Quick news from around the Web.
Ericsson, Verizon Deny Bloomberg Report: http://t.co/8GVCNoKNMv
— FierceWireless (@FierceWireless) July 2, 2014
> According to a new report, a group of carriers and vendors is looking to create an open-source NFV platform. Article
> Google purchased Songza, which offers curated music playlists. Article
> T-Mobile will reportedly start offering financing payment options for accessories starting July 20. Article
> Ericsson reached 5 Gbps speeds in a test of 5G network technology. Article
> Amazon's Fire smartphone has fallen from the top five list of top sellers at the company to position No. 61. Article
> Android Wear devices will work with the two newest versions of Android, which are on a total of only 25 percent of all Android devices. Article
> According to new findings from Nielsen, smartphone owners use around two dozen apps per month. Article
Online Video News
> When it comes to deciding what to watch online, 68 percent of connected viewers pick YouTube first, a new study from Adroit Digital reveals. Article
> Now that Aereo has suspended its operations as it figures out it next move, online video viewers are left with a gap in their streaming content. How can they access TV shows that they can no longer get via the SVOD provider? Actually, there are plenty of options. Article
Telecom News
> Zayo announced its acquisition of Atlanta data center and managed services provider AtlantaNAP, a purchase that will expand its data center count to 28 locations. Article
> Consolidated Communications' move to acquire fellow independent telco Enventis for $350 million shows its ongoing need to diversify its revenue base. Editor's Corner
Cable News
> Google contradicted a Parks Associates' study on Chromecast, arguing that usage is actually up. Article
> Showtime Anytime is now accessible through authentication on the Xbox 360 for Showtime subscribers who also pay a monthly bill to Microsoft for the Xbox Live programming service. Article
European Wireless News
> Telefónica Deutschland succeeded in convincing European Commission (EC) regulators that a planned €8.6 billion ($11.7 billion) acquisition of KPN's German mobile business E-Plus will not harm competition in the country. Article
> Industry experts say operators must do more to offset the effect of European Commission mandated cuts to consumer roaming charges for mobile data usage, texts and calls that came into effect on July 1. Article
> René Schuster, the man previously in charge of the plan to merge Telefónica Deutschland with E-Plus, is now joining Russian operator VimpelCom as its COO, the company has revealed. Article
And finally… Spending a month with the Razr, the most exciting phone of 2004. Article