News of the Day

• Nokia-Siemens JV subject to restrictions, report says
  The U.S. Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States reportedly will require Nokia and Siemens to sign a mitigations agreement to gain approval for the companies' planned networking joint venture, the Financial Times reports. Nokia is not commenting on the report, saying its dealings with CFIUS are confidential. The Washington Post/Reuters (1/8)

Business & Industry Watch

• Vonage inks Wi-Fi deal with EarthLink
  Vonage has signed on to resell EarthLink's Wi-Fi services in select cities in a move designed to diversify its service portfolio. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (1/8)

• Consolidation weighs on Tellabs
  Tellabs trimmed its revenue projections for the fourth quarter to $455 million to $470 million. The company, however, expects the dip to be temporary because demand for high-speed connection equipment is on the rise. Reuters (1/5)

• Verizon launches MediaFlo-powered mobile-TV service
  Verizon Wireless officially announced its live broadcast TV service for mobile phones with a service rollout planned within three months' time. Verizon Communications also revealed plans to upgrade its Fios TV service, in part to make conducting a content search easier. CNET (1/7)

• Google, EarthLink come to San Francisco Wi-Fi terms
  Google and EarthLink hammered out details of their proposed citywide Wi-Fi network in San Francisco, which will include free access supported by advertising as well as a subscription-based offering. City officials, some of whom prefer launching a city-owned network, must approve the proposal. TechWeb Network (1/5) , The New York Times (1/6)

• Vodafone reviews Hutchison Essar's financials
  Vodafone reportedly has gained access to Hutchison Essar's books to begin due diligence, according to the Financial Times. Hutchison Essar minority stakeholder Essar Group formally announced its plan to pursue Hutchison Essar. Financial Times (1/8) , Business Standard (India) (1/8)

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by USTelecom dailyLead readers in the past week.

• AT&T outlines new management structure (The Wall Street Journal)

• AT&T chief: Wireless "at heart" of company (The New York Times)

• Analysis: 2007 looks good for AT&T (BusinessWeek)

• AT&T named "Company of the Year" by Forbes (Forbes)

• Analysis: What the AT&T deal will mean for consumers: (The Seattle Times)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

Founded in 1923, Henkels & McCoy provides technology-based solutions for carriers, operating telcos, utilities, the government, the military, and private industry on a national level. It's an exciting time to be at the forefront of our nation's telecommunications construction business. We can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Technology Trends

• BT rolls out new Fusion Wi-Fi handsets
  BT introduced new Fusion handsets that will link up to the telecom operator's Wi-Fi hot spots in an effort to give customers access to lower mobile-phone rates. Fusion was launched in June 2005, but it has not connected with many mobile-phone users. Forbes/AFX News Limited (1/8)

• Networks look to send shows to TV via Web
  Cable networks such as Nickelodeon, Showtime and Starz have reached deals with Microsoft that will allow customers to watch their Web-based programs on TV, rather than on a PC. The moves represent a growing trend to unite television with the Internet. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (1/8) , Multichannel News (1/8)

• Hybrid devices bring computers, cell phones together
  The mobile phone, or fourth screen, is becoming a hot spot for computers, especially as carriers push wireless data services and more Internet powerhouses, such as Google, move beyond the PC. Apple is expected to make a splash in this sector this week, notes one software designer, who says, "Apple is about to touch off a nuclear war. The Nokias and the Motorolas will have to respond." International Herald Tribune (1/7)

Redback Networks Inc. manages 50 million broadband connections for leading carriers and service providers, including AT&T, British Telecom, and Chunghwa Telecom. Redback's multi-service edge routing platform delivers next generation services in a unified manner to lower total cost of ownership.

Regulatory & Legislative

• Report: FCC to get tough on pretexting
  The FCC reportedly is considering stepping up rules to prevent pretexting. Proposals under review include requiring phone companies to implement password-protection provisions to access customer records and the filing of annual statements showing a company's adherence to pretexting-prevention rules. USA TODAY (1/8) , cellular-news (U.K.)/Dow Jones Newswires (1/6)

LeadQuote

There's nothing in the middle of the road but yellow stripes ... and dead armadillos." --Jim Hightower, political activist, columnist