News briefs: FCC urged to reject AT&T-BellSouth deal

12.06.2006
FCC urged to reject AT&T-BellSouth deal

A group of telecommunications service providers last week urged the Federal Communications Commission to deny the proposed merger of AT&T Corp. and BellSouth Corp. In comments filed with the FCC, the companies said the deal would offer the new AT&T more power to thwart competition. The list of competitors includes XO Communications Inc., Talk America Holdings Inc. and NuVox Communications Inc.

McAfee buys risk management firm

McAfee Inc. has acquired Preventsys Inc., a maker of products that identify security issues and monitor compliance with company policies and government regulations. McAfee will use Preventsys' technology to bolster its risk management and compliance offerings. The purchase price was "in the low millions," a McAfee spokesman said.

HP revises results after IRS settlement

Hewlett-Packard Co. last week revised upward its previously announced financial results for the second quarter following the settlement of tax issues with the Internal Revenue Service. The settlement regarding HP's tax returns from 1996 to 1998 will boost net income for the three months that ended April 30 by US$443 million. HP also revised its full-year financial forecast.

Microsoft awards search study grants

Microsoft Corp. awarded 12 grants to scientists studying search engine technology. The scientists will receive grants of between $30,000 and $50,000 and will have access to more than 15 million queries plus click-through data culled from Micro-soft's MSN Search tool. Any findings from the projects can be published by the scientists and used by Microsoft competitors.