Bob Woods

U.K. mobile Internet services provider Genie said it has selected Openwave Systems Inc. , which provides open Internet protocol (IP)-based communication infrastructure software and applications, to provide an integrated Web, WAP and SMS Instant Messaging platform for its 5.8 million registered users. The new system is expected to launch with Genie U.K. customers early in […]

President Bush’s multi-billion dollar economic stimulus plan should include money to help expand broadband services across the country, according to The Fiber-to-the-Home Council said today. The council, which convened its second quarterly meeting today, said it endorses the Broadband Internet Access Act of 2001, a bipartisan bill that would provide tax credits to companies investing […]

Instant-messaging service provider (IMSP) Imici said it is providing its instant-messaging (IM) technology to Internet service providers (ISPs) that belong to the Online Service Universe Co-Op, a growth-oriented cooperative of independent ISPs. Through the pact, the financial details of which were not released, Online Service Universe members can put their own branding on the private-label […]

In a sudden reversal of fortune, Global Crossing Ltd. and Asia Global Crossing Ltd. said that a merger proposed last month between the two companies is now off. Global Crossing and Asia Global Crossing, in a statement issued late Monday, said that they terminated discussions regarding a merger due to “current market conditions.” Both companies […]

Broadband communications provider Williams Communications Inc. said it will deliver to Web portal concern Yahoo Inc. what it calls a “local-to-national-to- local optical Gigabit Ethernet service.” Yahoo will use the Williams Communications network to deliver data and video services, officials said in a statement. In addition, the companies agreed to collaborate on the development of […]

Broadband provider Williams Communications said it has signed a purchase agreement to buy certain parts of CoreExpress, a Herndon, Va.-based data-services provider. Terms of the agreement, the financial details of which were not released, call for Williams to buy CoreExpress’ fiber-optic network, intellectual property, and Internet protocol capabilities. Closing on the agreement is subject to […]

Shares of Qwest Communications International Inc. were getting hammered as of mid-afternoon today, and several brokerage houses downgraded their ratings of the telecommunications concern, as the company reported an unexpected third-quarter loss on lower-than-predicted sales. Just before 12:00 Noon EST today, Qwest shares traded at $13.05, off $2.95 or 18.4 percent in very heavy trading. […]

It hasn’t been that long since the industry started referring to “Optical Ethernet” — previously, it was called 10/100 Mbps, 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, 1000BASE-T or Gigabit Ethernet. Even as the new term becomes de rigueur in the optical-networking industry, a new study from Communications Industry Researchers Inc. (CIR) shows that the majority of the Ethernet ports […]

Williams Communications’ Vyvx Broadband Media unit has announced the launch of services on its mediaXtranet broadband media platform, including digital media management, managed Web hosting and streaming. MediaXtranet, which encompasses what Vyvx calls the industry’s only integrated solution for gathering, managing and distributing broadband content, offers media and entertainment companies interconnectivity, reach and media expertise […]

The worlds of Internet-based education and instant messaging are coming together as a result of a deal between Bantu Inc. and Blackboard Inc. Bantu, which provides secure instant messaging and presence management products for the enterprise, and e-education infrastructure developer Blackboard have developed product extensions that allow the Bantu IM & Presence Platform to interoperate […]

Troubled Internet networker Lucent Technologies reported a fourth quarter net loss totaling $9 billion. But the Murray Hill, N.J.-based company said its loss from continuing operations narrowed during the quarter, while its pro-forma net loss was worse than what Wall Street had expected. Lucent’s pro-forma loss from continuing operations hit $909 million or $0.27 per […]

Euro data network provider KPNQwest is involved in two separate deals that will see U.S. broadband communications firm Qwest Communications increase its stake, and will see KPNQwest expand in Europe with the acquisition of Global TeleSystems Inc.’s Ebone and Central Europe businesses. KPNQwest, which is a joint venture between Dutch telecom concern Koninklijke KPN N.V […]