Their antenna system is also closely related to a ground-based wireless technology called local multipoint distribution service (LMDS).

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Unlike some Web-based phenoms, the location check-in service Foursquare has an obvious potential business model: local ads based on your geographic location, perhaps coupled with inferred interests from your previous check-ins.

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He says there were plenty of ideas about how to improve local services, such as a community-based gynaecology service with a specialist and a scanner.

BBC: The changing health service

Another partnership links Comm South, a Dallas-based residential-phone service provider, with a competitive local-exchange carrier called Arbros that focuses on U.S. East Coast businesses.

FORBES: Reverses

Staff at the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), an independent federal agency, support and facilitate community-based service programs across the country to meet all kinds of local needs.

WHITEHOUSE: Managing School-Community Partnerships is a Full-Time Job | The White House

Swipely, which has been testing its credit card-based loyalty service in Rhode Island, is expanding into Boston, launching with 150 local merchants there.

FORBES: Swipely Expands Credit Card-Based Loyalty Service