• ZCorum, Azar integrate systems
Brian Santo
ZCorum and Azar Computer Software Services have integrated the former’s cable modem provisioning system with the latter’s CATvMaster subscriber management and billing software. The integrated system was developed for a small system and is aimed at small and mid-sized broadband service providers.
CoMPAS Cable, a municipal video and broadband network owned and operated by the City of Morganton, N.C., is the initial customer. CoMPAS general manager Bill Harkins said, “We have several opportunities in the works to grow our business, but serving more customers would be difficult without the efficiency created by a single point of entry. Integration with ZCorum and Azar allows us to serve our customers better and faster.”
• RCN’s New York division honors customers
Mike Robuck
RCN Corporation announced today that two New York City residents, Marianne O’Leary and Kevin Alexander, were selected as winners of RCN’s New Customer Appreciation Sweepstakes.
The two local winners and guests had lunch recently at a special reception, co-sponsored by ESPN 360, at the ESPN Zone Private Skybox with RCN’s two local celebrity spokespersons: Justin Tuck, a defensive end of the Giants, and Brad Smith, a wide receiver, special teams and quarterback for the Jets.
“This local contest and event was our way of showing our appreciation to new customers. But let me be clear that we are grateful to and appreciate all our customers, and are committed to being their hometown provider of choice for competitive cable television, data and voice fiber optics services,” said Anthony Ontiveros, RCN New York’s vice president and general manager. “Thanks to our move to an all-digital network, we now provide our customers with an explosion of entertainment choices, such as more expanded Basic Digital TV and High Definition channels (currently over 450, including almost 100 HD channels) and a wealth of International and video on demand (VOD) programming.”
RCN’s New York market serves much of Manhattan and the Queens communities of Astoria, Corona, Elmhurst, Flushing, Forest Hills, Fresh Meadows, Jackson Heights, Kew Gardens, Long Island City, Maspeth, Middle Village, Rego Park, Sunnyside, and Woodside, as well as parts of downtown Brooklyn and Brighton Beach.
RCN and Time Warner Cable are both facing increased competition from Verizon’s FiOS services in the New York Metropolitan area.
• In the media: Cutting the cord
CED staff
A couple of weeks ago, The New York Times found a couple of people who’ve canceled pay-TV video service in favor of broadband – cutting the cord. The San Jose Mercury News has found a few more, but says it might not be the time to do it yet (story here).
The Los Angeles Times notes the rise of over-the-top as well, but focuses on how cable is looking at new models that provide an incentive for subscribers to keep taking video, such as Time Warner Cable’s HBO Go (story here).
