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Daily news and top headlines for broadband communications engineering and design professionals
Adara racks up two more customer wins
May 29, 2013 12:44 pm | by Mike Robuck | CommentsAdara Technologies announced this morning it had successfully launched its digital video network upgrade platform with two additional service providers—Darien Communications of Georgia and Beaver Creek Telephone (BCT) of Oregon. By using the platform’s switched digital video capability, both service providers can clear up enough capacity to add hundreds of additional HD channels.
HomeGrid Forum and HomePNA Alliance merge
May 28, 2013 2:13 pm | by Brian Santo | CommentsThe merged organization, operating under the HomeGrid Forum name, will continue to support both G.hn and HomePNA. With G.hn-based products beginning to hit the market, the merger creates an organization that will guide those planning new networks based on G.hn as well as migrating from earlier network technologies to G.hn.
Oi taps home Wi-Fi routers for public access
May 28, 2013 2:05 pm | by Brian Santo | CommentsThe Brazilian telecommunications provider is preparing to commercialize a technology that North American MSOs have been only talking about so far: the ability to partition residential Wi-Fi routers to use some of the bandwidth for public mobile access. Oi is using enabling technology from Aptilo Networks.
Bell launches Canada’s first wireless TV receiver
May 28, 2013 12:35 pm | by Mike Robuck | CommentsBell took the wraps of its new Fibe TV Wireless Receiver yesterday, which sends HD quality video services to up to five additional TVs in customers’ homes without the need for more cable runs or the use of existing wall jacks. Bell is laying claim to being the first video provider in Canada to launch a wireless receiver.
Report: Some smart TV owners not connecting to Internet
May 28, 2013 12:31 pm | by Mike Robuck | CommentsSmart TVs are making their way into living rooms, but fewer than half of them are actually connecting to the Internet, according to a recent study by Analysys Mason. The consumer survey included five responses from five European companies and the United States,
Cisco wraps up purchase of Ubiquisys
May 24, 2013 1:29 pm | by Associated Press | CommentsCisco Systems Inc. said Friday that it has completed a $310 million acquisition of Ubiquisys, a privately held cellphone technology company in the U.K. Cisco said that deal will combine the expertise of both companies to the benefit of service provider customers moving to next-generation radio access networks.
Dish and Ntelos forge broadband pact
May 24, 2013 1:20 pm | by Associated Press | CommentsSatellite TV provider Dish Network and regional cellphone company Ntelos said Friday that they have agreed to develop a fixed-mobile broadband service within Ntelos' coverage area. The area in question covers customers in Virginia, West Virginia and parts of Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kentucky.
Edmonton expands Wi-Fi service agreement with Shaw
May 24, 2013 12:29 pm | by Mike Robuck | CommentsEdmonton’s city council gave Shaw Communications its stamp of approval by voting in favor of letting the cable operator expand its Wi-Fi service to public areas across the city. The Shaw Go WiFi network will be available not only Shaw’s customers once its completed, but also to city residents and visitors.
Verizon kick starts Memorial Day weekend with VOD marathon
May 24, 2013 12:23 pm | by Mike Robuck | CommentsVerizon has booted up its “On Demand Marathon,” which is offering its 4.9 million FiOS subscribers free access to 1,700 movies and more than 50 full seasons of TV series. The VOD marathon, which started today and runs through Tuesday, is the single largest free on demand event that Verizon has hosted.
MEF unveils new service operations committee
May 24, 2013 12:17 pm | by Mike Robuck | CommentsThe Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) recently formed its services operations committee, which was designed to define, streamline and standardize processes for buying, selling, delivering and operating MEF-defined services. Allan Langfield, senior director of product development at Comcast Business, and Shahar Steiff, AVP business operations at PCCW Global, were tabbed as the co-chairs of the service operations committee.
Canoe licenses BlackArrow ad management tool
May 23, 2013 1:44 pm | by Brian Santo | CommentsCanoe has licensed BlackArrow Affiliate, the toolset from BlackArrow that enables programmers to manage ad avails in video on demand (VOD) services. MSOs can use BlackArrow Affiliate to schedule ad campaigns by criteria including day of week, time of day, and by program or series.
FCC kicks off Phase II of Connect America Fund
May 23, 2013 1:32 pm | by Brian Santo | CommentsThe FCC announced Phase II of the Connect America Fund, extending the program designed to encourage the extension of broadband networks to reach unserved and underserved Americans, mostly in rural areas. The announcement was hailed by phone companies, but was met with disappointment by the smaller cable operators who typically provide services in the areas targeted by the fund.
Cox steps up to aid Oklahoma tornado victims
May 23, 2013 12:56 pm | by Mike Robuck | CommentsCox Communications and parent company Cox Enterprises have stepped up to the plate to help customers that were impacted by the tornado that hit the Oklahoma City area on Monday. Cox is offering its TV Everywhere app outside of customers' homes in the affected area.
TWC promotes Picciolo to SVP of technical operations, residential
May 23, 2013 12:49 pm | by Mike Robuck | CommentsEffective immediately, Time Warner Cable executive Deborah Picciolo was promoted to the newly created position of senior vice president of technical operations, residential. In her new role, Picciolo reports to John Keib, executive vice president, chief care and technical operations officer.
Overture snags $8 million in funding
May 23, 2013 12:43 pm | by Mike Robuck | CommentsCarrier Ethernet vendor Overture Networks announced this morning that it had secured an initial equity investment of $8 million, with an opportunity to raise up to $11.7 million. Overture will also be opening two new development centers in Westford, Massachusetts and Bangalore, India to support its existing engineering team in its Research Triangle Park, North Carolina headquarters.


