John Stephens, chief financial officer at AT&T, said that the company expected its U-Verse and DIRECTV subscriber losses last quarter, and thinks the worst is now over. Company head Randall Stephenson says that DIRECTV has generated more than $4 billion in cash flow each year since AT&T purchased it.
KentuckyWired has expanded its broadband network to highly populated areas in Northern Kentucky, Lexington and Louisville, with an extension to Frankfort's government buildings, state officials said. Private companies will lease the networks in the government sites in order to help subsidize the project's $1.5 billion cost.
AT&T is backing a modified version of satellite companies' suggestion for a private auction of C-band spectrum even as cable companies call for the sale to be public. AT&T, in a filing with the Federal Communications Commission, called on the agency to alter existing satellite licenses, then require satellite companies to sell them.
A pair of powerful Senate Republicans are at odds over the future of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization law, which is due to expire this year. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., has called for the sunset of the act, while Roger Wicker, R-Miss., who chairs the Commerce Committee, has backed its extension and has set a Nov. 13 meeting to mark up STELAR legislation.
Europe and North America hit 64 million smart homes last year, Berg Insight reports. The smart home market grew almost 39% last year, with North America at 33.8 million smart homes, or 24% of North American homes.
Google Home and Nest Home users soon will be able to listen to SiriusXM on their smart speakers with a simple voice command, and Nest Hub and Hub Max users will have access to SiriusXM videos.
Apple plans to ease the iPhone buying process by allowing customers to charge the purchase of their device on an Apple Card with zero interest for two years and receive 3% cash back. The company is also reportedly considering a subscription bundle in which hardware upgrades and services such as iCloud and Apple TV+ could be offered for a monthly fee.
Samsung Electronics gave developers a look at two potential designs for a new foldable phone the company is testing, including a handset that's shaped similarly to a candy bar and can fold in two ways. The company also introduced a rugged smartphone aimed at helping law enforcement and other first responders.
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