Broadband

Rdio launches Vdio for TV, movies

April 4, 2013 2:33 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

Rdio, the music streaming service started by a co-founder of Skype, is getting into video. New and current subscribers of a $10-a-month unlimited music plan from Rdio will get $25 to spend in the new digital store for video, called Vdio.

Simple.TV draws $5M in venture money

April 4, 2013 2:27 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

Really Simple Software said it closed $5 million in Series A funding from New World Ventures. Simple.TV is based on a DVR that streams both live and recorded TV shows to tablets, phones, or connected TVs. The system is designed for consumers looking to supplement over-the-air (OTA) broadcast TV with over the top (OTT) services such as Netflix and Hulu.

Telenor Sweden readies for multi-screen

April 4, 2013 2:21 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

Telenor Sweden will deploy Ericsson Multiscreen TV solution for its customers, enabling it to deliver content to a wide range of connected devices. Separately, Ericsson will be showing its LTE video delivery system at the NAB Show next week.

SCTE outlines CALM Act best practices

April 4, 2013 2:15 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

The CALM Act requires that the audio level of commercial messages be at the same average loudness as the associated programming content. SCTE 197 provides guidelines for cable operators for recording measured loudness and loudness metadata value.

Midcontinent launches whole home service

April 4, 2013 1:59 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

The MSO has begun deploying a whole-home service based on TiVo equipment and technology. It will roll out the service in Rapid City and the Northern Black Hills area in South Dakota, followed by Minnesota, North Dakota and the remaining South Dakota markets in the coming months.

BCI buying James Cable

April 4, 2013 1:54 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

The company formed by former executives from Bresnan Communications is buying James Cable. The value of the purchase of James Cable was not disclosed, but could be in the neighborhood of $150 million. The move follows BCI’s purchase of the Allegiance cable systems in January.

Broadcom launches first 5G WiFi hotspot

April 3, 2013 1:59 pm | by Andrew Berg, Wireless Week | News | Comments

Broadcom continues its push to support 5G WiFi with the announcement today of a router that supports the technology; it has made the 5G WiFi hotspot available through SK Telecom. Broadcom's 802.11ac Wi-Fi boasts speeds up to three times faster and up to six times more power efficient than previous generations of Wi-Fi.

Cisco intends to buy Ubiquisys

April 3, 2013 1:49 pm | by Ben Munsen, Wireless Week | News | Comments

Ubiquisys provides 3G and LTE small cell technologies to help close the seams in wireless connectivity. The Ubiquisys purchase will mesh with other recent Cisco acquisitions, like Intucell and Broadhop, and further strengthen the company’s mobile strategy.

Verizon denies Vodafone buyout rumors

April 3, 2013 1:45 pm | by Andrew Berg, Wireless Week | News | Comments

A post on the Financial Times' Alaphaville blog yesterday cited "usually reliable people" who said Verizon Communications and AT&T are mulling a breakup bid for Vodafone at a 40 percent premium to Vodafone’s current price, or about $3.65 a share. The supposed bid would value Vodafone at approximately $245 billion.

RGB upgrades video processor

April 3, 2013 1:37 pm | by Brian Santo | Products | Comments

The company’s Video Multiprocessing Gateway (VMG) Gen 2 incorporates a new scalable plug-in module the company says offers more than double the transcoding capacity of its VMG predecessor. The system is particularly suited for delivering TV Everywhere services.

Survey: FTTH leads to huge opex savings

April 3, 2013 1:27 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

Companies deploying fiber to the home are reporting saving an average of 20 percent on opex costs. The survey from the FTTH Council also reveals to 20 percent yearly increase in North American homes connected to all-fiber networks.

Epix now live on the PlayStation3

April 2, 2013 1:42 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

Launched in 2009, Epix has deals with Cox Communications, Charter Communications, Dish Network, Mediacom Communications, the NCTC, Suddenlink Communications and Verizon. The company plans to launch on the PlayStation Vita in a few weeks.

Cogeco Cable launches guide apps

April 2, 2013 1:27 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

Cogeco Cable has launched two new apps, one subscribers can use for content search and discovery and then also to set home equipment to record programs, the other enables remote scheduling of PVRs. Both apps were developed with Rovi Corp.

Comcast has IPv6 running on all Arris-based systems

April 2, 2013 1:23 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

Comcast has enabled IPv6 functionality on its entire Arris C4 CMTS footprint, completing a process begun the middle of last year. The transition to IPv6 is necessitated because the fund of IPv4 addresses is approaching exhaustion. At the same time, NIST has just issued IPv6 transition guidelines.

Report: VZW, AT&T crafting bid to buy Vodafone

April 2, 2013 1:11 pm | by Andrew Berg, Wireless Week | News | Comments

Verizon Communications and AT&T are said to be mulling a breakup bid for Vodafone that would value Vodafone at approximately $245 billion. Verizon entered into a joint venture with Vodafone back in 2000, creating what is now Verizon Wireless. Verizon currently owns 55 percent of the company, while Veodafone holds the remaining 45 percent.