Broadband Week Briefs
By Staff -- Multichannel News, 10/17/2004 8:00:00 PM
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Items:
Optimum Online Throttles to 5 Megs Fathom Provides Support For Cox NCTC Approves Net2Phone Status Grande Expands ICTV Rollout nCUBE Becomes an RGB Networks VIP SES Handles NESN HD Feed |
Optimum Online Throttles to 5 Megs
Woodbury, N.Y. — Cablevision Systems Corp. said it will increase downstream speeds for its Optimum Online subscribers to an average of 5 Megabits per second, with a maximum downstream speed of 10 Mbps.
The new speeds are being touted in two new TV advertisements. In the first, engineers cut a red ribbon to mark the introduction of the faster service. A second commercial, slated to appear later this month, features an Optimum Online “marathon runner” leaving DSL and dial-up runners in the dust.
Cablevision said it upgraded its cable-modem termination systems and built out plant to 500 homes per node to achieve the increased speeds. Optimum Online serves 1.2 million subscribers.
Fathom Provides Support For Cox
Chicago — Fathom Solutions has signed a deal with Cox Communications Inc.that it said will help the MSO improve efficiencies and increase revenue in its business-services division.
Fathom provides business integration-support services with procedures that provide more accurate information and validation of network-inventory discrepancies. Cox said Fathom will help it improve order entry, order management, workflow management, network inventory and supplier interconnection business capabilities.
NCTC Approves Net2Phone Status
Newark, N.J. — The National Cable Television Cooperative has chosenNet2Phone Inc.as the first “Platinum Vendor” of voice-over-Internet-protocol services to its members.
Under terms of the deal, NCTC members will maintain ownership of their telephony subscribers and brand, and they will provide customer service and technical support.
Net2Phone will enable provisioning and billing integration; a class 5-capable switching platform; and advanced features such as caller ID, network-management tools, public switched-telephone network interconnects and operator services/directory assistance.
Grande Expands ICTV Rollout
Los Gatos, Calif. — ICTV said Grande Communications has expanded the rollout of its HeadendWare interactive services product to its systems in Austin and San Antonio. The system was first launched in Grande’s San Marcos, Tex., system.
Using HeadendWare, Grande offers subscribers Grande Interactive TV, which includes, news, sports, weather and information, plus games like “Diamond Mine” and “Bookworm.”
“We believe expanding Grande Interactive TV to Austin and San Antonio will increase our competitive edge,” said Grande vice chairman and CEO William Morrow.
nCUBE Becomes an RGB Networks VIP
San Mateo, Calif. — nCUBE Corp. said RGB Networks has joined its Vendor Interoperability Program.
RGN will integrate its Video Intelligence Architecture platform with nCUBE’s digital-advertising and on-demand platform.
The move would allow MSOs to insert digital ads in VOD programming, the companies said.
RGB’s technology allows MSOs to utilize more efficient video-processing technology and bandwidth management techniques to transport greater amounts of video over the same coaxial cable plant.
SES Handles NESN HD Feed
Princeton, N.J. — SES Americomsaid New England Sports Network has contracted with the satellite carrier to handle its regional HDTV feed.
SES said the multiyear, multimillion dollar deal covers regional distribution across six states.
NESN will use SES’s new AMC-11 satellite for its content, which includes the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Bruins. AMC-11 is in the 131 degrees west longitude slot.
SES also operates AMC-10 as a HD bird in the 135 degrees west longitude slot. Both birds carry 24 transponders.
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