Phil Britt, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

Precision Agriculture Bill Would Promote Broadband on Farm Land

1 week ago | telecompetitor.com | Phil Britt

Rural broadband would get a boost if a precision agriculture bill introduced in the Senate were to become adopted.
T-Mobile Demo Shows 550 Mbps Uplink Speed in Sub-6 GHz Spectrum

1 week ago | telecompetitor.com | Phil Britt

T-Mobile said yesterday that it had achieved a 550 Mbps uplink speed in sub-6 GHz spectrum, which the carrier said is a record. T-Mobile achieved the speed using 3GPP Release 17 UL Tx Switching in a live demo with Nokia and MediaTek, conducting the demonstration at a commercial site in Seattle, WA. The switching feature uses smart multiplexing to maximize user data throughput by optimizing available device transmission (Tx) chains.
New Mexico Combines Education-Related Broadband Offices

1 week ago | telecompetitor.com | Phil Britt

New Mexico is moving its Statewide Education Network (SEN) to the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE), with the hope of improving internet access for students and rural communities. The move became official today when Governor Lujan Grisham signed the bipartisan Broadband for Education Bill (SB 401). The legislation moves all SEN staff, funds, projects and operations from the Public School Facilities Authority (PSFA) to the New Mexico broadband office.
NAD Asks Cox to Discontinue Multi-Gig Advertising Claims

1 week ago | benton.org | Phil Britt

BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division is taking exception to some of Cox Communications’ advertising claims. The National Advertising Division is recommending that Cox, a broadband service provider, modify its multi-gigabit advertising claims, particularly the comparison to AT&T. The two companies offer competing internet services in some U.S. markets.
NAD Asks Cox to Discontinue Multi-Gig Advertising Claims

2 weeks ago | telecompetitor.com | Phil Britt

BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Divisionis taking exception to some of Cox Communications’ advertising claims. The National Advertising Division (NAD) is recommending that Cox, a broadband service provider, modify its multi-gigabit advertising claims, particularly the comparison to AT&T. The two companies offer competing internet services in some U.S. markets.
PhireLink to Acquire Arkwest Communications, Expand to Arkansas

2 weeks ago | benton.org | Phil Britt

PhireLink announced that it will acquire Arkwest Communications, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Spectracomm, Inc. The acquisition will expand PhireLink’s business into the Arkansas market. The company already has broadband business in Louisiana, Colorado, and Kansas. Arkwest Communications has a fiber network covering more than 900 route miles. The network uses third-generation GPON fiber technology to provide multi-gigabit-per-second symmetrical upstream and downstream broadband speeds.
PhireLink to Acquire Arkwest Communications, Expand to Arkansas

2 weeks ago | telecompetitor.com | Phil Britt

PhireLink announced today that it will acquire Arkwest Communications, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Spectracomm, Inc. The acquisition will expand PhireLink’s business into the Arkansas market. The company already has broadband business in Louisiana, Colorado, and Kansas. Terms of the agreement between PhireLink and Arkwest Communications were not disclosed. The deal is expected to be completed in the second quarter of the year.
Oregon Opens BEAD Application Window

3 weeks ago | benton.org | Phil Britt

The state of Oregon has opened its application window for broadband service providers and other entities applying for grants under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. The program is being administered in the state by the Oregon Broadband Office. Oregon has $689 million to award for eligible projects, defined as qualifying last-mile broadband infrastructure to unserved (25/3 Mbps or less) and underserved (between 25/3 and 100/20 Mbps) locations. A 25% match is required of projects.
From First to Forgotten? How OpenAI’s Edge Is Eroding

3 weeks ago | vktr.com | Phil Britt

OpenAI once led the AI pack — but today, enterprise buyers are testing other models and questioning their trust in the platform. The latest moves by OpenAI competitors mean that the one-time leader in AI is starting to lose its grip, according to AI experts.
Idaho Announces List of Prequalified BEAD Providers

3 weeks ago | benton.org | Phil Britt

The Idaho Broadband Office has announced 43 approvals of applications in the prequalification phase of the state’s Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment Program subgrantee selection. The 43 approvals—some of which are provisional—were from 45 applications that were submitted. The state office stressed that selection in the pre-approval process doesn’t mean that the application will be selected in the final approval process.