Comdata adopts Cybera

Cybera, the locally based network security provider, announced Brentwood-based Comdata, the electronic-payments solutions company, has adopted its technology. Release here.

Asentinel licensing revenue

Asentinel, the Memphis telecom expense management company, has licensed some more technology. Hereyago.

AT&T-T-Mobile deal in TN

Chattanoogans discuss the proposed AT&T-TMobile merger, the TFP reports.

AT&T-T.Mob-TN?

Erin Lawley and Geert De Lombaerde provide access to recent stories on the AT&T-TMobile mashup and implications for Tennessee. NP.com has it.

Net Neutrality debate

The Internet Neutrality debate resumes in a Congressional committee today, and U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn may attend. The CA has it.

NewsBits, 22 Feb '11

TNInvestco clone for entertainment? .. Silicon Ranch update .. UT entrepreneurship program .. Healthcare hotspot in N'ville? .. Bizen .. Jaworski .. Innovation Group .. and more right here.

Asentinel expands cross-border business

Memphis-based Asentinel, the telecom-expense management company, has expanded its business with partnerships in Mexico, India, Belgium and Germany. The release is here.

AT&T U-verse in Eastate

Eighteen months after winning the right for statewide video franchise for its new U-verse TV service, AT&T is lighting-up in East Tennessee. The KNS reports.

Cellular South acquisition

Jackson, Miss.-based Cellular South announced plans to buy Alabama-based Corr Wireless. Release here.

NV techies in VC crosshairs

nTelagent and other healthcare companies are attracting more interest from VCs, reports NBJ. Data security concerns are driving growth at Franklin-based Cybera Inc., which creates dedicated private transactions networks, according to NBJ's Linda Bryant. Cybera is backed in part by Claritas Capital, based in Nashville, as well as by Louisville-base Chrysalis Ventures and Chicago-based Adam Street Partners.

Firm aids EHR tech apps

Clarksville-based DataSource Mobility, a specialist in mobile technology, offers to help customers apply for grants for electronic health records.

Telecom: Local researchers examine Stimulus impact

Telecom Pragmatics, based in Nashville with an office in Maryland, provides just a teasing amount of intel from its recent report on projected impact of Stimulus spending on Telecom infrastructure. You have to pay big bucks to get the full report, but Telecom said in a release today, "Large construction firms contracted by the independent telcos will get the biggest amount of money because about 60 percent of Fiber-To-The-home (FTTH) costs are in this activity.... Corning is the dominant optical fiber provider in the U.S., as well as a large supplier of other outside plant equipment. Calix will likely continue to be the market share leader as an overall access provider to the IOCs because as a private company, it can afford to put market share ahead of margin. Others that will greatly benefit include FTTH electronics manufacturers like Enablence as well as vendors of passive gear for these applications. Also, given the relatively large amount of funds devoted to the 'middle mile', optical transport suppliers will substantially benefit. In addition, there should be noticeable sales of head-end gear as well as routers for the backend. Moreover, there could be a fair amount of money spent on HFC upgrades by the cable TV companies. Telecom Pragmatics believes [Stimulus spending for] FTTH will substantially dwarf DSL, wireless, and other solutions. " Telecom Pragmatics also keeps a running list of predictions validated. Among predictions: AT&T and its peers will focus increasingly on wireless Video transmission.

Telecom: Covista and NationLink are bullish

In Chattanooga, Covista Communications founder and long-time telecom entrepreneur Henry Luken (at left) intends to ride the Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) wave to increase Covista revenue from its current $35MM. The Times Free Press reports. Covista pricing undercuts Vonage. The company has both a phone switch and a call center in Th' Noog. U.S. Sen. Bob Corker sold many of his own business holdings to Luken, in 2006, according to Chattanoogan.com. Luken, a Kentucky native, has been in many ventures, from yacht-building to real estate, and moved Covista to Chattanooga after acquiring it, partly using funds he realized from the sale of Telco Communications, which he cofounded and which prior to its sale was reportedly generating more than $400MM per year in revenue. In Nashville, Andy Bailey of NationLink says he believes his company's revenue will go from $1.8MM to $3MM by the end of '09. The NBJ reports (sub.).

AT&T, Verizon execs claim podiums

It's probably a coincidence, but since Mind-2-Marketplace announced senior AT&T innovation executive Scott Frank (on the right) would speak at the Batman Building April 16, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce has announced Verizon President for the Carolinas and Tennessee Jerald Fountain (on the left) will speak here April 9, at the Renaissance Hotel. Verizon leads AT&T in the wireless sector.

Tate Update

Nashvillian and former FCC Commissioner Deborah Tate's already on Free State Foundation agenda for Feb. 26 symposium on key issues and the Obama Administration, to be held at the National Press Club, Washington, D.C. The foundation announced Tate's joining its ranks, earlier this week. Lawyer Tate continues to explore career options, locally.

Dalcon Communications

David Condra's (left) West End-based Dalcon Communications announced winning Internet Telephony Magazine's product of the year award for integrating IP voice into products used in the healthcare setting.