AT&T Announces Charter for Enhanced Push-to-Talk Service
AT&T revealed plans for a charter program to test a new enhanced push-to-talk (PTT) functionality on its US mobile network. The new offering will consist of a suite of services powered by Kodiak Networks' InstaPoC technology. AT&T said the revamped PTT network will also support traditional private mobile radio (PMR) systems allowing field workers to simultaneously speak to another employee and use their device's data connection and applications to complete complex tasks with single device. Participants in the charter program will be given smartphones from AT&T's latest generation of devices on which to test the service. Industries being targeted for testing by AT&T include members of the transportation, utilities, and manufacturing sectors, as well as other other business areas. The carrier has created a sign-up page where interested businesses can apply to participate in the program. No start date for the charter has been disclosed. However, AT&T said it will be demonstrating the new PTT technology at the 2012 International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE).

T-Mobile to Launch Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G in Late March
T-Mobile announced plans to launch the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G in late March 2012. T-Mobile's latest Android, and Samsung's newest member of the Galaxy S line, features a 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S3 processor from Qualcomm, a 3.97-inch Super AMOLED screen, 720p video recording, and dual cameras for video chat. The device will ship with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) on board, along with several pre-installed entertainments apps, including Netflix, the Samsung Media Hub, and T-Mobile TV. The smartphone is expected to launch at $149.99 with a $50 mail-in rebate card on a qualifying two-year service agreement with voice and data. Interested consumers can sign-up for updates on the device at T-Mobile's Web site. 

Windstream Reports Losses in Q4, Decline in Profits for FY 2011
Windstream released its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ending december 31, 2011. During the final quarter, the company's revenue totaled $1.57 billion, a very slight rise from the $1.56 billion posted for the same quarter in 2010. During the period the company suffered a net loss of $31.9 million, or $0.06 per share, compared to a net income of $56.5 million, or $0.10 per share for the same period in 2010. This resulted from a combination of increased expenses and customer losses during the period. Windstream fared somewhat better during the fiscal year, posting a revenue of $4.29 billion, up from 2010's $3.71 billion. However, net income for the year was similar affected by the aforementioned factors, finishing at $172.3 million, or $0.33 per share, almost halving the $312.7 million, or $0.66 per share reported for 2010. Like most wireline telecoms, Windstream saw significant voice line losses during the year, dropping 80,700 accounts or 34% of its voice customer base. High-speed Internet performed well, adding 48,700 subscribers, while digital television added 16,200. Unfortunately, these additions could not overcome the voice line losses, causing Windstream to finish the year with a net loss of 15,800 customers. Windstream provided financial guidance for FY 2012 including expected revenues between 1% and -1%.

Verizon to Build Health Information Exchange for Highmark in Western PA
Verizon Business signed a new deal with Highmark under which its Enterprise Solutions division will deploy and manage the technology infrastructure to power the healthcare company's new health information exchange (HIE) in Western Pennsylvania. The program, which is being touted as a trial run for a statewide expansion, will allow healthcare organizations in the Highmark network to securely transmit, edit, and store patient data across the organization. The new system will be powered by the Verizon Health Information Exchange, and will run on a cloud-computing infrastructure. According to Verizon, the HIE will reduce Highmark's operating costs by eliminating the problems associated with transmitting patient data between separate, incompatible health IT systems. No financial terms for the project were disclosed. 

CenturyLink Board Approved Quarterly Dividend of $0.725 Per Share
CenturyLink's Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.725 per share. This amount will be payable on March 16, 2012, to all shareholders of record at the close of business on March 6, 2012. This disbursement is flat with company's previous quarterly dividend.

... Michael Gariffo, Faulkner Information Services