13 posts tagged “at&t”
Majority of Atlanta Businesses Concerned About Wireless Security Threats; 79 Percent Have Installed Protective Software
AT&T has announced that one-third (32 percent) of small businesses in the U.S. are unconcerned about wireless data security, and one in six (17 percent) small businesses that use wireless technology has taken no precautions against wireless threats, according to a survey conducted by AT&T.
But in Atlanta, wireless security is top of mind. Sixty-three percent of Atlanta business owners are concerned about wireless data security for their businesses, and 79 percent have already installed software, such as spam filters or anti-virus protection, to keep their businesses safe from wireless security threats. Nationally, less than three-quarters (73 percent) of small businesses that use wireless technology have installed
software, such as spam filters or anti-virus protection.
Even with wireless security as a major concern in Atlanta, less than one-fourth (23 percent) of businesses surveyed actually have an employee who handles wireless security as part of his or her job, and only 15 percent of businesses have hired an outside consultant to handle security. Atlanta businesses were the least likely among cities surveyed to hire an outside consultant or company, with the national average at 23 percent.
For information on digital products and services visit Broadband National.
On Monday night customers of AT&T in the south-east US with DSL were unable to connect to the internet, it has been reported.
A spokesman for AT&T has blamed the outage on an equipment problem and has said that AT&T has now rectified the glitch. Customers in the states of Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee were all affected by the outage. Dave Burstein, editor of the newsletter DSL Prime told the Associated Press: "Broadband goes down much more often than telephone lines because they didn't build the system for the same level of reliability.
"We do not know how often it happens, however, because they're not obligated to report it." If a network does not have a back up for its server, than one single error, such as a domain name disruption, can affect millions of users, Mr Burstein added.
For more information on DSL and other digital products and services visit Broadband National.
By using AT&T's new mobile banking platform, customers of the communication company will be able to carry out bank transactions using their cell phones.
Using the new application, you will be able to view your bank balance, transfer funds, pay bills and utilize a host of other useful functions. The cutting edge technology is to be pre-loaded on to new cell phones starting later this year. And soon one will be able to download the application off the internet onto 30 different models of phone.
Currently the only banking outfits participating in the scheme are Wachovia and Sun Trust. Mark Collins, vice president, Consumer Data, for AT&T, was quoted in TMCnet.com as saying: "The ability to perform banking functions using a wireless handset is attractive for people who need to make financial decisions on the go. "Value-added services such as mobile banking and payments to the mobile device are part of our ongoing strategy to enrich the customer experience."
For information on digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com
Communication giant AT&T and the Dave Mathews Band have joined forces to supply music fans ringtones.
The alliance will mark the first time that Dave Mathews Band tunes have been available to wireless customers. Initially only a few of the band's more popular songs will be available for download, but eventually songs from almost all their albums will be able to be accessed. Mark Collins, vice president of Consumer Data for AT&T's wireless unit, said: "Until now, Dave Matthews Band was one of the most searched for terms not found in our robust collection for ringtones on wireless phones.
"We are pleased to introduce the first ringtones from the world-renowned Dave Matthews Band to our customers." AT&T customers have the option to sign up for the carriers MEdia Club, where they can exchange credits for ringtones, graphics and games. Dave Mathews Band was formed in Virginia in 1991.
For information on digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com
In an effort to thwart hackers and resellers, Apple has announced that it will no longer accept cash for iPhones and that there will be a limit of two per customer. Previously the limit had been set at five iPhones per customer.
Some people have already acquired an iPhone so that they can "unlock" it so it can be used with other carriers besides AT&T, Apple has stated. A full 250,000, out of the 1.4 million iPhones sold so far, have been unlocked, according to Apple. Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris said: "Customer response to the iPhone has been off the charts and limiting iPhone sales to two per customer helps us ensure that there are enough iPhones for people who are shopping for themselves or buying a gift."
The internet auction site eBay is currently the site of a brisk trade in unlocked iPhones, which sell for an average of $600.
The internet music service Napster is soon to be available wirelessly through AT&T, it has been announced.
In early November users will be able to wirelessly access Napster's whole music library, consisting of more than five million songs. Though which devices will be able to access the service has not been announced, Apple's iPhone will definitely not be one of them. Mark Collins, vice president of consumer data for AT&T's wireless unit, said: "AT&T is the nationwide leader in mobile music and offers the largest catalog of songs, the most digital music choices and the best user experience in the industry.
"We are pleased to expand our relationship with Napster, an innovator in the digital music revolution." Napster was founded in 1999 in San Mateo, California by Shawn Fanning. It is now owned by the music service Roxio, which is a subsidiary of Sonic Solutions. For information on other digital products and services visit www.dsldance.com
Communications giant AT&T is focusing on developing new products for its disabled customers, the company has claimed.
Those with impaired vision or blindness are being targeted by two new products called Mobile Speak and Mobile Magnifier. To develop the products, AT&T worked with Code Factory, a developer of software solutions for the blind. Currently AT&T is getting advice from experts within the disabled community on designing further services to aid the visually impaired.
Paul Schroeder, vice president of programs and policy for the American Foundation for the Blind, said: "The partnership of companies such as Code Factory and AT&T bodes well for those in the disabled community, demonstrating that they have not forgotten the visually impaired demographic." Such companies are looking for fresh and "unorthodox" ways of extending their services to the disabled community, Mr Schroeder added.
Meanwhile, AT&T has added its support to the Federal Communication Commission's proposals for the auction of the 700 MHz spectrum auction, which would expand choice for those who use wireless.
For more information on digital products and services visit www.dsldance.com
Cable TV battles to heat up
Lawmakers OK bill that will widen franchise options
By JIM SAUNDERS
Tallahassee Bureau Chief
TALLAHASSEE -- With supporters saying more competition will drive down prices for consumers, Florida lawmakers passed a plan Monday that will help telephone companies get into the cable-television business.
The measure, which set off a lobbying war in the Capitol, will allow companies to get statewide cable franchises and avoid having to negotiate agreements with individual cities and counties.
Phone companies hope that will clear the way for them to compete with cable companies, which have entered local franchise agreements in the past and dominated markets.
The phone and cable industries fought about the issue for more than a year. But the bill passed Monday reflects a compromise that allows cable companies --- along with phone companies --- to get statewide franchises.
Officials of both industries said the bill is part of a major shift in which phone and cable companies will compete to sell "bundled" packages that include home-phone, cable, high-speed Internet and cell-phone services.
"We're entering an era of the battle of the bundles," said Steve Wilkerson, president of the Florida Cable Telecommunications Association, a cable-industry group.
To check for service availability go to www.dsldance.com
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
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
