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PHONE+ Announces Top Channel Managers and Top Chan
PHONE+ magazine, a monthly publication of Virgo Publishing LLC for the telecommunications indirect sales channel, today announced the winners in its Top 15 Channel Managers and Top 50 Channel Programs contest. The results are published in the magazine's first-ever Channel Program Guide special issue, available now at www.phoneplusmag.com/ebooks.
PHONE+ is very proud to honor the Top 15 Channel Managers. These telecom professionals were nominated by master agents, subagents and independent agents. The nominees' names were placed on a ballot and voted on by PHONE+ readers and supporters. The winners are Jeff Balsewich, TNCI; Hilary Corno, TelePacific Communications; Suzanne Duda, PAETEC; Steve Ferrigno, One Communications; Manny Ferrufino, Qwest; Amir Hojjatnia, TelePacific Communications; David Luther, BCN Solutions Express; Ruth Morford, ACC Business; Mara Nursement, TNCI; Tara Purcell, AT&T; Brian Sheehan, AboveNet; Art Solares, First Communications; Melanie Sunahara, Global Crossing; Dan Szabo, Qwest; and William Tharp, XO Communications.
"PHONE+ is proud to honor these individuals. It is their hard work and dedication that makes the indirect channel a successful and well-oiled machine," said Mike Saxby, group publisher for PHONE+.
Hundreds of companies submitted their channel program details in hopes of being recognized as a Top 50 Channel Program. Voted on by indirect sales partners, these communications suppliers -- carriers, resellers, master agents and manufacturers -- provide their agents with that extra something -- extra attention, rapid quotes, sales training or special promotions -- that makes agents want to do business with them.
PHONE+ congratulates the following Top 50 Channel Programs as selected by its readers: 5 Star Communications, ACC Business, AccuConference, AireSpring Communications, AT&T Inc., Avaya Inc., Bandwave Systems, Broadview Networks, Cavalier Telephone, Comstar Interactive, The Conference Group, Covad Communications, CTI Group (Holdings), Eastern IT Group LLC, Embarq, Excel Telecommunications, Granite Telecommunications, Hughes Network Systems LLC, InterCall, iTEMize Technologies, Level 3 Communications, McGraw Communications, McLeodUSA, MegaPath, MicroCorp Inc., NBS, New Edge Networks, NuVox Communications, Once Communications Corp., PAETEC, Pioneer Telephone, PowerNet Global Communications, Premiere Global Services, Qwest Communications, Samsung BCS, ShoreTel, Speakeasy, Sprint Nextel, TBI, Telarus Inc., Time Warner Cable Business Class, TMC Communications, TNCI, UCN Inc., US Signal Co., USA Digital Communication Inc., Verizon, Wholesale Carrier Services Inc., World Telecom Group, and XO Communications.
"PHONE+ is honored to bestow special recognition upon these standouts. Their support for the indirect channel, and gains in the telecom industry overall, are much appreciated and lauded," Saxby said.
In addition to recognizing the Top 15 Channel Mangers and the Top 50 Channel Programs, the PHONE+ Channel Program Guide special issue includes articles that focus on the key traits of a successful channel program and master agency, how to sustain a healthy partner relationship, and the anatomy of an agent agreement. For more information, visit www.phoneplusmag.com.
PHONE+ Announces Top Channel Managers and Top Chan
HONE+ magazine, a monthly publication of Virgo Publishing LLC for the telecommunications indirect sales channel, today announced the winners in its Top 15 Channel Managers and Top 50 Channel Programs contest. The results are published in the magazine's first-ever Channel Program Guide special issue, available now at www.phoneplusmag.com/ebooks.
PHONE+ is very proud to honor the Top 15 Channel Managers. These telecom professionals were nominated by master agents, subagents and independent agents. The nominees' names were placed on a ballot and voted on by PHONE+ readers and supporters. The winners are Jeff Balsewich, TNCI; Hilary Corno, TelePacific Communications; Suzanne Duda, PAETEC; Steve Ferrigno, One Communications; Manny Ferrufino, Qwest; Amir Hojjatnia, TelePacific Communications; David Luther, BCN Solutions Express; Ruth Morford, ACC Business; Mara Nursement, TNCI; Tara Purcell, AT&T; Brian Sheehan, AboveNet; Art Solares, First Communications; Melanie Sunahara, Global Crossing; Dan Szabo, Qwest; and William Tharp, XO Communications.
"PHONE+ is proud to honor these individuals. It is their hard work and dedication that makes the indirect channel a successful and well-oiled machine," said Mike Saxby, group publisher for PHONE+.
Hundreds of companies submitted their channel program details in hopes of being recognized as a Top 50 Channel Program. Voted on by indirect sales partners, these communications suppliers -- carriers, resellers, master agents and manufacturers -- provide their agents with that extra something -- extra attention, rapid quotes, sales training or special promotions -- that makes agents want to do business with them.
PHONE+ congratulates the following Top 50 Channel Programs as selected by its readers: 5 Star Communications, ACC Business, AccuConference, AireSpring Communications, AT&T Inc., Avaya Inc., Bandwave Systems, Broadview Networks, Cavalier Telephone, Comstar Interactive, The Conference Group, Covad Communications, CTI Group (Holdings), Eastern IT Group LLC, Embarq, Excel Telecommunications, Granite Telecommunications, Hughes Network Systems LLC, InterCall, iTEMize Technologies, Level 3 Communications, McGraw Communications, McLeodUSA, MegaPath, MicroCorp Inc., NBS, New Edge Networks, NuVox Communications, Once Communications Corp., PAETEC, Pioneer Telephone, PowerNet Global Communications, Premiere Global Services, Qwest Communications, Samsung BCS, ShoreTel, Speakeasy, Sprint Nextel, TBI, Telarus Inc., Time Warner Cable Business Class, TMC Communications, TNCI, UCN Inc., US Signal Co., USA Digital Communication Inc., Verizon, Wholesale Carrier Services Inc., World Telecom Group, and XO Communications.
"PHONE+ is honored to bestow special recognition upon these standouts. Their support for the indirect channel, and gains in the telecom industry overall, are much appreciated and lauded," Saxby said.
In addition to recognizing the Top 15 Channel Mangers and the Top 50 Channel Programs, the PHONE+ Channel Program Guide special issue includes articles that focus on the key traits of a successful channel program and master agency, how to sustain a healthy partner relationship, and the anatomy of an agent agreement. For more information, visit www.phoneplusmag.com.
Pike & Fischer Predicts Steady Growth in Subscript
More than 47 million U.S. households will pay for some form of high-definition television service by the end of this year, up from around 30 million in late 2007, according to a recent forecast by Pike & Fischer.
The forecast constitutes one part of Pike & Fischer's "HDTV Service: Market Forecast for Multichannel Video Providers" report, and also projects that by the end of 2012, as many as 103 million American households will be paying HDTV customers.
Although big broadcast networks are now airing some HD programming for free, multichannel video providers are aggressively launching premium HDTV channels, renting out HD-enabled equipment to customers, and offering pay-per-view Video On Demand content in high-def format.
Strong demand for such services will generate up to $2.6 billion in annual revenue for cable, satellite, and fiber-optic television providers by the end of 2012, according to the Pike & Fischer forecast.
Source: http://www.teleclick.ca/2008/03/pike-fischer-predicts-steady-growth-in-subscription-hdtv-services/
Pike & Fischer Predicts Steady Growth in Subscript
More than 47 million U.S. households will pay for some form of high-definition television service by the end of this year, up from around 30 million in late 2007, according to a recent forecast by Pike & Fischer.
The forecast constitutes one part of Pike & Fischer’s “HDTV Service: Market Forecast for Multichannel Video Providers” report, and also projects that by the end of 2012, as many as 103 million American households will be paying HDTV customers.
Although big broadcast networks are now airing some HD programming for free, multichannel video providers are aggressively launching premium HDTV channels, renting out HD-enabled equipment to customers, and offering pay-per-view Video On Demand content in high-def format.
Strong demand for such services will generate up to $2.6 billion in annual revenue for cable, satellite, and fiber-optic television providers by the end of 2012, according to the Pike & Fischer forecast.
Source: http://www.teleclick.ca/2008/03/pike-fischer-predicts-steady-growth-in-subscription-hdtv-services/
Microsoft Announces MSN Direct for Windows Mobile
Microsoft announced plans to extend their MSN Direct platform to Windows Mobile devices. MSN Direct is a service that transmits information from the web, to devices using FM radio signals. This is used today in Smart Watches, Coffee Makers, GPS Navigation Systems, and Advanced Weather Devices (all falling under what Microsoft calls SPOT devices). The data can vary from news, weather, sports, stocks, text messages, and live traffic data.
However, unlike MSN Direct on other platforms, Microsoft plans to integrate MSN Direct data feeds with a Windows Mobile Phone’s cellular connection. This reduces costs (no longer needing an FM radio receiver) but provides the same, constantly-updated stream of breaking news and information. Microsoft has developed the channel reader to cater to Windows Mobile Standard devices.
It is not clear if Microsoft plans to develop a similar client for Windows Mobile Professional devices. However, the intent of this application is clear: it is a direct response to iPhone’s built-in widgets which quickly access similar information, formatted for iPhone’s display.
http://www.phonenews.com/microsoft-announces-msn-direct-for-windows-mobile-2725/
Viewers in the Dark on Digital TV
Wide-screen televisions on display in Mountain View, Calif., tempt shoppers at Best Buy. Nationwide, analog television signals will be turned off in favor of digital ones Feb. 17, 2009. The nation is not well-informed when it comes to understanding the pending digital-TV transition, based on a Wednesday congressional hearing and findings from a national advocacy group.
The transition, in which local broadcasters turn off their analog signals in favor of digital ones, is set to take place in about a year, Feb. 17, 2009. Consumers who do not have cable or satellite TV, or a digital television, will have to use digital-to-analog converter boxes to view basic programming on local channels such as NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox.
U.S. PIRG, the state federation of public-interest groups, said it visited 132 major electronics stores nationwide and found that 81 percent of sales employees gave consumers inaccurate information about the converter boxes. In Colorado, 94 percent of staffers in stores visited gave incorrect information.
Retailers countered that U.S. PIRG and individual state reports were based on surveys done last fall before many converter boxes and $40 government coupons to acquire them were available.
"The PIRG report uses inaccurate or outdated information," said Brian Lucas, a spokesman for Best Buy.
At a U.S. House subcommittee hearing on the progress of the transition program Wednesday, Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., said the $20 million requested by the Federal Communications Commission to educate people about the transition was "woefully inadequate for an educational campaign that must reach more than 300 million Americans."
"We are just over a year away from the end of the transition, and much remains to be done," said Dingell in a written statement. "Both the FCC and the several industries that stand to benefit handsomely have responsibilities in this regard."
EchoStar Technologies Corp. president Mark Jackson testified at the hearing, explaining how the Douglas County company would be able to offer converter boxes for $39.99, plus sales tax. The national coupon program allots two $40 coupons per household for federally approved converter boxes.
"We know something about how to build converters for a digital transition, as our British division is going through this process in the U.K. Those employees helped us come up with useful features," Jackson said in written testimony.
Source:
http://www.denverpost.com/telecom/ci_8254258
Hi-Tech Communications Score at Super Bowl XLII
In light of the Patriots' perfect season and the Giants' string of playoff upsets, Sunday’s Super Bowl should be a particularly interesting one.
But for those not content occupying themselves by watching what looks to be a riveting game from their sofas while eating Doritos and five-layer dip, there are a variety of high-tech options to enhance their consumption of this special sporting event. At the same time, new communications technology will come into play behind the scenes on a number of fronts at Super Bowl XLII.
On the consumer side, a company called Jacked.com, which provides a Webtop publishing platform designed to operate with broadcast media, recently launched new features on its SportsTop product that will provide an interactive experience for millions of viewers tuned in to the big game.
The Jacked platform monitors the in-game broadcast, publishing relevant content to users in real time such as player profiles, stats, photos and history. During the game, consumers can log on to the Jacked.com dashboard and chose from a total of 16 widgets that they can personalize according to their tastes and interests. For example, the video widget uses Jacked's Searchcasting technology to look for the latest and greatest team and player videos for the game that is currently being broadcast. And a search function allows users to search for specific videos within the widget.
And in Rochester, N.Y., Verizon Wireless has expanded its V CAST Mobile TV service to give local residents the ability to watch the Super Bowl, among other programming, live on select mobile TV-enabled handsets.
As for the infrastructure at the Arizona Cardinals' stadium in Glendale, Ariz., where the Super Bowl will take place, that includes an IP-based converged voice/data network allowing for wired or wireless (cellular and Wi-Fi) communications operated by Insight and powered by Cisco Systems gear. This is one of the first "pure IP" stadiums in sports, according to Insight. The network, which the company says will stretch from the Cardinals’ Tempe training complex to the Flagstaff training camp site to the stadium in Glendale, supports building management systems including access control, life safety, environmental control, point of sale, and traditional IP voice and data services.
More than 1,000 IP phones with advanced features such as videoconferencing are attached to the network as are more than 700 Sony high-def plasma TVs and Philips CRT TVs, which will present advertising and entertainment throughout the venue.
Also at the stadium, GPS/wireless tracking devices will be utilized to monitor, track, and manage security personnel in real-time via the Internet, which is expected to expedite up security incident response times. The devices are called the GuardTrax SFL (Security Force Locator) and are supplied by NovaTracker.
"It gives security supervisors and managers a virtual window from which they can view the activities of their roaming security personnel inside and out the stadium in 'real-time' all from the confines of the security operations center – or anywhere in the world, for that matter," explained Mike Petty, senior vice president of sales, GuardTrax division, for NovaTracker. "Rather than try to talk over thousands of screaming fans, a security officer will punch in a simple three-digit incident code which will in seconds notify supervisors of an EMS emergency, fan altercation, or any one of 23 different incidents relating to security issues. In the case of a fan having a heart attack for example, saving minutes could save a life."
In addition to the officer-initiated or 'keyed' incident reporting, the GuardTrax SFL is equipped with a motion sensor that will report if the device has had no motion for a predetermined amount of time. If something happens to security personnel holding a device, the security operations center will be alerted.
"There certainly won't be any guards sleeping at this game, that’s for sure, but not all assignments are as exciting as this one," Petty added.
Source: http://www.phoneplusmag.com/hotnews/hi-tech-scores-at-super-bowl.html