Business

DoJ signs off on Moto/Arris deal

April 12, 2013 12:29 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

Arris announced this morning that the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) had signed off on its $2.235 billion deal to buy Motorola Mobility’s Home division from Google.With the DoJ stamp of approval in hand, Arris has cleared all of the regulatory hurdles and expects the transaction to close “on or about April 17.”

Broadcasters counter Aereo with aerial dongles

April 11, 2013 1:55 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

The miniature TV antenna picks up free, mobile broadcast signals. It attaches to iPhone and iPad power ports and extends about 7 inches, allowing users to view live local TV channels at not-quite-high-definition quality. The antenna doesn't sap a user's data plan or rely on Wi-Fi signals, but it does need to be recharged.

Cogeco’s Q2 buoyed by ABB acquisition

April 11, 2013 1:37 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

The MSO reported finishing the quarter with a total of 2.48 million, with 1.9 million Canadian customers and half a million U.S. customers (ABB). In the American cable services segment, PSU increased by 7K in the quarter, with growth in both television and internet subscribership.

Report: NTT top telecom service provider for spending, revenue

April 11, 2013 1:04 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

When it comes to revenue and capital expenditures, NTT still ruled the telecom service provider roost worldwide last year, according a recent study. Infonetics Research’s report said the world’s top-three service providers in 2012 by revenue were, in order, NTT, AT&T and Verizon.

TWBC expands fiber reach in Staten Island

April 11, 2013 12:54 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

In order to better serve businesses, Time Warner Cable Business Class (TWCBC) has expanded its fiber-optic build out in the New York City area to the West Shore of Staten Island. TWCBC partnered with the Staten Island Economic Development Corp. (SIEDC) to bring faster data speeds into the West Shore area.

Microsoft ratchets up ad assault on Google

April 9, 2013 12:44 pm | by Associated Press | News | Comments

Microsoft is skewering Google again with scathing ads that say as much about the dramatic shift in the technology industry's competitive landscape as they do about the animosity between the two rivals. The missive that began Tuesday marks the third phase in a 5-month-old marketing campaign that Microsoft Corp. derisively calls "Scroogled."

Cox’s Wilson to retire at yearend

April 9, 2013 12:16 pm | by Mike Robuck | News | Comments

Cox Communications chief content negotiator Bob Wilson will retire at the end of this year after a 34-year career with the company. Wilson joined Cox in 1979 in its Atlanta headquarters. At the time he was one of 45 employees that helped support Cox’s 500,000 customers

Ericsson to acquire Microsoft Mediaroom

April 8, 2013 12:53 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

Microsoft will invest its full attention on the Xbox as a vehicle for its consumer TV strategy. Ericsson, meanwhile, further solidifies its position in the IPTV market, picking up ongoing support for Mediaroom customers, including AT&T (U-verse), Deutsche Telekom (Entertain), Telefonica, Telus (Optik TV), and Swisscom.

Facebook barges into Google turf

April 5, 2013 2:41 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

Facebook Home, the new application that takes over the front screen of a smartphone, is a bit of a corporate home invasion. Facebook is essentially moving into Google's turf, taking advantage of software the search giant and competitor created.

Harmonic adopts Aspera’s fast transfer tech

April 5, 2013 2:26 pm | by Brian Santo | Products | Comments

Harmonic has integrated Aspera’s fasp technology in its Media Applications Server (MAS). The combined solution allows complex workflows to be orchestrated and enforced, allowing quick and efficient routing of content to the intended destination, the two companies explained.

Triveni Digital goes independent

April 5, 2013 2:04 pm | by Brian Santo | News | Comments

The former LG Electronics R&D lab was purchased by a group of employees led by company president Mark Simpson. Triveni Digital now provides a variety of systems that enable television service products for program guide and metadata management, data broadcasting, and video quality assurance.

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.

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.

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.