• Charter tries novel rebate/gasoline promotion
By Brian Santo

Charter Communications is offering a novel promotion that encourages consumers to order bundled services, an in exchange get a gift card for gas. The company is tying the promotion to government tax rebate checks.

The offer is open to both new and current customers. Gift cards will be worth $25, $50 or $100 for ordering one, two or three new services, respectively.

Barbara Hedges, SVP of consumer marketing for Charter, said, “Order any of these services online, and we will help you keep more of your tax rebate in your pocket – instead of your gas tank.”

• SES Americom’s prez/CEO resigns
By Traci Patterson

SES Americom said that its president and CEO, Edward D. Horowitz, has resigned from the company to pursue opportunities with Global Entertainment and Media Holdings Corp.

Romain Bausch, the chief executive and chairman of SES Americom’s board, together with the members of the company’s Management Committee, will continue to execute the business strategy until a successor is appointed, the company said.

“Ed was instrumental in the further integration of SES Americom into the SES family, and in developing new market areas such as IP-Prime,” Bausch said. “We thank Ed for his contribution to SES over the past three years and wish him continued success in his future endeavors. The company is on track to grow in each of its market sectors, thus maintaining its industry leadership in North America.”

• Buckeye bumps top-tier data subs to 12Mbps
By Brian Santo

Buckeye Cable in Ohio has automatically upgraded all of its subscribers who had been getting its 10 Mbps tier to its 12 Mbps.

The company offers its 12 Mbps top tier for $69.99. Buckeye continues to offer its 10 Mbps tier for $44.99.

AT&T launched U-Verse in Ohio last June.

• Trilithic to demo new EAS network receiver at Expo
By Traci Patterson

Trilithic has released a new product – the EASyIP EAS Network Receiver – that extends the area of message reception for a cable or IPTV network and improves the reliability of the message delivery.

The EASyIP EAS Network Receiver will log and cue the EAS message for the EAS Encoder/Decoder, the company said. Once the Encoder/Decoder is ready for the message, it is handled and distributed to consumers, and there are no more lost messages. The EASyPlus, or EASyIP Encoder/Decoder, can also handle duplicate messages.

The EASyIP EAS Network Receiver will be demonstrated at the SCTE Cable-Tec Expo, set for June 24-27 in Philadelphia.

• Hawaiian Telcom names new prez/CEO
By Traci Patterson

Hawaiian Telcom Communications has named Eric K. Yeaman as the company’s new president and CEO, succeeding Stephen F. Cooper. Yeaman joins Hawaiian Telcom from Hawaiian Electric Co., where he served as senior EVP and COO. Yeaman has also been appointed to the company’s board of directors, where Walter A. Dods Jr. has been named non-executive chairman, succeeding Daniel F. Akerson.

And Robert F. Reich, who has served as interim CFO since March 7, has been named the company’s official CFO. Hawaiian Telcom also announced that Alan M. Oshima has transitioned from his position as SVP and general counsel to senior advisor to the company and a member of the board.

Hawaiian Telcom offers local and long distance telecom services, as well as high-speed Internet and wireless services, in the state.

More Broadband Briefs:

• Modems, CMTSs break through DOCSIS 3.0 testing at CableLabs 

• Congress revisits net neutrality bills 

• Windstream ups revenues, subs in Q1 

• Dish adds 2 more HD local markets 

• Orb Networks enables live TV on iPhones 

• Alcatel-Lucent, Quantum pair up for mobile TV 

• Broadband Briefs for 5/9/08