DirecTV might try BPL: Broadband over powerline injects signals into medium- and high-voltage lines to use electrical wiring and distribution as a third pipe into the home. No BPL deployments have reached any real scale, although that could finally change this year. We'll see. Prior projections of "next year" always lead to another "next year." It's likely that DirecTV would work out a partnership with Current rather than deploy its own network, but we'll see. DirecTV, like all non-wireline providers, needs additional pathways into the home.
Powerline networking need not interfere with amateur radio: Excellent comment from an amateur radio leader, Ed Hare of the ARRL, on BroadbandReports about the state of ham technical experts' cooperation with broadband over powerline (BPL) and home powerline networking; the thread is about DirecTV's potential BPL deployment. Hare lists which firms have been working to avoid interference with hams' licensed frequencies--remember that hams have primary and secondary rights, while BPL and home powerline are merely unlicensed users or unintentional emitters. The largest planned project in the US uses gear from (and is being built by) Current, which Hare notes, "In both cities [Cincinnati and Dallas], BPL is deploying without major interference problems."
Virgin offers free Wi-Fi to Upper Class passengers: In several airports already have this free service, including Heathrow, Gatwick, JFK, and Dulles. They'll add the rest of their lounges this year.
Belkin announces late June shipping date for USB over 802.11n: The $130 device was previously announced. It allows independent control of each USB device connected to the five-port hub, with unique computers able to control each device, but only one computer at a time per device. Windows drivers are due at launch; Mac drivers in September. Belkin's ultrawideband hub is still MIA.