Satellite could solve rural broadband problem; Iran blocks access to Google Gmail

Wireline news from across the web:

@FierceTelecom RT @TIA_Now: "In 2002, 95% of Internet users used Microsoft Outlook vs. just 29% of Internet users in 2012." #ICT | Follow @FierceTelecom

> The Internet, as pointed out in this New York Times article, was built by a "network of peers." Article

> Chicago launched a plan to offer free WiFi service in all of the city's parks and public spaces. Article

> Satellite communications could be one answer to affordably extending broadband services into very hard to reach rural areas. Article

> Nepal's Ministry of Information and Communications will invest NPR 5.63 billion (USD 66.9 million) of its Rural Telecommunication Development Fund to bring fiber-based services to remote parts of the country. Article

> Orange Business wins three awards in China for its cloud, contact center and IP/VPN communications services. Release

And finally … Iran blocked access to Google's Gmail service just as it launched its own national intranet. Article