Canadian union rips government's telecom policy; Moody's cuts Telecom Italia rating to junk

More wireline news from around the Web:

> Unifor, Canada's largest telecommunications union said rejecting Accelero's acquisition of MTS Allstream for unspecified national security reasons shows "the federal government's entire telecommunications policy has failed." Press release

> Troubled incumbent Telecom Italia had its rating cut to junk status by Moody's Investors Service. Story

> Verizon opened a newly expanded Innovation Center in San Francisco to showcase its networking and platform technology and other collaborative efforts. Story

> FirstLight Fiber, the former Tech Valley Communications, named Kurt Van Wagenen president-CEO, replacing co-founder and current CEO Kevin O'Connor, who is retiring. Press release

> AMD won a contract with Verizon to place its servers in seven of the carrier's global datacenters. Story

> Hamburg, N.J.. has tabbed CenturyLink to completely overhaul its municipal phone system, including borough hall, the fire department, police department, court, and public works building. Story

Cable News

> Cox Communications has launched a social TV rewards program called Cox MVP Community which it may use to offer rewards to subscribers who can earn points for recommending content to friends on Facebook and Twitter. Article

Wireless News

> T-Mobile US MVNO Solavei launched its Marketplace program, which the company said gives its users access to offers and discounts from 16,000 large and small retailers nationwide, including a majority of the top 30 largest U.S. retailers. Article

And finally … Verizon's successful $49 billion bond effort to buy out Vodafone's Verizon Wireless stake is credited for redefining the financial market and potentially clearing the way for AT&T to consider buying Vodafone. Story