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Daily news and top headlines for broadband communications engineering and design professionals
Optical's mesh bypasses last-mile copper
March 21, 2001 7:00 pm | by Anne Kerven | CommentsOptical Access Inc. just released the Optical Access Mesh, a meshed, wireless optical solution that lets service providers and carriers deploy fast, inexpensive, high-speed broadband access in the last mile, Optical reports. The optical wireless system has a built-in radio frequency wireless backup system that designed to reduce the weather-related downtime of free-space optics.
Netgear's router filters home surfers
March 21, 2001 7:00 pm | by Anne Kerven | CommentsNetgear Inc. just launched its new RP114 Cable/DSL Web Safe Router. The router, part of a home-networking line that uses an Internet connection via DSL or cable modem and with hacker safeguards, has added a filtering capability that lets parents monitor and restrict their children's surfing. The RP114 also gives parents logs of those sites, NAT routing that hides users' IP addresses from hacker...
New VOD/ITV team to go global
March 20, 2001 7:00 pm | by Anne Kerven | CommentsConcurrent Computer Corp. and Pace Micro Technology plc are combining their technologies to deliver video-on-demand and interactive digital video services. Concurrent integrates its MediaHawk broadband VOD systems with Pace's digital home gateways to support such high-bandwidth digital broadband delivery systems as hybrid fiber coax (HFC), DSL and ATM transport networks.
Set-top gets ITV software
March 20, 2001 7:00 pm | by Anne Kerven | CommentsSilicon Valley-based EnReach Technology Inc. integrated its digital TV software on Broadcom Corp.'s set-top box reference platform. The combination blends EnReachTV interactive services, such as Web browsing, e-mail, personal video recording and enhanced TV, with Broadcom's BCM93710 set-top platform, and presumably will reduce manufacturing time and cost-to-market for cable set-top providers.
Intel drops HomeRF for Wi-Fi
March 20, 2001 7:00 pm | by Anne Kerven | CommentsJust as the HomeRF standard for wireless networking was preparing a major upgrade, chipmaker Intel switched its allegiance and will manufacture its networking products to the Wi-Fi standard, a.k.a. 802.11b. Intel uses Wi-Fi as its corporate standard and previously used HomeRF as the home standard. The home wireless networking market is expected to reach $7.
COMDEV sets sites on DSL/cable costs
March 20, 2001 7:00 pm | by Anne Kerven | CommentsCOM DEV Wireless, a division of COM DEV International Ltd., just launched the M/ERGY high-speed wireless data system. Hardware and software for the packet-switched data system let service providers provide high-speed wireless Internet access, including full mobility at speeds up to 120 mph and voice-over IP capability, at a lower cost than cable modem or DSL service, the company touts.
Optical/Corning promote FTTH
March 20, 2001 7:00 pm | by Anne Kerven | CommentsOptical Solutions Inc. has partnered with Corning Inc. to accelerate acceptance of fiber-to-the-home. Under the agreement, Corning will provide passive optical network (PON) infrastructure components and solutions, while Optical Solutions will reciprocate with FTTH system information. While deploying fiber and optical, the two will combine resources in marketing, training and support to develop...
FCC pressured on ITV rules
March 19, 2001 7:00 pm | by Anne Kerven | CommentsIn something of a quandary about the future of touted-but-tentative interactive TV, the FCC is fending off pressure from consumer groups while taking comments on whether or not to regulate the fledgling service. But by acting now to ensure the future industry stays "open," observers say it could actually prevent development by regulating it too quickly.
Loops key in DSL on POTS
March 19, 2001 7:00 pm | by Anne Kerven | CommentsCareful how you manage that DSL loop there. A study from Turnstone Systems Inc. and TeleChoice Inc. shows profitability can founder when carriers deploy DSL to residences over plain old telephone lines, without good loop management. Turnstone's study quantifies the benefits of remote loop management in environments where carriers deploy DSL over POTS lines and claims that carriers can see a pay...
BWIF standards in the offing
March 19, 2001 7:00 pm | by Anne Kerven | CommentsWatch for a faction setting standards in wireless Internet equipment. The Broadband Wireless Internet Forum, based in Piscataway, N.J., but with members in Europe, North America and Asia, is taking bids from major tech labs as part of a potential equipment certification program. The plan calls for manufacturers to submit their wireless broadband equipment to the chosen lab, and have the product...
On that note …
March 19, 2001 7:00 pm | by Anne Kerven | CommentsCupertino, Calif.-based Vyyo Inc., a provider of fixed wireless broadband systems, is debuting a new broadband access platform for the 3.5 GHz frequency band. The platform combines the company's V3000 wireless hub, V251 wireless modems and 3.5 GHz radio equipment, allowing high-speed, wireless data and voice connectivity over 3.
SNAP2 uses Java on digital TV
March 19, 2001 7:00 pm | by Anne Kerven | CommentsSNAP2 out of Des Moines plans to demonstrate a Java-powered component to digital TV this week. LivingRoom is a Java application suite built using SNAP2's Gear for DVB-MHP, a HAVi-compliant framework. The company says LivingRoom combines digital broadcast TV, the Internet and resident set-top box applications as a new interactive medium for consumers, letting users customize and access news, mov...
ICC gets $1 M TWC contract
March 19, 2001 7:00 pm | by Anne Kerven | CommentsInternet Cable Corp. in West Chester, Pa., picked up a $1 million contract to provide broadband network services for Time Warner Cable in Harlingen, Texas. The work goes to its engineering services division, Cable Systems Technical Services Inc., and will include engineering services support, including network sweeping, for TWC's cable plant.
PayForView.com creates marketing division
March 19, 2001 7:00 pm | by Anne Kerven | CommentsPayForView.com has created Total PayPerView, a subsidiary providing Internet viewers and users with text and video about all pay-per-view TV products available on multiple viewing platforms. The new division will be headed by cable industry veteran Sid Amira. The three-pronged Total PayPerView targets three groups: It's a marketing vehicle for content providers/distribution platforms; an entert...
Trilogy/E-tron wire commercial buildings
March 19, 2001 7:00 pm | by Anne Kerven | CommentsTrilogy Communications Inc. will provide up to 1 million feet of coaxial cable and accessories for E-tron Technologies Inc.'s Wireless Utility System, Trilogy reports. Trilogy's AirCell cable will be used in a system E-tron developed for distributing commercial wireless frequencies in buildings, as well as other public facilities.
