* Tektronix enhances GeoProbe 
By Brian Santo

Tektronix has enhanced its GeoProbe Network Assurance solution; it now enables operators to monitor several new interfaces, including Gb/IP, IuFlex and A-interface over SIGTRAN for IP converged transport networks.

IP convergence not only impacts the way operators view their networks – from the service and application level – it also impacts the underlying transport networks and associated technologies and protocols in the delivery of video, voice and data services, Tek said . The transport network is evolving into a highly reliable, converged all-IP network for multimedia content. This converged approach allows operators to achieve greater operational efficiencies and maintain competitiveness by reducing network capital costs and operational expenses.

* Concurrent lands VOD deal in Baltic States
By Mike Robuck

It’s a new horizon for Concurrent, thanks to the first commercial VOD deployment in the Baltic States. Elion, the largest telecommunications and IT provider in Estonia, picked Concurrent’s MediaHawk 400 platform to provide roughly 1,200 streams to about 40,000 IPTV subscribers in a decentralized architecture. Concurrent landed the sale through its partner, Scansatec.

“Broadband in Eastern Europe is gaining rapid momentum, with Estonia currently leading the market in penetration,” said Concurrent CEO and President Gary Trimm, in a statement. “The introduction of new services, like VOD, is a key element in this continued growth. We are proud to be chosen as a partner in this developing market with Scansatec and Elion.”

* UPC chooses Motorola, TandbergTV solutions for VOD service
By Traci Patterson

UPC Broadband (UPC) - a Pan-European MSO and the European cable division of Liberty Global Inc. - has picked solutions from Motorola Inc. and Tandberg Television to power its VOD service in The Netherlands.

UPC will utilize Motorola’s B-1 video server, which provides the streaming of MPEG-2 video content, and TandbergTV’s OpenStream digital services platform - a VOD back-office solution. The service is expected to reach more than 500,000 UPC video subscribers this year.

* Pixelmetrix showcasing test, measurement solutions at IBC
By Traci Patterson

Pixelmetrix is showing off its latest test and measurement solutions, the Electronic Couch Potato (ECP) and the Consolidator, at IBC 2007.

The ECP provides feedback - about network transmission quality, overall service quality, availability and other elements - to a central site. The solution can also simulate a subscriber by sequentially changing channels on a STB via an in-built infrared (IR) control mechanism. The Consolidator is a software application that concentrates performance information, from up to 10 remote locations, to a central site.

* Orange eyes U.K. IP TV launch 
Copyright 2007 World Markets Research Limited
By Emeka Obiodu

France Telecom's Orange unit has unveiled plans to launch its IP TV service in the United Kingdom before the end of the year as part of efforts to prop up its declining broadband market share. Commenting on the plans, France Telecom chief financial officer Gervais Pellissier said the company needs to convince the British public that Orange is an internet service provider and not just a mobile phone operator.

Launching an IP TV service in the United Kingdom will hardly have the same impact as Orange's IP TV service in France, largely because of the existing pay-TV options in Britain. The market is already crowded, with BSkyB, Virgin Media, BT and Tiscali making it relatively tough for Orange to make any headway with its IP TV service.