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Daily news and top headlines for broadband communications engineering and design professionals
Microsoft ratchets up ad assault on Google
April 9, 2013 12:44 pm | by Associated Press | News | CommentsMicrosoft 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 | CommentsCox 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 | CommentsMicrosoft 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 | CommentsFacebook 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 | CommentsHarmonic 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 | CommentsThe 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 | CommentsReally 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 | CommentsTelenor 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 | CommentsThe 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 | CommentsUbiquisys 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 | CommentsA 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.
Survey: FTTH leads to huge opex savings
April 3, 2013 1:27 pm | by Brian Santo | News | CommentsCompanies 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 | CommentsLaunched 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.
MegaPath using Edgewater gear
April 2, 2013 1:36 pm | by Brian Santo | News | CommentsThe company is deploying equipment from Edgewater to deliver its business VoIP and data services. Megapath provides managed data, voice, security and hosted IT services in North America, using T1 and Ethernet connections. It is now installing its T1 and Ethernet circuits using Edgewater’s EdgeMarc 4552 Series ESBC as a WAN access router.
Comcast has IPv6 running on all Arris-based systems
April 2, 2013 1:23 pm | by Brian Santo | News | CommentsComcast 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.


