China to Overtake U.S. as World's Largest Net Nation
The mainland and Hong Kong combined could host the highest number of Internet users of any nation by the end of this year, according to research house eMarketer
From BusinessWeek, February 15, 2008
Free Wi-Fi in the Brew for Starbucks
Starbucks changed the face of public-access Wi-Fi Monday by picking AT&T to be its new in-store service provider and making its previously for-fee service largely free.
From The Seattle Times, February 15, 2008
Chicago Transit Deploys Wi-Fi Mesh Network
Until this project, CTA rail car inspectors had conducted manual inspections of train cars in the rail yards, reporting defects, taking mileage readings and making repairs. As part of its system-wide Maintenanc Management Information System (MMIS) initiative, the CTA decided to automate these maintenance procedures using hand-held computers and state-of-the-art Wi-Fi mesh networks in order to improve the quality and efficiency of train maintenance.
From PR Newswire, February 15, 2008
Rep. Ed Markey's Internet Freedom Preservation Act
Together with Rep. Chip Pickering (R., Miss.), Mr. Markey is proposing the "Internet Freedom Preservation Act," which says it is the policy of the U.S. to "maintain the freedom to use for lawful purposes broadband telecommunications networks, including the Internet, without unreasonable interference from or discrimination by network operators."
From The Wall Street Journal, February 15, 2008
Comcast Defends Role As Internet Traffic Cop
Comcast said yesterday that it purposely slows down some traffic on its network, including some music and movie downloads, an admission that sparked more controversy in the debate over how much control network operators should have over the Internet.
From The Washington Post, February 15, 2008
Revisiting, Reassessing Wireless Philadelphia
If EarthLink sells its municipal wireless business the next owner is obligated to fulfill Philadelphia's contract - estimated at more than $20 million over 10 years. There is also the possibility EarthLink will fail to sell the business and will end up pulling out of the business here after the system is built. The system is currently about 75 percent complete.
From The Bulletin, February 15, 2008
China Vowing Broadband for 95% of Villages by Year End
China's information industry authority plans to expand broadband service to more than 95 percent of the nation's villages in 2008.
From Xinhua, February 13, 2008
Fiber to the Home a Gradual Inevitability
By 2010, if current trends continue, the number of homes connected to FTTH will pass 50 million.
From Light Reading, February 13, 2008
California's Broadband Bridge to Nowhere
Even though existing providers now reach 96 percent of households, bond funds would be used to achieve “universal” service. To accomplish this goal, taxpayers must pay to expand networks into the state’s most isolated communities.
From The Eureka Reporter, February 13, 2008
Just Where Are the World's Undersea Internet Cables?
Cables are less than 10 cm in diameter.
From The Guardian Limited, February 13, 2008
