Federal government initiative to spur high speed apps; Broadband affordability an issue in poorer countries

Wireline news from across the Web:

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> The federal government introduced US Ignite, a public-private initiative to help facilitate the development of "killer apps" for key industry segments such as healthcare, energy, education, and public safety/emergency preparedness. Article

> Telarix, an interconnection and least-cost routing provider, is offering its iXBrasil billing solution to Brazilian telcos for use in managing their national billing. Article

> Rostelecom names NSN, Alcatel-Lucent as its key DWDM equipment suppliers as it upgrades its Europe-Asia and North-South network routes. Article

> EarthLink named Chris Murray as senior vice president of public policy. Release

> Level 3 CEO James Crowe will present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2011 Media, Communications & Entertainment Conference in Beverly Hills on Thursday, Sept. 15, and at the Goldman Sachs 20th Annual Communacopia Conference in New York on Thursday, Sept. 22.  Release

> Verizon was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index, which lists North America's leading companies as measured by governance, social and environmental performance. Release

> RCN has completed upgrades to offer 15, 25 and 60 Mbps speed tiers across the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Article

And finally ... A new Point Topic study finds that broadband service affordability continues to be a challenge in disadvantaged countries. Article