Cox Communications offers free calls to Japan; Verizon signals exit out of agent channel

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> Cox Communications is offering free calling over its Digital Telephone and Cox Wireless services through March 31, 2011. In addition, Cox Wireless customers will be able to send text messages to Japan during this period for free. Release

> Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Southeast Asia's largest power utility, is migrating corporate and non-real time operational data traffic to the first phase of a new IP/MPLS backbone based on Juniper Networks MX Series Universal Edge Routers. Release

> Verizon's decision to cut commissions by two-thirds for its Verizon Indirect Sales Partners (VISP) could be a sign that the service provider wants to move away from the agent channel. Article

> SK Telecom has named its current President Ha Sung Min as its new joint-CEO following the resignation of Jung Man Won. Article

> EXFO is appealing to the needs of the triple play service provider by equipping its MaxTest DSL with new interfaces for VDSL2, several versions of ADSL (1, 2 and 2+), Ethernet and an IPTV test suite. Release

> France Telecom said it has no plans to purchase Mid Europa's 65 percent stake in Orange Austria this year. Article

> NTELOS has entered into an agreement to reprice its $751 million term loan. Release

And finally ... Egypt's political instability ironically had a positive short-run effect on driving up telecom service growth, but that growth will only continue if the new civilian government provides a suitable environment for development, argues Pyramid Research. Release