Thursday Evening Links

The European Commission unveiled guidelines Thursday specifying how public funds can be used to help companies roll out high-speed broadband networks, and help EU countries benefit from new technologies.

Under the rules, state aid would be easier to obtain for projects in so-called grey areas where broadband infrastructure does not exist such as rural regions, and more difficult for "black areas" or cities with more than one network operator.

The EU executive has pledged to make high-speed Internet an important element of its economic recovery plan to drive growth in the 27-nation bloc and hopes to achieve 100 percent broadband coverage in the European Union by 2010.

"We see a potentially crucial role for the state wherever private investors are not rolling out fiber networks which can be continually upgraded and are open to competition," said director Ilsa Godlovitch from the European Competitive Telecommunication Association (ECTA).

The Commission said 200-300 billion euros ($295 billion to $443 billion) would be needed in coming years for building NGA networks.

It said recipients of state aid would have to allow competitors access to its networks and not favor any particular technology.

said by KrK:

"We own rights to technology used by all multiplayer gaming online because we have patented a concept."

Pay us or we'll sue you!

FFS.

said by John McClane:

which article are you talking about?

said by Duramax08:

...Think of it this way, when the power goes out you still have internet if youre on a laptop

said by sonicmerlin:

"He was not as forthcoming with answers to some tough questions from Indiana Republican Congressman Steve Buyer. Buyer asked all the commissioners whether they supported exclusive handset deals, demanding a yes or no answer.

Genashowski said it was more nuanced than that. "It does not lend itself to a yes or no, I apologize," said the chairman. Calling that a non-answer, the combative Buyer went down the line of the commissioners.

Democrats Michael Copps and Mignon Clyburn echoed the chairman, while Republicans Robert McDowell and Meredith Attwell Baker were quick to say yes."

Seriously? Do Republicans have souls? Or are they simply the nasty byproducts of corporate mergers?

said by battleop:

It's outrageous that I can't go to my local diner and get a BigMac or a Whopper. There should be a congressional investigation! They don't waste enough tax dollars, they need to waste more.