. But it was the beginning of a new revolution in mobile internet - Phones started coming out with front-facing video cameras the speed had crossed an acceptable standard (back then, that is) to conduct video calls.

3.5G brought a quantum leap, taking speeds from kbps to Mbps - 3.1 Mbps to be precise. Tech enthusiasts will remember this iteration as HSDPA or High Speed Downlink Packet Access. This is the minimum speed that we can expect to get with our 3G networks in India today. The speeds more than doubled to 7.2 Mbps after.

3.75G was the final step before the evolution to 4G. Known as HSPA (and HSPA+), speeds began at 14 Mbps and reached 21.1 Mbps as was implemented and advertised by some telcos in India (like Reliance). The final leg seen before 4G was DC-HSPDA, with a theoretical speed of 42 Mbps.

4G (a.k.a LTE or Long Term Evolution) is currently the fastest generation of mobile internet technology with a theoretical cap of a blazingly fast 100 Mbps. Open Wireless technology (OWA) is one of the prime technology for 4G and beyond.

Also, remember that all these terminologies are pertaining to GSM networks. CDMA networks had for many years been bottle-necked to 3.1 Mbps with EV-DO (in layman's terms CDMA's 3G network). But since 4G, CDMA operators have adopted LTE technology which eliminates the competitive disadvantage they've had against GSM all this while.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Prasanna_Londhe

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How to Develop a Secure Cloud Strategy in Six Steps

How to Develop a Secure Cloud Strategy in Six Steps
By Vic Levinson

The first step is to start with the data. Data should be classified by risk and sensitivity levels according the business values. Obviously, high risk and highly sensitive data is at the core, less risky or non-sensitive data is at the periphery. Access is then determined in conjunction with this segregation and by regulation as well. Even though data may be deemed non-sensitive, there may be regulations in place to mean then it must have access to it controlled.

The second step is to address the organization's users. User's access should be determined by specific roles and also on a need to know basis. Beware of users with grandiose ideas of what their responsibilities are and of their own sense of importance. Sales may want access to finance records, but they may not really need it.

Thirdly, your cloud environment has to be the right fit for your enterprise- based on your data and your applications. Some line of business applications may not be applicable for the cloud based on their platform or specific functions within the business. At this point, your data determines if you are going to be on a public cloud, private cloud or hybrid. The IT department needs to build strategies that will take full advantage of the cloud that will meet the business objectives and be secure.

Determine your controls. With the proliferation of employee owned devices being used in business environments and consumer access to corporate information, IT has to contend with managing the various operating systems, devices, identities and applications. Take a data centric approach to identify and implement controls based on your data standards and cloud feasibility.

The fifth step is akin to adding the special sauce to a recipe. This is when you engage a cloud provider that has the expertise to bring it all together. This stage involves building a migration plan that is both flexible and secure.

As in all good recipes, the last step involves careful monitoring. Make sure that all of the controls are protecting the assets as they were intended to. Adjustments at this stage should be minor tweaks and not major policy changes.

Cloud technology is drastically changing how information is exchanged and stored. Businesses that quickly build and deploy these applications and take advantage of their benefits will reap the biggest rewards. To take the recipe analogy to its final stage, dig in and enjoy!

Prime Telecommunications has assisted thousands of businesses in the past twenty years dealing with technology and IT. Visit our website at http://www.primetelecommunications.com/data-solutions to see how we can help you put together the pieces of your IT puzzle. We specialize in cloud applications from disaster recovery to hosted voice applications.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vic_Levinson

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Why Unified Communications Is A Better Solution

Why Unified Communications Is A Better Solution
By Robert Fogarty

Unified communications is a service led solution that caters to the modern ways of working by bringing all your communication tools under one simple manageable platform so your business is able to develop faster and smarter operations. The idea is to create efficient processes and productivity that will cut costs along with earning more revenue by eliminating traditional communications that are causing chaos and are difficult to manage.

Communications by consumers is no longer just a simple phone call, the use of the internet and various devices, such as cell phones, tablets, and the like, are the norm for consumers. Not only are they using different devices but they are using different ways of communicating like with video, photos, instant messaging, and social networking. Unified communications makes all the devices on different communication platforms manageable and more effective for the consumer.

It uses a network based association policy, making it easier to transmit and develop applications that are flexible and immediate. A wide range of market solutions is used to facilitate both internal and external associations. These solutions are used through customer care, conferencing, IP communications, mobile and messaging applications. There is better control for relevant features like methods of contact, and monitoring of staff, making it a more efficient way of communicating.

Unified communications provides reliability to users. By integrating the transfer ability on different devices no matter what type of communication it is, such as instant messaging, email, or multimedia, having a prompt response is essential and that's what this tool does. Individuals can stay logged into system and the network, no matter their location, and receive their data through unified communications.

The Benefits That Make It A Better Solution

Unified communications offers businesses the following:

• The ability to share information, track it, and contact individuals more effectively and easier.

• The capability to manage different types of communication on different devices easily in a single platform.

• Chooses the best access point service for communications regardless of location of the intended party.

• It provides reliability.

• It improves ROI

• Unified communications adds value.

• Improves sales.

• Is economical.

Information transfer offered by unified communications integrated services include all forms of multimedia communications, but often getting prompt responses is just as important. For instance, data services are based of the delivery quality of the data, such as transactions involving services like online banking, e-commerce, and online transfers.

Unified communications gives people more comfort and flexibility in the operating industry. They're able to work from anywhere, not just their work station which can reduce costs. All of these services in a single provider makes it very economical and practical. There are many IT solution companies that provide this tool and as a hosted services operators can migrate customers from legacy services to more compatible services of today. Employing this tool, is making a difference in a business's success. In order to not be left behind, a business should discuss this option with a unified communications provider.

To learn lots more, please visit the following website:

Unified communications

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Fogarty

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Some Motorola Phones are Snooping on You

Perhaps overlooked given the larger snooperific NSA context of late, but engineer Ben Lincoln has penned a blog post claiming that he's found that his Motorola Droid X2 is hoovering up a significant amount of user data and sending it off to Motorola. According to Lincoln, the X2 (and perhaps other models) collects GPS data from photos, users names and passwords, e-mail addresses and other private data, then sends that data off to Motorola using an unencrypted channel. Lincoln says he's only tested this on the X2, but has provided tools on his website for users to test other phones in Motorola's lineup. The revelations appear to have been overshadowed by the latest marketing for Motorola's new upcoming Moto X smartphone.

Read the rest of the discussion here...

Motorola Snooping

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Cell Phone Stupidity

See what happens when two nitwits get so distracted on the cell phones that they don't know what's in front of them. This is a funny look at cell phones and how people sometimes talk about nothing, sometimes are loud, and sometimes get into accidents.

Cell Phone - watch more funny videos

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AT&T...Oh Yeah, By The Way We're Selling Your Location Data

Both Verizon and AT&T haven't much wanted to really talk about the billions they're now making by selling your location data, given said data likely isn't as secure or anonymous as companies promise, and neither want new privacy protections put in place. Years after establishing a framework for collecting and selling user location data, AT&T has now kindly seen fit to update their privacy policy, in a blog post (via Fierce Wireless) promising users that there's no way this data collection could possibly go wrong, because said data is anonymous:

This is data that can’t be tracked back to you individually. Here’s an easy example...After an election in your community, officials will release the final vote tally. They might say that 60 percent of the voters picked Candidate A and 40 percent picked Candidate B. That information is a type of aggregate and anonymous data. It’s “aggregate” because it combines information for the whole community telling you who the community as a whole voted for, and it is anonymous because the data doesn’t tell you who voted for which candidate.

Said data is being sold to everyone from civil engineers to marketing firms, except as studies have recently shown, that data isn't really anonymous, and it only takes a few additional contextual clues to identify users. Not to worry, though, because AT&T promises that you're in control of this whole thing, and they won't sell a shred of data unless you approve of it:

We know our customers care about privacy just as we do. So, we also worked to provide greater transparency and customer controls over how your data is used. We don’t sell your personal information, and we won’t use it (other than to provide and improve your services as discussed above) unless you tell us you want us to do that.

Granted your approval for the lion's share of location data sales comes in the form of approving AT&T's massive end user agreement, which you have to approve if you want service. That's not really much of a choice, particularly if AT&T is your only real option for a particular service. There are a number of opt out options here, but prepare to spend a little time doing so. AT&T doesn't specify how your private location data is secured.

In a letter to subscribers (pdf), AT&T promises that they're "committed to protecting your privacy," and "committed to listening" to your feedback, two things they've repeatedly shown historically to be almost comically awful at. In short your location data creates huge new targets for hackers and there's no consumer protections at play, but you can trust a company with a vast history of bad corporate behavior to do the right thing. Feel better?

Read the rest of the discussion here....

AT&T Selling Location Data

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John Caparulo Talks Cell Phones

Comedian John Caparulo talks about cell phones and mentions most of the reasons we all hate them.

John Caparulo Talks Cell Phones - watch more funny videos

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Verizon Lied Repeatedly About That Bogus $2 "Data Fee"

Back in 2010 you might recall that Verizon was busted for over-billing the company's wireless users via a $2 "data fee." The over-billing, first exposed by Teresa Dixon Murray at the Cleveland Plain Dealer, occurred whether or not users had consumed data -- and even impacted some people whose phones had been off entirely.

The bogus fee slowly began to gain attention from larger media outlets, the NY Times ultimately quoting a Verizon insider who claimed the company knew full well they were screwing customers over -- but simply chose to do nothing about it. In fact, Verizon for several years denied the over-billing was even happening, before finally admitting error and settling with the FCC to the tune of $52 million in late 2010.

As I noted at the time, Verizon got off rather easy with that settlement, considering that some fifteen million customers had been charged at least $2 or more every month for several years -- math that leads to a grand total far higher than the $52 million settlement.

The law firm of Smithwick & Belendiuk thought the same thing, and after filing a FOIA request now claims they have Verizon internal documents showing that Verizon not only dramatically under-settled and lied repeatedly about the bogus charges, but that the FCC knew full well Verizon's estimates were bogus.

In a petition for investigation (pdf) filed with the FCC, the firm explains the documents show Verizon knew full well they had been massively over-charging customers but lied repeatedly about it to the press and FCC in order to keep raking in the dough. The documents also show that Verizon gleaned nearly $300 million from 2007-2010 thanks to the erroneous fee, and that Verizon executives even shot down attempts to lessen the bogus fee's impact:

Internal emails obtained as part of the FOIA settlement reveal that after press reports brought the phony charges to the attention of the public in mid-2009 Verizon Wireless began looking for a fix at the highest corporate levels. Verizon Wireless’s internal analysis recommended a 300kb monthly data allowance to customers as a means of mitigating the erroneous charges, but Verizon Wireless would be "forfeiting" about $10 million a month in revenues, so the 300kb monthly allowance was never instituted. Instead, in September 2009 the company implemented.

The firm also says they've found that the FCC's enforcement bureau couldn't be bothered to audit any of the numbers Verizon presented, and willfully accepted intentionally inaccurate estimates as fact, despite having data in their possession proving otherwise. Smithwick & Belendiuk are urging the FCC to investigate the matter and their own culpability. While you shouldn't hold your breath for that, it might be wise to keep in mind how many times Verizon denied this overbilling was even happening the next time the company opens its mouth.

Read the rest of the discussion here...

Verizon Bogus Data Fee

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CELL PHONE REUNION! (HILARIOUS)

Really funny cell phone video!

This will make you laugh.

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AARP Joins Those Fighting Verizon's Killing of Copper....Argues the Elderly Will be Harmed by Death of DSL, POTS

The American Association of Retired Persons has joined a growing chorus of people concerned about the way Verizon is hanging up on their DSL and copper phone lines. As we've explored in great detail, Verizon has slowly but surely been turning their backs on DSL and POTS customers they don't want to upgrade. In many instances Verizon has used Sandy as justification and cover, telling many victims some seven months on that they'll never be repaired, and offering them less useful and ultimately more expensive Voice Link wireless service as replacement.

As the NY PSC weighs Verizon's request to shut down copper in NY State, the AARP has expressed concerns that Verizon's plans will be very bad news for the elderly (and everyone else).

According to the AARP, the Voice Link service Verizon is "replacing" damaged lines with across New England isn't up to snuff. It doesn't include data service, is incompatible with Life Alert systems and security systems, and doesn't offer as reliable a lifeline during prolonged power outages. It's simply not an adequate replacement for existing services.

Again though, it's important to understand this isn't just about Sandy, the elderly and VoiceLink, as Verizon is interested in hanging up on all remaining DSL and POTS users eventually. Sandy has simply been convenient cover for an assault on the regulation requiring they keep these lines operational.

The company has been using rate hikes to quietly drive many existing DSL users to cable, where they'll then be pitched Verizon Wireless services. Unlike most of the public and press, the AARP seems to be marginally aware of how killing DSL lines off gives cable a fixed-line monopoly in huge swaths of markets, resulting in higher prices and poorer service for everybody, not just the elderly. The ACLU expressed concern that Verizon's move is going to eliminate fixed-line broadband options at a time we profess to be expanding them.

"Under the cover of Sandy, this push by Verizon could well work towards advancing the company's corporate strategy of steering customers towards more expensive services, but that doesn't match up to protecting the needs and interests of consumers," said Beth Finkel, State Director for AARP in New York. "AARP opposes this move and we're calling on the PSC to do the same and protect New York consumers. In many cases this move could leave New York consumers in a worse situation come the next major storm."

Read the rest of the discussion here....

Verizon Killing Copper

From July News

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FCC Still Refusing To Collect Broadband Pricing Data...Because Somebody Might Notice the Broadband Industry is Uncompetitive

Over the last few years the FCC has breathlessly proclaimed to be dedicated to both data integrity and transparency, but has fairly consistently failed at both. The FCC and NTIA's joint broadband data mapping efforts, for example, resulted in a $300 million, wholly unreliable broadband availability map that hallucinates both competition and available speeds. For fear of making any big companies mad, the FCC also proudly decided to omit pricing data from the map, lest someone notice how uncompetitive the United States broadband market is.

In July the FCC proudly proclaimed that they'd be taking over full management of the broadband map from the NTIA, in the process shifting more of the responsibility for broadband deployment data collection on to the FCC's shoulders. The agency won't, however, begin collecting data on broadband pricing, and refused to offer a decent reason.

"While this Report and Order does not collect pricing or more granular subscription data as some parties have requested, it leaves the door open to do so," interim FCC boss Mignon Clyburn said in a statement addressing the changes.

Granted that if said pricing data shows up (probably unlikely with a former lobbyist about to take over the FCC), there's a great likelihood that it would be about as unreliable as the agency's data on broadband speeds and availability. Consumer advocates were quick to point out that the reason the FCC doesn't publish pricing data is because the industry doesn't want them to.

"We’re deeply disappointed that politics once again trumped the public interest at the FCC. The Justice Department, the National Broadband Plan, numerous prior FCC proposals, the current acting FCC chairwoman, Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel and the incoming FCC chairman have all identified the need to collect broadband pricing data," consumer group Free Press said in a statement. "But because powerful broadband companies oppose the collection of any information that would show just how uncompetitive this market is, the FCC is once again refusing to collect the basic data it needs to do its job."

Simply having a broadband availability map is a step up from previous FCC practices (like oh, saying a zip code was wired for broadband if just one person in that zip had high speed Internet), but not by a whole lot. This is, after all, an FCC that hand in hand with industry likes to pretend that our broadband competitive issues don't exist, so having an inaccurate map that supports this narrative is at least consistent.

Read the rest of the discussion here...

Another FCC Failure

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Mobile Devices to Outnumber Humans by 2017

According to data from a firm named CCS Insight, the number of mobile devices worldwide will surpass the total number of people on the planet sometime around 2017. Over 6.6 billion mobile devices will be in use by the end of 2017, claims the firm, noting that two-thirds of those wireless devices will be smartphones (smartphones accounted for around 25% of all wireless devices last year). Smartphone shipments exceeded that of non smartphones for the first time ever during the first quarter of 2013.

Read the rest of the discussion here....

Mobile Devices To Out Number Humans

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Telecom Partnership Opportunities

Why you want us as your telecom partner to work together with you. We have the carrier relationships already which frees your time to focus on your core services and products. What is your business model? Do you provide IT consulting services, Managed Solutions, maybe telecom-related hardware such as routers, PBX's, firewalls? Something else that is telecom-related?

If so, we should talk about how a mutually beneficial partnership could work. We are always looking for good VAR partners, good sub-agents, and good MSP's to work with. We would work together on customers, and any customers that originate from you, we generously share the monthly residuals on those circuits, every month, for the life of the circuits.

From the standpoint of your customers, this is an added-value proposition for them because it offers them one stop shopping with you. You can provide them with the required circuit (although their contract is directly with the carrier), which frees your time to be able to focus on providing them with the products and services from your core market area.

Perhaps you already know that teaming with telecom carriers would be a good idea, so you have looked into creating your own partnership with some carriers. Do you really have the personnel and business volume that make that an effective partnership? There are several major problems with doing this on your own with your own partnership or agency agreements with some carriers; i.e.:

* How Many Carriers Can You Partner With At The Same Time?

You do not have the time or resources to be able to partner or form an agency with more than one or two carriers. But are those one or two carriers going to be the most cost effective solution for your clients? Probably not, when you have the ability to look quickly at the offerings from 40+ carriers.

And even after you partner with some carriers, do you have the time to develop a real relationship with the senior channel manager? How much easier would it be to partner with someone who already has years of those important relationships established?

* Do You Have The Volume Of Business To Get The Carrier's Largest Discounts?

You very likely are not going to have the business volume to be able to get the highest level of discounts from the one or two carriers you partner with. And you can offer no guarantee that if your client went to the same carrier directly, that they could get a better price on the circuit. What does that do to your company's overall credibility?

* What Is Your ROI On Having Your Own Employee Do This AND Establish All Those Carrier Relationships?

You may already know what your ROI is on having a superstar employee who can work with the carriers. Or if you don't know, I can assure you that it's almost 24 months. So can you afford to bring on an employee to focus on that task, where you won't see an ROI on that employee for almost 2 years, and without massive volume with the carriers, is not going to have the carrier relationships built to get your the best deals for your clients? Or, would it be more cost effective to hit the ground running, where you have the following advantages:

* What Is The Value To Your Customers If You Could Provide Them WithOne-Stop Shopping?

Providing "one stop shopping" for your customers, including your core products and services, as well as circuits and via our VAR partners, other associated services that your company may not provide, such as firewalls, demarc extensions, network traffic shaping, virtualization, or a host of other things.

Your company can be the focal point to provide all of your customer's telecom and IT needs, giving you more time to focus on what makes the most money for you which is your set of core products and services to your customers.

* Do You Have The Carrier Relationships To Be Able To Offer A Low Price Guarantee To Your Customers?

Being able to guarantee that for the circuits you offer to your clients on your letterhead, shopping from amongst 40+ top tier and first tier carriers that can provide anything from T1 to Gigabit Ethernet to a specific location, that you have a $500 guarantee that your client cannot go to the carrier directly and get a better price on the same circuit. How long would it take you to set up your own powerful guarantee, in writing, like that, a guarantee we've had in writing for 10 years already?

* Do You Have Ready Access To Carrier Senior Management To Solve Your Customer's Problems Quickly?

Having access to senior management within the carrier to assist your client with any problems that might arise in order to get issues resolved quickly and efficiently. Sometimes telling your customer to just log a trouble ticket with the 24x7 carrier's help desk is not enough, and we can help you go that extra mile.

* Can You Meet Your Carrier Quotas Every Month Easily?

You have no quotas to fulfill in order to obtain the highest level of circuit discounting because we already have that in place for you.Whether we partner on one circuit a month or 100 circuits a month, you still get that guaranteed low price for your customer without having to fulfill any quotas to get it.

* Partnering With Us Doesn't Cost You A Cent Because We Understand What Partnership Means

With us as your partner, you have no expenses, no ROI to recoup, no salary or benefits to pay out for a new employee, but you have a superstar telecom partner who already has the carrier relationships, who has the guarantees, and has the carrier management relationships, and who also has insights into the carriers to advise you which ones are stronger and which are weaker in given geographic and technical areas.

* More Than A Partnership, You Can Make This A Profit Center

Telarus has been given the prestigious "Agency Of The Year" award for the past four consecutive years from the National Telecom Association. Not only does this partnership with us not cost you anything but you can also turn this relationship into a profit center for your company! For each circuit that we partner on that closes, we share in the residual commission on that circuit for the life of the circuit!

It is truly a match made in heaven and can be mutually beneficial. In fact, it is a win-win-win situation, because your client also wins by having the best possible price from amongst 40+ top carriers, as well as being able to do one stop shopping with you.

For more information if this sounds like the kind of value you need in order to gain an additional edge in today's very competitive market, please complete the "Contact Us" form and we will be in touch quickly.

CONTACT US

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How To Get Help Finding The Right Business Internet Access

We're going to make this very easy for you. If you need help finding the right internet access solution for your business requirements....simply request more information on any of the services listed below (including a FREE quote comparing available providers) by going here and submitting your request:

Dedicated Bandwidth & Business Internet Services

Internet Access

* Business DSL .... AT&T, Broadview Networks, Cbeyond, CenturyLink, EarthLink Business, Ernest Communications, MegaPath, NetWolves, RealLinx, Telnes Broadband Windstream Communications

* Cable Internet .... Comcast Business, Charter Business, Optimum, Time Warner Cable Business Class

* Data T1 .... Alpheus, AT&T, ACC Business, AireSpring, Broadview Networks, Cbeyond, CenturyLink, EarthLink Business, Ernest Communications, Integra Telecom, Level 3, Masergy, MegaPath, NetWolves, Nitel, PowerNet Global, RealLinx, TelePacific, Telnes Broadband, Vocal IP Networx, Windstream Communications, XO Communications

* Satellite Fixed Wireless .... Broad Sky Networks, NetWolves

* High BW Fixed Wireless (Mircowave) .... Broadview Networks, NetWolves, TelePacific, UNSi, XO Communications, Windstream Communications

* Bonded T1 .... Alpheus, AT&T, ACC Business, AireSpring, Broadview Networks, Cbeyond, CenturyLink, EarthLink Business, Integra Telecom, Level 3, MegaPath, NetWolves, Nitel, PowerNet Global, RealLinx, TelePacific, Telnes Broadband, tw telecom, Windstream Communications, XO Communications

* Frac/Full DS3 .... Alpheus, AT&T, ACC Business, AireSpring, Cbeyond, CenturyLink, EarthLink Business, Integra Telecom, Level 3, Masergy, MegaPath, NetWolves, Nitel, PowerNet Global, RealLinx, TelePacific, Telnes Broadband, tw telecom, Vocal IP Networx, Windstream Communications, XO Communications

* Frac/Full OC3/12/48 .... Alpheus, AT&T, ACC Business, AireSpring, Cbeyond, CenturyLink, EarthLink Business, Integra Telecom, Level 3, MegaPath, NetWolves, Nitel, PowerNet Global, RealLinx, TelePacific, Telnes Broadband, tw telecom, Windstream Communications, XO Communications

* Ethernet over Copper (2M - 75M over copper) .... Alpheus, AT&T, ACC Business, AireSpring, Broadview Networks, Cbeyond, CenturyLink, EarthLink Business, Integra Telecom, Level 3, Masergy, MegaPath, NetWolves, Nitel, Telnes Broadband, TelePacific, tw telecom, Vocal IP Networx, Windstream Communications, XO Communications

* Ethernet over DS1/DS3 (1.5M - 45M over serial) .... Alpheus, AireSpring, Cbeyond, CenturyLink, EarthLink Business, Integra Telecom, Level 3, Masergy, MegaPath, NetWolves, PowerNet Global, TelePacific, Telnes Broadband, Vocal IP Networx, Windstream Communications, XO Communications

* Metro Fiber Ethernet (100M - 1G over fiber) .... Alpheus, AT&T, ACC Business, Broadview Networks, Cbeyond, CenturyLink, Charter Business, Comcast Business, DukeNet Communications, Integra Telecom, Level 3, NetWolves, Nitel, PowerNet Global, TelePacific, Time Warner Cable Business Class, tw telecom, Windstream Communications, XO Communications, Zayo

* Gigabit Ethernet (1G-40G over fiber) .... Alpheus, AT&T, ACC Business, CenturyLink, Comcast Business, DukeNet, Integra Telecom, Level 3, Masergy, TelePacific, Time Warner Cable Business Class, tw telecom, Windstream Communications, XO Communications, Zayo

* International DIA .... AT&T, CenturyLink, Global Telecom and Technology, Level 3, Masergy, tw telecom, XO Communications, Zayo,

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Need Cloud Services??

We're going to make this very easy for you. If you are looking for any of the Cloud Services on the list below....simply request more information and a FREE quote showing a comparison of available providers meeting your requested need here:

Cloud Services

Cloud Services and Carriers ....

* Remote Data Backup Broadview Networks .... Cbeyond, EarthLink Business, New Cloud Networks, Vocal IP Networx, Windstream Communications, XO Communications

* BDR - Backup & Disaster Recovery New .... Cloud Networks, Cbeyond, EarthLink Business

* White Label Solutions .... Broadview Networks, New Cloud Networks

* Virtual Servers (Windows) .... Cbeyond, CenturyLink, EarthLink Business, New Cloud Networks, Vocal IP Networx, Windstream Communications

* Virtual Servers (Linux) .... CenturyLink, EarthLink Business, New Cloud Networks, Vocal IP Networx

* Colocation .... Alpheus, Cbeyond, CenturyLink, EarthLink Business, Level 3, New Cloud Networks, Telx, Windstream Communications, XO Communications Zayo

* Desktop Virtualization .... Broadview Networks, New Cloud Networks

* Cloud Security .... Broadview Networks, Cbeyond, CenturyLink, EarthLink Business, Masergy, MegaPath, New Cloud Networks, TelePacific, Vocal IP Networx, Windstream Communications, XO Communications

* Outsourced IT (MSP) .... Cbeyond, EarthLink Business, New Cloud Networks, Windstream Communications

* Google Apps for Business .... Windstream Communications

* Managed Firewall .... Broadview Networks, Cbeyond, CenturyLink, EarthLink Business, Integra Telecom, Masergy, MegaPath, New Cloud Networks, Nitel, TelePacific, Telnes Broadband, UNSi, Windstream Communications, XO Communications

* Microsoft (Exchange, 365, etc.) .... Broadview Networks, Cbeyond, New Cloud Networks, Vocal IP Networx, XO Communications Manual Quote SSL VPN Cbeyond, Masergy, MegaPath, Telnes Broadband, Vocal IP Networx

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Tw Telecom Intelligent Network

"We are extremely excited about tw telecom Intelligent Network product. tw telecom has a history of providing the top of the line WAN services and now that the Cloud is so dependent upon the network for overall user experience, tw telecom has a home run on their hands."

This 4-minute video explains how tw telecom's Intelligent Network can help businesses address the challenges associated with moving to the cloud by providing world class Ethernet and IP VPN solutions.

tw telecom's Intelligent Network can help businesses address the challenges associated with moving to the cloud by providing world class Ethernet and IP VPN solutions with the added benefits of: * Visibility - End-to-end and segment-by-segment real time visibility of key performance metrics by location and class of service,
* Flexibility - Dynamic Bandwidth Capacity enables real-time, on the fly bandwidth adjustments to address fluctuating traffic demands,
* Control - Application aware networking provides real-time, granular visibility of application traffic and the ability to adjust prioritization by specific application to optimize performance.

To learn more about how tw telecom and help your business do business, simply request more information and a FREE quote here....

tw telecom FREE quote

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UNSi....Perfect Choice For Your MPLS Network Solution

UNSi provides a complete and cost-effective MPLS solution for businesses with multiple locations. UNSi provides multiple Internet access methods to accommodate various budgets, speeds and geographic locations all on ONE bill.

What You Should Know About UNSi

UNSi was founded in 2001 as American Broadband. UNSi also known as United Network Services, Inc., are reputable for managing broadband connectivity for companies with 100 locations and above. UNSi has one of the largest broadband aggregation databases in the country. With the recent acquisition of airband, UNSi added fixed wireless to their portfolio as well as VOIP services, and a stronger MPLS presence in the South. Here are a few more reasons why UNSi is a great fit for your business:

* Over 155,000 lit buildings across the country
* Services are backed by 24x7 NOC's
* 29 core POP's and over 150 NNI's
* UNSi does not conform to the traditional LATA boundaries as the older TDM and ILEC based Ethernet networks do. This makes their network extremely scalable and cost effective.
* UNSi has one of the largest broadband footprints – relationships with over 2,000 providers.
* UNSi also offers a total network solution all on one bill, for businesses with multiple locations.

UNSi Products:

* CloudMPLS
* MPLS
* Ethernet
* Unified Communications
* DIA
* VPLS
* Broadband
* Managed Services
* Hosted Monitoring

To find out more about how UNSi can help your business, simply request more information and a FREE quote here....

MPLS Networks

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DukeNet Communications...Your Choice In The Carolinas

Headquartered in Charlotte NC, DukeNet Communications is a leading regional telecommunications service provider, offering robust fiber network solutions for data centers, wireless, carriers, government, healthcare, manufacturing, finance, education, and enterprise across our region. Their story is grounded in a legendary service-provider history.

What You Should Know About DukeNet Communications

DukeNet's network is focused in the Carolina's and is comprised of over 7,000+ miles of dense fiber where bandwidth can range all the way up to 100G. The fact that DukeNet is MEF certified means that they can offer high-performance, scalable, cost-effective and standardized Ethernet service to deliver all of your cloud based applications. DukeNet specializes in providing custom solutions in the Southeast for some of the biggest names in healthcare, finance, education, government, wireless, data centers, and many other segments. DukeNet provides Neutral-Host Distributed Antenna System solutions that overcome the obstacles with our industry-leading wireless experience to deliver seamless, reliable in-building coverage and capacity. DukeNet also carries nearly 40% of all wireless data sessions in the Carolina's.

Exceptional Strengths

* Robust network to support multiple redundancies

* Secure access for customers and mission critical IT support personnel

* Five-nines plus uptime of reliability

* Scalable solutions designed to accommodate shifting demands in network traffic

* Local service and support from their world-class NOC available 24/7/365.

* Global capability operating 7,000 route miles of fiber and nearly 2,500 POPs

* Robust network for multi-location connection to headquarters, branch offices and data centers

* Fast, secure access to financial transactions, trading execution and market data

DukeNet Products...

* Carrier Ethernet
* Private Line
* IP Services
* Managed Services
* DAS/Small Cell
* Cell Site Backhaul
* Dark Fiber
* Colocation
* Custom Network Solutions

DukeNet Communications Videos

We've put together the following video with more information about the DukeNet Communications product set.

To take advantage of what Duke Communications can do for YOUR business....simply request more information AND a free quote here:

Duke Communications

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StartMeeting...High Definition Audio & Web Conferencing

StartMeeting is a collaborative communications solution serving a range of businesses, individuals, communities and organizations around the world.

"Businesses rely on audio and web conferencing, so why not use the best?! Start Meeting has several features that will transform the way companies give presentations. Their ability to add videos, links, whitepapers, and more will give much more depth on the material that is presented."

What You Should Know About StartMeeting

StartMeeting's audio and web conferencing services include a suite of professional tools designed for screen sharing and standard conferencing. This service combines desktop sharing with integrated audio conferencing that may be utilized at the same time or individually. StartMeeting is a great resource for web conferencing, webinars, online meetings, online presentations, quarterly meetings, and distance learning.

Listed below are a few more details about what StartMeeting can do for you....

Audio Conferencing
* Free (toll) and Toll Free dial-in numbers
* Supports up to 1,000 callers
* Reservationless - available 24/7
* Includes free recording
* Freed call detail reports via email
* Accessible via fixed, mobile, and HD VoIP

Screen Sharing
* Share entire desktop or selected applications
* 50, 200, 500, and 1,000 seat accounts
* Screen recording (Windows & Mac)
* Switch presenter, attendee list, and chat
* Annotation tools included
* Integrated audio (phone & VoIP)

Customizable Meeting Wall
* Create a landing page for participants to visit
* Upload your photo and company logo
* Add meeting title and description
* Store documents and upload links
* Invite others and schedule meetings
* Includes web controls for audio

Meeting Recording
* Cloud based, no download required
* Mac and Windows compatible
* Instantly share via social media and email
* Instantly download with no conversion
* Includes 1 GB of free storage
* Records conference calls and screen sharing

Web Controls
* Control your conference calls on the web
* Record your conferences
* Put participants on mute and hold
* View attendee list and activee speakers
* Activate Q&A sessions
* Easily accessible on the meeting wall

StartMeeting Studio
* Create cloud based presentations, instantly
* Records anything on your screen with audio
* Perfect for sales, training, marketing, and HR
* Create as many presentations as you like
* On-demand, unlimited, and free viewing
* iPhone, iPad, and Droid compatible

StartMeeting Videos

We've put together the following video with more information about the StartMeeting product set.

To learn more about what StartMeeting can do for your business, simply request more information and a free quote here ....

Audio & Web Conferencing Information

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Telecommunication Provider News Updates

To catch you up on news from the telecommunication industry the past few months....just read on.

* Cbeyond now offers TotalAssist Services, which takes IT management off of customers' plates.

* CenturyLink announced that it has extended its fiber network into metro Jacksonville, Fla., connecting to two independent, third-party data centers.

* EarthLink launched its Cloud Disaster Recovery service, the latest in its line of virtualization platforms for businesses.

* EarthLink has opened a new data center and sales office in Dallas.

* Windstream announced Wednesday that its Advanced Application Reporting (AAR) product for enterprise business customers is now available throughout its footprint.

* MASERGY says its Intelligent SIP Trunking service is now compliant with key communications solutions from Avaya, the provider of business collaboration and communication solutions.

* CenturyLink named Ciena as one of its latest 100G suppliers with plans to leverage the vendor's 6500 Packet-Optical Network Platform.

* TelePacific has launched an integrated hosted PBX solution.

* AT&T expands its cloud and IP service presence

If you'd like to take advantage of any of the services mentioned in the news above....simply request more information and a free quote here:

Telecom Information & Free Quotes

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The Unlocking Technology Act of 2013

In late January, unlocking your cellphone technically became illegal after the Librarian of Congress removed it from the DMCA exception list last year. It remains legal for you to jailbreak your phone, but you can't unlock it unless you get your carrier's permission. Several bills have since been introduced that would make unlocking your phone legal again, but none seriously reform the DMCA, and most are considered band aids.

The Unlocking Technology Act of 2013 (introduced by Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Thomas Massie (R-KY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), and Jared Polis (D-CO)) is being heralded as the first bill that tackles this problem seriously:

Here’s how this bill really is different from the others: It would allow all consumers to circumvent the digital locks on their mobile devices. Anyone could access and modify software on their devices, in the same way they already modify and repair hardware. Importantly, it would also protect the engineers and entrepreneurs who create tools that allow consumers to unlock their phones. This is a particularly huge distinction and major departure from other bills. Most people don’t write their own software. If you need to unlock your phone, odds are you’d go online and download a software program that does it for you.

So what's the over under these days on an intelligent and pro-consumer bill to survive the legislative gauntlet these days?

Read the rest here....

Bill Could Make Unlocking Your Phone Legal Again

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VoIP Explained...Our Infographic Tells You What You Need to Know

Check out this complimentary infographic to see how VoIP works, how it can help your business, and disadvantages that must be considered. We've distilled what you need to know down to an easy-to-understand infographic so you can evaluate whether VoIP makes sense for your business.

This infographic covers:

* How VoIP works, clearly explained

*VoIP advantages likes lower costs, portability and key features

* Possible concerns like security, quality of service and power dependency

You can download your free guide here...

Learn what VoIP means for your business

To learn more about the VoIP system we recommend for small businesses, & those who work remote or from home ... check this out - -

iTeleCenter

For medium to large business enterprises...take advantage of this free comparison and rate quote service - -

Business VoIP Solution

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You Didn't Need That DSL Line, Right?

As I've been discussing a lot lately (because it's the most important issue facing the broadband sector right now), both AT&T and Verizon are in the process of gutting regulations that require they continue offering copper landlines -- and by proxy DSL -- to tens of millions of Americans. Both companies insist that they're simply interested in "modernizing regulations" and ushering us into an "all IP age." In reality, both companies simply want to exit the fixed-line market in areas they're unwilling to upgrade.

That's a move that has serious repercussions in the form of increased broadband coverage gaps, higher prices, stronger cable monopolies and lower-quality service. What happens to these users is part of one of the biggest shifts this industry has ever seen. The FCC this week simply noted that they'd be taking a closer look at this transition, in the form of "Pilot programs" that can study the transition from the copper PSTN to wireless and/or VoIP.

This modest proposal outraged AT&T, who'd very much like to sever tens of millions of in-use DSL lines nobody wants to buy -- and they don't want to upgrade -- without anyone studying the way this would impact you. In a piece over at CNET, contributor Larry Downes channels this bogus carrier outrage in a dubious piece that trots out all the industry's usual bogeymen, such as the well-worn yarn that the government simply studying an issue stifles network investment:

The notice was disappointing to advocates who see the IP transition as a potential catalyst in connecting more Americans to the broadband ecosystem, a goal far more likely with the switched network definitively shut off in favor of native IP technology. According to Fred Campbell of the Competitive Enterprise Institute and a former bureau chief at the FCC, Friday's notice is "more likely to discourage future investment in Internet infrastructure than to accelerate it."

Yes, nothing "connects more Americans to the broadband ecosystem" quite like killing off regulations requiring they keep providing DSL and POTS lines. Downes also apparently didn't get the memo that AT&T and Verizon have largely shelved next-generation fixed-line investment plans (excluding regulatory obligations), and any remaining much-ballyhooed expansion plans remaining will be rather puny in scope. Downes is undaunted by the reality that these moves could cause more coverage gaps, not less, and parrots carrier claims that this shift to "all IP" is somehow a magical panacea for everyone:

Eventually, perhaps soon, nearly every American will have made the leap to better and cheaper IP technologies, leaving the carriers to operate and maintain legacy wireline networks for only a few holdouts.

Gosh, that sounds magical! Except people still on DSL aren't a "few holdouts," they're tens of millions of people -- many with no other options. Nobody wants to keep them, nobody wants to buy them, and nobody wants to upgrade them. Despite what carriers claim, wireless is not a supplement for fixed-line data services -- and severing their copper lines and insisting wireless is good enough is not a story that ends well.

Downes, like carriers, also happily conflates the shift to IP services with the shift away from copper, even though services like AT&T's U-Verse is an IP product that runs over copper (derp). The conflation allows carriers to pretend that what they're doing is progress. Like in Kentucky, where AT&T lobbyists are outright lying to locals -- claiming that gutting regulatory oversight over POTS will result in a phantom U-Verse expansion that simply doesn't exist.

To sell this narrative on national scale as lobbyists worm their way state to state, the phone companies have been paying their usual assortment of think tankers, astroturfers, fake consumer advocates, payrolled academics and policy mavens to spin yarns (note any similarities in this piece by Steve Forbes?). Said flacks are paid to argue that gutting all regulation -- in a sector dominated by incumbent anti-competitive carriers -- somehow magically results in telecom Utopia.

Neither Downes or CNET discloses that Downes, as a consultant, takes any money from companies with a vested interest in this deregulation. As such, the fact that his logic almost perfectly mirrors AT&T and Verizon talking points (and a string of carbon copy editorials paid for by said companies) surely must be pure happenstance. Downes continues:

Why do we even need trials when the transition is happening anyway, without any help from federal and state regulators?The answer is that by doing nothing while an organic IP transition takes place, the FCC is skewing the process and needlessly slowing private investment.

Actually no, we need trials because as we are seeing with Sandy victims in Verizon territory, the services being used (Voice Link) to replace DSL are less useful, glitchy, don't show callerID names, won't work during a power outage, and don't provide data services. Users used to uncapped DSL who want data suddenly face heavily capped wireless lines with $15 per gigabyte overages -- assuming they can even get cellular signal in their neck of the woods. For many these will be costly downgrades, not upgrades. Not quite the fantasy scenario Downes hallucinates.

Thanks to these kinds of editorials, what should be an intelligent conversation about our transition away from the PSTN and toward next-generation connectivity, is awash in bunk carrier logic, conflated technologies and empty promises. In ten years, when the public wakes up and wonders why they now only have the choice of an over-priced cable competitor or an absurdly-capped wireless line -- they can thank guys like Larry Downes and Steve Forbes for helping AT&T and Verizon usher forth this magical "all IP transition."

Read the rest here....

Death of Copper Editorials All Sound Oddly Familiar

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27 IP Phones Compared

Our industry experts have just compiled the new IP Phone Comparison Chart. Choosing a VoIP phone system makes great business sense with lower costs and more features compared to traditional solutions. Our guide will help you choose the right IP phone so you get the most out of it. The most current data, all at your fingertips.

Our IP Phone Comparison Guide covers...

* All 10 players in the IP phone market and 27 IP phones

* Up to date pricing

* Advanced features

* Vendor contact information

You can download your free IP phone guide here...

IP Phone Comparison Chart

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What It Looks Like When Barney Fife Is Your Telecom Regulator

It is very quickly becoming clear that if you want the FCC to avoid enforcing their network neutrality rules, all you have to do is throw some half-assed, vague-sounding technical jargon at the agency to bog them down in inactivity indefinitely. With yesterday's news that AT&T is blocking yet another video chat application in order to drive users to more expensive data plans, it's rather clear that the FCC lacks the stomach to actually enforce the rules they designed.

The FCC's net neutrality rules already weren't worth much, given they were based on an outline designed by Google and Verizon. As such, they are filled with all manner of carefully engineered loopholes aimed at protecting the potential billions both were making via their mobile partnership.

However, the rules are worth even less with an FCC that's too timid or incompetent to enforce them.

While the FCC is clearly on shaky legal ground given Verizon's lawsuit to overturn the rules, that doesn't prohibit the FCC from at least publicly singling out and commenting on poor carrier behavior when it happens. The agency's inaction is tacit approval of the use of gatekeeper power to behave anti-competitively.

You might recall that back in September of last year FCC boss Julius Genachowski addressed AT&T's Facetime blockade, promising that if good faith negotiations "doesn't lead to a resolution and a complaint is filed, we will exercise our responsibilities and we will act."

A complaint was filed, no action was taken, and Genachowski's now on his way out the door for a new career in think tank life, about to be replaced by a former lobbyist for the wireless industry.

With only consumer groups and blogs standing in their way, yesterday AT&T made it clear they thought it would be fun to block yet more useful application functionality. You need intelligent, tough regulators that know when to stand pat, and when to kick a little ass. What the United States has is Barney Fife.

AT&T's Hangout and Facetime video blockades, while obnoxious, aren't even the worst violations consumers have seen.

For the last year Verizon has been able to block Google Wallet in order to give their own mobile payment platform, Isis, a leg up in the marketplace. That should technically violate not only the agency's neutrality rules, but the "carterfone" conditions attached to Verizon's 700 MHz spectrum. Yet all Verizon needed to do to dodge both is to give a bogus technical explanation regarding Wallet's use of the secure element to keep the FCC bogged down in paperwork and ineptitude for almost a year. Update: T-Mobile, also an Isis partner, has now joined the fun as well.

Google can thank themselves; it was their painful waffling on neutrality principles that helped create weak net neutrality rules nobody is willing to even enforce in the first place. That decision has since come home to roost.

Read the rest here....

AT&T Hangout Block Highlights a Timid, Incompetent FCC

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How To Select A Conferencing Solution

When you're thinking of investing in a conferencing solution, there are key features about each system that you need to consider. What's better for your business or organization - a cloud-based system, or an on-premises solution? This detailed infographic from our video conferencing expert goes above and beyond this first crucial comparison point in order to make sure you take into account all the important features that will influence your decision-making process.

We compare...

* Standalone systems vs. integrated systems

* Hardware-based systems vs. software-based systems

* Best systems for enterprise and SMB applications

You can download this free infographic here...

How To Select A Conferencing Solution

To learn all about the conferencing solution we recommend ... from Accuconference ... simply take a look at this:

Accuconference

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Verizon Handed Over AP Data, No Questions Asked

Earlier this year the government came under fire for hoovering up the personal call logs of more than twenty lines belonging to the Associated Press. Initially Uncle Same claimed the snooping and violation of press rights was due to an immediate and pressing life-risking investigation, but as the week rolled on it became clear the government was simply embarrassed by internal leaks and annoyed an AP story stole some public relations thunder. It has also since been made clear that Verizon Wireless was the company that handed over the data without a second thought:

When the feds came knocking for AP journalists’ call records last year, Verizon apparently turned the data over with no questions asked. The New York Times, citing an AP employee, reported Tuesday that at least two of the reporters’ personal cellphone records "were provided to the government by Verizon Wireless without any attempt to obtain permission to tell them so the reporters could ask a court to quash the subpoena."

I contacted Verizon Wireless for comment, querying whether the AP incident may prompt the company to change its policy regarding how it responds to such requests. Spokeswoman Debra Lewis said Verizon Wireless complied "with legal processes with regard to requests from law enforcement" but wouldn’t comment on specific cases. In regard to a change of policy, Lewis said she was “not going to speculate on what may or may not happen in the future."

Granted the law muzzles most of the people to whom these requests are made, but that doesn't mean that carriers have to be quite so mindlessly compliant every time government knocks. We've seen repeated instances where time after time, carriers showed absolutely no independent intelligence or ethics when considering whether to help the government break the law. Only small carriers, like Sonic.net, have bothered to show anything resembling a spine.

In fact, instead of standing up to government, carriers often urge government to take domestic surveillance further. Numerous whistleblowers have pointed out that carriers not only gave the NSA a live feed to ALL data on their networks (both theirs and other companies), but in some cases actively counseled the FBI on how to best violate surveillance law. As Wired noted in 2010, AT&T even volunteered their time as intelligence analysts.

There's tens of billions of unaccountable government subsidies, tax breaks and contracts at risk if these companies don't comply, which should give you a clear indication of just how much your privacy is worth to them when the government calls.

Read The Rest Here....

AP Scandal

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Technology Gone Wild

Hunting For Technology presents Doctor Robert Parqinfarquer, better known as Dr Bob, a noted Technology Infestation Specialist in his first funny video entitled: Technology Gone Wild.

Dr Bob along with his teacher's assistant, Sparky, set off deep into the Sillycon Hills to observe feral tech and try to find proof of his theory...

That all feral Macintosh tech is ga... Well, let's just say they are very friendly to one another.

Dr Bob's surprising theory about social habits of feral Macintosh tech is based on his extensive career that spans 30 years of laboratory and field research.

Dr Bob will educate us on the many causes, effects and consequences of tech infestation in the wild. It is only through study and understanding of the problems we face can we hope to overcome them.

Dr. Bob's thesis has not been independently peer reviewed.

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AT&T Still Blaming Government For Their Crappy Broadband Speeds

While there's absolutely no doubt that Google Fiber has been a positive thing for the industry, critics have singled out two problems with Google's ultra-fast offering. One, the company backed off of open access promises that would have allowed multiple companies to come in and truly compete over the infrastructure. Two, whereas old franchise models aimed for uniformity (the very reason many of you even have cable at this moment) Google's deployment model heavily celebrates cherry picking, or only deploying services to the most profitable areas.

Google countered this somewhat early on in Kansas City with Google Fiber "rallies" determined to help the community decide which areas got service first. Still, it soon became clear that lower-income communities still found themselves lagging for attention, with wealthier neighborhoods doing things like hiring their door to door salesmen to improve their chances. It's just a variation on the same problem of selective deployment.

For obvious reasons AT&T clearly loves cherry picking, CEO Randall Stephenson telling investors this week that they'd just love to offer 1 Gbps to people, but government requirements make that impossible (not true, but more on that later). Stephenson also argued that now that Google has made cherry picking more acceptable, deployment of 1 Gbps lines nationwide will surely pick up speed: "I think you are going to see that begin to manifest itself around the United States, and in not just AT&T and Google,” Stephenson said. “You will see others doing this because the demand for really high-speed broadband via gigabit-type fiber-based solutions on a targeted basis is going to be very, very high....The key is being able to do it in places where you know there is going to be high demand and people willing to pay the premium for those type services.

Blaming the mean 'ole government for AT&T's failure to deliver cutting edge broadband services is an excuse that simply no longer holds water.

There's a few problems with that scenario. To prepare for their entry into the TV business, AT&T lobbyists nearly a decade ago started going state to state passing new franchise "reform" laws that stripped away any build out requirements, as well as consumer protections. In many states the new laws, actually written by AT&T, even gave AT&T the upper hand at dodging eminent domain rules.

Given that regulatory capture has reached the point where AT&T is actively writing the laws governing their business operations in many states, there's nothing stopping them from offering 1 Gbps services, and blaming the problem on government restrictions is high comedy. AT&T could easily strike 1 Gbps deals with any number of eager towns at any time with the exact same perks Google is getting -- but didn't.

Long placing investor interests above customer satisfaction or product quality, AT&T has cut corners on fixed line network investment at every possible opportunity despite unprecedented deregulation on both the state and federal level. As a result, AT&T fails to even offer U-Verse speeds that match cable -- much less Google Fiber. Blaming the mean 'ole government for AT&T's failure to deliver cutting edge broadband services is an excuse that simply no longer holds water. The reason you're not seeing cheaper, faster speeds? A lack of serious competition that forces AT&T to do so. Full stop.

And while Stephenson is apparently already putting AT&T in the 1 Gbps club right alongside Google, there's still no indication that the company will deploy 1 Gbps speeds in any serious way. AT&T's recent promise to meet Google on the field of battle in Austin with 1 Gbps rang a little hollow, given the weaselly-worded announcement contained plenty of wiggle room, and was more show than substance. As a general rule of thumb you should believe in affordable 1 Gbps service from AT&T only when you're actually able to order it -- and not a second before.

Read the rest here....

AT&T Broadband Speeds

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Understanding Broadband Technologies

Watch this timely presentation to help your business understand exactly what you need for your internet network, and how it should work for you. Armed with this information you'll know what to look for and how to ask for it. This will make sure you get what you need, and nothing more. Once you can talk the language, you'll never risk being taken advantage of again with a solution that costs more than it should...and doesn't perform the way you need it to.

If your business has a need to improve your current network, or build a new one, you can get free advice at the below website including no obligation quotes from available providers that serve your location. Simply submit your request, and include any specific requirements you need the solution to meet. It's that easy.

Network Solutions

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CIO Playbook....Enterprise Telephony

The big business communications space is moving quickly. Is your business getting the most out of the technology available? Are your employees using these powerful communications features to make their jobs easier? This brand new CIO Playbook: Enterprise Telephony from CBP research gives you their latest advice on everything from enterprise phone systems to addressing BYOD (bring your own device) concerns... and much more.

This complimentary guide covers:

* Changes in the enterprise phone system market

* Collaboration tools

* The rise of BYOD

* And much more

The field of telephony is constantly evolving -- is your business ready for the latest wave of changes? There are two ways to look at these changes and their effect on your company. One is as a series of potential challenges to deal with. The other is as opportunities to improve your employees’ ability to communicate. This newest enterprise telephony white paper honestly deals with both sides of the coin, presenting you with the latest changes and soon-to-be changes to the industry so that you can not only ready your company for the evolutions, but embrace the ever-changing nature of telephony to come.

Get your free copy here...

CIO Playbook

Once you've armed yourself with the insights from the guide....you can request free quotes from the avaiable providers in your area here:

Enterprise Telephony

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Telecom Industry News

We haven't shared news for the Telecom industry in awhile. What follows should catch you up a bit on what Telecommunication providers have been up to recently.

* Cbeyond now offers TotalAssist Services, which takes IT management off of customers' plates.

* CenturyLink announced that it has extended its fiber network into metro Jacksonville, Fla., connecting to two independent, third-party data centers.

* EarthLink launched its Cloud Disaster Recovery service, the latest in its line of virtualization platforms for businesses.

* EarthLink has opened a new data center and sales office in Dallas.

* Windstream announced Wednesday that its Advanced Application Reporting (AAR) product for enterprise business customers is now available throughout its footprint.

* MASERGY says its Intelligent SIP Trunking service is now compliant with key communications solutions from Avaya, the provider of business collaboration and communication solutions.

* CenturyLink named Ciena as one of its latest 100G suppliers with plans to leverage the vendor's 6500 Packet-Optical Network Platform.

* TelePacific has launched an integrated hosted PBX solution now available to channel partners through the company's TelePartner program.

* AT&T expands its cloud and IP service presence with a new reseller program.

* Integra Telecom rebrands itself as Integra, expands focus to enterprise market.

* TelePacific has launched an integrated hosted PBX solution now available to channel partners through the company's TelePartner program.

* Comcast becomes world's first carrier ethernet 2.0 certified provider.

* Verizon spent over $347 million on its wireline networks and IT infrastructure in Florida in 2012.

* XO debuts intelligent WAN. The XO Intelligent WAN solution offers a comprehensive and integrated approach to meeting the demands placed on networks today through tomorrow by combining intelligent networking, integrated security, and end-to-end visibility of the performance of applications across the network.

* Advantix will be adding international rate reduction and BYOD management solutions.

* Cbeyond is expanding their Metro E footprint in all 14 of their markets.

* EarthLink launched their new TechCare solution for Telarus partners, enabling you to offer IT care solutions and support to your clients.

* MegaPath now offers enterprise SIP trunking

* Nitel launched their new hosted PBX and SIP products N-Tellivoice

* Telnes will be launching several new products including 100MB Fiber, Integrated Access, SIP Trunking, and much more.

If you'd like to learn more...and take advantage of any of the services mentioned above ... simply request more information and a free rate quote here:

Telecommunication Services & Free Quotes

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Unified Communications.... Potentially Lucrative, Definitely Needed, But Still Currently Untapped

Research conducted by MDS has found that 75% of IT and telecoms decision-makers are looking to move towards a Unified Communications (UC) infrastructure in the next 12 months; good news for operators looking for additional revenue streams from the business segment.

At the same time, 61% of the sample admits they’re uncertain of the value that UC will bring to their business – suggesting that more needs to be done by operators to validate businesses’ decisions to adopt it and make propositions as clear and attractive as possible.

What is promising for operators, though, is that 93% of respondents believed that IT and communications services received through the same provider are seen to be ‘of value’. Again, though, this is a double-edged sword, with 57% believing this increasing convergence makes it more difficult to review their telecoms infrastructure.

There is an obvious disconnect in terms of what decision-makers believe UC can bring to their business, but whether it’s a justifiable expenditure.

Another obvious disconnect is demonstrable, regarding what operators are telling businesses about UC. Operators are clearly missing a trick in terms of communicating value to their customers, and must adapt their sales and marketing and delivery to provide a more transparent and integrated proposition for enterprises.

A study by The Radicati Group in 2011 found that the value of the UC market is expected to reach $7.7 billion in 2015, almost doubling from a value of $4 billion in 2011. With the UC market demonstrating a potentially lucrative revenue-generating opportunity, operators can’t let the market to pass them by when they are in a unique position to serve it with a combination of IT and communications offerings.

What has been previously unknown to the market is the scope of the opportunity for operators, and more precisely, exactly what needs to be done to validate the business case for moving to UC. Clearly businesses, especially SMEs, are keen to receive IT and communications services under a single umbrella offering, but operators in some cases are failing to deliver a compelling and clear proposition for an integrated customer experience.

Cutting through the noise, operators cannot afford to let the UC opportunity slip by – the market is indicating the need for simple yet effective UC solutions, and operators must deliver them to cash in from what is a position of strength.

Operators must look to provide clear propositions that highlight the benefits of UC. With continued changes in the market driven by cloud and consumptive business models, communications and IT services are being pushed ever-closer together, providing a great opportunity to offer bundled UC packages that will be attractive to the enterprise segment.

Operators must better educate the enterprise market if they are to unify services under a single package and deliver the services that businesses clearly have the appetite for.

By Matt Hooper, TelecomsTech

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CellPhone Thefts Growing, Carriers Still Not Doing Enough

Last year you might recall that AT&T was sued for enabling and profiting off of the theft of cell phones, the plaintiffs alleging that AT&T and other carriers intentionally don't do a very good job tracking and shutting down stolen phones, so that they can sell new service to both victims and thieves that bring the stolen devices into stores. After the lawsuit brought attention to AT&T's failure to do much about theft, they and other carriers launched a nationwide database to track stolen phones by IMEI number. AT&T also launched a stolen phone website with safety tips.

According to a new New York Times stories, the countermeasures don't appear to be working particularly well. According to the Times, the national database doesn't help stop phones stolen then shipped overseas, and it's not particularly hard to modify a phone's IMEI number (I recently had to do it after a Cyanogenmod install on a Galaxy S3 wiped my IMEI).

Just as we've seen with cramming, cellphone thefts are actually profitable for carriers, so there's little incentive for them to help address the issue. Only last year did we start to see increased regulator and legal pressure on carriers to do something, but law enforcement continues to argue that carriers aren't doing enough:

“The carriers are not innocent in this whole game. They are making profit off this,” said Cathy L. Lanier, chief of the police department of the District of Columbia, where a record 1,829 cellphones were taken in robberies last year.

With politicians and regulators traditionally too afraid to challenge large carriers for their culpability and inaction on issues like this, they're instead proposing bad laws to help "fix" the problem, like making modifying phone identifiers illegal. In conjunction with recent fracas on phone unlocking now being illegal, that means my above-mentioned personal repair attempt of my Galaxy S3 makes me the worst kind of criminal. Needless to say, such laws are something the Electronic Frontier Foundation is fighting.

Read more here ....

Cell Phone Theft

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Broadband Industry Giants Just Love New Wheeler FCC Pick

As noted in May, the FCC has selected former cable and wireless industry lobbyist Tom Wheeler to replace Julius Genachowski as the head of the FCC. Wheeler has been a top fundraiser for the Obama campaign during the last two election cycles, and it appears he's now getting his political reward for being a loyal foot soldier. Current Commissioner Mignon Clyburn will be the interim head of the FCC while Wheeler awaits his Congressional confirmation.

His blog posts and past interviews give clear illustrations of his pro-carrier positions, and consumer advocates are split on the pick. Groups like Free Press have shown clear skepticism that a lobbyist is going to magically shift his thinking after thirty years and be a progressive, forward-thinking consumer protector. I tend to agree with them.

That's in contrast to Public Knowledge, who breathlessly supported the pick and downplayed concerns about his lobbyist past. Even Susan Crawford, who has spent the last six months selling books that attack this industry's problem with revolving door regulators, helped ensure the Wheeler selection via a letter of support sent to Obama.

What's the thinking here among consumer advocates who are suddenly cheering the appointment of a lobbyist to the top FCC spot?

To be clear, many of these groups have to work actually with him, and aren't afforded the luxury of criticizing him while still wearing a bathrobe and Boba Fett slippers like yours truly. That doesn't make their arguments in favor of his appointment any more cogent. One cornerstone of the argument from the pro-Wheeler consumer advocacy set is that Wheeler's stint as a lobbyist was so long ago (he stopped lobbying for the wireless industry in 2005, not exactly ancient history) that this past doesn't matter. The other cornerstone appears to be that he's just a really nice and smart guy to hang out with at DC functions.

That this logic isn't swaying those who'd like more serious FCC reform isn't too surprising.

Quite often you can weigh just how consumer friendly a regulator is going to be by the response of the industry he'll be regulating. Progressive, pro-consumer regulators get tepid but polite rhetoric about bridging gaps and hoping for the best (see: Elizabeth Warren). Regulators for whom real consumer interests are an afterthought receive gushing adoration from industry. Guess what? The giants in our sector absolutely adore the Wheeler pick.

AT&T's top policy man Jim "searing hubris" Cicconi thinks the Wheeler pick is "inspired" and that he's potentially "one of the most qualified people ever named to run the agency." Wireless industry group the CTIA offered similarly-gushing praise, lauding Wheeler's passion, work ethic, knowledge and creativity. The NCTA, the cable industry's biggest lobbying organization, calls the Wheeler pick exceptional.

I genuinely hope the industry folk praising the Wheeler pick are right, and that their time navigating the halls of DC has brought them insight into his character I simply can't see from my snark outpost here in New York. I sincerely hope he is capable of independent thinking, and brings less timid management to an agency that desperately needs strong, objective leadership less relentlessly marred by the anti-competitive interests of its biggest and wealthiest players.

That said, I've been watching this industry and its endless-parade of empty-rhetoric regulators for too long to blindly believe in promises coming out of DC, or that a man who has spent the majority of his business life lobbying for companies will suddenly grow a genuine interest in seriously addressing consumer issues. If in six months Wheeler is happily helping AT&T gut landline network consumer protections while continuing the proud FCC tradition of ignoring competitive issues, broken usage meters, predatory below-the-line fees and high prices, the consumer advocates and other allegedly progressive sector leaders who assisted in his ascension should be held accountable for their poor judgement.

Read more here ....

Head Of FCC

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Cisco vs. Avaya and More....18 Enterprise Phone Systems Compared‏

The CBP research team has just completed their evaluation of the top phone systems in the enterprise-class space. All the big names for big business are here. They deliver all the features, pricing and integration considerations in one easy-to-use Excel spreadsheet so you're armed to make a better buying decision.

In this complimentary guide you'll get:

* The latest pricing for 18 enterprise phone systems

* Key features like unified communications detailed

* Compatibility, scaling & more

Choosing the right phone system for your business is crucial and can be difficult. The stakes are even higher for larger companies. Let us help you simplify the selection process with this complimentary comparison chart! It compares the top business phone system manufacturers on 20+ performance metrics, including:

* Technical Requirements

* Costs & Features * Compatibility, Scalability & More!

Navigate easily through this Excel chart; edit and add information in order to suit your analysis and presentation needs. Simplify your decision-making process and download the chart today!

Phone System Comparison To get help negotiating with providers servicing your location....including free quotes...simply ask here:

Enterprise Phone Systems

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Once Again With Feeling....You Have Absolutely No Privacy Online

We've noted repeatedly how privacy technology discussions often have a bizarre and amusing lack of context, the press getting borderline hysterical about every NebuAD or CarrierIQ scandal, while all-but ignoring that carriers and the government buy, sell and trade all user information daily with a total disregard (and often disdain) for law. Your iPhone tells Apple you went to Costco? Unified outrage. Carriers and the government monitor everything you do constantly? Dull chirping.

Time and time again we've seen folks come forward with evidence of carriers like AT&T, Sprint and Verizon simply dumping all live traffic in the government's lap in violation of law (which the government simply had changed when they were caught). AT&T employee Mark Klein gave evidence of this, and a slew of NSA whistleblowers have also since confirmed it repeatedly. Speaking with CNN recently, former FBI counterterrorism agent Tim Clemente again reiterated that all U.S. communications are tapped, and stored, all of the time:

BURNETT: Tim, is there any way, obviously, there is a voice mail they can try to get the phone companies to give that up at this point. It's not a voice mail. It's just a conversation. There's no way they actually can find out what happened, right, unless she tells them?

CLEMENTE: "No, there is a way. We certainly have ways in national security investigations to find out exactly what was said in that conversation. It's not necessarily something that the FBI is going to want to present in court, but it may help lead the investigation and/or lead to questioning of her. We certainly can find that out.

BURNETT: "So they can actually get that? People are saying, look, that is incredible.

CLEMENTE: "No, welcome to America. All of that stuff is being captured as we speak whether we know it or like it or not."

The problem hasn't traditionally been tapping these lines, since companies like AT&T, Verizon and Sprint have been more than happy to oblige, usually for a fee. The problem for intelligence and law enforcement has been storing and sorting through these oceans of data, which is why the NSA is building a new $2 billion supercomputer warehouse in Bluffdale, Utah. The project was exposed by Wired last year, and is expected to provide the government with 25,000 square feet of traffic analysis computing power.

Read more here ....

Internet Privacy

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Settling The VoIP Debate...Hosted vs On Premise Solutions

Thinking about installing a VoIP phone system for your business? Make sure you know all about both hosted VoIP and VoIP PBX before you make your decision. This latest guide from CBP Research gives you a clear tool to understand the benefits and drawbacks of both types. This free guide arranges the details of both systems so that you can purchase the solution that will most benefit your organization.

Their complimentary guide answers:

* Which system is easier to implement?

* Which gives you more control over features?

* How do initial costs compare with long term costs?

* Pros and Cons of VoIP PBX vs. Hosted VoIP

* Key differences between the two solutions

* Personal purchasing considerations for your business & more!

Let us help you make your VoIP purchase with confidence and knowledge. Download this helpful guide today!

You can download the free guide here ....

Hosted VoIP vs VoIP PBX

Once you've digested all the knowledge in the free guide...you can request free quotes for the exact solution that fits your needs here ....

Business VoIP Solution

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Shockingly, Our Timid National Broadband Plan Isn't Working

Back when the FCC's broadband plan came out in 2010 I noted that it had serious shortcomings -- particularly when it came to seriously acknowledging this sector's biggest problem: high prices and bad behavior due to limited competition. A recent TechNet study subsequently found that while the plan focused primarily on "broadband adoption," we haven't seen much of an improvement on that front. Worse perhaps, the study found nobody really was coordinating the plan or tracking its impact.

The high point of the plan has to be grants helping rural communities and Native American territories get wired, though even this has been tarnished by the kind of corporate greed, political corruption and oversight issues we saw in West Virginia. In short, most of the plan was a bit of a show pony designed to make us feel good, with even the few quality portions of the plan being implemented poorly.

Three years later and even Blair Levin, the man who designed the plan, is acknowledging that it isn't being implemented particularly well. In an interview with Telecompetitor, Levin lambastes carriers like AT&T and Verizon for freezing their landline broadband deployments, and gives the FCC a tongue lashing for political dysfunction and way too much self-congratulation:

Like other D.C. political institutions, he said, the commission is "increasingly caught up in a one-note narrative of self-praise rather than focusing on providing the expertise and analytic agility necessary to adjust programs to provide bandwidth abundance to constituencies it is meant to serve." In an interview with Telecompetitor on Friday, Levin directed further criticism at the FCC’s self-praise. "I would never invest in a company that had a CEO who behaved that way," he said.

Levin may be hinting at the self-congratulatory showmanship the FCC has been engaging in when it comes to 1 Gbps deployments. The agency recently instituted a "1 Gbps challenge" intended to bring gigabit connectivity to at least one location in all fifty states by 2015. The problem? Numerous people (including Levin in his new role at Gig U) have been building these networks for years, and don't appreciate the agency coming in after the fact and pretending they helped. Especially given their lack of action when it comes to anti-community broadband efforts that cripple many of these efforts.

Levin isn't exempt from criticism, given he went to almost comedic lengths to avoid even mentioning competition issues when discussing the plan, and if you'll recall insisted such criticism "wasn't productive." Nobody at the FCC was seriously willing to challenge carriers, nobody paid attention to the FCC's own data on embracing open access models, and nobody addressed soaring prices, regulatory capture, and competitive stagnation. Three years later and people, including the man who wrote most of it, now wonder why the plan isn't doing much.

Surely things will get better now that a former cable and wireless lobbyist is taking over the FCC, right?

Read more here ....

National Broadband Plan

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