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Legislation on Net Neutrality Released to FCC

Internet providers have been keeping customers on their toes lately between net neutrality, playing the blame game on slow streaming speeds, and most recently, turning customers’ homes into public WiFi hotspots. And now, Democratic lawmakers have unveiled legislation regarding net neutrality that would force the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ban Internet fast lanes. For details on what has led the need for net neutrality legislation, read more here. Pushed by deals that Internet service providers (ISPs) and content providers are already shaking hands on, such as the deal between Comcast and Netflix, Democratic lawmakers introduced legislation that would force the FCC to ban such deals. Known as the Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act, the bill gives the FCC the right to prohibit Internet fast lanes that consumer advocates say would have a negative impact on startup companies and Internet services. A fear that one of the bill’s sponsors, Senate Judiciary Committee chair Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), says Americans are not willing to face is that Internet services are based on a financial relationship with an ISP rather than one based on merit. However, the proposed legislation relies on the FCC’s current authorities which may affect how effective it could be. The FCC is also debating whether or not it is even legally able to ban Internet fast lanes in the first place. Under the current proposal, the FCC would only review problematic commercial agreements on a case-by-case basis. A suggestion made by consumer advocates to reclassify broadband service as a utility would subject ISPs to greater regulation. But a loophole in the law allows some traffic discrimination as long as it isn’t “unjust” or “unreasonable” so the reclassification wouldn’t guarantee a ban’s survival either. On top of all the net neutrality issues, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee is working on a new bill that would permanently extend a 1998 ban on local and state Internet taxes. Set to expire on November 1, the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act may just be the least controversial Internet issue as of late as it has been extended three times since 1998. Net neutrality has proved to be a complex and stubborn issue the FCC will have to deal with and there is surely more to come. Stay tuned for updates on this controversial issue!

Is Your Home a Potential Internet Company Hotspot?

Last week, Comcast turned 50,000 of its customers’ homes in Houston, Texas into public hotspots and they plan on doing the same to millions more by the end of the year. According to the Houston Chronicle, Comcast says the move won’t slow down the residential customer’s connection. Comcast’s website explains that the additional “xfinitywifi” network signal is completely separate from your secure home WiFi network. Also according to the website, XFINITY WiFi Home Hotspot is a way to enjoy the freedom of WiFi throughout your community and enables you to share WiFi access with visitors without sharing your password or slowing down your network. The company reportedly alerted the 50,000 users last month and has said that less than one percent of customers opted out. Clients who own their modem are automatically opted out from the program since Comcast can’t legally interfere with customer-owned modems. Something else that relates to this new plan is the proposed merger Comcast and Time Warner Cable have in the works. Comcast would potentially gain Time Warner Cable’s customers which would provide them with more homes to turn into hotspots. Perhaps the move was inspired by talks between DISH and Artemis on partnering up to invent pCell technology that would provide internet speeds 1,000 times faster than 4G by deploying a massive number of boxes called “pWaves” to smaller areas rather than relying on sporadically placed cell towers; such as customer’s homes. Read more about pCell technology here. There is sure to be more on the future of WiFi hotspots so stay tuned for updates on Comcast hotspots and other news!

Netflix and Verizon Playing the Blame Game for Poor Video Streaming

Things are starting to get a little catty between internet service providers and content providers as the conversation on net neutrality heats up with Netflix and Verizon playing the blame game for poor video streaming quality. Earlier this week some Netflix users who connect to the internet through a Verizon FiOS connection received the following message: Effectively calling out Verizon for the quality of streaming for their customers just a few months after signing a paid peering deal with the ISP to get around the congestion on the internet and reach their clients with a more direct path. Verizon responded promptly to what they called a “PR stunt” with the threat of legal action if Netflix didn’t stop what they called unfair business practices that threaten its broadband business. In the cease and desist letter to Netflix, Randal Milch, EVP of public policy and general counsel for Verizon said, “As Netflix knows, there are many different factors that can affect traffic on the Internet, including choices by Netflix in how to connect to its customers and deliver content to them, interconnection between multiple networks, and consumer-in-home issues such as in-home wiring, WiFi, and device settings and capabilities.” Netflix responded in a statement, “This is about consumers not getting what they paid for from their broadband provider. We are trying to provide more transparency, just like we do with the Netflix ISP Speed Index, and Verizon is trying to shut down that discussion.” It is somewhat surprising that Netflix has been so vocal in their net neutrality “transparency” efforts considering they signed the paid peering deals with both Verizon and Comcast earlier this year to ensure they would get better quality streaming as compared to other content providers on the net. Update: Netflix has announced that they will stop the test of their on-screen messages that blame ISPs by name for slow or interrupted streaming. Netflix spokesman Joris Evers wrote in a blog post that Netflix, “will evaluate rolling it out more broadly.”

2014 FIFA World Cup™ Coverage from Cox

Looking for better 2014 FIFA World Cup™ coverage? You’re in luck! Cox Communications announced their coverage strategy for this year’s soccer competition starting on Thursday, June 12. Cox has dedicated their coverage to offer their customers unique access to every match as it’s happening; Cox Advanced TV customers can enjoy the competition live in HD, on mobile devices, and will even have access to On Demand content as well as having the choice of watching the competition in English, Spanish and Korean! Cox will be broadcasting coverage through their TV service as well as streaming coverage online which gives customers access through their computer, smart phone or tablet with network apps. Mobile access may be exactly what you’re looking for according to a recent Sporting News Media, Kantar Media Sports and SportsBusiness Group study. The findings show that 68% of fans catch their favorite sports content online, 42% of which get that content on a mobile device. If you’re more of a big screen TV sports fan, not to worry. Cox will also be carrying coverage from the networks broadcasting the tournament; ABC, ESPN and Univision. Make sure you’re ready for next week’s action – find the perfect soccer package here!

SignatureHome™ by Time Warner Cable

Get customized premium services that integrate your home and technology! Why do you want SignatureHome™? Whole home HD-DVR. Up to 100 Mbps download speeds. VoiceZone®. A personal solutions advisor. Shall we go on? Whole home HD-DVR: The ability to watch all of your recorded shows in HD and from any room in the house. Ultimate Internet: Download speeds up to 100 Mbps allows for there to be multiple users on WiFi with multiple devices at the same time, no matter where they are around the house! VoiceZone®: Get your voicemail sent to email so you can manage your home phone from any computer. SignatureHome™ Personal Solutions Advisor: Say goodbye to sitting on hold for, “the next available representative!” With a SignatureHome™ Personal Solutions Advisor, you have your very own professional available to you anytime by chat or phone. What are you waiting for? Call 866.540.4823 today and experience all that SignatureHome™ has to offer!

Internet Company Home

Gain control and confidence in your home security system. Total Home Control Get total home control with this automation solution from XFINITY. A home security package that enables you to control lights, the thermostat, arm and disarm your system, and more – all with XFINITY® Home. Professional Monitoring XFINITY® Home staffs a certified central security station 24/7 and offers battery and cellular back-up in case of a power failure or network interruption. At no additional cost! Your home is also monitored for dangerous carbon monoxide levels, smoke, and flooding with state-of-the-art detectors. Remote Access Access video monitoring of your home from mobile devices anytime, anywhere. Checking in on your home and loved ones is easier than ever. You can even receive email and text alerts whenever a door or window is opened. Savings on Your Other Bills! With XFINITY® Home, you can save up to 20 percent on your homeowner’s insurance and up to 10 percent on your energy bill.   Call 866.565.0963 today and get set up with XFINITY® Home.

Time Warner Cable and Boingo WiFi Deal

Time Warner Cable (TWC) and Boingo, a major WiFi network operating company, have made the first “fast lane” deal that would affect WiFi roaming access. Financials weren’t discussed in the announcement, but the deal gives TWC access to hundreds of “premium” Boingo locations including subway platforms and airports in cities such as New York; Los Angeles; Austin, Texas; and Charlotte, North Carolina. TWC also launched HotSpot 2.0 technology back in April that allows customers to jump from hotspot to hotspot seamlessly with Passpoint security. Passpoint security eliminates the need for customers to search and authenticate hotspots every time they connect. “Cable WiFi” alliances have been made by other providers such as Bright House Networks, Cox Communications, Comcast, and Cablevision Systems, but this is the first deal made with Boingo. TWC’s merger deal with Comcast is something else to consider in this case. Add the news of the Boingo deal with TWC to the deal Comcast reportedly made with Netflix and things get interesting. Did Comcast have anything to do behind-the-scenes of the TWC and Boingo deal? It is hard to say, but it is safe to say that this adds to the multitude of issues the FCC already has on its plate! Check out Comcast and TWC’s current services and offers here!

Who Still Uses a Home Phone Anyways?

Despite the constant technological updates being made to cell phones, it still pays to have home phone service. You might be wondering, what would justify paying for home phone service on top of cell phone service? Allow us to humor you: “Can you hear me now?” No? Clarity is perhaps the most enticing reason to keep home phone service. Whether you’re outside on your patio having a barbeque or in your storm shelter trying to reach the outside world, home phone service guarantees that you will be able to clearly hear the person on the other end and you don’t have to worry about dropping the call. Home phone service can also improve your cell phone reception and even enables you to take and make cell phone calls through a cordless handset. This is ideal for those who don’t get good reception in parts of your house such as the basement. Enhanced Security Sure, cell phones have GPS that can ping your location but what if you happen to be in an apartment building or a building that has multiple suites? With home phone service, the phone number is tied to an account that includes the exact address including apartment or suite number. Another security feature home phone service provides is saving you from paying extra for a home security system. Most home security systems required a home phone connection to monitor the alarm sensors and if you don’t have one, they will need to install a communication device for an extra charge. Improved Features If you jumped on the mobile only bandwagon early in the game (think Zack Morris era), you may not know about all the improved features of new home phones. Try picturing the Voice Over Internet Protocol phones many business use, or click here to see a visual. So what are these features we speak of? Well, newer home phones have everything from talking caller ID that announces who is calling you rather than having to look at the phone to see who it is to Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications that provides the best call clarity by eliminating noises that travel on other frequencies such as microwaves and other noisy appliances. Add easy-to-read displays, handsets, etc. to the mix and you may just be asking yourself why you ever considered getting rid of your home phone service. Find the best deals on home phone services including the best features here!

DISH is Offering Free Netflix to New Customers

While other TV providers are making headlines with merger talks, DISH is doing business as usual and is offering free Netflix for six months to new customers subscribing to qualifying packages. The satellite TV provider has added the new service to its already distinguishable line-up of premium channels that include HBO®, SHOWTIME®, STARZ®, CINEMAX® and Blockbuster @Home™. Netflix will give DISH customers access to even more award-winning programs on top of those from the premium channels mentioned above such as Netflix’s own Orange is the New Black and House of Cards. The two shows have earned the TV streaming service three Television Critics Association Award nominations. The nominations include Program of the Year and Outstanding New Program for Orange is the New Black and Outstanding Achievement in Drama for House of Cards. Many TV providers claim to offer the best programming available, but by adding Netflix service DISH is backing up that claim. The Netflix offer from DISH lasts through July 31, 2014. Interested in this amazing offer? Find out more here!

The Future of NFL Sunday Ticket

NFL Sunday Ticket is a big player in the DIRECTV and AT&T merger deal, but its future is uncertain. It is rumored that Google may be a part of the service’s broadcasting future which would give AT&T the right to back out of the merger deal. For the 10 percent of DIRECTV’s subscribers who pay for NFL Sunday Ticket (there are more subscribers who receive the service as part of their package as well), this could be a major inconvenience seeing as they currently pay $199 a year for it. However, if the renewal ends up being a nonexclusive deal it could lower the cost of the football package. Considerations for the renewal of the deal that expires after the 2014-2015 season include DIRECTV’s broad reach versus cable TV providers’ limited reach, streaming from Google or Apple would require the fastest internet speeds and the fact that most viewership is done in the home on big screens with HD capabilities. Are you just concerned with getting NFL Sunday Ticket for this season? Sign up for it here!