Because every American
should have access
to broadband Internet.

The Internet Innovation Alliance is a broad-based coalition of business and non-profit organizations that aim to ensure every American, regardless of race, income or geography, has access to the critical tool that is broadband Internet. The IIA seeks to promote public policies that support equal opportunity for universal broadband availability and adoption so that everyone, everywhere can seize the benefits of the Internet - from education to health care, employment to community building, civic engagement and beyond.

The Podium

Blog posts tagged with 'Competition'

Wednesday, April 07

Online Ad Wars

By Brad

Via Ars Technica, Google’s acquisition of online advertising company AdMob is not sitting well with the Federal Trade Commission:

According to people “familiar with the matter” speaking to the Wall Street Journal, the FTC has sent letters asking AdMob’s competitors to testify about the impact of the purchase and has briefed members of Congress on its concerns. The Commission has also put together a litigation team “to prepare for a possible effort to block the deal,” though a final decision has not yet been made.

At issue is Google’s dominance in the online advertising market. But as All Things Digital reports, a rumored entry into online advertising by a Google rival may help soothe things over with the FTC:

Apple is likely to introduce its mobile ad platform Thursday at its iPhone developer event, say sources familiar with the company’s plans. Expect to hear a loud cheer from Google, Apple’s former ally and current competitor.

Why would Google applaud the entrance of a new advertising rival? Because Google is trying to convince federal regulators that it has advertising rivals so that it can proceed with its $750 million purchase of AdMob. That deal is being held up for review by the Federal Trade Commission, and there have been consistent murmurs from Washington that the purchase could be in jeopardy.

Tuesday, November 24

E-Commerce on the Rise

By Brad

The New York Times reports that, despite the chilly economy, online retail continues grow:

In its State Of Retailing Online 2009 report, Forrester Research reported that the vast majority of Web retailers were not only profitable in 2008 - in a recession - but also that their overall level of profitability grew.

The e-commerce market is expanding, due to a combination of factors. One is that consumers are no longer afraid to buy things online, as they once were. Also brick-and-mortar businesses are migrating more of their operations online. We also have technology advances to thank: better recommendations technology, social media, the emergence of mobile commerce.

Not surprisingly, as e-commerce grows, competition grows along with it:

Wal-Mart, the mightiest retail giant in history, may have met its own worthy adversary: Amazon.com.

In what is emerging as one of the main story lines of the 2009 post-recession shopping season, the two heavyweight retailers are waging an online price war that is spreading through product areas like books, movies, toys and electronics.

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