broadband network

The race to provide ultrafast broadband is on.

Even as congressional Democrats discuss an opt-out provision for national health-care reform -- a move that undercuts the basic premise of President Obama's proposal, that real efficiencies can only be created when everyone is insured -- private interests are taking aim at the administration's proposal to impose a national broadband tax.

When it comes to broadband, we Americans are a bit like Maverick and Goose in Top Gun. We feel the need for speed -- download speed, that is. We cringe at reports that show average U.S. download speeds lagging behind those of other countries. Representative Rick Boucher [D-Va.], chairman of the House Communications, Technology & Internet Subcommittee, says that within the next five years, 80 percent of Americans should have access to broadband speeds that are more than ten times what we have today.

Netbooks have been a hit among laptop buyers because they're cheap and they're easy to carry. Now there's the option to pay a lot more and get a lot less -- a lot less weight, that is.

Sony's Vaio X is the runway model of netbooks: stylish, super-thin and without an ounce of weight to spare. It's expensive too: the base model is $1,300 at Sonystyle.com and Sony Style stores. The price is nearly four times as much as a standard netbook.

Verizon Wireless said it increased its early termination fee (ETF) last month to reflect the substantially higher costs and risks the company faces when subscribers buying heavily subsidized smartphones and other advanced mobile devices exit two-year contracts early. The wireless carrier also told the Federal Communications Commission on Friday that ETFs help promote the commission's goal of fostering greater adoption and use of mobile broadband services.

The rumored Barnes & Noble e-book reader is now reality. The bookseller on Tuesday announced its entry into an increasingly crowded market dominated by Amazon's Kindle.

Dubbed nook, the Barnes & Noble e-book reader runs on the Android mobile operating system. It's the first in the industry to offer a color touchscreen for navigation with access to a digital store that offers more than one million e-books, newspapers and magazines.

A "looming spectrum crisis" threatens the future of mobile networks in the U.S., Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski told a CTIA meeting Wednesday in San Diego, Calif. He said that while the short-term outlook for 4G networks is "adequate, the longer-term picture is very different."

Mobile data usage, the FCC chief said, is growing fast. He cited estimates that by 2013, mobile traffic will grow to 400 petabytes (one million gigabytes) per month from six petabytes today.

On Monday, Vonage launched a mobile calling application for smartphones. Dubbed Vonage Mobile, the free downloadable application offers smartphone users low-cost international calling over Wi-Fi or cellular networks. Vonage Mobile is available for the iPhone and BlackBerry.

Vonage estimates smartphone users can save more than 50 percent on calls to many countries, compared to current wireless carrier rates. Vonage is also pointing to convenience. Cost-conscious consumers can dial direct from the phone rather than using calling cards for lower international long-distance rates.

AT&T is investing $17 billion to $18 billion to speed up its wireless 3G network. The Texas-based carrier also said Wednesday that it will upgrade its 3G network starting this year and finishing in 2011.

HSPA 7.2 technology will be added to the network for a better user experience. Since offering 3G service in 350 U.S. metropolitan areas, AT&T has added more than twice the number of smartphone users as its competitors. The increased demand has resulted in complaints for the exclusive provider of Apple iPhone service in the U.S.

Hunting down a wireless Internet connection is priority No. 1 for many travelers. But while Wi-Fi hot spots are common at airports, hotels, coffeehouses and conference centers, it'd be way more convenient if a hot spot could somehow follow you around. And also be available to the family members, friends or colleagues hanging out with you.