BroadLogic Network Technologies has unveiled a new “headend on a chip” that is designed to help operators make the migration to an all-digital environment and, in turn, recapture gobs of valuable analog spectrum for high-definition television (HDTV) and other bandwidth-eating services. The company’s BL8000 TeraPIX video processor, when housed in a residential gateway or some […]
CableLabs issues DOCSIS 3.0 specs, to test pre-3.0 gear
CableLabs has issued the long-awaited specifications for DOCSIS 3.0, the basis of a new platform that calls for the bonding of a minimum of four channels and shared data rates of 160 Mbps downstream and 120 Mbps upstream. Potential speeds can surge much higher if operators opt to bond even more channels. Generally speaking, each […]
Concurrent does small town VOD
Morristown Utility Systems of Tennessee has launched video-on-demand services using a small market platform developed by Concurrent Computer Corp. The utility company introduced VOD earlier this month, and is offering “hundreds” of hours of on-demand movies and other content from basic and premium cable networks. Morristown Utility Systems, which provides water and electric services to […]
Fiber-to-home communities stay on growth path
The number of “Optical Fiber Communities” in the U.S. has reached 936 in 47 states, up from the 656 communities reported in Oct. 2005, according to a new report from the Fiber-to-the-Home Council and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA). The report, compiled by Render, Vanderslice & Associates (RVA), noted that 280 fiber-fed communities were added […]
Cable One rides Wave7 for FTTP
Although cable operators have shied away from installing fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) technology in legacy areas, primarily due to the high costs, some are starting to apply it in “greenfield” situations. Among them, Cable One Inc. has teamed with Wave7 Optics to build an FTTP network in Rio Ranch, N.M., home to “Mariposa,” a residential development that […]
Charter levels up
Charter Communications has extended a deal with Level 3 Communications that will include the deployment of Level3’s (3)VoIP Enhanced Local, a service that provides local phone numbers, local number portability, and fixed location E-911 support and local trunking. Charter has already deployed a suite of Level 3 products, including its (3)Voice Termination, (3)CrossRoads IP, (3)Link […]
S-A, Tropos mesh with wireless
Scientific-Atlanta (S-A) has added Wi-Fi mesh capabilities to its hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) platforms through a partnership with Tropos Networks. Under the agreement, S-A will incorporate Tropos’ MetroMesh Wi-Fi gear with its HFC portfolio. The companies will collaborate on both strand-mounted coaxial powering options and fiber converters for Tropos’ 5210 MetroMesh outdoor routers. S-A’s SciCare Broadband […]
SES Americom pushes ahead on IPTV
SES Americom has launched a hybrid satellite/fiber-based service that will beam video programming to telcos and other types of IPTV service providers. The service, called IP-PRIME, is a centralized system that will distribute both standard- and high-definition channels and programming. The company is basing IP-PRIME from Vernon Valley, N.J., where video and audio content will […]
Cablevision revs up 20-meg trial
Cablevision Systems Corp. confirmed reports that it is testing a new service tier that caps cable modem download speeds at 20 Mbps, and 2 Mbps in the upstream. Cablevision’s flagship tier is capped at 10 Mbps down/1 Mbps up. Cablevision’s Optimum Online unit will operate a beta test of the service through October 1, 2005 […]
Cablevision goes out-of-band for 50-Meg service
Cablevision Systems Corp. is using out-of-band overlay technology from Narad Networks to deliver a dedicated 50 Mbps data service to commercial customers. Initially, Cablevision has Narad-enabled two nodes serving customers in Oyster Bay, N.Y. Narad’s overlay technology lives on the existing HFC plant, but taps into spectrum above 860 MHz and below 1.1 GHz. Cablevision […]