| Your feedback is important to us. Click here to email us your feedback. |
| SBCA SmartBrief |
| February 14, 2012 |
Canadian regulators give a boost to DISH's plan for LTE service
DISH has moved a step closer to getting permission to gain the spectrum necessary to launch a 4G wireless network, having received approval from the Canadian government for the spectrum transfer. DISH still needs an FCC waiver in order to close on its purchase of frequencies from bankrupt satellite operators TerreStar and DBSD. The company wants permission to sell devices that have LTE capability but not satellite data service, as devices with both services would be too heavy. Network World/IDG News Service (2/7) FierceWireless (2/7)
DIRECTV goes national with TiVo DVR
For first time since 2005, DIRECTV last Thursday began offering its U.S. subscribers the option of having TiVo's DVR service. The move came after a 10-market trial that began in December. Customers can rent an HD DVR that can store 100 hours of HD programming or 400 hours of standard-definition content. PC Magazine (2/9) Multichannel News (2/9)
ViaSat will phase out WildBlue data service, replace it with Exede
ViaSat will phase out its WildBlue Communications service in favor of the new high-speed Exede, which offers speeds up to 12 megabits per second downstream and 3 Mbps upstream across much of the U.S. Light Reading Cable (2/9)
Verizon joins with Coinstar for Redbox streaming venture
Verizon Communications has teamed up with Coinstar's Redbox kiosks on a DVD/on-demand video-streaming service that will launch in the second half of the year and compete with Netflix, although the partners revealed few other details about their plans. Verizon will hold a 65% stake in the new firm, which will "offer subscription services and more" across a range of platforms, including wireless devices and television. CNNMoney (2/6) Forbes (2/6) Deadline.com (2/6)
Will 2012 be the year of iTV?
Canoe Ventures, a consortium created by the six top cable providers, and FourthWall Media are making major strides in interactive TV technology, according to this article. Both entities are working to improve the viewer interface with TV and to develop ad products that provide marketers with a more direct connection to audiences. Electronic Retailer magazine (2/2012)
Other News
Bigger TV screens require longer viewing distances
Remember when your mother told you not to sit so close to the television set? As flat-screen TVs grow larger in width and height, the proper viewing distance becomes an issue in the living room. This article addresses how far you should sit from big-screen TVs and how to properly install them at home. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (2/8)
SBCA Home Networking Fundamentals course available online
The new SBCA Home Networking Fundamentals online course is available. SBCA has created an online course designed to provide sales and installation professionals with the foundational knowledge of home networking. By taking this course, individuals will be better prepared to understand the numerous products they are installing and integrating. www.sbcatest.com
Altomari now VP of field services at DIRECTV
Chris Altomari has been named vice president of field services at DIRECTV. He is focused on managing DIRECTV's outsourced installation and service fulfillment partners through its network of home service providers. He also manages the technical training needs of the fulfillment network, the end-to-end experience customers receive while the technician is in the home, supporting operations and DIRECTV's
commercial fulfillment, among other responsibilities. http://sbca.informz.net/admin31/content/template.asp?sid=20963&ptid=770&brandid=4557
|
--David Grayson, |
Email: sbca@smartbrief.com
Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004
Legal and Privacy information at
http://www.smartbrief.com/legal.jsp
Unsubscribe
Looking back, I have this to regret, that too often when I loved, I did not say so."