Obama announces ConnectHome initiative for low-income households--with Internet access; Cox tops Netflix's speed rankings

More cable news from across the Web:

> Blue Ridge Communications, Selco and Wehco Video are moving to Alianza's Cloud Voice Platform, which is delivered with Level 3. The New IP article

> Salaries for local TV news workers rose 1.9 percent last year, according to new numbers from the RTDNA/Hofstra University. Broadcasting & Cable article

> According to the Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy, the FCC's net neutrality rules will increase costs for cable operators and other Internet service providers. Broadcasting & Cable article

> Cox Communications offered the fastest average Internet speeds in the country, according to Netflix's new June rankings. Post

> President Obama said today announced the ConnectHome initiative to cover 27 cities--including 275,000 low-income households--with Internet access. Post

> Rovi said it inked a new entertainment discovery patent portfolio license agreement with SK Broadband. Release

> According to new findings, the number of people using TV declined 6 percent year-over-year in June. MediaPost article

> The National Association of Broadcasters said some retransmissions disputes are only geared toward getting regulators to inspect the market more heavily. Katy on the Hill article

Telecom News

> Digital Realty, a colocation and data center provider, is acquiring Telx from its private equity firm owners ABRY Partners and Berkshire Partners for $1.9 billion, a deal that will immediately enhance its data center footprint. Article

> Adtran reported that second quarter 2015 revenues dropped year-over-year to $160 million, down from $176 million in the same period a year ago, due to sequential declines in its Business Networking and Loop Access product segments. Article

Online Video News

> Hulu's drive for exclusives may not be the best long-term strategy. Editor's Corner

> Netflix's prospects for success in Japan, its future content strategy, and its potential bandwidth challenges as ISPs like Charter Communications grow their broadband footprint are among the topics analysts will likely want to hear about when the SVOD market leader discusses its second-quarter earnings results. Article

Installer News

> Ruckus Wireless has announced the ZoneFlex P300 bridge system, an outdoor Smart Wi-Fi bridging system. Article

> Home networking is becoming increasingly important as customers seek to distribute video around the home, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Editor's Corner

European Wireless News

> mmMAGIC, one of the newest consortia to be co-funded by the European Commission's 5G PPP program, said it plans to develop new technologies that can operate in frequency bands between 6 GHz and 100 GHz and accelerate the standardization of millimeter wave technologies for 5G as part of a two-year research program. Article

> Google said it is addressing limitations in Bluetooth low energy (BLE) beacon systems with a new, open format that will make it easier for developers to produce compatible applications. Article

Wireless News

> T-Mobile US' new family plan promotion will likely put more pressure on its network capacity and speed up the timeframe for when it needs to make a deal with another company, according to financial analysts. Article

> Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella reaffirmed his commitment to the smartphone market and said that Microsoft has a broader view of its mobile strategy than just building phones itself. Article

And finally… New web addresses are causing concerns. Article