Health care businesses boost broadband use
A new study by Connected Tennessee found that 76 percent of the health care companies in Tennessee use broadband Internet connections for their business functions, up 29 percent from four years ago.
Among the Internet-connected businesses in the health care industry, 82 percent use broadband connections to buy or place orders for products and services and 52 percent offer online billing options.
The survey found the businesses' median broadband download speed is 5.1 Mbps, which was slightly faster than that of most businesses.
LodgeNet files for bankruptcy
LodgeNet Investment Corp. said Monday that it is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and will be acquired by investment firm Colony Capital.
LodgeNet provides video, Internet and advertising services to the lodging and health care sectors. The company said that it will continue to operate during the expedited bankruptcy process. When that is complete, Colony will own LodgeNet.
LodgeNet says a Colony Capital affiliate will provide it with $60 million in new capital, and that funding will be used to support a recapitalization of the company. LodgeNet also said it will form a strategic partnership with DirecTV LLC in the hospitality and health care markets.