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Deutsche Telekom Begins Negotiations with Trade Union on T-Service Unit
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The German incumbent telco, Deutsche Telekom, has begun talks with the German trade union, Verdi, regarding the planned service division, T-Service. The negotiations are aimed at discussing Deutsche Telekom's plans to extend working hours to 38 hours per week, from the current 34 hours -- without increasing remuneration --and working out ...FCC Looks to Affirm 30% Cap on Cable Market Share
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It has been widely reported that FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is looking to formalise the 30% cap on cable companies' market share of the pay-TV market. The FCC saw this rule struck down by a federal appeals court in March 2001, but appears to have maintained it informally when examining merger cases. Significance: Comcast is the ...Whisher Wishes for Social WiFi Networks
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Can the social networking concept be used to expand the number of free WiFi connections? Whisher sure hopes so. Believing that WiFi should be both pervasive and grass roots, the Barcelona-based startup is taking a community approach to the technology by offering the world's first wireless social network. Whisher is designed to ...Iliad Updates on FTTH, 3G
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French triple-play specialist Iliad provided greater insight into its fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) and 3G plans as it announced its 2006 financial results. The company, which had nearly 2.3 million broadband subscribers (19 percent market share) at the end of 2006, reported record profits of 124 million (US$163 ...Hasta La Vista, Cingular
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AT&T is taking the wraps off its conversion and remodeling of the first of 2,000 company-owned Cingular stores to the new AT&T brand. As the prototype of the company's new AT&T Experience, the San Antonio, Texas-based company renovated a 5,000-square-foot store in Houston. It is the first of many planned conversions of ...Vonage Attempts Penny Power Play
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Vonage, in what looks to be another shot at proving to consumers that the company is alive and kicking, has slashed its long-distance rates to all or parts of eight countries to just one penny per minute. The rate undercuts arch rival Skype's charge to landline phones in most of those locations by more than 50 percent. ...Spectrum up for Grabs in Europe
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Europe's wireless spectrum scene is set for a significant shakeup as new mobile licenses become available and regulators become more relaxed about which technologies license-holders can use. In France, regulator ARCEP has launched the tender process for the fourth and last remaining 3G license in France. The fourth ...Cable Set Top Box Market Hits New Highs in 2006
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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Cable TV set top box manufacturers enjoyed a record year in 2006 as cable operators around the world signed up millions of new digital cable subscribers, reports In-Stat. Fueled by a sharp rise in demand for cable set top boxes in China, worldwide digital cable set top box unit shipments increased to 27.5 ...Your feedback on our e-letter is always welcome. Send email to: CommunicationsDirect Editor
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