Verizon Wireless is buying $3.6 billion worth of wireless spectrum from Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks. This will allow Verizon to further build their LTE network. As part of the deal, the three cable companies will become mobile virtual network operators on Verizon. Verizon may also become a cable virtual operator or agent outside of their wireline territory to sell home broadband, TV, and phone services.

Comcast is launching a program called Internet Essentials to provide “low-cost access to the Internet and affordable computers as well as digital literacy training to families with children who are eligible to receive free lunches under the National School Lunch Program.” Mashable reports that the $9.95 a month plan will be available to families that live in a Comcast-covered area, have at least one child with free lunches via the National School Lunch Program, haven’t had a Comcast subscription in the last 90 days and don’t have unreturned Comcast equipment or an overdue Comcast bill.

Bandwidth providers and media companies may soon reach a new agreement on punishments for intellectual property piracy on the internet. Cnet reports that the companies, including AT&T, Comcast and Verizon, would be making a deal that cracks down harder than ever before on music and video piracy. ISPs’ options would include reducing pirates’ bandwidth, limiting the number of websites users can visit until they cease pirating, or requiring pirates to participate in copyright law and intellectual property education courses.

Comcast and Skype have announced a partnership. Comcast will allow their customers to communicate with friends and family through Skype HD video calling through the TV. Comcast will be able to use Skype video calling from their living rooms. When using the HD camera, XFINITY service, and broadband connection, Comcast customers will be able to Skype through their TV. Below is the press release:

Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA) is very sensitive to criticism. Last week after Comcast decided to hire a sitting member of the FCC named Meredith Attwell Baker, an employee of the Reel Grrls nonprofit education program sent a tweet questioning whether this was a conflict of interest. Baker had voted in approval of Comcast’s merger with NBC Universal. Comcast cut off funding for Reel Grrls after that tweet was sent out.

Today many people were reporting that Comcast and other ISPs were blocking access to torrent file search engine The Pirate Bay. “We’re not blocking PirateBay and reports online indicate users from several ISPs around the world are affected,” said Comcast in a statement. It is unknown whether access to The Pirate Bay is being blocked by copyright groups overseas. If you have any news about what is going on, please leave a comment on this page. [Engadget]

Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) has announced that they have hit 23.6 million subscribers. They had a major first-quarter growth spurt that pushed them ahead of Showtime and Comcast in terms of the subscriber number. About 3.59 million new subscribers joined for the quarter ending in March.

The federal government is allowing Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA) to merge with NBC, but there are limitations. Comcast will not be allowed to sabotage Hulu.com when buying NBC. Comcast’s acquisition of NBC was worth about $30 billion. Media industry executives were interested to see how Comcast would influence Hulu.com. NBC Universal helped create Hulu and owns about 30% of the website.