telecom

Apple has said nothing official about the tablet, but plenty of others have.

That group now includes France Telecom/Orange executive Stephane Richard. In an interview Monday with French radio station Europe1, Richard responded to a series of questions from journalist Jean-Pierre Elkabbach, giving the impression he was confirming the existence of an Apple tablet.

The conversation went like this (courtesy of Google Translate):

Elkabbach: "According to the weekly Le Point, a few days your partner Apple will launch a tablet with a webcam."

Richard: "Yes."

Elkabbach: "Is that Orange users will also benefit." … Read more

Managing telecommunications and data services to reduce costs is critical to any business, but small- and medium-size businesses frequently find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to tracking and analyzing telco expenses. Access Business Communications' Telco Manager, or TelcoMgr, can cut business costs by monitoring and recording telecommunications and data services for reporting and analysis. It includes extensive and powerful database and reporting features that not only help a company track telco expenses but also use the data to maximize returns on services.

TelcoMgr's main interface and other windows are a bit busy in appearance, thanks to copious … Read more

My mom always told me “Make your passion your profession, and you’ll be a happy man.” She was right, and I am glad I followed her advice. Yet I appear to be part of a minority. In an article about growing disenchantment at work (“Hating What You Do”), this week’s Economist cites a survey conducted by the Center for Work-Life Policy, an American consultancy. It found that between June 2007 and December 2008 the proportion of workers who professed loyalty to their employers slumped from 95% to 39%, and the number voicing trust in them fell from 79% … Read more

BLACK ROCK CITY, Nev.--Burning Man is not just an alternative culture event; it's increasingly a commercial cellular opportunity, and that has purists fuming.

For one week, participants leave behind their work and more mundane matters, and immerse themselves in an alternate reality, recharging their creative energy and drawing inspiration from the surreal atmosphere.

The remote location, 140 miles from the nearest city (Reno) in the desert of northern Nevada, makes it easy to escape. Meanwhile, banning commerce (apart from ice and coffee from the organizers) is designed to wean people off capitalism in favor of a more idealistic … Read more

Orange and T-Mobile are to merge their British operations to create the U.K.'s largest mobile carrier, their parent companies said Tuesday.

The as-yet-unnamed joint venture will have a combined customer base of about 28.4 million people, or 37 percent of the market, with the deal expected to complete in November. Orange chief executive Tom Alexander will be chief executive of the new company, with T-Mobile UK chief executive Richard Moat as chief operating officer.

The companies said the merger will cost between 400 million and 600 million pounds ($655 million and $983 million). It is expected to … Read more

New Zealand cell phone carrier Telecom on Wednesday unveiled its new lineup of phones, and while the iPhone wasn't among the offerings, the company did have news about a possible iPhone release.

Telecom's Alan Gourdie said the carrier is in "discussions--deep discussions--with Apple," according to the country's National Business Review. While Gourdie's comments don't guarantee Apple will sign on a second carrier in New Zealand, the negotiations echo what's been happening in the U.S.

Speculation that Apple will open up AT&T's exclusivity deal in the U.S. has … Read more

Qwest Communications International is reportedly seeking a buyer for its long-distance carrier business, as the company searches for ways to lower its outstanding debt load, according to a report Thursday in The Wall Street Journal.

Qwest, a struggling telecommunications carrier that ranks third in the nation, is reportedly hoping to raise $2 billion to $3 billion through the sale of its long-distance carrier business, according to the story which cited sources familiar with the matter.

That would pare down the footprint of the Denver-based telecommunications company, leaving it as a regional telecommunications player.

But such a sale could help offset … Read more

Updated at 8:52 a.m. PDT with analyst comment.

Verizon Communications is exploring ways to use its Fios broadband service to give consumers ways to remotely control their thermostat and view their energy usage.

Company engineers are now designing applications, including energy management, to work with the routers that come with its Fios service. Greentech Media reported Verizon's plans on Wednesday.

The first application Verizon expects to roll out will be videoconferencing by the end of the year, according to company spokesman Jim Smith, who said home security and energy management are also being considered.

"Home networks … Read more

Verizon Wireless is being criticized (again) by customers for its policy of requiring them to opt out or have their information shared with other Verizon-owned businesses.

The company began notifying customers in 2007 that they had 45 days to opt out. David Weinberger, a fellow at Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet & Society, received the "small legalistic pamphlet" from Verizon recently and wrote a blog posting on Friday detailing how difficult it was to opt out online, even with customer support help.

"The whole thing sucks," Weinberger concluded.

Verizon posted a note on its public … Read more