2005 A Good Year for DSL Providers

A new report from Leichtman Research Group says that 2005 was a record year for the twenty largest U.S. cable and DSL providers—making up 94 percent of the market—who together signed on a net of more than 9.6 million new subscribers.
According to the report, that exceeds 2004’s record by more than 1 million subscribers.
Price competition among DSL subscribers helped grow that segment of the market especially, the report says.
The top DSL providers during 2005 were: SBC, Verizon, Bell South, Qwest, Sprint, Covad, ALLTEL, Century Tel, and Cincinnati Bell.
Those providers netted 53 percent of broadband additions during 2005, adding over 5.2 million subscribers to their rolls.
Additionally, “The fourth quarter of 2005 was the best quarter ever for DSL providers, adding nearly 1.5 million net additional DSL subscribers, capturing 57 percent of the net 2.64 million high-speed Internet additions for the quarter. Cable operators added virtually the same number of subscribers during the quarter as a year ago, while DSL providers added about 350,000 more subscribers than in the fourth quarter of 2004,” the report said.

Sprint Awarded Contract Modification to Enhance Federal Government Wireline and Wireless Service Offerings

Sprint (NYSE:S) announced today that government agenciesnow have more choice and flexibility for their security, messaging anddata communications needs through Sprint's FTS2001 contract.
The General Services Administration (GSA) awarded Sprint amodification to enhance Sprint's FTS2001 contract effective Dec. 23,2005, to include:

-- Multi-Protocol Labeling Switching (MPLS) Virtual Private Network (VPN) Over Peerless Internet Protocol (PIP) - a network-based solution over a peerless IP backbone that is segregated from the public Internet

-- GoodLink - a secure, FIPS-certified wireless messaging and data access system

"In today's increasingly fast-paced, security-focused world,Sprint is dedicated to providing U.S. government agencies with accessto secure, reliable communications when they need it, wherever theyneed it," said Tony D'Agata, vice president of federal government forSprint. "These enhancements provide a tangible, affordable way forfederal agencies to keep connected in a secure manner in order toperform their jobs and meet their critical requirements."

Sprint's Peerless IP Network is a network-based solution that issecure, scalable and cost effective. Sprint offers government agenciesunique solutions over its Peerless IP network, leveraging the sametechnical architecture as the industry-leading SprintLink IP backbonewhile removing connectivity to the public Internet. The service isavailable throughout the continental United States at T1 through OC-12speeds.

"Many agencies that have been concerned about IP securitypreviously had taken advantage of our Peerless IP through GSA'scustomized modification process," D'Agata added. "This blanketmodification process to the FTS2001 will hopefully facilitatetransition to the Networx contract should we be successful."

GoodLink provides secure mobile access to agency e-mail,attachments, calendars, contacts, notes and tasks. Goodlink alsooffers continuous two-way real time synchronization to ensure thatchanges on handheld devices are automatically synchronized with auser's desktop and vice versa. GoodLink currently supports the Palm(R)Treo and Microsoft Windows Mobile Pocket PCs. The service offersend-to-end encryption, remote handheld erase, Advanced EncryptionStandard (AES), Triple-Data Encryption Standard (DES) encryption withVeriSign(R) security and Federal Information Processing Standards(FIPS) 140-2 certification.

In addition, Sprint's FTS2001 contract modification provides lowerservice initiation charges for some existing wireless access devicesand defines service initiation charges for new forms of wirelessaccess devices.

Sprint was awarded the FTS2001 contract in 1998. The GSA FederalTechnology Service (FTS) contract offers federal agencies wireline andwireless communications services from Sprint, including voice, dataand video, at a competitive price to help provide faster, more secure,collaborative communications between agencies, with businesses andwith consumers.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless andwireline communications services to consumer, business and governmentcustomers. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing,engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including tworobust wireless networks offering industry leading mobile dataservices; instant national and international walkie-talkiecapabilities; and an award-winning and global Tier 1 Internetbackbone.

Sprint Nextel Completes Acquisition of Velocita Wireless

Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE:S) has completed its acquisition of Velocita Wireless, based in Woodbridge, New Jersey. Velocita Wireless will operate as a subsidiary of Sprint Nextel, which intends to use some of Velocita's 900 MHz spectrum to supplement Sprint Nextel's capacity and coverage for its iDEN(R)-based Nextel National Network.


"Sprint Nextel is excited about the opportunity to offer Velocita's customers a broader suite of wireless and wireline, data and voice products and services," said Mark Hull, general manager for Velocita Wireless.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business and government customers. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust networks offering industry leading mobile data services; instant national and international walkie-talkie capabilities; and an award-winning and global Tier 1 Internet backbone.

MTV Networks and Sprint Offer Hit Music, Comedy and Entertainment Programming on Sprint TV

MTV Networks, a division of Viacom (NYSE:VIA, VIA.B), and Sprint (NYSE:S) today announced that hit music, comedy and entertainment programming from the nation's premier music brands - CMT, MTV and VH1 - and the only all-comedy network, COMEDY CENTRAL, is now available on-demand on the Emmy Award-winning Sprint TV(SM) lineup. In addition to offering subscribers select clips from such hit MTV Networks programs as 'CMT Insider,' 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,' 'Laguna Beach' and 'Best Week Ever,' Sprint becomes the first domestic wireless service to stream the CMT, MTV and VH1 radio stations.

"Sprint continues to lead the industry in bringing the best lineup of entertainment and mobile content to our customers," said Jeff Hallock, vice president of wireless product strategy and marketing for Sprint. "Now our customers have the flexibility to view compelling programming from CMT, COMEDY CENTRAL, MTV and VH1. They can also listen to streaming audio channels from CMT, MTV and VH1 - a service that currently only Sprint offers to its customers."

"Our diverse networks air many of the most popular - and creative - shows on television that define the ever-changing pop-culture landscape," said Greg Clayman, MTV Networks' vice president of wireless strategy and operations. "No matter where they are, Sprint customers can now stay connected to the short-form programming they love on CMT, COMEDY CENTRAL, MTV and VH1 and remain plugged into the latest trends in music, fashion, movies, comedy and more."

The full roster of MTV Networks' video and audio programming now available on the Sprint network includes:

CMT - Channel 46

-- CMT Radio, featuring artists like Toby Keith, Martina McBride and Tim McGraw;

-- 'CMT Insider,' highlights from the weekly series that explores the hot topics in entertainment and country-music news, including the latest in movies, music, fashion and sports;

-- 'CMT Most Shocking,' revealing amazing, harrowing and sometimes-terrifying stories from America's small towns and outposts;

-- 'CMT Uncorked,' spotlighting country's hottest videos in their entirety, available first on CMT's mobile network; and

-- 'Studio 330 Sessions,' featuring stripped down, spontaneous performances of signature hits and new material streamed exclusively on CMT.com.

COMEDY CENTRAL - Channel 15

-- 'The Colbert Report,' featuring "Truthiness" highlights and the most intense interviews from the previous night's episode;

-- 'COMEDY CENTRAL Stand-Up,' featuring video and audio from today's hottest comedians;

-- 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,' featuring fresh highlights and interviews from this Emmy-Award winning fake news series;

-- 'Jump Cuts,' a collection of cutting-edge claymation, live action and animation shorts from up-and-coming filmmakers;

-- 'South Park,' the Emmy-Award winning show, soon to begin its tenth season and the network's highest rated series; and

-- 'What's On,' highlighting hot programming airing on COMEDY CENTRAL.

MTV - Channel 36

-- MTV Radio offers chart-topping hits from the hip-hop, rock, pop and indie worlds as well as exclusive interviews, concerts and celebrity play lists from MTV and MTV2 artists;

-- Music, showcasing MTV's music franchises, including 'Advance Warning,' 'A.D.D. Bio' and 'First Ladies,' as well as full-length music videos;

-- Shows, including select clips from current and upcoming programs such as 'The Real World: Key West,' 'Made,' 'Wildboyz,' 'The Shop,' 'Wild 'N Out,' 'Run's House,' and 'Punk'd;' clips from past MTV shows including 'Beavis & Butt-Head' and 'Viva La Bam' and upcoming original live-action and animated made-for-mobile series;

-- MTV News, featuring made-for-mobile stories and artist interviews;

-- Movies, showcasing trailers, interviews with the Hollywood stars and behind-the-scenes action of the blockbusters; and

-- Games, featuring insider tips and tricks, as well as behind-the-scenes makings of new titles, developer interviews and sneak previews of upcoming titles.

VH1 - Channel 26

-- VH1 Radio, featuring streaming stations dedicated to soul/R&B, pop, modern rock and hip-hop;

-- VH1 Music, with interviews and videos from today's hottest artists like Green Day, Matchbox Twenty and Jewel;

-- VH1 Classic, with artist interviews and videos from the cable channel of the same name;

-- 'Best Week Ever,' featuring daily video clips from VH1's hit show that provides a review of the most entertaining news and pop culture;

-- 'Celebreality,' featuring highlights from VH1's hottest celebreality shows like, 'Celebrity Fit Club,' 'Flavor of Love' and 'The Surreal Life;'

-- VH1 Shows, a collection of "shorts" from VH1 series including 'Web Junk 20,' 'Fab Life' and 'All Access' series; and

-- VH1 News, featuring timely music and celebrity news and interviews.

CMT, COMEDY CENTRAL, MTV AND VH1 are each currently available for $5.95 per month, per channel on Sprint multimedia-capable handsets. Data usage will apply.

Sprint is a data services company in the content and media distribution business committed to delivering a seamless experience that gives customers the power to connect, share and access information instantly on a mobile phone. As wireless technology, consumer electronics and entertainment converge, Sprint is leading the industry through innovative applications, differentiated content and connectivity to consumers and businesses anywhere, anytime and always on. By using their mobile phone as a source for information, communications, personalization and entertainment, Sprint customers can realize the power of the "third screen."

Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business and government customers. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless networks offering industry leading mobile data services; instant national and international walkie-talkie capabilities; and an award-winning and global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.

MTV Networks

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 120 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 95 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Sprint Sending Black History Month "Textoids"

Sprint Nextel plans to bring Black History Month education to the texting generation.

The company is teaming with The HistoryMakers, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving African-American history through first-person stories, to issue a series of daily "textoids" to its customers delivered via text messages during the month of February. The program allows cell phone users to opt in to receive a daily Black History factoid with a link to Sprint's Black History Month Website.

The new service is available via text message only to subscribers on the Sprint and Nextel nationwide networks. Subscribers text the message "PRIDE" to number 6101 on their phones. The messages also are available free via e-mail by signing up at www.sprint.com/black history.

Textoids feature African Americans who have made contributions in art, business, education, law, military, religion and science and will feature facts on famous Americans such as telecommunications entrepreneur William Bonaparte Jr., dancer Ruth Beckford, Negro League baseball player Carl Long, aviator Dorothy Lane McIntyre and attorney Chester L. Blair.

Sprint Gets Awfully Chatty

Sprint Nextel appears to be raising the bar on mobile chatting. The company today announced the availability of three new ways to chat or keep in touch with friends anywhere: Jumbuck Island, The Lounges and Webdate Mobile.

Jumbuck Island, from Jumbuck Entertainmnet, is a 3D wireless chat service exclusive to Sprint for the first three months. Jumbuck Island brings elements from PC games and Internet chatrooms into one service. Users choose different avatars to represent themselves. Once on the island, users can wander around the different areas, including beaches and cruise ships, and send messages or chat with other users in private one-on-ones. Jumbuck Island is available for $3.99 per month.

The Lounges is the first segmented mobile community in North America, exclusive to Sprint for the first year, according to the carrier. Created by AirG, The Lounges lets Sprint users connect with other mobile users in any of three chat lounges - Sports, Latino and Friends - from mobile phones. The Lounges are free for the first month and $3.99 for additional months.

Webdate Mobile, enabled by Trilibis, is the world's largest mobile dating service. It gives users anytime, anywhere access to an online dating community, including complete personals with photos, profile searches and browsing and anonymous messaging to other Webdate members. Webdate Mobile is available for $4.99 per month.

"As mobile chat services become more and more popular, customers are asking for more ways to use the services to stay connected and meet new people while on the go," said John Styers, Sprint's director of data services for messaging and imaging, via a press release. "These three new services from Jumbuck, AirG and Trilibis give Sprint customers unique ways to reach others locally or around the world, whether it's to find people with common interests or find a date

Sprint Brings Full-Length Movies to Mobiles

Sprint has been running under the radar a full-length, movie-streaming service for the last month, officials from the carrier's movie content provider MSpot confirmed today.
MSpot CEO Daren Tsui said that Sprint soft-launched its MSpot Movies service last month featuring 10 full-length films customers can stream to their Vision phones serially in roughly five-minute increments -- similar in length to the chapters or scenes on a DVD movie.

The movies aren't exactly first run though. The most recent movie of the 10 currently available is "Short Circuit," a family film from 1986. Most of them are in the classics genre, including films like "One-Eyed Jacks," a Marlon Brando-directed western from 1961, and "Angel and the Badman," a John Wayne film from 1947.

Tsui, however, said film rights are notoriously difficult to procure with competition for new releases spread among the cable, broadcast television, pay-per-view, and rental industries. Since its movie service is a first of its kind, it has to accept movies that are past their heyday in order to get it off the ground.

But MSpot's content library has been growing. It now has deals negotiated for the rights to 380 films, and as the service gains attention and subscribers, Tsui expects the movie studios will have more interest in putting newer content on the network.



"The closer you get to the theatrical release date the more complicated the negotiations with the movie studios," Tsui said. "We'll eventually get to the point where we'll be able to get movies soon after theatrical release."

That all depends on how well the service does though. While the wireless industry has generally embraced video as a groundbreaking new format for mobile content, there is still a huge debate over what form that content will take. Shortly after news of Sprint's movie service appeared, ZDNet released a list of seven reasons why movies on the cellphone won't work, including limited abilities of handset media players and the obvious issue of trying to watch a movie intended for the silver screen on a 2-inch display.

But recent moves in the industry have shown that there may be some interest in longer video streams. Apple and the wireless carriers have begun selling reruns of popular TV shows like ABC's "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives" for download or streaming over the iPOD or video phones.

Tsui said that due to the newness of this type of service there will be a period of adjustment, but he expects customers and carriers will grow into the service as they see its advantages. "This is a controversial service," Tsui said. "Some people don't believe in it because of the small screen size, but look at the market. Services like MobiTV, Sprint TV and [Verizon Wireless's] Vcast have been doing great. There is a consumer appetite for video on the mobile phone. You can't dispute that."

The movie service will come in two forms, a lower-bandwidth, lower-frame-rate service for Vision customers on Sprint's CDMA 1X vision service and a high-frame-rate, better-quality stream for 3G customers on Sprint's new Power Vision EVDO network. Both will cost $7 a month for unlimited streaming. Sprint said it plans to offer new movie content each week eventually adding older television shows like the "Three Stooges" and "Starhunter 2300." The service will also have music concert channel, streaming footage from live performances by the Roots and other artists.

The service isn't MSpot's first venture with Sprint. This summer Sprint launched MSpot Radio, a streaming music service that adds interactive capabilities to what would ordinarily be a static broadcast. MSpot has been for some time and also plans to launch a revamped version of its radio service to allow users to build their own customized playlists.