Category: Telecom

Uber CEO quits Trump’s business advisory group: sources

Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL] Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick has quit President Donald Trump’s business advisory group, sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday. Kalanick’s resignation comes after days of criticism about the executive’s decision to work with the president.

Trump’s New FCC Chairman Ajit Pai May Drain the TCPA Swamp

In one of his first official actions, newly elected President Donald Trump tapped Ajit Pai as the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission , replacing outgoing chairman Tom Wheeler. Pai is a sharp critic of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act as it is currently being applied, meaning the FCC’s regulatory approach to the TCPA is likely to shift under his leadership.

BT Board Jumps In to Purchase Stock After 21 Percent Decline

BT Group Plc directors and their relatives bought more than $700,000 of its stock Monday and Tuesday, providing a vote of confidence in the former British telecommunications monopoly one week after it suffered a 21 percent drop. The purchases, totaling more than 185,000 shares, were led by Anthony Ball, the former BSkyB chief executive officer and current BT board member, who bought 70,000 shares, and relatives of Chairman Mike Rake and audit & risk committee chairman Nick Rose, who bought 90,000 shares combined, according to a regulatory filing Tuesday.

Lawmakers Pushing Bills Aimed at Sexual Assault

As per Federal Communications Commission Regulations following is certified: Platte River Radio Inc. does not discriminate in the sale of commercial time, and will not accept advertising which, in its sole opinion, is purchased with intent to discriminate unlawfully on the basis of race, gender, or ethnicity. The advertiser hereby certifies that its purchase of commercial time is not made for an unlawful discriminatory purpose, including specifically that it is not based upon a decision to place advertising on a station on the basis of race, gender, or ethnicity.

Governor Approves New Protocol for Lethal Injections

As per Federal Communications Commission Regulations following is certified: Platte River Radio Inc. does not discriminate in the sale of commercial time, and will not accept advertising which, in its sole opinion, is purchased with intent to discriminate unlawfully on the basis of race, gender, or ethnicity. The advertiser hereby certifies that its purchase of commercial time is not made for an unlawful discriminatory purpose, including specifically that it is not based upon a decision to place advertising on a station on the basis of race, gender, or ethnicity.

Profits jump 25 percent at Germany’s Siemens

Siemens AG, the German maker of gas turbines, trains and medical machines, says net income rose 25 percent to 1.93 billion euros for its most recent quarter. The Munich-based company said Tuesday the strong performance in the last three months of the year – the company’s fiscal first quarter – allowed it to raise its outlook for the full fiscal year.

Sprint Proves Critical Customer Growth Ahead of Possible Deal

Sprint Corp. garnered more wireless customers and revenue than expected last quarter, showing progress in its turnaround ahead of an expected consolidation of the industry under President Donald Trump. Sprint completed its second straight year of subscriber growth after signing up 405,000 new users in the all-important holiday shopping season, more than the 389,778 analysts were expecting.

Vodafone in Talks to Merge India Unit With Idea Cellular

Vodafone Group Plc is in discussions to merge its Indian unit with Idea Cellular Ltd. in a deal that would create the country’s largest cellular carrier and ease a worsening headache for Chief Executive Officer Vittorio Colao. The talks with Idea controlling holder Aditya Birla Group could lead to Vodafone splitting off its Indian business into a separate entity, Vodafone said Monday in a statement.

What Happens If Net Neutrality Goes Away?

The “days are numbered” for the net neutrality rules enacted by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission under Barack Obama, at least if you take President Trump’s newly appointed FCC chairman Ajit Pai’s word for it. So what happens after they are gone? Pai , an FCC commissioner since 2012, was a harsh critic of the agency’s ” Open Internet Order ,” which it passed in 2015 via a 3-2 party line vote.

Speculation Builds on a Verizon-Charter Tie-up, No Offer Made

U.S. cable company Charter Communication Inc shares rose as much as 10 percent on Thursday after the Wall Street Journal reported a preliminary approach by Verizon Communications Inc about a tie-up, but Reuters sources said no proposal was made. Speculation over a combination of the two companies has been building steadily since last month, when Verizon Chief Executive Officer Lowell McAdam told Wall Street analysts that such a deal would make “industrial sense.”

New phone area code may be coming to New Jersey

The state’s Board of Public Utilities said Wednesday that it is considering a request to add a new area code because numbers in the 609 area code are running out. Neustar, the Federal Communications Commission’s numbering plan administrator, says that numbers in the 609 area code will run out in the third quarter of 2018.

Democratic senators want AT&T to detail Time Warner deal benefits

WASHINGTON: Thirteen Democratic senators on Wednesday asked AT T Inc to explain how its planned US$85.4 billion takeover of Time Warner Inc is in the public interest, as the company hopes to avoid a review of the deal by the primary U.S. telecommunications agency.Earlier this month, AT T said in a securities filing it expected to bypass the U.S. Federal Communications Commission in its acquisition of the owner of HBO, CNN, Turner Broadcasting and Warner Brothers and only face U.S. Justice Department review.AT T does not plan to acquire a Time Warner TV station in Atlanta that has an FCC license, which would automatically trigger a review.Democratic senators Al Franken, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Ed Markey and nine others urged AT T and Time Warner in a letter to submit a public interest statement to them by Feb. 17 that would required as part of an FCC review “detailing how you … (more)

With Senate okay, Nikki Haley makes history

Washington, Jan 25 – The US Senate has confirmed Nikki Haley to the cabinet-level position of ambassador to the UN, marking a major milestone in Indian American ascendancy in US politics. Haley, who has said she would work to reform the UN, was nominated to the position by President Donald Trump and won the support of an overwhelming Senate majority cutting across the political divide on Tuesday.

Donald Trump names Republican Ajit Pai to head FCC

President Trump is naming Republican Ajit Pai, a foe of the Obama administration’s “net neutrality” rules, to become chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. “I am deeply grateful to the president of the United States for designating me the 34th Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission,” Mr. Pai said.

BT Shares Plunge After Italy Writedown, Profit Warning

BT shares plunged to a three-and-a-half-year low after the company trimmed its profit guidance and cautioned that writedowns in its Italian business will be much larger than expected. BT Group plc shares plunged to a three-and-a-half-year low Tuesday after the company trimmed its profit guidance and cautioned that writedowns in its Italian business linked to accounting irregularities will be much larger than expected.

BT Pegs Italy Writedown at 530 Million, Trims Full Year Earnings Guidance

BT Group cautioned Tuesday that writedowns in its Italian business linked to accounting irregularities will be much larger than expected and could exceed 530 million. BT Group plc cautioned Tuesday that writedowns in its Italian business linked to accounting irregularities will be much larger than expected and trimmed its earnings guidance for the current fiscal year.

Windstream trims 164 jobs, 25 in LR

“The actions are part of our ongoing efforts to efficiently manage the business and to align resources to current work demands and opportunities,” Avery said. “Decisions that affect our employees are difficult, but necessary to manage our costs and position the company for success,” Avery said.

Yahoo’s 4Q shows modest strides amid security breach fallout

Yahoo’s financial performance improved slightly during the fourth quarter while the company dealt with the fallout from massive security breaches that have jeopardized the $4.8 billion sale of its internet operations to Verizon Communications. The fourth-quarter report released Monday provided the latest snapshot of a shrinking company that has been steadily losing ground in the digital advertising market that generates most of its revenue.

Trump picks PIO to head communications body

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has picked Ajit Vardaraj Pai, an outspoken opponent of new net neutrality, to head the crucial Federal Communications Commission , making him the fourth Indian-American in the administration at the senior level. “I am deeply grateful to the President of the United States for designating me the 34th cairman of the Federal Communications Commission,” Pai said in a statement.

Republican Ajit Pai named new FCC chairman

“I am deeply grateful to the President of the United States for designating me the 34th Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission,” Pai’s statement read. “I look forward to working with the new Administration, my colleagues at the Commission, members of Congress, and the American public to bring the benefits of the digital age to all Americans.”

Trump taps Commissioner Ajit Pai to head FCC

In this Aug. 9, 2013, file photo, FCC commissioner Ajit Pai presents his dissent during a Federal Communications Commission hearing at the FCC in Washington. President Donald Trump has picked Pai, a fierce critic of the Obama-era “net neutrality” rules, to be chief regulator of the nation’s airwaves and internet connections.

Yahoo Says Sale to Verizon Delayed Until Second Quarter

Yahoo! Inc. said the sale of its main web operations to Verizon Communications Inc. has been delayed until next quarter to meet closing conditions while the company recovers from the disclosure of massive hacks to its user accounts. The company said Monday it’s “working expeditiously” to finish the deal as soon as practical.

Verizon Stock Downgraded: What You Need to Know

Since the 2016 election, Verizon stock has gained 10% versus an S&P 500 gain of just 5%. Unfortunately for investors, while Verizon has outperformed so far, analysts at Wells Fargo see the stock underperforming in 2016, and gaining almost no value at all over the next 12 months.

JP Morgan Sees U.S. Telecom Consolidation, T-Mobile Deal

U.S. telecom sector could be on the brink of a major consolidation under President Donald Trump’s likely more merger-friendly administration, said JP Morgan Securities, which now sees a 90 percent chance of T-Mobile US being involved in a strategic transaction in the next five years. T-Mobile could be involved in tie-up with Sprint, or be acquired by a cable company, JP Morgan said, adding that a transaction involving Dish Network or a sale to a foreign player that wants a foothold in the U.S. wireless market is also likely.