Broadband

Ericsson improves in Q4, takes loss on JV charge

January 31, 2013 1:15 pm | by Andrew Berg, Wireless Week | News | Comments

Network equipment maker Ericsson posted a $986 million net loss on a $1.2 billion charge related to the company’s struggling semiconductor business - its joint venture, ST-Ericsson. Revenue was up 5 percent from the same quarter last year, and 23 percent sequentially.

Broadcom snags BroadLogic

January 30, 2013 2:30 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

Broadcom has purchased BroadLogic, Broadcom confirmed. The acquisition was made months ago, during the summer of 2012, but was not announced. The only previous public mention of the action was a status update attesting to the fact on the website of one of BroadLogic’s investors.

Charter renews retrans deal with CBS

January 30, 2013 2:28 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

Charter Communications has signed off on a new retransmission consent agreement with CBS that included providing its authenticated subscribers access to Showtime Anytime. Charter customers that have Showtime as part of their TV tier can now access Showtime movies, original series, sports, documentaries and specials.

Time Warner Cable hits refresh on new Web portal

January 30, 2013 2:24 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

Time Warner Cable has completed its makeover of the company’s Web portal, which included the addition of geolocation technology. Time Warner Cable’s in-house e-commerce team, along with the help of creatives and developers across the country, came together to design, build and launch the new TWC.com.

Dish lays off Sprint-Softbank deal

January 30, 2013 2:16 pm | by Andrew Berg, Wireless Week | News | Comments

Dish Network told the FCC that it would not file to block Softbank's proposed $20 billion acquisition of Sprint Nextel. Dish had asked that the shot clock in the Sprint-Softbank proceeding be paused until Sprint's bid for Clearwire had been settled.

Verizon wants FCC's spectrum screen applied to Sprint-Clearwire deal

January 30, 2013 2:09 pm | by Ben Munson, Wireless Week | News | Comments

Verizon Wireless has joined the discussion on Sprint's potential acquisition of Clearwire. If the FCC applies a screen and finds the deal could pose spectrum aggregation concerns, it could result in a limit to how much of Clearwire's spectrum Sprint is allowed to use.

ThinkAnalytics 1st recommendation vendor to sign up for Comcast RDK

January 29, 2013 3:09 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

United Kingdom-based ThinkAnalytics continues to make inroads into the United States. To wit: ThinkAnalytics’ recommendation engine is the first and only one to date to license the Comcast Reference Design Kit (RDK) software stack. Vendors have been lining up in droves to take part in Comcast’s RDK efforts.

Netgear nabs Sierra Wireless' AirCard business for $138M

January 29, 2013 2:56 pm | by Andrew Berg, Wireless Week | News | Comments

Ahead of its fourth-quarter earnings call, Netgear announced an agreement to acquire the operations of Sierra Wireless' AirCard business. The purchase price is approximately $138 million in cash. The final purchase price is subject to adjustments after closing.

U.N. group OKs new video format to save bandwidth

January 28, 2013 2:20 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

The U.N. telecommunications agency says its members have agreed upon a new compression format that could dramatically cut the amount of Internet bandwidth currently used by video files. The ITU says the format, or codec, known as H.265 would require just half the amount of data needed by its predecessor, H.264.

FCC actions aim to accelerate broadband deployment

January 28, 2013 2:14 pm | by Andrew Berg, Wireless Week | News | Comments

The FCC announced a number of new actions that it hopes will help accelerate the deployment of wireless broadband by removing barriers from a number of areas in the build-out of new networks. New rules would make it easier to modify an existing wireless tower or base station.

Spanish network picks Comcast Media Center’s VOD platform

January 28, 2013 2:11 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

Spanish-language network Vme Media has picked the Comcast Media Center (CMC) to manage and deliver its video-on-demand programming. Vme has partnered with public television stations and is currently available in more than 10 million Hispanic homes, reaching nearly 80 percent of the market.

LodgeNet files for Ch. 11, plans sale

January 28, 2013 2:07 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

LodgeNet Interactive says it is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as part of a plan to sell itself to investment firm Colony Capital for $60 million. The Sioux Falls, S.D., company said it will form a partnership with pay-TV provider DirecTV.

U-verse remains a growth driver in Q4

January 25, 2013 3:04 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

AT&T reported a net gain of 192,000 U-verse TV subscribers for a total of 4.5 million TV customers, and a net gain of 609,000 high-speed Internet subscribers, to reach a total of 7.7 million. The company said its combined total of TV and broadband U-verse subscribers was 8 million.

Rogers queues up home automation in Newfoundland, New Brunswick

January 25, 2013 3:01 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

Rogers said its home automation and home security platform, which is called Smart Home Monitoring, would be available soon in Newfoundland and New Brunswick. Rogers said the service would be available over the coming months after it gains licensing approvals.

Cablevision stirs in Watch Disney offerings to TV Everywhere mix

January 25, 2013 2:56 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

Cablevision has added video from Watch Disney Channel, Watch Disney XD and Watch Disney Junior for authenticated customers of its Optimum TV to Go service. Cablevision customers who receive the networks as part of their monthly video service can now stream these channels live or view popular shows in on-demand.