* Akamai beats Vongo’s digital drum
Akamai Technologies has won a contract to supply the underlying video delivery platform for Vongo, a recently launched Web-based premium video service from Starz Entertainment Group (SEG).
SEG is powering the broadband content platform via the Akamai Media Delivery service and Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Media technologies.
Launched last week, Vongo offers about 1,000 movies and other video titles and a live stream of the linear Starz! Channel for $9.99 a month, plus some pay-per-view titles for $3.99 each.
* S-A intros 1 GHz node
Scientific-Atlanta has launched a new node for its 1 GHz portfolio.
The GainMaker Scalable Node (GS7000) is a four-port node which complements the GainMaker RF Amplifier. Together, they can extend existing spectrum to 1 GHz in order to make room for bandwidth-intensive services such as high-definition video.
“Economically, the jump to a 1 GHz platform is comparable in cost (to) expanding to 870 MHz, but the 1 GHz platform is significantly more flexible and scalable,” said Mark Palazzo, VP and GM of S-A’s transport and access networks division.
* DirecTV reups Convergys
DirecTV has inked a new multi-year contract with Convergys Corp., the company that has provided the DBS giant with billing and customer care services for the last 11 years.
The new Master Service Contract covers DirecTV’s 15 million customers. Financial terms were not disclosed.
* Consolidated opens Entone gateway
Consolidated Communications is supporting its new IPTV service with a video gateway from Entone Technologies that removes the need for home rewiring and multiple set-tops.
Entone’s Hydra IP video gateway connects services to multiple TVs via existing home coax lines rather than Ethernet connections. The company said the device can pipe up to three independent television channels to up to six television sets.
Consolidated, which serves 245,000 access lines in parts of Illinois and Texas, is also using Entone’s servers and software to support video-on-demand.