Disney Uses Maven Video Software for Theatrical-Quality Content Delivery

Disney began offering full-screen, theatrical-quality video content using a broadband video software platform from Maven Networks. Disney is initially providing broadband consumers with trailers, clips, behind-the-scenes segments, interviews, and other film content of "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe." The Maven software allows users to receive trailers and clips that are automatically downloaded and synchronized directly to their video-enabled iPods.


With this initiative, Disney becomes the first film studio to publish promotional campaigns to video-enabled iPods. With video consumption rapidly on the rise online and through Internet-enabled devices, Maven's software allows Disney to deliver and manage its video content in a single package, optimally encoded and formatted for iPod, PC and TV viewing.


Other announced customers of the Maven Media System and Maven Intelligent Delivery System (IDS) include 20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures, Atom Films, Clear Channel Communications' Premiere Radio unit, Nordstrom, EMI Virgin Records, General Motors, Pepsi and A&E Television Networks International.
http://www.maven.net

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FCC Expected to Consider USF this Friday

The FCC is expected to consider on-going support mechanisms for the Universal Service Fund (USF) at is Open Meeting scheduled for Friday, December 9, 2005.
http://www.fcc.gov

• In June 2005, The FCC launched a formal inquiry into the management, administration and oversight of the Universal Service Fund, which helps provide affordable phone service in rural areas, fund Internet access and telecommunications equipment in the schools and libraries, bring telemedicine services to rural areas, and assist low-income families with their phone bills. Since 1997, the Universal Service Administrative Company, or USAC, which administers the fund, has disbursed approximately $30.3 billion from the fund.
  
  
  Money collected for the USF has been declining for some time. The FCC has been considering changes to the way it collects money for the USF. Currently consumers pay a percentage of their long distance service bill each month. The FCC is considering switching to a monthly flat fee based on telephone numbers.

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Eagle Broadband Supplies HD IP Set-Top Boxes for Luxury Hotels

Eagle Broadband has received orders for its high definition MediaPro IP5000HD set-top boxes from KoolConnect Technologies, a leading provider of digital interactive entertainment solutions for the hospitality industry. The MediaPro IP set-top boxes are being deployed with KoolConnect's Intrigue high definition Video On-Demand system at three hotel properties, including the Landmark Hong Kong, the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo as well as one of the hottest casino resorts in Las Vegas.


KoolConnect's Intrigue system and Eagle's set-top box enable high definition movies with DVD functionality, high-speed Internet access, an interactive television guide, virtual concierge services, online shopping, video checkout, and other revenue generating guest services.


Eagle's MediaPro IP5000 platform features Intel architecture graphics and memory controller with a highly integrated graphics accelerator. The architecture consists of dedicated multi-media engines executing in parallel to deliver high performance 2D, 3D and motion compensation video capabilities. The MediaPro IP5000 supports a VESA DDC2B compliant display interface and a digital video out port to provide NTSC and PAL broadcast standards. The IP5000 also provides full PVR functionality in an IP-based format including record, playback, fast-forward and rewind of live and scheduled programming; live broadcast pause, instant rewind and playback with slow motion; and the capability to use all of these features while recording another broadcast. The PVR recording storage capacity is dependent upon the size of hard-disk, which is configurable based upon service provider requirements. The entire line of MediaPro set-top boxes supports a variety of leading middleware and video-on-demand systems and delivers advanced content system security and digital rights management (DRM).
http://www.eaglebroadband.com
http://www.koolconnect.com

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AOL Launches New Security Suite

AOL launched a new Safety and Security Center to protect its users against viruses, spyware, phishing attacks, identity theft, and other online threats. Among the safety and security features found in the AOL Safety and Security Center:

• Virus protection powered by McAfee that is automatically-updated.



• AOL Spyware Protection 2.0 with four different levels of protection against more than 28,000 known spyware, adware, and sneakware programs. ASP 2.0, powered by CA, is automatically updated to help protect users against new and emerging threats.



• Phishing protection that helps prevent theft of personal information by blocking access to known phishing sites when members are using the AOL software or the new AOL Explorer browser.



• A leading firewall, powered by McAfee.



• Robust Parental Controls that allow parents to configure custom controls, such as an online timer and a regular AOL Guardian "report card" of their children's activity online.



• AOL Money Alerts to help protect members from offline identity theft by warning them whenever a credit card charge or bank account transaction is made over a preset limit.



• A single unified console that updates users about the status of all of the AOL security software on their computer, including anti-virus, spyware protection, firewall, phishing protection, Parental Controls, spam protection, pop-up controls, and more.



• Easy-to-adjust settings, with a default setting that automatically does a comprehensive scan of members' computers at regular intervals for online threats.



• One-click combined virus and spyware scans.



• Home network monitoring through Network Magic.

http://www.aol.com

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CWA Members Vote Strike Authorization at AT&T

On Friday, embers of the Communications Workers of America at AT&T voted overwhelmingly to give CWA leaders authorization to call a strike if a fair contract cannot be reached.


Negotiations currently are underway for a new contract covering nearly 12,000 CWA-represented workers at AT&T whose collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 10. For a strike to take place, the next step would be for CWA's executive board to authorize President Larry Cohen to set a strike date.


In a statement, the CWA said its members were very concerned over proposals to slash or eliminate retiree health care benefits and preserving quality jobs at the new AT&T.
http://www.cwa-union.org

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Fluke to Acquire Visual Networks

Fluke Electronics agreed to acquire Visual Networks in a deal valued at approximately $75 million ($1.83 per share).


Visual Networks, which is based in Rockville, Maryland, supplies a range of enterprise network and application performance management solutions. Its flagship product, Visual UpTime Select, provides in-depth, real-time and historical information that enables organizations to intelligently manage application and network performance and availability across the entire enterprise. Over the past year, the product has evolved from a WAN-based focus to a full application and network performance management solution with software modules that auto-discover applications and obtain end-to-end performance data for those applications. The company has also released a suite of Ethernet appliances and VoIP software solutions. Visual Networks had revenues of $52 million in 2004.


Fluke Networks provides testing, monitoring and analysis of enterprise and telecommunications networks and the installation and certification of the fiber and copper foundation of those networks. The company is a subsidiary of Danaher Corporation.
http://www.visualnetworks.com
http://www.fluke.com

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Alcatel, AT&T & Telmex Invest in 2Wire for Triple Play

Alcatel agreed to acquire a 25% percent stake in 2Wire, a developer of home broadband network equipment. In addition, AT&T and Telmex have also agreed to acquire minority interests in 2Wire from 2Wire's existing shareholders.


Alcatel said the strategic partnership broadens and extends its end-to-end, fully integrated triple play solution.


2Wire's standards-based residential home gateways allow operators to manage the interoperability of a wide range of devices, electronics and equipment that are increasingly being deployed within the consumer home. The solution will also enable them to deliver compelling new services designed to reduce the complexity of today's home networks.


Alcatel will be represented on the 2Wire Board of Directors. Financial terms were not disclosed.

http://www.alcatel.com
http://www.2wire.com

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British and German Unions Seek EC Support in Ericsson/Marconi Deal

British unions Amicus, TGWU and GMB and the German unions Verdi and IG Metall are seeking the support of the European Commission in the issue of Ericsson's proposed takeover of Marconi. Marconi employs around 3800 employees in the UK, of which 1700 will transfer to Ericsson once the sale is completed. Ericsson employs around 700 in the UK and a further 1700 employees in Ireland.


Although the unions support the sale to Ericsson, they are seeking assurances on the merger. The unions also want guarantees from the two companies on their members pay and conditions.


"We support the principle of the sale of the Marconi business to Ericsson. However neither company has yet provided the assurances on job security, terms and conditions and pensions that we have sought," said Peter Skyte, Amicus National Officer.

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