More Bids for PAETEC?

At least some investors seem to be expecting additional offers to buy Paetec Holding Corporation, which had seemed to be selling to Windstream Corp.

In a research note, FBR Capital Markets analyst David Dixon said a higher bid for Paetec from from Level 3 Communications would be justified. Such a deal would make "greater strategic sense."

In a broad sense, the bid or bids are part of an on-going consolidation of every part of the communications business. For Windstream, the potential rival bid could spell trouble for that company's hoped-for expansion strategy in the business customer segments.

Paetec shares pop above value of Windstream offer

Thanks, Steve

Steve Jobs Dies

Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, died Oct. 5 at age 56. I wish I didn't have to write this. The world owes him quite a lot, and still can learn quite a lot. Just very sad.
 
Story here.

Sprint confirms unlimited 3G data plans for iPhone

Sprint confirmed on Wednesday that it still plans to offer unlimited data on the iPhone 4 and 4S when they launch on the network the week of Oct. 10, 2011.

Sprint confirms unlimited 3G data plans for iPhone

Why the Mobile Wallet Might Get More Traction than Mobile Payments

The "mobile wallet" (essentially, stored credentials and accounts on a smart lphone) might find greater success than mobile payments (using the mobile to complete a retail transaction) in the near term, a new study of Millennials might suggest. 

Using a mobile device as a substitute for carrying a plastic loyalty card is the top requested mobile payment application for Millennials (over 25 percent  expressed interest). Only 10 percent of  Millennials surveyed expressed interest in using a mobile device as a credit or debit card.

Millenial interest in loyalty programs also suggests a wallet approach might have more value than mobile payments.



Millennials respond to loyalty offers, the study sponsored by Aimia and conducted by Harris Interactive  has found. The online study found that more than 75 percent of U.S. consumers surveyed participate in loyalty and reward programs.



And more than 75 per cent of Millennials say they are more likely to choose a brand that offers a loyalty or reward program over a brand that doesn't offer one. Some 78 percent of U.S. respondents also indicated they would be more likely to do business with a company after earning a reward as well.,



In unprompted responses, Millennials rate loyalty rewards as the top incentive they look for in exchange for sharing personal information with marketers.



Nearly half of Millennials are willing to promote products or brands through social media in exchange for rewards.



Millennials view the option to download coupons or reward certificates as most enticing reason to use a rewards program application on a smart phone.



Some 57 percent of U.S. Millennials use mobile devices to perform price comparisons before making a purchase in a store.



What Millennials value

Samsung aims to block iPhone 4S sales in Italy, France

Samsung plans to file patent infringement claims against Apple’s new iPhone 4S and stop it from being sold in France and Italy, the latest move in a wide-ranging commercial dispute around patent infringement that also includes Apple suing to block the sale of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia on grounds that it violated Apple’s patents.


Apple has refused settlement offers with Samsung in hopes of blocking the Tab 10.1′s Australian launch altogether.

Some of us would continue to say that though there are legitimate issues of intellectual property protection, the patent process itself shows severe signs of misuse. Some would argue business success ought to emerge from decisions made by consumers, not lawyers, and that this increasingly seems not to be the case.

Samsung aims to block iPhone 4S sales in Italy, France

Mobile Operator Econet Wireless Launches Mobile Banking Service

Zimbabwean mobile operator, Econet Wireless has launched its mobile money transfer service, Eco-Cash.

Strive Masiyiwa, Econet Wireless Founder 

Eco-Cash officially was launched on 30 September 2011.

According to SWRadioAfrica, Econet, which has a subscriber base of more than 5 million customers, launched this service last week. Information on its website says the mobile cash transfer facility does not mean a subscriber has to open a bank account.

The new service will allow users to send and receive money, buy airtime, and make other payments using their mobile phones. Customers using EcoCash can also move money across different Zimbabwean mobile networks.

Econet Wireless launches mobile banking