Internet Advertising Not Enough For News Sources

News organizations in the U.S. are facing a worsening financial struggle as they look for alternative sources of revenue.

A new study from the Project for Excellence in Journalism, dubbed State of the News Media 2007 has found that the Internet has not garnered new sources for revenue as they had hoped. Internet advertising especially has not lived up to the high hopes that news organizations, especially newspapers, have held for it.

"The hope that Internet advertising will someday match what print and television now bring in appears to be vanishing," the study stated. Charging web users to access news is one possibility that could garner the extra income needed, the study suggests.

In the last few years, newspaper stocks have been steadily declining as consumers turn to other outlets to get their news. Newspaper analyst John Morton told Reuters that newspapers must invest more heavily in new technology and devising ways for it to pay off.

"What we have discovered is that newspapers have moved quicker than broadcast TV stations in adapting to the online video advertising marketplace," states Mark Weibel EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website. "Estimates are that the local online video advertising marketplace will reach $371 million this year or about 5% of total online ad spending. And that traditional media, especially newspapers are playing a significant role."

For more information on broadband Internet access as well as other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

EU Pressure On iTunes Grows

The EU Commissioner for Consumer Protection has recently condemned the relationship between iTunes and the iPod.

Meglena Kuneva told the magazine Focus that iTunes forces consumers to use the iPod rather than have a choice of mp3 players. The commissioner also called for more competitive pricing and sales contracts that were all uniform. Ms. Kuneva said: "Do you think it's fine that a CD plays in all CD players but that a song purchased from iTunes only plays in an iPod? I don't. Something has to change. " In the past France, Germany and Norway have all demanded that iTunes open up its online music store to other devices.

Last month, the chief executive of Apple, Steve Jobs, said: "Those unhappy with the current situation should redirect their energies towards persuading the music companies to sell their music DRM-free. "For Europeans, two and a half of the big four music companies are located right in their backyard."

"Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a controversial topic. Advocates argue DRM is necessary for copyright holders to prevent unauthorized duplication of their work to ensure continued revenue streams." states Mark Weibel EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website. "Some critics of the technology, including the Free Software Foundation, suggest that the use of the word "Rights" is misleading and suggest that people instead use the term Digital Restrictions Management."

For more information on broadband Internet access as well as other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

U.S. Still Number One In Online Audience

The U.S. has more people online than any other nation on earth, according to a recent survey.

However, last year the population of Internet users increased the most in India, Russia and China, the survey by comScore Networks shows. There are now 747 million Internet users over 15 years of age around the globe, the wide-ranging survey found.

Bob Ivins, managing director of comScore Europe, said: "The importance of the worldwide internet population continues to grow. "Internet users outside the U.S. now account for 80 percent of the world's online population, with rapidly developing countries experiencing double-digit growth rates year-over- year."

The Canadians spend the most time online, the survey found, averaging 39.6 hours per month online. Israel, South Korea, the U.S. and the UK follow Canada as the users that spend the most time online. These countries all have extremely high broadband penetration rates, which account for the longer time spent online, the survey found.

Meanwhile, Telephony Online has recently discovered that the U.S. is not among the top ten countries with the most Internet protocol television (IPTV) subscriptions. With 896,000 IPTV subscribers, France tops the list of countries with the most IPTV subscriptions, a new report from the marketing researcher Dittberner has found.

"We're seeing tremendous growth in all areas of digital products and services," states Mark Weibel EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website. "As providers expand and upgrade their networks the user base continues to expand."

For more information on high-speed broadband access visit www.broadbandnational.com

AT&T Integrates Homezone Service

As part of the company's ongoing efforts to deliver media through the PC, TV and wireless phone, AT&T have debuted the Homezone service.

Using the service, customers can control their television recordings via their wireless handsets. AT&T also claims to have widely expanded the service's content via the Internet to include multiple new program titles.

Rick Welday, chief marketing officer for AT&T Consumer, said: "When consumers think TV, we want them to think AT&T and compelling features, like wireless remote access and thousands of downloadable titles, give us an entertainment service that goes beyond others on the market today." Homezone also lets users look at listings as well as set off video-on-demand downloads, the only service that offers this capability.

Users' can also take advantage of Akimbo, one of the largest video-on-demand services in the U.S., with over 15,000 titles. And Akimbo adds over 150 new titles to its library every week. Meanwhile, AT&T has announced a major expansion of its worldwide Wi-Fi hotspots for business customers. Up to 13,000 new hotspots, available to AT&T Remote Access customers, will be added at hotels, restaurants and airports worldwide.

"We’re seeing growth spurred by the introduction and sale of hardware devices that can convert videos downloaded from the Internet into signals that can be played on high definition television sets," states Mark Weibel EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website.

For more information on wireless networks and other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

Joost To Offer JumpTV Programs

Joost To Offer JumpTV Programs

New Internet television outfit Joost has announced that it has forged a deal to offer content from JumpTV over the Internet.

Under the agreement, Joost will be able to offer Spanish-language programming from Chile, Peru and Colombia, in addition to Arabic-language shows. JumpTV is the world's most prolific broadcaster of ethnic television over the Internet and its content library features programming in Spanish, Arabic, Romanian, Turkish, Russian and Bengali.

Kaleil Isaza Tuzman, president and chief executive officer at JumpTV International, said: "We see Joost as a unique and important distribution/programming partner. Like us, the Joost team innately understands the power of viral, high-affinity long-tail content - for example, JumpTV's ethnic TV programming. Because of the high success rate of its founders Joost could completely transform online television, added Mr. Tuzman. Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis, the duo behind the highly successful Internet phone company Skype, founded Joost.

"The target audience would be expatriates and ethnic audiences interested in watching TV from their homelands," states Mark Weibel EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website. "The news that online TV platform Joost will be adding more programs to its growing inventory of TV shows with international YV program distributor JumpTV has surely had the media buzzing with speculation of its growing threat to YouTube."

For more information on broadband Internet access as well as other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

Video Game Soundtracks To Be Sold On iTunes

Electronic Arts (EA) has announced that it will be selling music from its most popular video games on iTunes.

Soundtracks from the biggest-selling games will be available, including those from such titles as Madden NFL and Burnout. Music from Need for Speed will also be sold, including the infamous Snoop Dogg remix of The Doors' classic Riders on the Storm.

Steve Schnur, worldwide executive of music and marketing at EA, commented: "Our game soundtracks have now officially transcended their consoles. "All songs, all mixes and all exclusives from all nations: if it’s in the game, it's now available for fans to own. We consider this to be the next major step in evolving the music discovery experience." The EA website gets more than six million hits per month, with songs, scores, beats and ringtones to be made available in coming weeks.

"The iTunes Music Store is the perfect platform for videogame soundtrack sales," states Mark Weibel EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website. "The collection available on iTunes will span music from the sounds of the first available consoles to the latest orchestral compositions."

For more information on online gaming as well as other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

18 Million U.S. Fiber Subscribers By 2011

The three million U.S. subscribers with home fiber links in 2007 will skyrocket to 18 million by the year 2011, according to recent research.

Over the next five years the amount of fiber subscriptions will rise to rival cable and DSL connections, a report from Parks Associates has shown. A combination of telecom companies pushing the connections and consumer demand for new information and video services will see use of fiber lines rise exponentially, the report states.

"While fiber is a small percentage of total US broadband household subscriptions today, it will achieve a faster growth rate than DSL and cable did after their inception," said research analyst Chris Roden. Large communication companies like Verizon and AT&T are intending to beat the broadband deals offered by cable companies and their plans to improve their copper networks, added Mr. Roden. Additionally, rising consumer demand for bundled services including IPTV and video-on-demand are also pushing the demand for fiber links, the Parks Associates report stated.

"An intensely competitive communications market is making deployment of new services, like IPTV, a critical objective for many service providers," states Mark Weibel EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website, "But service structure and payment models used to deliver IPTV vary widely by region and service provider."

For more information on broadband Internet access as well as other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

NHL Planning To Broadcast Live Games Over Broadband

The National Hockey League (NHL) could soon be streaming live games over broadband, it has announced.


According to Keith Ritter, president of NHL Interactive Cyber Enterprises, the league's satellite and cable package could be available to high-speed Internet users before the end of the season. He said that the NHL wants to ensure the broadband package is secure in order to protect broadcast partners Versus, NBC and the regional sports networks, reports Multichannel news.


"We've been testing it, but our primary concern is the security of the gating and the ability to make sure our broadcast partners are protected," Mr. Ritter said. "So far, the test is going very well, and I'm hopeful that we'll be able to offer it in the not-too-distant future." Established in 1917 with five teams, the NHL has now grown to 30 teams. The majority is based in the U.S., although there is a small presence in Canada.


National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball and ESPN already offer broadband packages, states Mark Weibel EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website. "It's our understanding that NHL will charge a fee for the service but an exact cost has not been determined yet"


For more information on high-speed broadband and other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

Fast Internet For Fast Food

When grabbing a bite to eat, business professionals increasingly want a high-speed Internet connection with their fast food, companies believe.

Marriot, Starbucks and Panera Bread are among brands that have promoted themselves as places where business people can expect to connect to wireless Internet while on the go. In response to this growing trend, Indianapolis-based firm eWireless is unveiling its brand of remotely managed, "no-hassle" Wi-Fi hotspots to members across the state.

Henry Kurkowski, vice president of business development for eWireless, said that the company was looking forward to working with The Restaurant & Hospitality Association of Indiana to ensure that members receive the service. "With our managed Wi-Fi in place, restaurateurs will not only be able to offer their customers free Wi-Fi access, but we would be able to connect their patrons with targeted information, track repeat visits, track length of stay and gain an advantage over their competitors who may not have such an amenity to offer," he added.

eWireless claims that its remotely managed equipment offers a reliable wireless Internet solution that allows restaurant workers to concentrate on the core affairs of running their business. As the mobile consumer market grows, laptops continue to outsell desktops in the US, according to Mr. Kurkowski.

These wireless 'Hotspot' are quickly becoming the norm for not only restaurants but gyms, country clubs and just about anywhere else that people congregate," states Mark Weibel EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website. "They are easily incorporated into a business and are completely customizable"

For more information on broadband Internet access as well as other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

Rockefeller Looks To Safeguard Broadband Discounts

Senator Jay Rockefeller is proposing legislation to safeguard federal discounts for broadband Internet provision at schools.

The senator wants to keep the program, called E-rate, exempt from new government regulations, which state that discounts cannot be handed out to schools unless the federal government has the equivalent value as cash in hand. Mr. Rockefeller is making the calls after a report released on Capitol Hill on Wednesday showed that since 1998, the program has paid for about $18.8 billion worth of discounts on internet and communications services for schools.

Joining others who have expressed concerns, Mr. Rockefeller is saying that since the program is based on forecast federal income, a requirement needing money in hand would seriously jeopardize the extent of the program's reach. Paid for by several major telecommunications companies, including AT&T, Verizon and Cox Communications, the report shows Internet access in public school classrooms grew from 14 per cent in 1996 to 95 percent in 2005. In addition, more than 90 per cent of classrooms in rural, high-minority or low-income districts now have Internet access, up from below ten per cent in 1996.

"The types of services and products eligible for E-rate discounts fall into four broad categories. These are telecommunication services, internet access, internal connections, and basic maintenance," states Mark Weibel EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website. "Also, if the applicant is requesting service for Internet access or internal connections, the applicant will be required to comply with the Children's Internet Protection Act."

For more information on broadband Internet access as well as other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

Real-time VoIP security for INSI clients

A leading business VoIP solutions provider has teamed up with a VoIP security firm in order to expand the market presence of both parties.

INSI has partnered with Sipera Systems in a move that will enable customers to access comprehensive VoIP security solutions for all-encompassing, real-time, unified communications. Sipera's comprehensive approach to VoIP security was praised by INSI, especially as it means that enterprise networks will be protected from service abuse including DoS/DDoS floods, fuzzing, stealth and VoIP spam, in real-time.

"We believe secure, corporate communications is crucial to ongoing business operations," said INSI chief Lloyd Rochon. "Sipera IPCS products extend beyond existing security products to combine VoIP VPN, firewall/SBC, intrusion prevention, anti-spam and compliance functionality in a single device."

According to ABI Research, there will be over 267 million VoIP subscribers worldwide in 2012, compared with 38 million last year.

"You also want to make certain that you have intelligent IPS deployed between VoIP gateways and near your call manager," states Mark Weibel EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website. "This is a key area of attack that contains a lot if not all of a companies critical information."

For more information on VoIP and other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

SMB Demand A Unique Opportunity For VoIP Firms

Internet telephony pioneer Texas Instruments has claimed that the market for delivering VoIP to small and medium businesses (SMB) is ready to expand.

As the number of businesses turning to VoIP increases, manufacturers and service providers have a "unique opportunity" to deliver advanced products, it said. Although SMBs are in a position to reach a wider audience thanks to broadband, prohibitive long-distance telephone costs have limited their ability to offer the best services.

"Now, however, with the cost-savings and rapid availability of VoIP, SMBs can reach out to customers multi-nationally and globally like never before," said Texas Instruments in a statement. The firm said that VoIP products for SMBs "must be easy-to-use and affordable, while offering the features and quality expected in traditional phone systems and an added layer of security to protect critical business resources". Earlier this month, AMI-Partners said that SMBS are likely to drive further growth in the broadband VoIP market.

"Small businesses are increasingly choosing VoIP hosted business phone packages instead of conventional telephone systems. VoIP can mean a lot more than just savings to a small business," states Mark Weibel EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website. "The greater versatility of hosted VoIP allows each business to tailor a telecommunications package, regardless of geography, specifically to meet its needs without spending heavily on equipment, installation, maintenance or an IT staff."

For more information on how your small or medium sized business can take advantage of VoIP technology visit www.broadbandnational.com

Skype Teams With Nokia To Provide Broadband Calling Experiehttp://www2.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifnce

Popular Internet calling service Skype has joined with Nokia to develop a new mobile calling function. Announced at the consumer electronics show in Las Vegas, the collaboration basically consists of making Skype mobile on the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet. As long as there is a wireless Internet connection available, customers can use Skype wherever they so choose, under the new service.

Ari Virtanen, vice president, convergence products at Nokia, said: "Skype is the recognized leader of internet communications with over 136 million registered users worldwide. "Nokia's new N800 Internet Tablet is designed for mobile Internet. Together, we can develop communications devices beyond expectations." The Nokia N800 is to become available sometime in the first half of 2007.

Meanwhile, special software has been developed as an add-on for Skype, which can tell whether a person is lying. The software analyzes the voice stream of the person and shows their stress levels to the user. Skype is currently the most widely used Internet communication service and is available in 28 languages. Users of Skype can avail themselves of free voice, video and instant messaging over the Internet.

"Digital voice is one of the fastest growing broadband services," states Mark Weibel, EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, the industries leading comparative shopping website. For more information on VoIP and digital voice visit www.broadbandnational.com

Next Generation Wireless For Washington

Verizon is rolling-out its new wireless network to customers in greater Washington, the District of Columbia, Baltimore, North Virginia and Maryland.

Residents will now be able to enjoy even faster download and upload speeds thanks to developments in its CDMA 1x Evolution-Data Optimized Revision A technology. Furthermore, the company's flagship business service, BroadbandAccess, offers average download speeds of 450-800 kbps and average upload speeds of 300-400 kbps.

Verizon Wireless regional president Tami Erwin said: "Our existing wireless broadband network has enabled customers to work remotely and stay entertained in unprecedented ways. "Now we're taking wireless to the next level by introducing technology that helps them send data from their mobile devices even faster." Verizon is also planning to implement the same technology to customers in Illinois. T J Fox, president of the Illinois division, said customers "will applaud" Revision A's faster data uplink speeds.

"Future broadband products and services will benefit greatly from these added speeds," states Mark Weibel, EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website. "This will aid in the expansion of future applications that businesses and consumers require."

For more information on VoIP and other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

City To Get Wi-Fi Technology

AT&T has announced that it is to roll out its wireless broadband network to the city of Napa, California.

The company will deploy the wi-fi technology, which will allow residents and businesses to access the network anywhere in the city. Users will be able to choose from several connectivity options, including higher-speed access tiers or a free, advertising supported access choice.

A parallel system is to also be installed to support municipal and public safety communications requirements. This means that communications for public sector workers and emergency service vehicles will be improved. For example, ambulance crews rushing to the scene of an accident can have information such as medical records transmitted to them instantly.

Commander Jeff Troendly, from the Napa Police Department, said: "This city Wi-Fi network will increase broadband Internet choices within the city and provide new dimensions of mobility for broadband users in Napa." He added that the project would enhance quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors.

This new Wi-Fi network will open up a new world of digital products and services for the citizens of the bay area", states Mark Weibel, EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, the industries leading comparative shopping website. "They'll also reap the benefits of faster download speeds, and access anywhere, anytime, 24 hours a day".

For more information on broadband and other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

Restaurant Chain Offers Wi-Fi Access

A restaurant chain is to offer complimentary wireless Internet access at all its outlets across the country.

Daytime diner First Watch Restaurants is rolling out the technology after finding that more than one in ten customers consider WiFi Internet access as a factor in choosing one cafe instead of another. The system has been designed to be user-friendly and easy to access without complicated login processes. Chris Tomasso, chief marketing officer at the company, stated that the Wi-Fi systems would enhance the overall experience for guests and encourage more frequent visits. He said: "First Watch already appeals widely to the business community and is the frequent recipient of 'Best Power Breakfast' accolades and recognition.

"Complimentary Wi-Fi internet access will only enhance the relationship with this audience." The chain is currently planning to open more than 15 new restaurants throughout the year, which will all be equipped with Wi-Fi.

"The Internet has become completely intertwined with our daily lives," states Mark Weibel, EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website. " Now you're able to access email, instant messaging, social networks, or download music, news and video almost anywhere there is a broadband connection."

For more information on Wi-Fi Internet access as well as other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

Recording Industry Tackles Illegal Downloads

Recording industry groups have announced a crackdown on illegal music downloading in universities.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has complained to a number of universities across the US and has called on them to take action against the offending students. While it is possible to identify which computer is being used, the RIAA does not know which individuals are illegally downloading copyrighted material.

Jonathan Lamy, a spokesman for the RIAA, said: "We know piracy is most acute on campuses. "Students have high-speed access and have more time than money." The RIAA wants universities to take action against those who illegally download music through various means, such as forcing them to watch an educational video on piracy.

It has also suggested that universities revoke students' rights to use computers on campus if they are found to be downloading unlawfully. In the past year, the number of complaints sent out by the RIAA has increased three-fold to 15,000.

"Illegal downloading is certainly not a new story," states Mark Weibel EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website. "People must remember that along with your music, you are most likely downloading hundreds of nasty viruses that will cripple your PC. They embed themselves right in the music files and begin to go to work damaging your PC while you listen to the music."

For more information on music downloads and other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

Online TV Download Market Set To Grow

Online TV Download Market Set To Grow

Multimedia providers have been advised to consider testing out the Internet television download market.

Adams Media Research estimated that annual consumer spending on video downloads via the Internet would reach $4.1 billion dollars by 2011. Last year, the Internet TV download market generated revenues totaling $111 million. Tom Adams, president of Adams Media Research, commented: "The internet is going to revolutionize the distribution of video."

The firm believes that the release of new products from names such as Wal-Mart, Apple and Amazon could result in a dramatic increase in consumer spending on downloads. These companies already offer consumers the chance to download premium movie and TV content.

Adams Media Research stated that new devices to download and view high-definition content will also play a part in boosting the sector, as many consumers will want to be able to purchase the latest gadgets.

"Most likely you'll see the growth spurred by the introduction and sale of hardware devices that can convert videos downloaded from the Internet into signals that can be played on high definition television sets," states Mark Weibel EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website.

For more information on wireless networks and other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

Online TV Download Market Set To Grow

Online TV Download Market Set To Grow

Multimedia providers have been advised to consider testing out the Internet television download market.

Adams Media Research estimated that annual consumer spending on video downloads via the Internet would reach $4.1 billion dollars by 2011. Last year, the Internet TV download market generated revenues totaling $111 million. Tom Adams, president of Adams Media Research, commented: "The internet is going to revolutionize the distribution of video."

The firm believes that the release of new products from names such as Wal-Mart, Apple and Amazon could result in a dramatic increase in consumer spending on downloads. These companies already offer consumers the chance to download premium movie and TV content.

Adams Media Research stated that new devices to download and view high-definition content will also play a part in boosting the sector, as many consumers will want to be able to purchase the latest gadgets.

"Most likely you'll see the growth spurred by the introduction and sale of hardware devices that can convert videos downloaded from the Internet into signals that can be played on high definition television sets," states Mark Weibel EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website.

For more information on wireless networks and other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

Vonage Could Sell Broadband

Vonage could be set to diversify into wireless Internet and broadband access, according to Business Week magazine.

The publication has fuelled speculation that the VoIP provider will move into the wider communications field after the firm announced it would start reselling other carriers' wireless services. Analysts in Business Week believe that this could be taken further and that Vonage will start offering services under its own name and with its own content. This, it said, would give the firm a better chance at being more profitable.

It continued: "Rival (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) that already use other carriers' networks to market wireless services under their own brands have been steadily making gains selling to youth and young professionals." Business Week cited Virgin Mobile USA and Helio as examples of firms that have made profits by selling wireless services under their own names.

The magazine suggested that since Vonage caters to the same market of young, early adopters of the latest technology, it could benefit from a similar strategy.

"Millions of consumers use our website because we're totally unbiased and offer them the best possible deal, no matter what product or service they need," states Mark Weibel EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website. "Our platform instantly searches over 50 national providers and provides the user with multiple pricing options for their area of the country."

For more information on high-speed Internet connectivity, VoIP phones and other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

South Carolina To Get Free Wireless Broadband

A House resolution in South Carolina regarding plans to give residents and businesses free broadband access has been approved.

The South Carolina Wireless Technology and Communications Commission will now implement a wireless network across the state and will assess any feasibility issues, reports Greenville Online.

South Carolina will be the first state to have statewide wireless broadband Internet, said Greenville Rep Dwight Loftis, who was behind the proposal.

"Creating a wireless cloud over our state would be a step in the right direction in continuing to move South Carolina toward a knowledge-based economy," said state House speaker Bobby Harrell. The state already owns Internet infrastructure and will work with private Internet providers, which could charge if users wants faster speeds. According to ABI research, the number of broadband subscribers across the country is expected to climb by nine per cent every year for the next five years.

"The idea is to leverage the state infrastructure and work with private Internet providers, states Mark Weibel EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website. "A basic level of service would be free inside the state, but the providers would still charge fees for faster speeds and other add-on services."

For more information on wireless networks and other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

TV Network Sites Uninteresting And Out Dated

Although television companies are streaming content over the Internet and broadband video is proving a hit with consumers, TV network sites are failing to live up to the standards of more interactive sites, a new study has said.

According to an industry report by Broadband Directions, TV network sites are less interesting because they fail to engage the user and are much less attractive than popular file-sharing sites.

Other problems likely to divert traffic away from these sites are out-of-date videos and promotional clips and their inability to upload video, download clips to portable media players and create personalized playlists.

Broadband Directions has said that TV stations need to realize that online video is not merely promotional but is a self-sufficient medium, reports MediaPost Communications. "Most networks still have not embraced the value of building out robust, deeply interactive, short-form clip properties," the report said. "The most common interactive element we found was the ability to email the clip along to a friend."

Broadband Direction's report follows a warning from Google that the Internet is not capable of supporting TV broadcasts and that the popularity of services like YouTube could bring the infrastructure down.

"If networks want to broadcast, interact and engage viewers over the Internet there needs to be a serious upgrade and build out of existing networks", states Mark Weibel, EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website. "The high data transfer rates required for such interaction is why fiber to the premises (FTTP), also called fiber to the home (FTTH) is the preferred technology that many providers are already intorducing."

For more information on IPTV and other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

Costs Prevent Young People From Downloading On Phones

Many young people are not downloading music on their cell phones because of the associated cost, according to a new report.

A survey of youngsters in the UK found that around half pay for downloading music, but are deterred from doing so on their cell phones as it is more expensive. Although the study by Q Research found that three-quarters like to listen to music on their phone, 97 per cent actually download on their computers.

Dr Liz Nelson, chairman of Q Research, commented: "This survey shows that while there is already a very buoyant market for paying for MP3 files from the internet among young people, they are very aware of the cost of downloading files to their phones." She added that many young people are also opposed to watching video or receiving video ads to their mobiles because of the cost. The company has urged mobile operators to understand the attitudes of younger people if they intend to keep rolling out new services, such as social networking, advertising and music.

"Cost is most definitely an issue when it comes to downloading MP3 and video files," states Mark Weibel, EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website. "We've been successful in integrating providers with special offers from music and video producers to help offset these associated costs."

For more information on MP3 and video files as well as other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

U.S. Could Do More To Boost Broadband Penetration

The U.S. still has more work to do to boost broadband penetration across the country, according to industry experts.

Mark Milliman, principal consultant at Inphotonics Research, wrote on the Seeking Alpha website that the U.S. still has a long way to go to make broadband a mainstay in domestic homes.

He stated that proportionally, the U.S. is still lagging behind other countries with its broadband penetration, as there is a greater take-up in places such as the UK, Denmark and Canada. Mr. Milliman added that the U.S. still lags behind some countries in terms of its number of fiber connections, as it has just over 500,000 compared to more than six million in Japan.

The comments came in response to research by Parks Associates, which predicted that residential broadband penetration would exceed 50 percent before the end of the year. This means that more than 60 million people will live in broadband-enabled households.

"Providers are well aware that fiber to the premises (FTTP), also called fiber to the home (FTTH) is the future of broadband," states Mark Weibel, EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website. "We're already seeing implementation of the technology. A good example of which is Verizon's new FiOS Internet service."

For more information on high-speed Internet connectivity and other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

VoIP Is Evolving

Voice over Internet technology (VoIP) is constantly evolving, according to the head of a technology firm.

Dan Hoffman, chief executive of M5 Networks, stated that VoIP technology is still changing and developing in order to meet consumer expectations. Speaking to the Daily Herald, Mr. Hoffman compared newer forms of VoIP technology to the difference between TiVo and a VCR. He said, "With the VCR, you have to do everything that's needed to record a show, click the buttons and insert the tape. "With TiVo, it was one click - we're that one click."

Since the systems are now improving and offering better sound quality and ease of use, more service providers are marketing the technology, including Skype and AT&T. M5 Networks has also entered the market and provides all the hardware, software and maintenance necessary to operate the systems, which allows consumers to avoid dealing with different providers.

"Soon you'll see VoIP and other types of IP communications being embedded directly into business software," states Mark Weibel, EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website. "This will aid in the expansion of future applications that businesses require."

For more information on VoIP and other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com