AT&T, Verizon pause some new 5G after airlines raise alarm
The companies said they will launch 5G or fifth-generation service Wednesday, but they will delay turning on 5G cell towers within a 2-mile radius of runways designated by federal officials.
Telecom
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Residents seek clout in 5G pole placements
Telecom companies are putting 5G antennas by the hundreds in neighborhoods across Indianapolis, escalating tensions with residents who complain they have little say over where they’re built.
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IBJ Podcast: Deciphering 5G and the new Indiana 5G Zone
Host Mason King talks with Bill Soards, president of AT&T Indiana, and Sean Hendrix, who is the director of emerging technologies and partnerships for Purdue Research Foundation, about why 5G matters and how it could be used in the manufacturing, agricultural and other sectors.
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Fiber network firm looks beyond Indiana for growth
Intelligent Fiber Network has spent the last 18 months rebranding—including a name change that telegraphs its growth plans—and ramping up its marketing.
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Articles
AT&T, Verizon delay new 5G service after Buttigieg request
Monday’s announcement reversed the companies’ decision just a day earlier to reject any postponement in new 5G service.
AT&T, Verizon reject U.S. request to delay 5G wireless plans
Airlines had asked the Federal Communications Commission to delay this week’s scheduled 5G rollout, saying the service, set to launch Tuesday, could interfere with electronics that pilots rely on.
Local software firm Authenticx lands $7.5M in growth capital
The Carmel-based business communications software company said the new funding will be used for ongoing product development and to boost hiring.
Intelligent Fiber Network to be acquired by Colorado firm
Boulder, Colorado-based Zayo Group Holdings Inc. expects to close the transaction during the second half of 2021. IFN officials say they are confident the deal will grow the firm’s presence here.
AT&T installing 5G at Lucas Oil Stadium ahead of Final Four
The company said Wednesday it plans to install its 5G+ service in the seating bowl, concourse area and exterior spots at the stadium ahead of the Final Four.
Tennessee bombing spotlights vulnerable voice, data networks
The Christmas Day bombing in downtown Nashville led to phone and data service outages and disruptions over hundreds of miles in the southern United States, raising new concerns about the vulnerability of U.S. communications.
Insurance telemarketers face fines of $225M for billion robocalls
State attorneys general of Indiana, Arkansas, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas sued the two men and their Houston-based companies for violating the federal law governing telemarketing.
Senate passes anti-robocalls bill; Trump expected to sign
The bill would stiffen enforcement and require that phone companies offer free consumer tools to identify and block scam calls. It also calls for tougher fines when individuals intentionally violate the law.
Indiana lawmakers look to address telemarketing issues
The state saw immediate results when the do-not-call law went into effect in 2002, but advances in technology are allowing telemarketers to find loopholes.
Early 5G rollout in Indianapolis gives city wireless advantage
The buzzword in mobile is 5G—the newest generation of wireless service that promises more speed and better connectivity for smartphones, internet-connected devices and even autonomous cars.
Sprint, T-Mobile strike $26.5 billion deal to take on AT&T
Operating as T-Mobile, the company would have about $74 billion in annual revenue and 70 million wireless subscribers.
Holcomb: State won’t seek new bidder to replace failed Agile cell tower deal
The state will instead pursue individual leases of state cell towers.
Holcomb cancels Pence’s $260M cell tower contract
The Pence administration in September said it had agreed to lease the state’s existing cell towers to help the state fund its bicentennial projects and expand broadband capacity.
Telamon tries to take ‘fewer, bigger bets’
After 13 years working his way through positions spanning several divisions, Stanley Chen became CEO in October when his father retired.
State urges 10-digit dialing to prepare for new area code
The new area code will “overlay” the entire 317 region, which means existing numbers won’t change but new ones could get the 463 code starting this fall.
Indiana telcos get $51 million a year for rural broadband
The FCC awarded three telecommunications companies $51 million per year in grants for six years to help bridge the urban-rural digital divide.
CHAMPION OF INNOVATION: Entrepreneur rolls with telecom changes
Albert Chen, founder and CEO of Telamon Corp., made lots of course corrections during his decades-spanning career.
Charter in talks to buy Bright House Networks
U.S. cable company Charter Communications Inc. is in talks to acquire Bright House Networks, people with knowledge of the matter said. Bright House has more than 120,000 customers in central Indiana.
Evansville firm plans $17M fiber-optic network in Westfield
Metronet, a cable provider based in Evansville, has agreed to buy Inside Connect Cable and plans to spend $17 million to construct a fiber-optic network in Westfield.