FCC unveils consumer broadband app

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has unveiled two digital tools, the Consumer Broadband Test and the Broadband Dead Zone Report, which allow consumers to test their broadband service and report areas where broadband is not available, reports eWeek.

The Broadband Dead Zone Report enables Americans to submit the street address location of a broadband 'dead zone', where broadband is unavailable for purchase, while the Consumer Broadband Test measures broadband quality indicators such as speed and latency, and reports that information to consumers and the FCC.

The Broadband Dead Zone Report form is available via the FCC's Web site, as is the fixed version of the Consumer Broadband Test.

Cisco has unveiled its Intercompany Media Engine (IME), claiming the system will allow its unified communications (UC) tools to be used for external video communications between companies, states Computing.co.uk.

Joe Burton, CTO for UC at Cisco, says the product will offer vastly improved communications.

"IME is the first product of its kind that allows the secure placing of calls between companies, to offer a rich voice and video experience using the existing phone numbers companies already call one another on," he adds.

Bankrupt Canadian network solutions company Nortel Networks has reported a profit in the fourth quarter, reflecting significant gain from sale of assets and cost reduction activities, compared to a loss last year, writes RTT News.

Nortel Networks, which found it difficult to thrive in the financial turmoil and filed for bankruptcy protection in January, reported fourth quarter net profit of $1.78 billion or $3.34 per share compared to a net loss of $2.14 billion or $4.28 per share in the prior year quarter.

Net income from continuing operations for the quarter was $1.1 billion or $0.69 per share compared to a loss of $1.71 billion or $3.42 per share in the year ago period.