• Charter sues Verizon over fiber optic patents
By Mike Robuck
According to The Boston Globe, Charter Communications is suing Verizon over patents related to the telco’s fiber optic network.
The suit, which was filed in a federal court in Norfolk, Va., is over four Charter-owned patents that are related to on-demand and other technologies that Charter said Verizon is using without its permission. A spokesman for Verizon said the suit lacks merit.
A spokeswoman for Charter said the lawsuit seeks monetary damages and a permanent injunction.
• AT&T launches U-verse Voice in parts of St. Louis
By Traci Patterson
AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets has announced the availability of AT&T U-verse Voice in parts of St. Louis.
U-verse Voice brings together customers’ home phone, wireless, broadband and TV services – all on one bill – and includes the following features: a single, combined voice mailbox for AT&T U-verse Voice and AT&T wireless messages; an online portal to manage call preferences and settings from any PC; an online address book; and Click to Call and Call History on the PC and TV screens.
AT&T U-verse Voice Unlimited is available for $30 per month, and AT&T U-verse Voice 1000 is available for $25 per month.
• LG intros HDTVs with NetCast
By Traci Patterson
LG Electronics has debuted two new HDTV series with NetCast Entertainment Access at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The TV sets offer instant streaming of movies, TV shows, video and a widget-based user experience via Ethernet connectivity.
Thanks to new alliances with Yahoo, Netflix and YouTube, consumers can stream content – from viral videos and movies to photo-sharing Web sites – without the need for a PC.
“LG’s new NetCast Entertainment Access capability broadens the user experience to include not only entertainment content, but also up-to-the minute news, stock information, weather updates, photo management and more by simply using the TV’s remote control,” said Peter Reiner, senior vice president of marketing and strategy for LG Electronics USA. “With these and future content relationships, LG continues to break the mold with innovative technologies designed to enhance consumers’ viewing experience.”
• ZyXel selects Opera tech for STB series
By Traci Patterson
ZyXel Communications has selected Opera Devices 9.5 to bring the full Internet to its new Linux-based set-top box series.
ZyXel is using Web technology and open Web standards to create the user interface, menus and other applications for the STB. ZyXel intends to release its Opera-enhanced line of STBs primarily in the Nordic region.
ZyXel, headquartered in Taiwan, is a provider of complete broadband access solutions for service providers, as well as business and home users.
More Broadband Direct:
• Obama team urges delay in digital TV transition
• Comcast, Panasonic connect to build HDMI-CEC-based set-top boxes
• Cisco goes after home audio networking
• Broadcom serves up DOCSIS 3.0-based chips for CMTSs
• Verizon lowers prices for CDNs, subscribers
• Dish Network unveils `Slingloaded’ TV recorder
• DirecTV files for arbitration over Comcast’s sports costs
• Netflix partners with Vizio to stream movies to HDTVs
