economics

Virgin Mobile USA is offering laidoff consumers a little relief in this tough economy.

The cell phone operator is offering a "Pink Slip Protection" program that essentially picks up the tab for three months of service for customers who have lost their jobs. To qualify for the three free months of service, users must subscribe to one of the company's monthly service plans, which cost $29.99, $39.99, and $49.99. New subscribers will be automatically enrolled in the program and existing customers can also enroll for the program.

Virgin said it will pay bills up … Read more

Companies in the wireless industry hope they can jump on the stimulus spending gravy-train as hospitals and other medical facilities seek money from the government's economic stimulus package.

Wireless in the health care industry was a big highlight at last week's CTIA Wireless 2009 trade show in Las Vegas, where Dr. Eric Topol, chief academic officer of Scripps Health, gave a speech and demonstrated how wireless operations can benefit health care.

And this week, many wireless companies and several other big technology companies are gathering in Chicago at a health care technology trade show. Several companies such as … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Wireless industry executives at the CTIA Wireless 2009 trade show here say that despite the economic meltdown, the cell phone industry remains strong. And they're confident that it will be a driving force in pulling the nation out of the current financial crisis.

Verizon Communications CEO Ivan Seidenberg and Robert Dotson, CEO of T-Mobile USA, which is owned by Deutsche Telekom, took the stage on Wednesday, the opening day of the trade show, with a similar message.

These executives said that despite the economic troubles facing the nation and the world, the wireless market is thriving and innovation … Read more

Some broadband users are considering going back to dial-up as the tough economic climate forces them to cut their household budgets, according to a story published Friday in the Chicago Tribune.

While it's unlikely Americans will ditch broadband for dial-up en masse, there are likely to be some people who find the $20 to $50 monthly fees for DSL or cable modem broadband service to be too high, when dial-up providers such as NetZero are offering new $9.95 service plans.

One Florida man, Arnold Zimmerman, 66, said that after his work hours got reduced and his stock portfolio … Read more

One of the more interesting aspects of the recession is how smart businesses, regardless of their market segment have learned to adapt and play to their strengths.

Street-fashion blog Hypebeast just published a series of interviews with independent designers that showcases how these small businesses are dealing with market dynamics and staying successful.

I really like this quote from Frank Liew, founder of qubic store, quarters boutique, and solejam.com.

What has had the biggest impact on you from a business and personal perspective?

It's been interesting seeing a textbook scenario come to life, and seeing the way a … Read more

Consumer advocates are reigniting a debate over Net neutrality by insisting that the government require recipients of the government's $7.2 billion broadband stimulus package to adhere to special rules to ensure traffic on the Internet flows freely.

Consumer groups and Internet service providers faced off at a public hearing in Washington, D.C., on Monday set up to discuss how money from President Obama's economic stimulus package should be allocated. Public interest groups believe that the government should require companies receiving funds to adhere to special Net neutrality rules that would prevent them from discriminating against traffic … Read more

Nokia, the world's largest maker of cell phones, said Tuesday it will cut 1,700 jobs as demand for its products continues to wane.

The job cuts will affect workers who work in its Devices and Markets units as well as in its Corporate Development Office and global support functions. The company said in a statement that it plans to scale its sales, marketing and technology business units to match the slowing demand for its products.

The company is based in Finland and about 700 workers there will likely lose their jobs, according to a report by Bloomberg News. … Read more

I just read that in-game advertising company IGA Worldwide is struggling. Obviously the economic downturn isn't helping anyone. But video games have stayed strong and as more games use Internet connections for new content, one would expect such a company to be doing well.

It appears that if IGA falters it may be its own fault, having made some bad deals for upfront payments. But that's only part of the story. The bigger issue is that in-game advertising is not like other mediums and requires the industry as a whole to mature.

The current problem is that every … Read more

"Daily Show" host Jon Stewart ran a clip of stock commentator Jim Cramer, in which Cramer explained how to manipulate the markets, including Apple's shares.

Stewart showed the clip on Thursday during the now-infamous interview of Cramer. Here is the full clip for your enjoyment/depression/entertainment.