Network Telephone Services makes a bid for “Freedom Fire-wall” project.  It’s been well reported that China censorship of the Internet is pervasive and persistent.  For the first time, China has surpassed the U.S. in internet users and yet few people outside China know what it would be like to live with internet access controls.  Many are not even aware that there may be ways to get around the controls.

Foreigners who visit China should expect some major differences in free web access.  Visitors and people working in China need to be prepared to work and live without Google, Twitter and most of their favorite daily newspapers.

Network Telephone Services is investigating ways for client business travelers in an effort to improve their ability to connect with associates friends and family back home.  Sometimes an attempt to send a simple email can be thwarted by China Firewall and censorship policies. That’s how bad it can get.

Look forward to Network Telephone Services coverage of improvements, work-a-rounds and news about Free China Fire-wall to come.

The Connect America Fund, part of the FCC’s initiative to bring broadband access to rural communities is well under way.  Network Telephone Services is currently reaching out to new potential clients in these areas based on their soon having access to higher speeds broadband networks.

In October of last year over $32 million in Federal funding was allocated to provide new broadband access to over 42,000 unserved homes and businesses in Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Alaska. The Federal Communications Commission’s Connect America Fund, will be connecting over 100,000 people who suffer from inferior service, or a complete lack of coverage.

Network Telephone Services spokesperson echoed acting Chairwoman, Mignon Clyburn thoughts when she stated the following:

  “Broadband is essential in today’s society and is poised to deliver tremendous benefits to rural America, eliminating the need to travel long distances for educational opportunities, to access quality health care, and to tap global markets,” said Acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn. “I’m delighted we can provide an infusion of funds to connect communities in Alaska, Puerto Rico and Hawaii to jobs and other opportunities as we work with our partners in the private sector to build out broadband networks that will reach all Americans.”

Microsoft has declared a long-term, ambitious deliverable  with new 3D Touch technology: The elimination of as many smartphone buttons as possible. This means that, for instance, Microsoft wants to be able to “remove buttons like power, so phone owners can simply grip their device to power it on.”

Network Telephone Services provides Windows phones to enterprise clients using windows machines through out their office and field personal.  These new proposed features will enable Network Telephone Service clients to increase efficiency and enhance user experiences.

Warren further indicated Microsoft will unveil these new Kinect-enabled Windows Phone features on a device that’s now code-named the Nokia McLaren that will essentially be Microsoft’s successor to the Lumia 1020, which made its name last year for having the best smartphone camera the world has ever seen. While the devil is always in the details with this sort of thing and Microsoft needs to make sure 3D Touch works well right out of the box, we’re certainly excited to see this new feature in action.

Network Telephone Services is in support of a movement to stop massive mergers in the Telecommunications business and preserve an Open Internet Environment.  The FCC has established a Commission which is now considering proposed rules to protect such an environment.

“The proposed rules ask questions about how best to ensure the Internet remains an open platform for innovation and expression.”

Chairman Wheeler is encourages the public to express their thoughts and objections now.  Under the FCC, Wheeler intends to have a well defined set of guiding principles and rules in place before the end of the year.  Consumers and entrepreneurs will be able to voice their objections and concerns.

The FCC claims they will take consumer comments into account and all comments will will help “inform the final rules.”

Please send your thoughts to openinternet@fcc.gov.

Note: You will be filing a document into an official FCC proceeding. All information submitted, including names and addresses, will be publicly available via the web.

Today marked the kick off of the 2014 Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco today sponsored by Apple.  A host of  new product announcements and updates, most of which will be available in the fall to the general public.

Network Telephone Services representative attendees reported a major highlight announcement is Apple Health, a proposed new division that would bridge it communications and application technology with health and wellness personal technology.  Craig Federighi, Apple executive,  said it planned to integrate data from various electronic fitness devices like Nike’s.  Apple also said it’s been working with the Mayo Clinic to provide  users a complete  picture of  health metrics along with some ways to understand the results in layman’s terms.

Investors and tech entrepreneurs believe there is tremendous opportunity for the computer/software giant when it comes to integrating its software into the world of “Things” for the home. “This could involve lighting, hardware, heating, music, entertainment, home security and surveillance…it’s an industry worth $100s of billions,” said Tom Copeman, CEO of artificial intelligence company Nara based in Cambridge, Mass.