News
• Charter names Schmitz EVP, CFO
By Traci Patterson
Charter Communications has named Eloise E. Schmitz as EVP and CFO, effective July 1. Schmitz has served as SVP and interim CFO since April 4.
Prior to assuming the interim CFO role, Schmitz served as SVP of strategic planning. In her new role, Schmitz will continue to direct Charter's mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning and capital structure activities, and will add responsibility for the company's financial functions, including accounting, financial planning and analysis, tax and treasury.
Additionally, Charter has named Ted Schremp as CMO, effective July 1. Schremp will replace Robert Quigley, who is retiring but will remain with the MSO through the end of the year in an advisory role. Schremp joined Charter in 2005 and served as SVP and GM of Charter Telephone.
• CableLabs signs on as affiliate member of ATIS
By Mike Robuck
CableLabs has been granted affiliate membership in the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS). CableLabs joins the more than 300 information, entertainment and communications companies that make up ATIS’ membership.
“The information, entertainment and communications industries look at the leading global work performed within ATIS and see tremendous value,” said ATIS President and CEO Susan Miller. “We have enjoyed great success in attracting diverse companies that represent every element of the IPTV ecosystem to ATIS. We welcome CableLabs to ATIS and look forward to its participation in ATIS and its committees.”
ATIS’ members participate in more than 22 industry committees and incubator solutions programs and work on standardization activities for wireless and wireline networks, including interconnection standards, number portability, improved data transmission, Internet telephony, toll-free access, telecom fraud, and order and billing issues. ATIS is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
• Secure Signals enhances solution with Cable Guardian offering
By Traci Patterson
Secure Signals, which aids cable operators in the fight against video signal piracy, has added Cable Guardian’s Aerial Tap Security Enclosure to the auditing process.
Secure Signals said that it is the first company to offer Cable Guardian’s signal theft safeguard, which will be unveiled at the Cable-Tec Expo next week in Philadelphia. The Aerial Tap Security Enclosure is constructed of weather-resistant stainless steel and features keyed-entry locks customized by system, region or company based on customer preference, the company said. Models are available to fit most manufacturers’ tap units.
“Secure Signals is proud to be the only cable service partner to provide a comprehensive, turnkey strategy that identifies unauthorized users, pursues restitution from them, converts them into paying customers and prevents future theft of service in a manner that positively impacts the bottom line,” said Stan McGinnis, founder and CEO of Secure Signals.
• Sigma, Columbus extend license agreement
By Traci Patterson
Sigma Systems and Columbus Communications have signed a multi-year license agreement, whereby Sigma will extend its existing deployment, which automates the fulfillment of high-speed data services and applications, to cover broadband VoIP.
Sigma Systems’ solution for Columbus Communications provides advanced IP service fulfillment of high-speed data and VoIP services, including management of the call management server, voicemail platform and BSS system end-to-end automation. It also includes customer premise device provisioning and service order entry for voice services.
Columbus Communications is a Barbados-based international business corporation that holds investments in retail broadband telecommunication providers based in the Bahamas, Grenada, Jamaica and Trinidad, and wholesale broadband networks throughout the greater Caribbean and Central American region.
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• Prices softening in SMB market
• Sprint sets September as date for WiMAX launch
• Dish Network shares slump on heels of AT&T debt repurchase
• ADC's Expo dance card includes VOD, SDV, DOSIS 3.0
• Optimum Lightpath, TWC share MEF award
• Mobile WiMAX products ready for prime time
• CableCares raises more than $900K for NoLa
• iSuppli: IPTV not stealing N. American satellite subs . . . yet
