DirecTV blacked out by three N.C. network affiliates; VPN operators laugh off Netflix's threat

More cable news from across the Web:

> Three network affiliates in North Carolina have been blacked out on DirecTV over a retransmission fee dispute. TV Predictions story

> A retrans dispute has also resulted in a blackout of Miami Fox affiliate WSVN-TV on AT&T U-verse. Miami Herald story

> VPN operators have said they will thwart any attempt made by Netflix to control regional viewing. Torrent Freak story

> HBO is getting set to launch a stand-alone streaming service in Spain. Variety story

> A DOJ complaint alleging that Dish Network violated federal do-not-call laws heads back to court in Illinois next week. CBS News report

Telecom News

> Southern Light and Allied Fiber have signed a 20-year Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU) agreement, giving Southern Light another avenue by which to extend its network to a growing customer base across Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Article

> BT has named Howard Watson as the CEO of its Technology, Service and Operations (BT TSO) unit. He will also serve as Group Chief Information Officer. Article

Wireless News

> Sprint MVNO Karma said it will restore network speeds of its Neverstop data service and instead will throttle speeds only when a user's consumption exceeds 15 GB in any particular month. Article

> Samsung suffered a symbolic loss in its ongoing patent fight with Apple, but the company is gaining some heavyweight allies as it hopes to take on the iPhone vendor in the U.S. Supreme Court. Article

And finally… Univision is buying a stake in satirical website The Onion. Variety story