Opelika continues plans for referendum on cable TV; Synchronoss to acquire FusionOne

> The folks in Opelika, Ala. are serious about starting their own cable TV company and have now appointed officials to watch over the Aug. 10 special election where city residents decide whether the community needs and/or wants a city-owned cable TV company. Story.

> On-demand transaction management software platform provider Synchronoss will acquire privately held FusionOne for about $75 million, including $32 million in cash, the two companies said. News release (PDF).

> Here's a reason to build a fiber network; thieves don't steal glass. Georgia's electric utilities-which are also cable TV, telephone and Internet providers-are offering up to $500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals stealing copper and other metals from their properties. News release.

> NBC Universal has joined its probable new bosses Comcast in re-submitting information to the FCC to start the clock running again on that august body's review of the marriage between the two companies. Story.

> Arris and European broadband equipment supplier Vector are teaming up to jointly market access and transport products to European cable operators. News release.

> Dish will head to court July 22 to say why it should be able to avoid a July 27 deadline for reaching terms with 30 non-commercial stations on high definition coverage or risk speeding up a timetable for carriage of all non-commercial signals in any market where it carries HD. Story.

> Microsoft has filed for a patent on a dual-sided touch sensitive remote control with an accelerometer to sense which side of the remote is pointing up and different buttons for either side of the remote. Story.

And finally... Vodafone CEO Fritz Joussen says his company will launch a new television service later this year in cable-frenetic Germany, calling to a "hybrid of cable, satellite and IPTV." Story.