T-Mobile US targets Verizon Wireless with latest promotion
T-Mobile US is offering Verizon Wireless customers a two-week free trial on its network, with an offer to pay off outstanding contracts or termination fees up to $650 if the customer decides to stay with the “un-carrier.” T-Mobile US has been letting customers “test drive” its network since June with limited success, but this is the first time a specific rival has been targeted. Ironically, Verizon Wireless offered its own “test drive” eight years ago.
New York commits $70 million to broadband
New York Mayor Bill De Blasio said the city that never sleeps will spend $70 million over the next 10 years to connect all 8.5 million residents to broadband. De Blasio announced a 10-year technology plan for the city last month, but now has put some numbers on it. De Blasio’s OneNYC envisions both fixed and wireless connections, including a robust Wi-Fi network that will repurpose the city’s old pay phone booths.
Cisco taps new CEO, preps new cable equipment
Networking equipment giant Cisco said that Chuck Robbins will replace John Chambers as CEO, effective July 26. Robbins is a longtime Cisco veteran with a strong sales background. Chambers said that this is the “perfect time” for Robbins to assume the CEO position, noting that Cisco’s board has selected “a strong leader at a time when Cisco is in a very strong position.”
Cisco apparently thinks more cable business can make its position even stronger. The company is reportedly prepping a new cable box that will enable service providers to offer both video and broadband through one device.
Fight night: Twitter says it knocked out Periscope streams as fast as it could
Twitter’s livestreaming app Periscope is in trouble again after users streamed the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight that was supposed to be pay-per-view only. The same thing happened when HBO delivered the “Game of Thrones” premiere last month. This time, Twitter said it was ready. The social media giant said it was able to take down live streams of the fight within minutes of detection. The company said it received reports of 66 livestreams, and took down 30. No word on how many total users streamed the fight.
Dirtbox shift
The Wall Street Journal reports that the FBI has started asking for search warrants to use so-called “dirtboxes,” the devices that can locate people by tracking their mobile phones. In the past, government agents reportedly used the devices without warrants. The dirtboxes burst into the public consciousness several months ago when The Wall Street Journal revealed their presence on commercial aircraft.
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