Comcast, Level 3 Dispute is Still About Money

Comcast says "Level 3 and Comcast engineering teams held several in-person discussions over the past 48 hours to discuss potential significant revisions to parts of our peering and direct connect architecture."

Comcast says the engineers "developed a potential new and different architectural approach" that Comcast wanted to test with Level 3 as soon as next month. The solution would require both to make a "relatively modest investment" that would allow both companies to better understand the traffic, routing, and economic considerations.

Comcast also offered to keep the economics of the existing newly executed agreement at 'no cost' until the companies learned the actual costs of the new approach during this trial.

"Level 3 chose to leave the meeting when we wouldn't agree to a 'zero cost' outcome," Comcast said.

Comcast Continues Discussions With Level 3 -- Offers to Trial New Solutions : Comcast Voices | The Official Comcast Blog

The Tron Trailers are Gorgeous

My mom didn't like the original, and I don't think she'll like this sequel, either. But take a look at the visuals.

http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/disney/tronlegacy/

Are Web Apps the Future of Websites?

Web apps, it is argued, will displace browser-based apps. What seems a fairer statement is that apps will displace some browser-based content and app access.

If you have used both browser and mobile apps on a smartphone with a good touch-based browser, for example, you might not be so convinced that apps are better than web pages in all cases. You might have discovered that self-executing applications such as navigation programs, work best as traditional apps.

In other cases, if you want content richness, an app can provide a leaner experience than the main news page of a content source you are interacting with.

Are Web Apps the Future of Websites? (A: Yes) | ClickZ

Test of T-Mobile HSPA and Sprint WiMAX Networks

One has to take mobile broadband speed tests with a bit of circumspection, as experienced throughput can vary enormously at any single location, at any point in time, when using only one device.

But in a recent test of the T-Mobile myTouch 4G and Samsung Epic 4G in Philadelphia and Trenton, N.J., the T-Mobile USA and Sprint WiMAX networks performed virtually the same in Philadelphia, with the Sprint network performing much better in Trenton, N.J.

The tests also showed differing speeds at various test points in each city, as well. You probably can argue the merits of each network (HSPA+ and WiMAX) based on these tests. They do suggest that HSPA+ can offer comparable throughput to WiMAX, at some times and places.

T-Mobile HSPA vs Sprint WiMAX - Phone Arena

Social Contact Centers

Social software is starting to be deployed both in the contact center and the enterprise, says Blair Pleasant, COMMfusion owner.

Enterprises basically are starting to treat Twitter and Facebook posts just like another media channel for the contact center.

UCStrategies Experts Discuss 2010 - Year in Review - Unified Communications Strategies

MetroPCS Eyes TerreStar Assets - WSJ.com

MetroPCS Communications is exploring a purchase of assets of mobile-communications business TerreStar Networks Inc. out of bankruptcy court, the Wall Street Journal reports.

TerreStar's most attractive assets are government licenses to use spectrum for mobile satellite applications. MetroPCS, the fifth-largest U.S. wireless carrier by subscribers, has been on the hunt for spectrum that will help it become a national operator.

It isn't clear whether the spectrum could be "re-purposed" for terrestrial fourth-generation networks, but LightSquared has been able to get such authority, as Terrestar has customers already making use of the satellite communications network.

MetroPCS also could use wholesale capacity from the proposed LightSquared network, as well. MetroPCS might also bid on spectrum Clearwire wants to sell. 

AT&T's "Satellite Augmented Mobile Service" uses the TerreStar network and dual-mode handsets that use both cellular and satellite networks.

The TerreStar "Genus" smartphone operates with terrestrial mobile as the primary default mode and satellite access capability as a secondary option for voice, data and messaging.

The access to the TerreStar satellite network enables wireless communications coverage in remote areas for government, energy, utility, transportation and maritime users, as well as backup satellite communications capabilities for public safety agencies, first responders and disaster recovery groups.

MetroPCS Eyes TerreStar Assets - WSJ.com (subscription required)

Netflix Encounters Complexity of Content Rights

Netflix said some of its deals with studios and other content providers prevent it from offering its streaming video service on TiVo DVRs distributed by Suddenlink Communications and other multichannel video programming distributors.

"Only those TiVo units sold in the retail channel are licensed to offer the instant streaming functionality from Netflix," Netflix spokesman Steve Swasey said.

TiVo apparently does not have the rights to offer Netflix on the boxes provided to Suddenlink because Netflix agreements with numerous content providers don't extend to devices distributed by cable companies and perhaps others.

It is likely similar issues will develop as more providers enter the streaming video business, and discover the complexity of rights agreements.

Light Reading Cable - Video - Netflix Gets Hamstrung on Leased TiVos