> One in five broadband lines worldwide has a VoIP service connected to it, says a GigaOm article--and that figure doesn't include Skype users. France and the U.S. have the largest number of VoIP subscribers. Story.
> The HomePlug Powerline Alliance is demonstrating its carrier-grade powerline network technology at BBWF this week, with presentations ongoing. News release.
> Central American telecom markets are continuing to pick up speed, particularly in Panama and Honduras, with mobile being a key growth area. As mobile penetration increases, so will (eventually) the reach of broadband networks, a new report from Research and Markets says. News release.
> Tokyo-based IT and communications services provider KVH will build a high-speed, high-capacity optical fiber backbone network covering its data center and expanding to Yokohama, Kanagawa and Inzai, Chiba where a new KVH Data Center will open in 2011. News release.
> MegaPath is offering a Hosted Voice plan targeted to SMBs (small to medium businesses), throwing in a free phone for each employee when a company purchases its unlimited or global Hosted Voice calling plan. News release.
> Continental Telecom, a UK-based broadband ISP, could be fined GBP 50,000 by Ofcom if it doesn't come into compliance with consumer protection rules by Nov. 25. Story.
> Royal KPN (NYSE: KPN) saw a third quarter rise in profits of 2 percent, lower than analyst estimates, reports Bloomberg. Higher finance and interest expenses impacted earnings. Story.
And finally... expanding the FBI's ability to wiretap wireless calls, Internet chat and e-mail would cause Tier 1 carriers and small Internet startups alike to pull back on investment and innovation, a von|xchange article says. Story.