California Passes Wi-Fi User Protection Bill

California's state assembly has passed a bill to require makers of Internet access gear to warn consumers of the risks of using unsecured wireless connections, its backers said on Tuesday.

Legislators in both houses of the state legislature voted overwhelmingly in favor or the "Wi-Fi User Protection Bill" to inform users how to secure networks against "piggybacking," or unauthorized sharing of wireless access, said a spokesman for Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, who proposed the bill.

Every year millions more consumers in the United States and worldwide buy Wi-Fi routers in order to turn home broadband cable or telephone links into wireless links, providing Internet access to any computer in the nearby vicinity.

The California bill, which was introduced in April, calls for manufacturers to put warning labels on Wi-Fi network gear to advise consumers in one of four ways. These can include place stickers on the boxes, including them in the setup software, by taking some specific action when setting up the router or through another process that automatically secures the connection without consumer effort.

The bill now goes to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who must sign it before it goes into law.

 

How Does CableCard Technology Affect You?

Earlier this month, I posted about the FCC decision that required cable operators to distrubute CableCards, a technology that allows digital cable subscribers to receive cable without a cable set-top box. The device will be available for the majority of U.S. cable customers by July, 2007, according to the ruling.

Chris Kohler over at Wired News posted a good article this week that gives an overview of the CableCard technology and what it means for you. He answers some of the most common questions so you can decide if it's right for your home:

What advantages does using a CableCard offer me?
There's no giant, ugly box with associated wires taking up space in your entertainment center. Also, the costs to lease a tiny, inexpensive CableCard from your cable provider should be significantly less expensive than leasing the box -- usually around two bucks. They can also send it to you in the mail rather than having to arrange an installation appointment. Finally, electronics manufacturers can sell devices capable of tuning in to your full cable lineup directly, without kluges likes TiVo's IR blaster.

What are the disadvantages?
CableCard is a one-way system, so you won't get an interactive program guide—you'll just have to use the static, non-interactive onscreen listing. You also can't order pay-per-view or on-demand programming.

Check out the rest of article CableCard Swipes at Set-Top Boxes to learn more.

Comcast and MTV Networks Launch MHD: Music High-Definition

Comcast and MTV Networks announced this week the debut of MHD: Music High-Definition on Comcast's  HDTV lineup. The channel launching this month on many Comcast cable systems, giving viewers the opportunity to enjoy a non-stop lineup of HD music programs, as well as the first-ever simulcast of MTV's Video Music Awards in high definition. MHD will include musical programming from MTV, VH1 and CMT, such as MTV Unplugged, VH1 Storytellers and CMT Crossroads, as well as original concert series.

"With MHD on Comcast, fans will feel like they're in the concert hall with the artists they love," said Page Thompson, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Video Services for Comcast. "Music programming is a perfect fit for HDTV, and we're excited to expand our service with the addition of MHD, giving our customers even more of the high-definition programming they want to watch."

In addition to MHD's regular lineup of HD music programming, for the first time, MHD viewers will be able to watch an HD simulcast of the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), taking place August 31 at Radio City in New York City. Also, beginning later this fall, Comcast and MHD will make selected HD music programming available as part of Comcast's ON DEMAND video-on-demand service, bringing viewers the convenience of watching their favorite MHD programs any time they want.

"Live concerts and music programming are in the 'top three' when it comes to what people want from a high-definition channel, and MHD will deliver the biggest artists to Comcast subscribers," said Eric Sherman, Senior Vice President and General Manager for MHD, VH1 Classic and VH1 Digital Television. "We are very excited to launch in anticipation of the first-ever high-definition simulcast of the MTV Video Music Awards and look forward to showcasing all of MTV, VH1 and CMT's tent pole events in the future."

The debut of MHD complements the extensive music offerings currently available to Comcast Digital Cable customers, including dozens of commercial-free digital music channels; hundreds of music videos, concert performances and karaoke songs available on Comcast's signature ON DEMAND service; and popular music networks.

DIRECTV Planning Phone Service?

Vistula Communications Services, a VoIP supplier for major telecommunications carriers and Internet service providers, recently announced the selection of its V-Cube™ platform by DirecPath to run a pilot program for the delivery of DirecPath's consumer VoIP service offerings. DirecPath is a new partnership between The DIRECTV Group and Hicks Holdings LLC that was formed to provide bundled DIRECTV programming, broadband voice and data and security services to multiple dwelling unit (MDU) and gated-community owners across the United States.

Vistula will allow DirecPath to manage the communications needs of a diverse range of MDU and gated-community properties, and to add to its suite of bundled services the benefits of a secure, simplified, scalable and highly resilient VoIP infrastructure.

"We are committed to meeting the needs of owners and residents in MDU and gated communities nationwide and providing them with a unique and compelling value proposition," said Paul Savoldelli, chief executive officer of DirecPath. "Vistula's hosted VoIP service will be an important part of that value proposition, enhancing our ability to include VoIP as part of our seamless, cost-effective suite of bundled services."

Read more about this new venture in the CNET.com article DIRECTV test IP telephony.

Verizon Removes Surcharge

After attracting negative attention from the FCC and fellow telcom BellSouth dropped a similar fee, Verizon Communications has announced it will drop the DSL surcharge it added to customers bills after the FCC cancelled the Universal Service Fund charge.

Verizon said that the withdrawal of the surcharge is effective immediately, and DSL subscribers who have already been billed for the surcharge will receive a credit.

"We have listened to our customers and are eliminating this charge in response to their concerns," Bob Ingalls, chief marketing officer of Verizon Telecom, said in a statement.

Read more in the CNET News.com article Verizon drops DSL surcharge.

Campaign Ads Boosting Cable TV

According to The Wall Street Journal, an unprecedented amount of money is being spent on cable TV advertising in the run-up to November's U.S. mid-term elections.

Campaign spending on U.S. House, Senate and gubernatorial races rose above  $311 million for local TV-ad spending. That figure is up 45 percent from the same point in 2004 and more than three times as much as in 2002.

Cable TV executives credit George Bush's use of national cable ads in his 2004 re-election campaign for the interest of other candidates now. Candidates are banking on demographic data that shows Republicans tend to watch more cable programming, while Democrats tend to watch more broadcast television.

AOL Get's a Thumbs Down from Watchdog Group

Earlier this month, AOL officially announced it was planning to offer some of it's services for free. Now The New York Times is reporting that a leading software watchdog group is warning users away from AOL's free client software.

A report by the group StopBadWare.org found that the software displayed characteristics consistent with badware. The term describes a variety of downloadable applications that try to install extra components on a computer without clearly informing users of what they are or what they will do.

The StopBadware organization was founded in part to assist consumers in spotting shady software. The group is jointly run by the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School and the Oxford Internet Institute of Oxford University.

After receiving tips and complaints about the AOL software from users at its Web site, StopBadWare decided to test it. While they found nothing malicious in the AOL installation, John G. Palfrey Jr., executive director of the Berkman Center, said that software did not have to be malicious to violate consumer trust.

"We currently recommend that users do not install the version of AOL software that we tested," the StopBadware.org Web site read yesterday, "unless the user is comfortable with the level of risk we identify or until the application is updated consistent with the recommendations in this report."

For more information, check out StopBadWare's open inquiry on AOL 9.0.

Judge Delays EchoStar Suit Against TiVo

DISH Network's parent company suffered a setback this week in its battle with TiVo when a federal court judge delayed a countersuit it filed against the DVR pioneer.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline M. Craven of Texarkana blocked EchoStar Communications Corp.'s patent-infringement lawsuit against TiVo and Humax USA Inc. while the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reviews patents claimed by EchoStar. Craven, who issued the stay last month, made it final when EchoStar declined to appeal, TiVo spokesman Elliot Sloane said Monday.

TiVo sued EchoStar in 2004, and in April a jury in Marshall found that EchoStar had infringed on a TiVo patent in making its own set-top box with DVR capabilities. This month, the judge who presided over that trial ordered EchoStar to pay $89.6 million in damages, more than the jury had awarded.

The trial judge, David Folsom, also ordered EchoStar to disable more than 3 million of its DVRs that jurors found used elements of TiVo technology, but a federal appeals court this month delayed Folsom's order while the case is appealed.

EchoStar filed its own lawsuit against TiVo in 2005. TiVo issued a statement Monday saying it was pleased with Craven's decision to delay the countersuit while the government reviews EchoStar's patents. TiVo charges that patent officials failed to review older technology that would make EchoStar's patent claims invalid. The countersuit had been scheduled for trial early next year.

EchoStar spokeswoman Kathie Gonzalez said Monday the company is "anxious to get to trial because we believe TiVo's DVRs infringe on our technology," but acknowledged it will be a long process. In a regulatory filing, the company said the Patent Office review "could take many years."

Verizon and Microsoft Team Up to Offer Enhanced Services

Verizon Communications Inc. and Microsoft Corp. recently announced an expanded alliance in which Verizon will offer its consumer DSL and FiOS Internet customers a co-branded suite of Microsoft® Windows Live™ services to help them enjoy more personalized Internet experiences with enhanced online security.

"We're delighted to move forward with Microsoft in offering our broadband customers an enhanced, more-personalized Internet experience through a combination of Windows Live services and innovative features from Verizon," said John Wimsatt, Senior Vice President, Broadband Solutions Marketing for Verizon. "By expanding our relationship with Microsoft, a leader in Internet solutions, we continue our commitment to creating the best value in broadband, offering more and better choices than cable and creating a superior online experience."

As part of the new agreement, which is an expansion of the two companies' broadband relationship that began in April 2002, Verizon customers will have access to co-branded information and communications services, including a co-branded Live.com home page with easy access to Verizon and Windows Live services, a Windows Live Toolbar, a co-branded Windows Live Search page, Verizon e-mail powered by Windows Live Mail, a co-branded version of Windows Live Messenger and safety protection via Windows Live OneCare™ safety scanner.

"Verizon continues to be a highly valuable partner for us in delivering Windows Live services that unite consumers' interests, information and relationships in a way that's most meaningful to them," said Steve Berkowitz, Senior Vice President, Online Services Group at Microsoft. "This expanded alliance further solidifies the growth and success of the Windows Live platform."

Learn more in the Microsoft's press release Verizon and Microsoft Expand Alliance to Provide Windows Live Services for High-Speed Internet Subscribers. 

BellSouth Prepared for Hurricane Season

BellSouth is prepared for the arrival of Ernesto, as either a hurricane or tropical storm, on the Florida coast. Through its work with the Federal Communications Commission and government agencies, the company has addressed issues related to first responder status and access to impacted areas.

BellSouth is maintaining active dialogue with its partners and suppliers to ensure they meet the company's supply needs before, during and after the storm hits. Through these preparedness efforts, BellSouth will be able to maintain power, provide continuous connectivity and avoid widespread outages.

"BellSouth has a tremendous amount of hurricane experience; however, the unprecedented damage during last year's hurricane season taught us a great deal about our network and what we needed to do to make it even stronger," said Bill Smith, BellSouth's Chief Technology Officer. "We are confident in our readiness and ability to keep our customers connected or, at a minimum, reconnect them quickly."

Since last year, the company has done a number of things to prepare for the 2006 hurricane season. Those preparations included increasing its supply of emergency generators to provide power to its network in the event commercial power is lost. Currently, many of BellSouth's switching facilities include permanent generators, some of which are fueled by natural gas and do not require re-fueling. Several additional steps have been taken to prepare for this hurricane season.

"Just as important as our preparedness efforts, we want residents and businesses in Florida to be equally prepared," continued Smith. BellSouth offers customers several tips to stay safe, smart and connected before, during, and after a hurricane or other natural disaster.