Comcast and Netflix test out services that either add to or take away from the streaming experience.

Just as mobile providers have done, cable operators must find ways to target and serve individuals, rather than entire households.

Here's one person's view of what didn't go as expected this year.

Ciena, Finisar, and F5 Networks cited as potential winners as AT&T pushes vendors to get on board the SDN 'white box' train.

The latest FCC broadband report showed fixed broadband subscriptions still growing at the end of 2012, while mobile broadband rose rapidly.

Several WiFi-first MVNOs are relying on WiFi to do the heavy lifting and consumers to accept the trade-offs.

Verizon Terremark exec says partnerships with major enterprise app providers will help ease more enterprises into cloud-based offers.

New KnowMyApp.org tells consumers and developers how much data their favorite apps will consume.

SDN vendor Adara Networks, once the subject of M&A buzz, could be due for big news early in 2014.

A reader has spotted Verizon testing VoLTE as it prepares for 4G voice services in 2014.

SoftBank is reportedly plotting a $19B bid to take a majority stake in T-Mobile.

Cable's share of pay TV market revenues slides again in first half of year while telecom and satellite TV providers gain more ground.

You never can tell how people will react to ape-like cryptids.

Unicom has called for 4G equipment bids, but its approach is still very 3G-oriented.

The sports programmer holds a 48-hour hackathon for developers to come up with the best new sports app for 2014.

Cisco keeps lead in most video infrastructure market segments, but Arris pulls away in client hardware and software, according to new report.

For a senior networking executive at the UK's leading mobile operator EE, functions virtualization is not so appealing at the packet core, while proprietary tech is perfectly acceptable.

Head of wireless networks believes 2014 will be a major year for 4G voice deployments.

A TBR analyst says LTE-Advanced service from Verizon will start by yearend. Verizon tells us it is preparing next-gen features for its network, but it is staying mum on the timing.

TWC joins Comcast in offering cloud-based program guide to video customers, setting stage for other cloud-based services.

Mobli, a Mobile photo app startup, leads the mobile funding pack in November, Rutberg & Co reveals.

Even if Apple sees only modest iPhone sales in China, the move will likely give 4G LTE TDD (a.k.a. TD-LTE) technology a boost in 2014.

Alaskan cable and telecom provider GCI intends to launch 1 Gbit/s service in the Anchorage area by 2015.

Consumer electronics giant plans to introduce "finger gesture" controls for its new line of web-connected TV sets.

As numerous changes occur in the network, a shift to application-aware networking (AAN) will be an answer to the rising challenges.

New Heavy Reading report finds that the move towards virtualization means vendors have stricter requirements for DPI and analytics.

Chinese vendor says it's on course to meet its 2013 wireless infrastructure sales objectives and sets out its targets for 2014.

A Heavy Reading Insider report on application-aware networking finds the concept taking baby steps into carrier networks.

We run down the gently used wireless gear you just can't wait to pass along with holiday cheer this year.

Heavy Reading's Graham Finnie looks at how IMS and virtualization are similar -- and different -- in his LR University session on policy and SDN/NFV.

We highlight the service provider and vendor executives that are taking WiFi to the next level for communications service providers.

HKT becomes the biggest mobile player in Hong Kong with a $2.43 billion deal to buy CSL from Telstra - will further M&A follow?

Dynamic advertising insertion (DAI) is available in 30 million homes and expected to be in 40 million homes by the end of 2014.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: AlcaLu sells government-focused unit; French say oui to more data-snooping; Telefonica/E-Plus deal under scrutiny.

Another piece of the Shift Plan puzzle is put in place as Alcatel-Lucent agrees the sale of US federal-focused subsidiary.

That company aims to join the pay TV market by powering a service that would easily transfer online content to the TV set.

Hulu reveals new financial and customer figures indicating that it has become another major force in the quickly evolving pay TV market.

Second largest US MSO extends TV Everywhere reach to Amazon Kindle Fire tablets while also streaming more fare to Roku and Xbox 360 boxes and Samsung Smart TVs.

Using Cyan's Blue Planet SDN platform, regional carrier shows it can turn up virtual network resources along with virtual machines in datacenter.

We're already months into planning our 'Specs & Plugs & Rock & Roll' show, but there's still plenty of time to tell us what you'd like to see at The Big Telecom Event (BTE) in June 2014.

1 Mainstream seeks to make impact in pay-TV market by automating app creation, video streaming, and more.

Better mobile call quality has shown to drive longer call time.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: BT security guru exits; Telecom Italia board on tenterhooks; Swiss SPIT; Austrian LTE roaming.

Mindspeed is just one aspect of Intel's wireless push in the coming year.

A new innovation center announced last April in Silicon Valley intends to both serve and capitalize on US companies, particularly in the cloud.

Gigamon enhances its network visibility fabric to offer greater traffic intelligence for increasingly complex physical and virtual network environments.

Interactive TV vendor signs up Samsung, AMC Networks, and ReelzChannel for new national interactive TV ad platform.

The GSA says that 251 LTE networks have been launched around the world, with nearly half going live in 2013.

China, Japan, and Taiwan are the latest markets to further 4G's momentum.

Communications service providers (CSPs) are pursuing new monetization strategies in the policy management market.

Verizon's pay-TV upstart beats all other service providers to the punch by scoring a slot on the new Microsoft gaming console.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: ZTE loses out in German patents battle; TeliaSonera buys fiber; Etisalat bolsters BSS; brass-monkeys backhaul in Russia.

T-Mobile's thirst for low-band spectrum could be partially slaked with a Verizon 700MHz deal.

Dish will use Sprint 4G technology for a Texas fixed broadband trial in mid-2014 that, in theory, could deliver up to 60 Mbit/s downloads.

Video search and recommendation specialist expands cloud-based hosted recommendation solution for service providers and programmers.

Word on the street suggests Amdocs has two more acquisitions in the pipeline.

Sale allows AT&T to exit from a wireline footprint that no longer fits in with its long-term business ambitions.

What role will white space play in the mobile broadband explosion?

Cable's preferred smart home platform opens up to connected devices from other hardware makers.

Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) is predicted to grow tremendously through 2016.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Greater UK scrutiny for Huawei; EE strikes roaming deal with AT&T; M2M World Alliance makes its move.

Juniper is to acquire the network planning and optimization specialist for $60M.

Kemp Technologies makes a market share play by verifying its application delivery controller (ADC) load balancing software to run on Cisco Systems UCS-C servers.

A PE firm is said to be mulling a $3.3 billion bid for LightSquared, apparently betting that the L-Band spectrum will be worth more in the future.

The carrier announces 70 additional LTE markets as it looks ahead to a better 2014 and rumors swirl of a merger with T-Mobile.

Rival VDSL and fiber-optic CPE shipments are also growing rapidly, according to a new ABI report.

Vendor consortium earns first proof-of-concept approval from ETSI-sponsored carrier group, with Telefonica and Sprint as sponsors.

Policy management solutions are giving wireless and fixed line carriers options to help relieve data traffic.

Confirming Light Reading's report last month, Intel is buying Mindspeed's wireless assets, including the Picochip small cell team.

City's Market Street will be the first to get outdoor public WiFi hotspots, courtesy of the City of San Francisco and Ruckus Wireless.

Dan Templin, senior vice president at Mediacom Business, tells Light Reading's Dan Jones about the challenges and opportunities, including cellular backhaul, associated with the provision of services in rural US markets.

Complementing the self-organizing network with big data analytics will become a powerful tool to manage future networks.

The Internet of Things will spawn a new industry of supporting services.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Vodafone sued in Greece; Ericsson does 4G in Slovakia; BT Sport launch balls-up prompts wave of complaints.

Canoe's deal with Disney's ABC networks and Comcast's engagement with Nielsen signal some progress in the video-on-demand advertising sector.

At its financial analyst conference, Cisco tempers its long-term growth prospects but exudes confidence as it hammers home its SDN message.

Cablevision, Charter blast broadcasters for linking cloud DVR to Aereo case while Aereo urges the Supreme Court to settle issue.

Current President Steve Mollenkopf will take over as CEO in March; current CEO Paul Jacobs to stay on as chairman.

Sonus is buying network signaling platform specialist Performance Technologies to improve its portfolio for 4G LTE network operators.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: EU legal bigwig slams data retention directive; Telefonica's takeover of German KPN unit to be probed; major Russian mobile merger.

Michael Singer, associate vice president of mobile, cloud, and access management for AT&T's business solutions group, talks about the security challenges resulting from the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) trend.

The US operators have caved to FCC pressure and will notify their customers when they are eligible to unlock their devices and do so within two days of being asked.

Comcast-owned media publishing unit strikes deal with OTT provider Viaplay to deliver multiscreen video services in Scandinavia.

SMS-alternative app Kik reaches 100M customers as the operators continue to lose the war in messaging innovation.

The transport vendor exceeded sales expectations, but its earnings weren't up to scratch in its fiscal fourth quarter.

Big US telco requires Austin 1-Gig subscribers to share their web browser information with advertisers.

A cable exec admits he's never considered partnering with neighboring telcos on gigabit networks - should he?

Alcatel-Lucent has a 4G foot in the door at China Telecom and has cemented its role at China Mobile.

Startup populated by former Cisco, Juniper, and TiMetra execs has the tagline 'Networking Simplified!', suggesting a software-based approach to connectivity management.

An AT&T keynote address dominated the proceedings at this year's Mobile Network Security Strategies event in New York -- see who was there!

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Samsung placates EU on patents; Brits pay less for comms; Zayo provides fiber for SSE.

Comcast Business Services vice president John Guillaume explains to Light Reading's Sarah Reedy why voice is still such an important part of the cable operator's business services portfolio.

AT&T's 1-Gig fiber project in Austin is live now, but starts with 300 Mbit/s service and won't hit 1 Gbit/s until 2014.

As blizzards sweep across the northern hemisphere, let's have some fun with Antarctica...

The big consumer electronics maker becomes the latest vendor to sign a license agreement for cable's IP set-top software bundle.

Video encoding specialist displays "full frame rate" processing of 4K video in London as it preps for Winter Olympics in Sochi.

The company's new enteprise campus networking gear aims to build on the revolution around re-thinking datacenter architectures.

Small cities and towns that are craving gigabit speeds should start by talking to their cable operator, says Mediacom.

The uncarrier went from 0 LTE markets to nationwide coverage in 2013 and is turning its attention to faster speeds, expanded coverage in 2014.

MSO's Silicon Valley Innovation Center shows off product demos from Twitter and other tech partners.

Mike Wood of Verizon Enterprise Solutions talks to Light Reading's Carol Wilson about the role of identity management in security strategies.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Court upholds EU decision on Microsoft/Skype deal; Vodafone tests LTE-Advanced in Madrid; Keymile buys into smart grid smarts.

Would you consider pulling any of the following stunts if you thought you could get away with it?

Sprint's losing customers as it works through Network Vision, but CEO Dan Hesse promises it'll be worth it in the long run.

Sprint says its faster Spark LTE update is now largely complete in Chicago.

Sckipio unveils four initial investors as it gears up to support the first G.fast 1 Gig modems in 2014.

As acquisition fever rises in the cloud management market, telcos should take note and learn that repurposing existing back-office systems doesn't cut it in the cloud services world.

AT&T CEO says it will launch 1-Gig service on schedule in Austin, Texas, this week, beating Google Fiber to the punch.

Verizon CEO McAdam re-affirms to analysts that telco will not expand FiOS' fiber footprint further.

AT&T's chief security officer talks about the challenges facing network operators in an all-IP, 4G world.

NIST specialist worries about how intentional and unintentional GPS jamming could affect wireless networks and more.

Light Reading's cable expert Alan Breznick talks to Carol Wilson about the momentum in the cable business services market.

Also in today's regional roundup: Alcatel-Lucent wins optical deal in Brussels; Norway banks $290 million from spectrum auction; Swisscom buys unified comms specialist.

Pica8 announces an SDN Starter Kit to help IT pros conquer the complexities of initial SDN trials and projects.

With network operators considering numerous ways to protect their networks, customers, and services, Infoblox integrates security tools with its DSN server.

As the IT and web giants raise questions about personal data collection, communications service providers stay silent.

In its second recent deal, Verizon swings deal for EdgeCast as it continues to beef up Digital Media Services unit.

T-Mobile has started to switch on 2x20MHz 4G LTE service in parts of Dallas.

Carrier claims to be the first US operator to offer international LTE roaming through a partnership with Rogers in Canada.

Media reports suggest that Google could shortly debut a new game console that doesn't support live TV.

Also in today's regional news roundup: Vodafone unveils a brand engagement strategy, Etisalat expands the reach of its mobile commerce service, and Telenor lands an insurance deal.

Colorful animal imagery abounded at Light Reading's mobile security event Thursday.

Its acquisition by Marlin Equity Partners may be complete, but the Tellabs story doesn't look over yet.

While both types of unwanted mobile device apps are growing rapidly, an industry expert sees hope in virtualization trends.

Opinions vary, but operations outsourcing is one suggestion.

HP's director of cloud networking and SDN takes the chair of the ONF's Northbound Interfaces Working Group.

Update to smartphone app that splits the device into work and personal containers will give the device two separate phone numbers and two separate bills.

Usage data shows significant use of smartphone video app while users are on the move.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Alcatel-Lucent's financial recovery continues; Deutsche Telekom befriends Twitter; Mystery bidder wins spectrum in Norwegian auction.

Senior Editor Sarah Reedy and I discuss what operators are doing -- and saying -- about security in a 4G, virtualized world.

Infoblox's vice president of technology says operators need to fortify the DNS as attacks increase in number and sophistication.

Getting its disparate sales teams on the same page is an ongoing process, but it's helped the cable company better serve customers.

The FCC needs to create a Wireless Competition Task Force to promote greater wireless competition.

In which Light Reading learns some new initials: TDoS, or telephony denial of service, a future threat to 4G voice services.

We whipped out our camera at the New York City event and took a few snaps -- check out who was there!

Phil Meeks, COO and EVP at Time Warner Cable Business Services, explains how his company aims to attract new business.

Operator CSL has turned on its 4G voice capabilities - now it just needs some VoLTE-friendly devices.

Protecting customer privacy is a growing challenge for mobile service providers, and it is among the legion of security issues they face.

Talking at a Light Reading event, AT&T's chief security officer suggests that all-IP mobile networks and data in the cloud should keep operators on their toes about mobile security.

The video streaming startup Aereo will launch in the Baltimore metropolitan area on December 16.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Vodafone's Verizon stake sale gets the nod in US; Huawei in the UK; French government raps Iliad.

China issues 4G licenses for LTE TDD operations, but FDD will have to wait.

Huawei once more faces opposition in Washington to its business with an important US ally, South Korea.

Comcast calls voice a hot new technology for business customers, but it's not the UC features that are winning them over.

It's no longer any secret that MSOs want to mount, power, manage, and rent small cell services to mobile operators, but will 4G providers give up control of these new tiny radios?

Cable WiFi should be huge in the US by the end of 2014, experts say.

The cable business services market has been growing rapidly in recent years, and there's still room for further expansion.

New chief of Time Warner Cable's business services unit expects to double revenues in the next four to five years.

Policy and charging specialist Volubill finds a buyer for its assets after a troubled few months.

The chip company announced a third-generation processing platform as part of an effort to get its products into more telecom networking gear.

Comcast is trialing SIP trunking in three US markets and plans to take it nationwide by the end of 2014, an executive reveals in NYC.

SON startup grabs patents and a CEO as it eyes optimization for LTE in 2014.

Digitalsmiths report shows a large percentage of 'cord-cheating' pay-TV subscribers aren't buying VoD content from their pay-TV providers.

MSOs still have a lot of opportunity, however, especially among the very small and SMB set.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Twitter-tracker wins VC funding; ADVA lands 100G deal; dual-screen handset launches.

We're calling out the executives from across the globe who are talking a big game and making important progress in small cells.

One analyst sees reason for hope for Ixia amid lawsuit threats, a delayed SEC filing, and a troubling CEO exit.

First policy speech from new FCC chair supports competition first, but promises to protect "open" Internet and consumer rights to access.

In bid to boost VoD revenues, Comcast teams with Nielsen and networks to test new ad system for on-demand viewing.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Iliad adds 4G to the cut-price mix; US gives all-clear to Microsoft's Nokia buy; Firefox OS reaches Italy.

Here are five top 'consumer experiences' to, well, experience this holiday season.

Giant US MSO now deploys native IPv6 support to over 75% of its broadband network, with goal of reaching 100% by early 2014.

CloudNFV is being open about drawing on work of existing and new standards bodies -- are others building NFV this way?

Recently listed service provider IT specialist is the latest vendor to offer a virtualized session border controller for 4G players.

Amazon CEO stokes commercial drone debate suggesting that Amazon could be delivering packages with remote control aircraft by 2018.

Industry gossip has Sprint moving its HQ to California.

Facing financial challenges and a potential sale, Time Warner Cable, like other cable companies, is getting more imaginative with service bundles.

'Let us show them how to play the pipes of peace...' (McCartney, James)

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: eircom's revenues on the slide; DT cuts jobs at T-Systems; Niger cancels third of country's mobile numbers.

Canadian operator deploys IMS gear from Ericsson as it readies itself for 4G LTE services development.