Comcast Cable CEO Neil Smit secured a $5 million bonus as part of his new five-year employment agreement.

Light Reading is ringing in the New Year by offering up some practical resolutions that can help carriers and vendors better compete, make money and plan their strategic moves in 2015.

VNF, DevOps, IaaS and FTTdp are among the technology acronyms that came into increasingly common usage in 2014.

Communications service providers of all types need to figure out what role they will play in the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem.

ISP demonstrates the capabilities of its fiber network with the launch of a 10 Gbit/s service to select Minneapolis customers.

According to the IoTC, consumers are getting smart home info via word-of-mouth referrals and retail recommendations.

Comlink COO John Summersett discusses his company's eight-state fiber network from Light Reading's 2020 Vision Executive Summit.

The cable industry is embarking on its most ambitious effort ever to cut its energy consumption and associated costs

Drew Gilpin, head of sales and marketing at New Zealand telco Kordia, sees SDN as a way to achieve a more efficient use of capital.

We take a look back at some of the unique Gigabit Cities stories of 2014 and detail what to look forward to in the coming year.

In another world first, the South Korean operator flipped the switch on its tri-band LTE-Advanced network Monday, supported by Samsung's Galaxy Note 4 S-LTE.

The US Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan is allowing Aereo to auction off its assets as long as broadcasters agree to the terms of the final sale.

Analysts suggest existing Verizon supplier Ciena is favorite to win a 100G metro spot at Verizon, but several vendors are in the running.

AT the 2020 Vision Executive Summit, cloud guru Joe Weinman talks about the strategic advantages that a combination of networks and IT can now deliver.

We're expecting major news from the Service Provider IT (SPIT) fraternity next year.

CEO hopes to announce new telco customers in India in the coming year.

The past year validated our 2014 small cell movers and shakers list in a lot of ways, but it also saw several executives leave the small cell market, by choice or otherwise.

From the Sprint/T-mobile merger to net neutrality and the Cisco/Arista lawsuit, 2014 saw plenty of blunders for Light Reading's entertainment.

Software programmability, IP and optical integration, metro 100G and other key trends are worth watching in the transport sector in the coming year.

It's time to tally up the cable disappointments for 2014.

Network functions virtualization (NFV) management and orchestration (MANO) is still early in development and will come to market slowly.

Security in the cloud may not be the bugaboo that it's made out to be for mobile carriers.

Carrier continues gigabit network expansion, introducing a 1 Gbit/s service in 19 markets across four states.

In-home sensors report on seniors' well-being to caregiver remotely, allowing seniors to remain at home and independent longer.

Consortium that bought Nortel's patents, including Apple, Microsoft and Ericsson, has sold them to patent house RPX as its fight against Android comes to an end.

Amdocs CEO Eli Gelman talks data analytics, NFV, acquisitions and much more in an exclusive video interview.

Next year promises to see more product innovation and more implementations of the cable industry's Reference Design Kit software across the globe

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: KPN trials VoLTE; TeliaSonera's 4G takes over; Telefonica's fiber dominance in Spain.

EE's Director of Network Strategy David Salam discusses how data growth on its wireless network is driving business transformation and the move to 5G for the UK-based carrier.

The FAA has put out a holiday how-to video about the rules surrounding any shiny new drone for you get for Christmas.

'Disruptive' vendors, open source community and academia all play a role in helping major telecom operator reshape its internal culture, says exec

Australian operator to acquire subsea network and data center operator to boost its South-East Asia presence.

Google unveiled its first complete prototype car for fully autonomous driving, shortly after reports suggest it's building a version of Android specifically for cars.

Affirmed Networks is lending its NFV cloud to Elephant Talk's SDN software to make a fully virtualized evolved packet core for operators in Europe and the Middle East.

Congress and the FCC are shoring up their positions on net neutrality and the definition of a TV distributor before 2014 comes to a close.

Deployments of small cells, dominated by single-mode LTE indoor base stations, are set to ramp up in the new year.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Swedish M2M specialist being acquired by Sierra Wireless; BT takes its fiber to the basement; and Dutch FTTH operator reaches 2 million homes.

New streamlined methodologies for data processing, analysis and storage are needed for testing virtualized network functions.

Internet of Things networking protocol group Thread Group names UL its go-to outfit for IoT product testing.

Verizon quietly rolls out 200G on a single route, meeting its timetable and highlighting the next step beyond 100G.

The CEO and GM of Minnesota rural operator Paul Bunyan Communications discusses the company's 5,000-square-mile gigabit network rollout.

Acquisition of regional long-distance operator would add to Australian incumbent's international assets and deliver some SDN experience.

There's a whole lotta cramming going on as T-Mobile agrees to pay $90M for unjust billing practices, following AT&T's $105 million settlement and Sprint's ongoing lawsuit.

The Android M release is reportedly aimed at putting a Google OS in every dashboard.

Cox launches switch to all-digital service in its first market as it seeks to clear more bandwidth for faster broadband speeds, greater on-demand offerings and more video channels.

Google Fiber delays the planned deployment of its gigabit network in its next nine metro targets, as other gigabit hopefuls step up.

4K TV is so 2014. It's all about High-Dynamic Range (HDR) television for 2015.

The open source SDN organization has formed a dedicated team following disclosure of a serious security flaw that remained unaddressed for four months.

At the 2020 Vision Executive Summit, James Feger, VP, Network Strategy & Development at CenturyLink, talks about how the US operator is approaching virtual network functions from an operational and business case perspective.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Russian operators join forces on LTE; Ob3 satellites lift off; Deutsche Telekom takes extra mobile security measures.

Network operators have a unique opportunity to develop and profit from IoT-as-a-service propositions.

Maybe the point of Apple Global SIM goes beyond offering consumers a brief whiff of choice when using their shiny new iPad.

Barely beating its self-imposed year-end deadline, Comcast is introducing a 4K video streaming service for TV viewers, starting with select NBC and USA Network shows.

Steen Sorensen, VP of business services for Liberty Global, explains where the giant international MSO sees growth potential.

President Obama opened the door to American business in Cuba, including telcos.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Monsieur Iliad agrees to buy Orange Switzerland; UK government gets commitment on mobile coverage; Nokia Networks does Danish VoLTE.

The US Navy has a robot spy shark drone. Yep, you read that right.

In addition to adding IBM SoftLayer to its roster of hyper-scale cloud connections, Equinix Cloud Exchange now offers APIs for real-time turnup.

The AWS-3 auction now stands at $44.23B as new bids trickle in.

The Internet and mobile services company buys an ISP with hopes of adding gigabit services to its quiver.

Chief Network Officer John Saw celebrates the carrier's network milestones in 2014 as it prepares for another year in which many more improvements will be needed.

Deluxe adds 4K features and capabilities to its video-on-demand platform as it seeks to carve out a big role in the emerging market for UltraHD programming.

A tiny town in Iowa enters the Gigabit Cities fray through a public/private partnership.

BlackBerry and T-Mobile are considering kissing and making up, but only if their CEOs can get along.

Boingo and Time Warner Cable unveil a reciprocal Passpoint roaming agreement giving subscribers of both company's services seamless access to each other's WiFi hotspots.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: BT braced to battle regulator; Dixons Carphone underlying profits up; France explores 700MHz possibilities.

The Netdump security flaw, first reported in August, can allow an attacker to take over an SDN network.

There's a new plan for Australia's national broadband network (NBN) and it's good news for incumbent operator Telstra.

Support for both physical and virtual resources is important to carriers making the transition to NFV while supporting legacy physical assets.

Six vendors have successfully completed the first DOCSIS 3.1 interop test conducted by CableLabs.

Along with announcing Data Stash, its plan to let customers rollover unused data, T-Mobile shares updates about its LTE network progress and mentions plans for a 2G shutdown.

Andy Sutton, the principal network architect at UK mobile operator EE, explains how his company is using Wembley stadium as a wireless test bed and how that's helping EE to plan the evolution to 5G.

NBC is launching a live stream of its linear content online, but it will only be available to viewers who subscribe to a pay-TV package.

More pictures from Light Reading's 2020 Vision Executive Summit in Iceland.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: BT gets Sky Sports channels onto YouView boxes; Netflix rolls into Belgium; Ofcom's new boss.

Cloud enablement partnerships between traditional communications service providers and cloud specialists are set to proliferate in the coming years.

US Cellular's Mario Vela explains how the operator uses analytics for network planning and what comes next as the carrier looks to eke more value out of its metrics.

Technology guru John Donovan pledges to make AT&T's network 75% software-defined by 2020.

BT is in exclusive talks to acquire EE, the UK's largest mobile operator that is currently owned by Deutsche Telekom and Orange, for GB pound 12.5 billion.

Riverbed Technology ends a year of drama and acquisition offers by agreeing to be bought by a private equity firm and teachers pension plan.

Steve Rowley, SVP of Cox Business, details how the third-biggest US MSO intends to boost its revenues to $2 billion and beyond over the rest of the decade

Most of the tweeting about TV viewing still takes place around live programming.

The FCC has released a heavily redacted report on broadband subscriber counts both before and after the proposed deals among Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Charter.

T-Mobile meets its year-end goal of 27 wideband LTE markets with the addition of NYC and announces its next uncarrier shake-up is coming tomorrow.

The rise of virtualization shifts value from hardware to software but the business models for pricing that are far from clear.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Nokia Networks speeds up Sonera; Tele2 launches 4G in the Netherlands; Airtel sells off African towers.

Latest acquisition adds big data and analytics capabilities to both CenturyLink's cloud services portfolio and its IT services roster.

Vodafone has struck a deal with T-Mobile to serve multinational corporate customers in the US.

Board of directors allegedly wanted faster pace of change from one of the telecom industry's change pacesetters.

Cable operators reached $10 billion in annual business services revenues by delving deeper into their vertical markets and expanding beyond the smallest firms.

Japanese data center services specialist has expanded its flexible data center interconnection services to Hong Kong and Singapore.

The Internet of Everything will require analytics built into routers and other edge devices, says Cisco.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Ericsson in line for ZTE's Ethiopian business; SFR goes large on big data; Google in partial Russian pull-out.

Cisco introduced a suite of applications for carriers and enterprises designed to improve network operations, mobility, retail efficiency and more.

AT&T has expanded 4G voice-over-LTE services to parts of South Carolina and is promising more markets and interoperability work in 2015.

Telekom Austria's CTO is devising a training course that can help all of his company's staff prepare for the transition to NFV.

Consolidated Communications is the latest gigabit broadband player in the Kansas City market.

The FCC is reportedly close to approving a new rule that would extend the definition of a multichannel video programming distributor to include some over-the-top service providers.

But CEO Jayshree Ullal conceded one allegation in the lawsuit.

The optical vendor builds the case that success with a variety of network operator types, not just telcos, will lead to a strong 2015.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Vodafone signs small cells deployment deal with JCDecaux; Deutsche Telekom's IPO backlash; Sky's rethink on Now TV.

Cable business service provider is taking its services to the 'agribusiness' sector in partnership with farm equipment specialist John Deere and is getting involved in Gigabit Cities developments.

Communications service providers are looking to play an integral role in the M2M (machine-to-machine) value chain, but it's not easy.

AT&T has added three more names to the growing list of vendors engaged in its cloud/SDN/NFV program and reiterated that it expects its capex spend to go down as it build out its next-gen network.

Ciena will look to distance itself from carrier capex concerns as it reports fiscal fourth-quarter earnings.

Bay Area residents are suing Comcast over the cable company's home-based WiFi hotspots.

Hosting specialist's special mix of commercial technology and home-grown software allows its enterprise customers to mix-and-match cloud with bare metal servers.

Many US utility companies today are caught in a crisis of identity, progression and even purpose.

EOS+ is designed to allow network operators to use off-the-shelf and custom EOS apps to make networks more flexible.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Nokia opens mobile security center in Berlin; AlcaLu's new EMEA man; KPN cuts jobs in business unit.

TWC Business Services chief Phil Meeks explains how his unit has reached $3 billion in annual revenues and what its plans are for next year.

AT&T's Chief Security Officer Ed Amoroso explains how his company is wrapping virtual security layers around micro network domains.

Charter is turning off its last analog TV signals this week, bringing an end to its all-digital transition.

AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon shares all fall on concerns about the impact of holiday pricing deals in the US.

At the 2020 Vision Executive Summit in Iceland, unique Heavy Reading research shows that comms service providers are optimistic about the next five or so years.

It's good news for insight-seeking telecom execs but bad news for puffins as Light Reading's 2020 Vision executive summit hits town.

Verizon says promotional offers and high customers volume will hit at its wireless margins in Q4.

Security is the most important trend for future networks, according to Heavy Reading's 2020 Vision survey, but it requires organizational changes and a change in mindset.

The vendor adds support for OpenDaylight, OpenStack and other standards to its venerable SDN fabric.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: faster uploads in Finland; Altice agrees to buy Portugal Telecom; Swisscom buys IT company.

Finisar eyes the potential for consolidation in the optical components sector, with many believing JDSU's optical unit could be an M&A target for Finisar.

Huawei's latest R&D push on silicon photonics is a reminder that vendors still want to differentiate on hardware.

Speaking at Light Reading events, Christer Swartz cautions against trying the bolt-on security approach after-the-fact.

A select group of industry executives has gathered in Iceland to discuss the future of networks, services, skills, strategies and the role of service provider IT.

Comcast has unveiled a new Ethernet @Home service that extends Ethernet services over HFC lines to employees working at home.

Carrier acquires Canadian-based software firm, DataGardens, with which it had been partnering.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: TDC looks at Com Hem; Nokia speeds up TDD-FDD LTE; big-name BT shareholder happy with mobile plans.

Fixed broadband access specialist banks a new round of funding as standards-based products head to the market.

Light Reading's first 2020 Vision Executive Summit promises to be the 'Davos for telecom' -- but first, some pictures of the event's beautiful backdrop of Iceland.

Energy efficiency has long been vital to service providers because of its large and growing effect on their operating costs and earnings.

Interoperability testing expands for both the OPEN Alliance approach to single-pair Ethernet and what is likely to be new IEEE standards.

The lawsuits charge Arista ripped off Cisco features and documentation, then bragged about it.

Standard gets final approval, lining up a scrap for chip and system-level traction.

President Obama formally ended the CableCARD mandate by signing into law the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization (STELAR).

Verizon's early IoT efforts are focusing on enterprises in areas such as smart cities, energy and intelligent transportation.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: EU probe into Orange's Jazztel bid; 4G in Kenya; Belgacom makes a difference in Brussels.

The regulatory review clock resumes on the Comcast/Time Warner Cable and AT&T/DirecTV deals even as the public rhetoric heats up again over net neutrality concerns.

All four of the big US operators have changed their tune on iOTT messaging providers, blocking their services and demanding increased fees, HeyWire says.

The ETSI NFV Industry Specifications Group has met for the final time in its 'Phase 1' and has set some objectives for Phase 2.

Larger businesses and carrier services, including small cell backhaul, will get more attention in 2015, says SVP Steve Rowley.

Verizon is starting to refarm its PCS spectrum for LTE, but it will be a slow, gradual death for its 2G and 3G networks.

SDN can play a significant role in helping operators offload data traffic via WiFi.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: data privacy regulation debate; UK introduces Diverted Profits Tax; Finland cables up for data center market.

Scoring its first European win, Black Arrow strikes deal with largest UK cable operator to insert ads in on-demand, multiscreen video programming.

Luxembourg carrier Join Experience looks to network virtualization to provide its customers with flexible service.

Ericsson says data security must move beyond a perimeter-centric approach.

New Amdocs research suggests carrier-grade WiFi connections will jump from 14% of total WiFi hotspots today to 72% in 2018.

Carrier now using software-based security to 'shrink-wrap' micro-domains inside its broader network perimeter.

With network and device threats, infections and attacks all on the rise, Heavy Reading Chief Analyst Patrick Donegan urges mobile operators to boost spending on security measures.

The AWS-3 auction has pulled in more than double the total bids that the 700MHz auction did in 2008.

Ciena deepens its software strategy with offerings to help service providers sell VNFs on demand to enterprises.

Industry attention on 2.5GBit/s and 5Gbit/s Ethernet is heating up, but the emergence of two vendor groups, one boasting Brocade and the other Cisco, threatens to slow down interoperability.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Skype co-founder launches new multimedia-messaging app; Swisscom's network wins praise, and prize; Gulf contracts row.

China commits to private broadband networks – but with limits.

New Heavy Reading research shows that service providers still have work to do in improving order management for business services customers.

When it comes to Gigabit broadband, CenturyLink means business.

Sprint's promotion to halve the service pricing plans of those switching from AT&T or Verizon isn't as good as it seems when you factor in the new device requirements.

Time Warner Cable has passed the $3 billion mark for business services revenue in 2014.

Commercial services revenues are flowing for cable operators, but VIP customers in segments such as healthcare still need convincing that MSOs can deliver the business services they need.

UK mobile operator plans to reach connectivity-starved remote villages with wireless links that make use of its existing licensed spectrum assets.

Vendor will provide its dual-mode LTE small cell system for Verizon's enterprise customers and public venue deployments.

NTT DoCoMo loads up the crustacean cannon for a really blazing 4G ad.

'Networks are back!' is one of the key messages from Alcatel-Lucent CEO Michel Combes, who also talks about the vendor's financial rehabilitation.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Finland gets LTE in the 450MHz band; Sky prepares for possible M&A action; Millicom seeks new CEO.

Heavy Reading prediction kicks off annual New York event for cable business services sector that highlights continued market growth and success.

Video startup Layer3 TV has signed a deal to implement SeaChange's Nucleus video gateway software, which is built on top of RDK.

Vendor's rebranded mobile malware software, Motive Security Guardian, is now being offered in the cloud.

The soaring bids for the FCC's AWS-3 auction will likely impact its planned Incentive auction and carrier capex plans, among other things.

Bell Labs President Marcus Weldon, who is also Alcatel-Lucent CTO, talks about the network of 2020, the role of R&D and his recent brush with U2's Bono.

Alticast provided much of the software and systems integration work behind Videotron's new X8 multi-room DVR.

Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Altice confirms offer for Portugal Telecom; Orange tests three-carrier aggregation in Poland; AlcaLu's 400G job in Algeria.

Fast-growing cloud service platform providers such as AppDirect bring telcos closer to their business customers.