Despite investing billions of dollars, Internet giants like Google and Facebook don’t have much to show for their broadband access projects, according to analysis from ABI Research. ABI estimates that $2.5 billion was invested in 2016 from the likes of Google and Facebook for last...Learn More

As Puerto Rico struggles to regain cell service in the wake of Hurricane Maria, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted an experimental license for Project Loon, led by Google’s parent company Alphabet, to help provide emergency wireless service in the U.S. territory. Project Loon...Learn More

Windstream today announced a broader range of connectivity options for its Cloud Connect service, which provides connectivity to major cloud service providers including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, IBM Bluemix, Google Cloud, Oracle Fast Connect and Salesforce. Among the new Windstream Cloud Connect options...Learn More

The market for wireless speakers enabled by virtual personal assistants is set to from $720 million last year to $3.52 billion in 2021, according to Gartner. “The market for VPA-enabled wireless speakers, such as the Amazon Echo devices and Google Home, is expanding rapidly with...Learn More

There are many small business benefits of rural broadband, argues ACT – The App Association in a well-researched blog post that cites numerous real-world examples of those benefits. ACT, an association of small technology firms, wrote the blog post to advocate for TV white spaces...Learn More

Roku streaming media players were owned and used by 37 percent of broadband homes in the United States as of the first quarter of the year, according to media player market share research from Parks Associates. Roku has extended its lead among streaming media players,...Learn More

The number of U.S. connected TV users will continue to grow at a double-digit rate this year, rising 10.1% from 2016’s level. Smart TVs actually connected to the Internet will be the single largest category, according to eMarketer. In sum, 168.1 million people in the...Learn More

More tough times at Google Fiber as Alphabet Access (parent of Google Fiber) CEO Gregory McCray has stepped down after only five months on the job. McCray was hired after a short stint by Craig Barret. These leadership changes come during a somewhat tumultuous time...Learn More

Google Fiber-owned Webpass is installing its first wireless symmetric gigabit Internet service in Seattle, management announced. The gigabit fixed wireless roll out, being carried out at a 40-story, 146-unit luxury condominium tower across from the world famous Pike Place Market, will mark the seventh market...Learn More

Even almighty Google is not immune to the skyrocketing costs of video programming, with news last week that Google Fiber video rates will rise by about one third. New customers to Google’s double play of gigabit broadband and video will now pay $160 per month,...Learn More

Smart home and digital consumer electronics developers are hard at work developing a new generation of smart devices, appliances, and equipment that rely on artificial intelligence (AI) to take the concept of personalization and digitally automated work and lifestyles to new heights, ReportLinker highlights in...Learn More

Amazon controls 70 percent of the fledgling U.S. market for voice controlled speakers, according to a new voice controlled speaker forecast from eMarketer. Furthermore, Amazon’s Echo will remain dominant as consumer uptake leaps higher this year, capturing a 70% voice controlled speaker market share. Google...Learn More