> Verizon (NYSE: VZ), which has stopped expansion of its FiOS service into certain areas, is focusing its efforts on marketing--namely, highlighting cable customer dissatisfaction, Connected Planet reports. Might as well go after the low-hanging fruit, I guess. Story.
> Meantime, Korea's LS Cable plans to test high-efficiency superconductor power cables as part of a massive smart grid pilot project, the New York Times reports, and has ordered three million meters of superconducting wire from American Superconductor. The tests won't start until 2013. Story.
> The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) released a whitepaper on Wednesday outlining ways to increase access to broadband for Hispanics and supporting creation of a National Broadband Plan. News release.
> Netflix's (Nasdaq: NFLX) new deal with Sony giving them broader access to licenses for streaming Sony DVD content comes with a condition that Netflix delay availability of those titles for 28 days after they go up for sale. "Execs tend to ignore that by making it harder for customers to rent content (either via broadband or mail), they may be more inclined to simply pirate these titles," Karl Bode at Broadband DSL Reports argued. Story.
> Yet more retransmission woes arise. Hot on the heels of Fox pulling channels from Dish Network's lineup, AT&T (NYSE: T) has sent a postcard to subscribers warning that its carriage agreements with Scripps Networks are expiring at the end of October and several channels could disappear from the U-verse lineup if new agreements aren't signed by then. Story.
> Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (Nasdaq: SHEN) is expanding its cable holdings, buying systems in Salem, Va. and Oakland, Md. from Suddenlink Communications. News release.
> Open your wallets: TalkTalk UK is giving back GBP30 ($47.90) to subscribers. Well, only if they sign up online for the ISP's "Essentials" or "Plus" packages. Story.
> Ascent Media Group, which provides end-to-end digital media supply chain services, has promoted Igor Vezmar to Senior Vice President of Product and Service Development. News release.
And finally... If you live in the nation's capitol you aren't getting the best broadband service for your money, the Washington Post points out. Washington, D.C. subscribers pay, on average, nearly $12 per megabit per second--almost double the national median rate. Story.