— Transit Wireless and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) took…

— Transit Wireless and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) took another step forward in its multiyear project to build a state-of-the-art wireless network in the New York City subway system. Thirty new subway stations in mid-town Manhattan — including Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center and Columbus Circle — now are online in addition to the initial six in Chelsea that cut over in September 2011. In addition, Sprint and Verizon Wireless are finalizing their agreements to participate in the network, which also is served by AT&T, T-Mobile USA and Boingo. Subway riders can access the Boingo-sponsored Wi-Fi network for free by connecting to FreeWifibyHTCONE.
 
— Is there an Amazon set-top in our future? BusinessWeek says it’s confirmed the online retailer will build on its Amazon Prime Instant video-streaming service as well as the company’s pay-per-view titles to compete with other content providers. The STB reportedly is being built by Amazon’s R&D unit, whose techies have worked for TiVo and Vudu, among others.
 
— With white-space technology slowly taking hold in the United States (CTDaily, 04/19/13), the U.K.’s Ofcom announced plans for a pilot program and seeks participants for a fall start date. The pilot will test the interoperation of white-space devices, white-space databases and processes to help eliminate interference. No locations have been announced yet, but the regulatory agency would like to see some kind of commercialization next year. Notes Ofcom CEO Ed Richards, “Ofcom is preparing for a future where consumers’ demand for data services will experience huge growth. White-space technology is one creative way that this demand can be met. We are aiming to facilitate this important innovation by working closely with industry.”