Virginia Passes Telecom Legislation
The Virginia House and Senate have both passed legislation that allows telephone companies access to Virginia cable television markets. The bill allows telephone companies faster entry into the video services market by letting them opt for a franchise anywhere in the state. However, the new provider must agree to the terms of the franchise.

Cable companies have complained that telephone companies entering the market would serve only the most affluent areas while leaving the cable companies stuck in old franchise agreements. The bill requires the new video service provider to agree to the build-out requirements, fees and customer service provision terms of the franchise. Once those agreements are met, the provider may begin offering video service within 75 days. The bill allows municipalities to retain control of the franchises addressing local concerns that their rights of way authority to control streets and roads would be weakened.

The legislation will become effective July 1 if signed by Governor Timothy M. Kane.

Indiana House Passes Telecom Bill
The Indiana House of Representatives has given final approval to a telecommunications deregulation bill, already approved by the State Senate, that would:

Deregulate basic, residential phone service by 2009, allowing telephone companies to set their own rates and eliminating rate oversight by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

Prohibit phone companies from charging customers for local phone calls by the minute.

Allow telephone companies to raise monthly rates by $1 each year until companies are deregulated in 2009. However, companies are required to offer broadband services to at least 50 percent of households in a local exchange area within 18 months of the company's first rate increase.

Award video programming contracts through a single statewide agency. Current legislation provides that cable and video service providers negotiate agreements with local municipalities.

Create a state program to help state residents who cannot afford basic local phone service.

Allow the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to collect and distribute quality of service information about telecom providers.

The bill will now be sent to Governor Mitch Daniels who has indicated he will sign it.

AT&T Yahoo! Go Mobile Enters the Market
AT&T, Cingular Wireless and Yahoo!, have made available an integrated service that gives consumers real-time access to Yahoo! Internet customized online content and services on a wireless phone. AT&T Yahoo! Go Mobile enables subscribers to access e-mail, photo albums, address book, calendar and instant messaging from their Yahoo! accounts via their mobile phones.

Subscribers will be able to pull up customized Yahoo! news, weather and sports. Information placed on Internet calendars and address books will be linked and accessible. If a user loses his mobile device, his saved contact information will still be available on the web and easily synched with a new mobile device.

"We're blurring the lines between the PC and the wireless phone so that consumers can stay in touch, check e-mail, get updates on news and weather -- minute to minute, day by day -- regardless of where they are or what screen they are watching," says Scott Helbing, chief marketing officer, AT&T Consumer.

AT&T Yahoo! Go Mobile is currently available on the Nokia 6682 phone and is being sold through the San Antonio-based AT&T's traditional 13-state territory.

Cingular Wireless Introduces OfficeReach
Cingular Wireless has introduced an integrated communications management solution that allows businesses to administer wireless and wireline services as one system.

The voice-based VPN, marketed as OfficeReach, allows business customers to manage their communications through a suite of tools including One Number Service, Customizable Call Management, Private Numbering Plan and Zone Billing. The product is integrated directly into the company's existing telephone network and uses a database-driven intelligent platform requiring no capital investment in PBX infrastructure.

OfficeReach offers features like a one number "find me/follow me" service that allows for employees to be reached at their desk, mobile phone, home or any location they specify, all by a single phone number. Up to three numbers may be selected that can be reached sequentially by a single number.

Customers can set up abbreviated dialing features so that employees can be reached at their desk or mobile phone via the same two-to-five digit extension.  Businesses can also establish single or multiple calling zones in which they enjoy special rating on both fixed and wireless service, and customizable call restrictions to reduce or eliminate unauthorized calls on company-owned wireless devices.

OfficeReach is available to businesses with a qualified Cingular Wireless business agreement and can be subscribed to as an entire suite or as individual elements based on organizational needs.

XOptions Flex Now Offered to Small and Midsize Businesses
XO Communications, Inc. announced enhancements to XOptions Flex that enable companies with up to 160 employees at each location to take advantage of this VoIP bundled service. XOptions Flex combines local and long distance calling, dedicated Internet access and web hosting for businesses for a flat monthly price.  XOptions Flex has more than 20 standard voice features for each phone line. Other features include unlimited local calling, unlimited inbound and outbound domestic long distance calling, call forwarding, three-way calling and voice mail.

Mid-sized companies can utilize XOptions Flex with their existing PBX or digital key systems that are connected to an Integrated Digital Services Network (ISDN) Primary Rate Interface (PRI) or digital trunk without having to replace their existing phone systems. It is delivered using the Cicso IAD2400 Series Integrated Access Devices. Avaya IP Office PBX system is certified to work with XOptions Flex.

The new enhancements are currently available in Chicago, Dallas, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Orlando, San Francisco, and Tampa/St. Petersburg/Sarasota.  The service will be available nationwide later this year.

AT&T Named Worlds Most Admired Telecom Company
Fortune magazine named AT&T, Inc. as the World's Most Admired Telecommunications Company which followed last week's announcement that Fortune had named AT&T as America's Most Admired Telecommunications Company. The company, formed in November when SBC acquired AT&T and adopted the AT&T name, has garnered the No. 1 spot on the World's and America's lists more than any other telecom company since rankings were first published.

Amdocs Receives Product of the Year Award
Amdocs IP Convergence Solution for IPTV was named "2005 Product of the Year" by INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine. The Amdocs IP Convergence Solution for IPTV incorporates the Amdocs billing, CRM, ordering, payment mediation, and self service products, combined with consulting and systems integration services. By integrating these products into one comprehensive solution, carriers can provide a seamless experience whether customers order video on demand through the on-screen interface or log a service complaint via the Web.

"The telecommunications industry is undergoing massive change as a result of convergence and consolidation," said Michael Matthews, chief marketing officer of Amdocs. "To compete, service providers need to transform themselves into entertainment and communications companies and introduce a variety of new IP-based services. To be successful in that transformation, communications service providers must create a customer experience that is intentional and consistent, building loyalty and customer profitability."

Verizon Wireless Maintains Low Churn Rate
For the fifth consecutive quarter Verizon Wireless leads in customer loyalty with the lowest customer churn rate in the industry.  Verizon Wireless reported its fourth quarter average monthly churn rate was 1.2%, repeating the industry record it set earlier in 2005.  Churn rates among other top national wireless carriers ranged between 2.1% and 2.9%.

Verizon Wireless serves 51.3 million voice and data customers nationwide.

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