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Daily news and top headlines for broadband communications engineering and design professionals
Ciena sets up CenturyLink for GigE
March 18, 2013 2:07 pm | by Brian Santo | CommentsCenturyLink has upgraded its metro networking capability with packet optical technology from Ciena, in order to target business customers with Gigabit Ethernet access services up to 100G. The upgrade allows CenturyLink to offer a 1GE, 10GE, 100GE and equivalent wavelengths to businesses.
Vandals bedevil Suddenlink in NoCal
March 18, 2013 2:02 pm | by Brian Santo | CommentsSuddenlink has experience a rash of vandalism that has cut off service in parts of northern California. Local law enforcement believes the same people are responsible for all the crimes, and suspect the the vandals are would-be thieves, looking for copper that could be sold for scrap.
AT&T begins new broadband promo
March 18, 2013 1:56 pm | by Brian Santo | CommentsNew customers signing up for U-verse High-Speed Internet are eligible to get one of the following Wi-Fi-enabled products: an Xbox 360, Sonos Play:3, Kindle Fire or a Nexus 7 Tablet. The promotion aims to underscore Wi-Fi based connectivity that AT&T offers, first through the company’s gateways with Wi-Fi.
Comcast cues Ethernet up in Vermont communities
March 18, 2013 12:54 pm | by Mike Robuck | CommentsComcast Business announced today that over the coming weeks its Ethernet services would be available across six communities in Chittenden County, Vermont. The six towns in Chittenden County feature a large number of the state's businesses, ranging from snowboard manufacturers to global high technology.
Cablevision promotes Pillai
March 18, 2013 12:40 pm | by Mike Robuck | CommentsCablevision has promoted cable industry engineer Pragash Pillai to senior vice president, network management and operations. Prior to his new title, Pillai was senior vice president, digital network technology at Cablevision. Three years ago, Pillai came to Cablevision from Bresnan Communications.
Few breakout tech hits at SXSW
March 15, 2013 2:40 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsThe event, which helped launch Twitter and FourSquare, was quieter on the technology front this year. There weren't any hot apps that everybody immediately downloaded, but Google showed its Google glasses (it didn’t let anyone actually use them), and Foursquare displayed a number of data-tracking bracelets.
San Jose fires up free Wi-Fi network
March 15, 2013 2:23 pm | by Brian Santo | CommentsThe city that considers itself the capital of Silicon Valley is offering free connectivity via a network built by SmartWAVE Technologies using 802.11n Wi-Fi products from Ruckus Wireless. San Jose also has one of the best acronyms ever for its metro area network exchange (see story).
Suddenlink ups Archer to VP of service delivery, CAO Group
March 15, 2013 8:44 am | by Mike Robuck | CommentsSuddenlink Communications has promoted Tim Archer to vice president of service delivery for the company’s commercial and advertising operations (CAO) organization, which is headquartered in Dallas. Prior to his promotion, Archer was senior director of operations for Suddenlink systems in Amarillo, Texas, Clovis, N.M., and some California systems.
Popcornflix available on Sony devices
March 14, 2013 1:50 pm | by Brian Santo | CommentsSony Entertainment Network customers with Internet-connected Bravia TVs, Blu-ray players, and Blu-ray Home Theater devices can now access the Popcornflix for free. Popcornflix has been available to people who use Roku and Boxee set-tops.
Rogers’ security service rolls into Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe area
March 14, 2013 12:18 pm | by Mike Robuck | CommentsRogers Communications has expanded the availability of its Smart Home Monitoring service into Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe, which includes Hamilton, Oakville, Burlington, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and other areas. Rogers was the first cable operator to launch a home automation and security platform in Canada in September of 2011.
Cablevision’s Maiella slides over to AMC Networks
March 14, 2013 12:13 pm | by Mike Robuck | CommentsStarting next month, Jim Maiella will make the move from Cablevision to sister entity AMC Networks. Maiella will be AMC’s senior vice president, corporate communications and will report to Ellen Kroner, executive vice president, communications and marketing.
Zenverge to bring MoCA on board
March 13, 2013 1:18 pm | by Brian Santo | CommentsThe transcoding specialist, fresh off getting its chip adopted by Arris for a new gateway based on the Comcast RDK, is in the process of integrating Entropic’s MoCA circuitry into its products. Entropic is one of Zenverge's investors, along with Motorola and Verizon, among others.
ThinkAnalytics strengthens U.S. team with Pohl, Pingitore
March 13, 2013 12:23 pm | by Mike Robuck | CommentsMultiplatform video search and recommendation vendor ThinkAnalytics, which is headquartered in London, continued to broaden its reach into the Untied States with the hiring of cable veteran Michael Pohl as its strategic director for marketing and business development. Pohl was also named as a member of ThinkAnalytic’s board.
Wireless spectrum crunch? Not so fast
March 13, 2013 12:12 pm | by Mike Robuck | CommentsWhile devices such as iPhones and tablets have no doubt put a heavy burden on wireless networks the wireless spectrum seems to be holding up well, according to a report. Wi-Fi offload, which is a growing opportunity for cable operators, has helped ease the spectrum crunch.
Synacor forms joint venture in China
March 12, 2013 2:03 pm | by Brian Santo | CommentsThe web-based portal specialist has formed a joint venture with Beijing-based Maxit Technology, as a means of expanding into China. It will be known as Synacor China Limited (and as Beijing Xing Mai Technology Limited in China). Synacor expects to invest about $2 million over two years.


