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Entries from January 1, 2011 - January 31, 2011

Monday
Jan312011
DateMonday, January 31, 2011 at 10:44AM

Comcast Closes NBC Transaction

Source: Comcast SEC Filing

Comcast (Nasdaq:CMCSA) announced that it has closed the transaction with GE in which it acquired control of the business of NBC Universal, Inc. (now named NBCUniversal Media, LLC).  NBCUniversal is a wholly owned subsidiary of NBCUniversal Holdings.  Comcast now controls and owns 51% of NBCUniversal Holdings, and GE owns the remaining 49%.  Stephen B. Burke, Comcast Executive Vice President, became NBCUniversal Holdings’ and NBCUniversal’s President and Chief Executive Officer effective upon the closing.

As part of the transaction, GE contributed the businesses of NBCUniversal, including its national cable programming networks, the NBC broadcast network and its owned NBC affiliated local broadcast television stations, the Telemundo broadcast network and its owned Telemundo affiliated local broadcast television stations, Universal Pictures filmed entertainment and the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park.  Comcast contributed its national programming networks, its regional sports and news networks and certain of its Internet businesses, including DailyCandy and Fandango.  In addition, in connection with the closing Comcast made a cash payment to GE of $6.2 billion.  In connection with the transaction, in 2010 NBCUniversal issued $9.1 billion of senior debt securities with maturities ranging from 2014 to 2041 and repaid approximately $1.7 billion of existing debt.  In connection with the closing, NBCUniversal distributed approximately $7.4 billion to GE. 

Comcast and GE have entered into the LLC Agreement, which provides for Comcast's management and control of NBCUniversal Holdings.  Pursuant to the LLC Agreement, NBCUniversal Holdings’ board will consist of five directors, three of which Comcast is entitled to designate and two of which GE is entitled to designate.  

AuthorDeborah Rand | CommentPost a Comment | | | Print ArticlePrint Article
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Monday
Jan312011
DateMonday, January 31, 2011 at 10:10AM

Sprint Offers International 4G Roaming

Source: Sprint Press Release

Sprint (NYSE:S) announced that customers traveling abroad now have roaming access to 4G networks offered by Digicel in Jamaica and Global Mobile in Taiwan. Select Sprint 4G devices that operate with the Sprint SmartView Connection Manager will automatically detect the Digicel and Global Mobile networks, giving customers the option to connect and roam with an unlimited, 24-hour daypass for $14.99 excluding surcharges and taxes.

The Sprint SmartView Connection Manager allows users to create a high-speed Internet connection for their computer anywhere on the Sprint 3G or 4G networks and now on compatible international 4G networks with a 4G-enabled Mobile Broadband Device, such as the Sprint 3G/4G U600 USB Modem. Sprint customers traveling to Jamaica and Taiwan will be able to access the Digicel and Global Mobile 4G networks for mobile downloads, video-chat capabilities and Web browsing at 4G speeds.

AuthorDeborah Rand | CommentPost a Comment | | | Print ArticlePrint Article
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Monday
Jan312011
DateMonday, January 31, 2011 at 9:40AM

Cincinnati Bell Director Leaves for New NBC Job

Source: CBB Press Release

Cincinnati Bell (NYSE:CBB) announced Mark Lazarus has resigned from its board of directors due to his new role with NBC Universal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. 

"Mark has provided Cincinnati Bell and its board with invaluable input and advice during his tenure as a board member, particularly around the company's Fioptics entertainment product suite, and we wish him all the best as he continues his career at NBC Universal," said Phil Cox, Chairman of the Board at Cincinnati Bell.

AuthorDeborah Rand | CommentPost a Comment | | | Print ArticlePrint Article
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Monday
Jan312011
DateMonday, January 31, 2011 at 9:38AM

Intelligent Distribution, Not Smart Meters, is the Application to Watch

Source: Lux Research Release

Lux Research released a new report discussing how intelligent hardware will drive the $34 billion smart grid market.  The report notes that utilities will invest heavily in technologies enabling them to capitalize on the flood of data obtained from deploying smart grids, driving the global smart grid market from $12.8 billion today to $34.2 billion in 2020. 

“Many people think ‘smart meters’ when you talk about the smart grid, because meters will generate most of the new data. But the volume of data generated isn’t the only factor fueling growth in the smart grid market,” said Steve Minnihan, a researcher for Lux Research and the report’s lead author.

“Intelligent distribution applications, for example, can isolate an electrical fault and restore power in a matter of seconds. While such applications generate less data than smart meters, their data carries a far greater value.”

In creating its report, Lux Research performed an analysis of existing smart grid project roll-outs as well as targets put forth by utilities and regulating bodies.

 Among its key findings:
  • Led by China, Asia will generate the most growth in smart grid data. With a current market potential of 183 million residential meters, China’s residential market is already 38% larger than that of North America. Additionally, given that China’s urban population has grown 2.7% annually between 2005 and 2010, its residential meter market will see increasing growth potential over the next decade.
  • Intelligent distribution, not smart meters, is the application to watch. The growing smart meter market will plateau at $4 billion mid-decade and begin declining in 2018 as the largest markets approach saturation. Intelligent distribution hardware, conversely, will see continued expansion throughout the decade, fueled by adoption in China and North America.
  • Telecom and IT incumbents will ride a wave of growing opportunities. Growing demand for logistics and analysis hardware will lead utilities to adopt technologies developed by the telecommunication and information technology industries. As a result, incumbents like Cisco, General Electric, and Oracle have an explosive growth opportunity in smart grid.
AuthorDeborah Rand | CommentPost a Comment | | | Print ArticlePrint Article
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Monday
Jan312011
DateMonday, January 31, 2011 at 8:51AM

Scott County Picks Calix for Rural Appalachia Fiber Build

Source: Calix Press Release

Calix, Inc. (NYSE:CALX) announced that Scott County Telephone Cooperative has selected the Calix E7 Ethernet Service Access Platform to bring Active Ethernet solutions to over 18,000 residences, businesses, and community institutions in the communities it serves in rural Appalachia.

The two projects, which leverage both Broadband Stimulus funds and private investment, allow Scott County to expand across its southwestern Virginia footprint, replacing its aging copper infrastructure with advanced, standards-based fiber access networks that can deliver up to one gigabit per second to each premises. The Broadband Stimulus awarded project, which includes plant engineering, materials, labor, and other costs, including access equipment, totals $24.9 million, composed of a $7.5 million loan and $17.4 million grant through the Broadband Initiatives Program and reaches approximately 12,000 residences, 80 businesses, and 16 community institutions. The privately funded project reaches the remaining portions of its service area in and around Gate City, Virginia, reaching more than 6,000 residences and businesses.

"Between these two projects, the broadband infrastructure serving the citizens and businesses of Scott County will become one of the most advanced in the nation, bringing new economic opportunity and services to our corner of rural Appalachia," said Bill Franklin, chief executive officer at Scott County. "With an all-fiber network capable of delivering up to a gigabit per second to every premises in our community, we are investing for the long term in both our subscribers and our business. Calix has already proven to be a valuable partner in turning our vision into reality, and we look forward to leveraging their continued innovation to successfully bring both of these projects to fruition."

AuthorDeborah Rand | CommentPost a Comment | | | Print ArticlePrint Article
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