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[[NebuAd]] was a behavioral advertising company that provided targeted advertising services to a number of Internet service providers beginning in 2007. Their systems were similar to those used by [[Phorm]], an advertising company out of Europe, and Adzilla and the Project Rialto in the US.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2008/06/nebuad-forges-g/|title=Report: NebuAd Forges Packets, Violates Net Standards|publisher=Wired|accessdate=2010-10-11}}</ref>
[[NebuAd]] was a behavioral advertising company that provided targeted advertising services to a number of Internet service providers beginning in 2007. Their systems were similar to those used by [[Phorm]], an advertising company out of Europe, and Adzilla and the Project Rialto in the US.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2008/06/nebuad-forges-g/|title=Report: NebuAd Forges Packets, Violates Net Standards|publisher=Wired|accessdate=2010-10-11}}</ref>


WOW! deployed NebuAd's services in early 2008. At the time, WOW! not only provided the possibility of such services as a condition to its terms of service, but it also provided multiple disclosures and opt-out opportunities for ISP customers not wishing to receive such services. In February 2008 customers of WOW! noticed cookies for sites, such as nebuad.adjuggler.com, were being read and written.<ref>{{cite web|last=Metz|first=Cade|title=Data pimping catches ISP on the hop|url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04/22/wide_open_west_users_with_nebuad/|publisher=The Register|accessdate=23 December 2010|date=22|month=April|year=2008|page=1}}</ref> It has been reported that the cookies were being sent by equipment supplied by NebuAd.<ref>{{cite web|last=Metz|first=Cade|title=Data pimping catches ISP on the hop|url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04/22/wide_open_west_users_with_nebuad/page2.html|publisher=The Register|accessdate=23 December 2010|date=22|month=April|year=2008|page=2}}</ref> While the NebuAd services did not access or store any personally identifiable information of subscribers, WOW! elected to discontinue the NebuAd services effective June 30, 2008 as set forth in a letter dated August 13, 2008 to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/Responses%20to%20080108%20TI%20Letter/110-ltr.080108responseWOW.pdf|title=WOW Letter to the Committee on Energy and Commerce|publisher=WideOpenWest|accessdate=2009-12-12}}</ref>
WOW! deployed NebuAd's services in early 2008. At the time, WOW! not only provided the possibility of such services as a condition to its terms of service, but it also provided multiple disclosures and opt-out opportunities for ISP customers not wishing to receive such services. In February 2008 customers of WOW! noticed cookies for sites, such as nebuad.adjuggler.com, were being read and written.<ref>{{cite web|last=Metz|first=Cade|title=Data pimping catches ISP on the hop|url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04/22/wide_open_west_users_with_nebuad/|publisher=The Register|accessdate=23 December 2010|date=22 April 2008|page=1}}</ref> It has been reported that the cookies were being sent by equipment supplied by NebuAd.<ref>{{cite web|last=Metz|first=Cade|title=Data pimping catches ISP on the hop|url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04/22/wide_open_west_users_with_nebuad/page2.html|publisher=The Register|accessdate=23 December 2010|date=22 April 2008|page=2}}</ref> While the NebuAd services did not access or store any personally identifiable information of subscribers, WOW! elected to discontinue the NebuAd services effective June 30, 2008 as set forth in a letter dated August 13, 2008 to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/Responses%20to%20080108%20TI%20Letter/110-ltr.080108responseWOW.pdf|title=WOW Letter to the Committee on Energy and Commerce|publisher=WideOpenWest|accessdate=2009-12-12}}</ref>


Litigation was initiated in November 2008, alleging violation of federal and state privacy laws in the US Federal District Court for the Northern District of California against a group of ISPs, including WOW!, who had deployed NebuAd's services.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.multichannel.com/article/439890-WideOpenWest_Targeted_In_Lawsuit_Over_Internet_Ad_Trial.php|publisher=Multichannel News |title=''WideOpenWest Targeted In Lawsuit Over Internet Ad Trial ''}}</ref> The case was subsequently dismissed by the federal court in October 2009 for lack of jurisdiction. The case was re-filed in December 2009 in the US Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.<ref name=ipview>{{cite web|url=http://207.41.16.133/rfcViewFile/09cv7653.pdf|title=Dan Valentine vs WideOpen West, Finance, LLC|publisher=US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois|accessdate=2009-12-12}}</ref>
Litigation was initiated in November 2008, alleging violation of federal and state privacy laws in the US Federal District Court for the Northern District of California against a group of ISPs, including WOW!, who had deployed NebuAd's services.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.multichannel.com/article/439890-WideOpenWest_Targeted_In_Lawsuit_Over_Internet_Ad_Trial.php|publisher=Multichannel News |title=''WideOpenWest Targeted In Lawsuit Over Internet Ad Trial ''}}</ref> The case was subsequently dismissed by the federal court in October 2009 for lack of jurisdiction. The case was re-filed in December 2009 in the US Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.<ref name=ipview>{{cite web|url=http://207.41.16.133/rfcViewFile/09cv7653.pdf|title=Dan Valentine vs WideOpen West, Finance, LLC|publisher=US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois|accessdate=2009-12-12}}</ref>

Revision as of 04:02, 23 December 2010

For other uses, see Wow (disambiguation).
WOW!
Company typePrivate
IndustryTelecommunications
Founded1996
HeadquartersUnited States Englewood, Colorado, USA
Key people
Colleen Abdoulah, Chief Executive Officer and Chairwoman of the Board
ProductsCable TV, Broadband Internet, Phone
RevenueUnknown
Unknown
Number of employees
Unknown
Websitewww.wowway.com

WOW! (formerly WideOpenWest), is the 15th largest cable provider in the United States.[1]

The Back Story

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 gave way for more competition to enter the cable TV market. Encouraged by this law a number of investors, led by local telephone companies, established competitive broadcast cable services in markets across the country. These entities became known in the industry as 'cable overbuilders,' meaning they would build new cable infrastructure into areas where there were existing cable systems.[2]

WOW! was founded in November 1999 in Denver, Colorado. After completing a network build in April 2001, WOW! initially served about 200 people in the Denver area. In November 2001, Americast, an overbuild system in the Midwest built and operated by Ameritech New Media, Inc., was purchased by WOW! for an undisclosed amount per subscriber, estimated to have been at a cost of $1,000 per sub.[3] This purchase opened WOW! to over 310,000 new customers in areas surrounding the cities of Chicago, Detroit, Denver, Cleveland, and Columbus.[4]

WOW! currently provides service in the metropolitan areas of Detroit, Chicago, Columbus, Cleveland, and Evansville, IN. WOW! no longer serves the Denver market.

WOW! is privately owned with Avista Capital Partners having a majority stake.[5]

Awards

WOW! has been recognized locally and within its industry for outstanding customer satisfaction, positive employment practices leading to satisfied employees and supporting the advancement of women.

2010

  • Highest in Customer Satisfaction in the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Internet Service Provider Residential Customer Satisfaction Study for the North Central Region.[6]
  • Highest in Customer Satisfaction in the J.D. Power and Associates Residential Telephone Customer Satisfaction Study for the North Central Region.[7]
  • ConsumerSearch.org Best Regional Cable Broadband ISP [8]
  • Consumer Reports Highest Ranked Internet, Phone and Television Service – February 2010
  • Illinois Best Places to Work [9]
  • CableFax Magazine Independent Customer Service Award [10]

2009

  • Highest in Customer Satisfaction in the J.D. Power and Associates Residential High Speed Internet Customer Satisfaction Study for the North Central Region.[11]
  • Highest in Customer Satisfaction in the J.D. Power and Associates Residential Telephone Customer Satisfaction Study for the North Central Region.[12]
  • Highest in Customer Satisfaction in the J.D. Power and Associates Residential Television Service Satisfaction Study for the North Central Region.[13]
  • WOW! Evansville, IN office receives Mayor's Award for its significant support and contribution to Easter Seals.[14]
  • The 2009 Detroit Free Press Top Workplaces[15]

2008

  • Women in Cable Telecommunications: recognized WOW! as one of the top five employers in the cable and telecommunications industry that provides exceptional support towards the advancement of women in the workplace.[16]
  • Named Independent Operator of the Year by Cable Fax Magazine.[17]
  • Highest in Customer Satisfaction in the J.D. Power and Associates Residential Telephone Customer Satisfaction Study for the North Central Region.[18]
  • Highest in Customer Satisfaction in the J.D. Power and Associates Residential High Speed Internet Customer Satisfaction Study for the North Central Region.[19]
  • Named to Metro Detroit's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For by Michigan Business and Professional Association.[20]

2007

  • Highest in Customer Satisfaction in the J.D. Power and Associates Residential Cable/Satellite Television Study.[21]
  • Highest in Customer Satisfaction in the J.D. Power and Associates Residential Telephone customer Satisfaction Study for the North Central Region.[22]
  • Crain's Cool Places to Work in Southeast Michigan.[23]
  • Recognized by the Economic Development Corporation in Colorado Springs, CO for creating quality jobs for a quality community[citation needed]
  • Named to Chicago's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For by the National Association of Business Resources.[24]

2006

  • Highest in Customer Satisfaction for the North Central Region in the J.D. Power and Associates Residential Cable/Satellite Television Study.[25]
  • Highest in Customer Satisfaction in the J.D. Power and Associates Internet Service Provider Residential Customer Satisfaction Study.[26]
  • PC Magazine Reader's Choice Award for High-Speed Internet Provider.[27]

2005

  • Highest in Overall Customer Satisfaction in the J.D. Power and Associates Residential Cable/Satellite Television Study.[28]

Nebuad Spying Scandal

NebuAd was a behavioral advertising company that provided targeted advertising services to a number of Internet service providers beginning in 2007. Their systems were similar to those used by Phorm, an advertising company out of Europe, and Adzilla and the Project Rialto in the US.[29]

WOW! deployed NebuAd's services in early 2008. At the time, WOW! not only provided the possibility of such services as a condition to its terms of service, but it also provided multiple disclosures and opt-out opportunities for ISP customers not wishing to receive such services. In February 2008 customers of WOW! noticed cookies for sites, such as nebuad.adjuggler.com, were being read and written.[30] It has been reported that the cookies were being sent by equipment supplied by NebuAd.[31] While the NebuAd services did not access or store any personally identifiable information of subscribers, WOW! elected to discontinue the NebuAd services effective June 30, 2008 as set forth in a letter dated August 13, 2008 to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.[32]

Litigation was initiated in November 2008, alleging violation of federal and state privacy laws in the US Federal District Court for the Northern District of California against a group of ISPs, including WOW!, who had deployed NebuAd's services.[33] The case was subsequently dismissed by the federal court in October 2009 for lack of jurisdiction. The case was re-filed in December 2009 in the US Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.[34]

References

  1. ^ "Top 25 Multichannel Video Providers - As of December 2009". National Cable & Telecommunications Association.
  2. ^ "CableLabs Glossary". CableLabs.
  3. ^ "WOW Takes Over ex Americast Systems". Multichannel News.
  4. ^ "SBC Sells For a Song". Multichannel News.
  5. ^ "Portfolio". Avista Capital Partners.
  6. ^ "2010 Internet Service Provider Residential Customer Satisfaction Study". J.D. Power and Associates.
  7. ^ "2010 Residential Telephone Customer Satisfaction Study". J.D. Power and Associates.
  8. ^ "Best Regional Cable Broadband ISP". ConsumerSearch.org.
  9. ^ "Illinois Best Places to Work". 101 Best Places to Work.
  10. ^ "Independent Customer Service Award". CableFax Magazine, July 2010.
  11. ^ "2009 Internet Service Provider Residential Customer Satisfaction Study". J.D. Power and Associates.
  12. ^ "2009 Residential Telephone Customer Satisfaction Study". J.D. Power and Associates.
  13. ^ "2009 Residential Television Service Satisfaction Study". J.D. Power and Associates.
  14. ^ "Easter Seals Telethon". Easter Seals Southwest Indiana.
  15. ^ "2009 Detroit Free Press Top Workplaces". Detroit Free Press.
  16. ^ "2008 PAR Initiative". Women in Cable Telecommunications.
  17. ^ "Independent Operator of the Year: WOW!". Cable Fax Magazine.
  18. ^ "J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Customers Respond Positively as Cable and Voice Providers Leverage Web Sites to More Effectively Address Customer Service Issues". J.D. Power and Associates.
  19. ^ "2008 Internet Service Provider (ISP) Residential Customer Satisfaction Study". J.D. Power and Associates.
  20. ^ "2008 Winners". 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For.
  21. ^ "J.D. Power and Associates Reports: DIRECTV and WOW! Lead the Regional Cable and Satellite Customer Satisfaction Rankings". J.D. Power and Associates.
  22. ^ "J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Bundling Video with Voice and Data Services Gives Cable Companies A Competitive Edge over Telephone Providers". J.D. Power and Associates.
  23. ^ "Crain's Cool Places to Work 2007". Crain Communications Inc.
  24. ^ "2007 Winners". 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For.
  25. ^ "J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Although Cable Continues to Lose Market Share to Satellite Providers, Cable Subscribers Are Switching to Digital Service at a Rapid Pace". J.D. Power & Associates.[self-published source?]
  26. ^ "J.D. Power and Associates Reports: High-Speed Internet Overtakes Dial-Up in Market Share as Bundling Makes Services More Affordable". J.D. Power and Associates.
  27. ^ "Readers' Choice: ISPs Survey". PC Magazine.
  28. ^ "J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Satellite TV Penetration Increases Significantly, Even as Cable Narrows the Customer Satisfaction Gap". J.D. Power and Associates.
  29. ^ "Report: NebuAd Forges Packets, Violates Net Standards". Wired. Retrieved 2010-10-11.
  30. ^ Metz, Cade (22 April 2008). "Data pimping catches ISP on the hop". The Register. p. 1. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  31. ^ Metz, Cade (22 April 2008). "Data pimping catches ISP on the hop". The Register. p. 2. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  32. ^ "WOW Letter to the Committee on Energy and Commerce" (PDF). WideOpenWest. Retrieved 2009-12-12.
  33. ^ "WideOpenWest Targeted In Lawsuit Over Internet Ad Trial ". Multichannel News.
  34. ^ "Dan Valentine vs WideOpen West, Finance, LLC" (PDF). US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Retrieved 2009-12-12.
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