> The latest Technology Fast 500 list, compiled by consultancy Deloitte, features 56 communications and networking companies, with Hughes Communications topping the rankings, reports VON|xchange. Other notable companies on the list include 8x8, PAETEC, GENBAND, CBeyond and Megapath, among several others. Story.
> Business IT decision makers are still reluctant to adopt certain cloud storage and backup solutions because of a distinct perception that some solutions are consumer-centric while others are business-centric, a New York Times article says. This has at least one cloud storage provider looking to fill the space between. Story.
> Alaska Communications Systems Group is closing refinancing of its current first lien term loan and entering into a new, $440 million first lien term loan and a $30 million revolving credit facility. News release.
> Ciena (Nasdaq: CIEN) has completed the sale of $350 million in convertible senior notes, which bear interest of 3.75 percent per year and will mature on Oct. 15, 2018. News release.
> CD-Telematika (CD-T), a Czech Republic-based carrier-of-carriers, has selected ECI Telecom to develop and implement its planned nationwide optical network. News release.
And finally... It may be too late for Sentinel, the FBI project that would transition its paper file system to electronic files. Not only is it $100 million over budget and still six years from completion, the Justice Dept. reported after the latest audit, but the parts of the project already delivered apparently don't even have the functionality of a basic word processing system--including auto-save and integrated spell checking. Now Congress is taking notice. Story.