AT&T expands fiber network in key Tennessee cities; Net neutrality ruling won't affect telecom providers' revenues, says Fitch Ratings

Wireline news from across the web:

> AT&T is leveraging beneficial regulatory policy and more than $1 billion in investments to expand its fiber network in a number of Tennessee cities. Chattanooga Times Free Press article

> The US Court of Appeals ruling to uphold open internet rules may affect investment plans for telecoms but should not affect revenues, Fitch Ratings says. CED Magazine article

> While 24 percent of US households aim to buy smart lighting this year, and 11 percent a smart thermostat, less than one-third of consumers say they know where to shop for smart home gadgets, according to a new Parks Associates study. Media Post article

> Verizon is supporting its customers affected by the attack at Ataturk airport in Istanbul, Turkey with free calling. Release

> Orange faces SDH hurdle in its planned all-IP transition. Light Reading article

> Puerto Rico Telephone Company (PRTC) and parent company America Movil have agreed to pay $1.1 million to settle a FCC investigation into foreign ownership levels. Release

> Australian operator Vocus Communications is acquiring Nextgen Networks from Canada's Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and Spanish-controlled infrastructure giant CIMIC Group for $ 600 million. TeleGeography article

Cable News
> Warner Bros. Entertainment has joined the controversial patent pool HEVC Advance, both as a licensee and a licensor, the group announced. Article

> Republican FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly, a vocal critic of Chairman Tom Wheeler's set-top box regulation proposal, delivered his most strident support yet for the pay-TV industry's apps-based proposal. Article

Installer News
> Ahead of next month's Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia and the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Verizon Wireless is detailing some of the network upgrades being put in place in order to handle the increased demands on the network. Article

Online Video News
> The stars appear to be aligning for the mobile live streaming industry, as both Facebook and YouTube announced expanded capabilities for their respective apps, making live streaming more accessible and more directly competitive with Twitter-owned Periscope. Article

Wireless News
> Cablevision is shutting down its Freewheel in a move that underscores the difficulties cable companies face as they try to elbow their way into the wireless market. Article

> Verizon is reportedly looking to raise $1.17 billion in a bond backed by customers' monthly phone installment payments in an unprecedented move that may see other mobile network operators follow suit. Article

And finally … Facebook has promised to open source a "modular routing platform" it says powers many of its own networks. The Register article