FCC member questions easy net rules for wireless

A plan to give wireless networks more flexibility than their landline counterparts in proposed internet rules is being questioned by Federal Communications Commission member Mignon Clyburn, Reuters reports. In remarks prepared for a conference on Thursday, Clyburn said it was essential that wireless networks “grow in an open way just as our wired ones have.”

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski last week laid out what he called “rules of the road” for preserving an open Internet for consumers while giving broadband providers flexibility to manage their networks. His proposal would ban the blocking of lawful traffic while allowing internet providers to manage network congestion and charge consumers based on internet usage.

Genachowski said the rules should be more flexible for wireless broadband, reflecting that wireless is at an earlier stage of development than terrestrial internet service……Read More

For-profit schools cry foul on loan rules

For-profit schools are opposing what they argue is a “retroactive” crackdown on student loan defaults, and said on Thursday that they may challenge the U.S. Education Department in court, reports Reuters. The fight over whether the department can look at default data of students who left school three years ago is the latest twist in a larger battle over new rules aimed at cracking down on tuition loan abuses and ensuring courses lead to gainful employment. A preliminary rule says programs at for-profit schools could lose their eligibility for student loan funding if 65 percent of students default or are shown to be unable to pay their loans. Losing federal aid could cripple some for-profit schools. The Education Department opted to use default data from students who left the programs in previous years. The rule–which is not yet final–is slated to go into effect in mid-2012…

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Microsoft readies new phone launch with AT&T

Microsoft Corp is set to unveil a new line of phones running its Windows software today, as it attempts to pull back market share from Apple Inc’s iPhone and Google Inc’s Android system in the fast-growing market for multi-featured ‘smartphones’ Reuters reports. The world’s largest software company is hoping that the new phones, from handset makers such as Samsung, LG and HTC, will propel it back into the mobile market, which many see as the key to the future of computing. The new phones, initially available on AT&T Inc’s network, have already been shown off in prototype form, and are much closer in look and feel to Apple’s iPhone, with colorful touch-screens and ’tiles’ for easy access to e-mail, the web, music and other applications. Some analysts say they represent Microsoft’s last chance to catch up with rivals, which overtook them in the past few years. Handsets are not expected to appear in stores for a month, so their success may not be judged until the new year…

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IBM, universities target easy-to-use cell phones

Teaming up with international universities, IBM has started a two-year research program that aims to make cell phones easier to use for groups including the elderly and the illiterate, Reuters reports. IBM said that software developed in the program, which also involves the National Institute of Design of India and Tokyo University, will be made available on an open-source basis, and other materials developed will be made publicly available for governments and businesses. Telecom industry watchers said the IBM program addresses a genuine need. “As the population in Europe and North America ages, the need for specialized mobile devices will become acute,” said Ben Wood, research director at British consultancy CCS Insight…

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Amazon launches free Kindle app for Blackberry

Amazon.com said Feb. 18 it is launching a new free Kindle application that will give customers access to over 420,000 books on a range of BlackBerry devices, Reuters reports. Called “Kindle for Blackberry”, the free application allows customers using BlackBerry devices on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, and other U.S. carriers easy wireless access to Kindle books, most for $9.99 or less. “Since the launch of our popular Kindle for iPhone app last year, customers have been asking us to bring a similar experience to the BlackBerry,” said Ian Freed, Vice President, Amazon Kindle…

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Sweden beats U.S. to top tech usage ranking

Sweden took the number one spot from the United States to top the annual rankings on the usage of telecommunications technologies such as networks, cell phones and computers, a report released on Thursday shows, according to Reuters. The Connectivity Scorecard, created by London Business School professor Leonard Waverman in 2008, measured 50 countries on dozens of indicators, including technological skills and usage of communications technology. “Sweden not only has the best current mix of attributes, but it also shows few signs of losing its lead,” said Waverman. “By contrast, there is the beginning of a gap in what was once the essence of U.S. leadership in most industrial and service sectors – education and skills.”

Sweden was second in the last survey behind the United States. Norway placed third, up from fifth spot last year. Researchers say the new indicator — commissioned by telecom gear maker Nokia Siemens Networks — is already used by several countries in developing innovation strategies. “Economic recovery and government stimulus packages aimed at boosting broadband deployment and ICT development should provide room for optimism in the coming years,” Waverman said. Countries in eastern and southern Europe — including Italy, Spain, Greece and Poland — took the last spots on the list of 25 developed countries…

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