* FiOS TV expands in Mass.; Verizon Business rolls out HD video conferencing
By Traci Patterson
Verizon’s FiOS TV service will soon hit Wayland, Mass., thanks to a newly approved agreement authorizing the telco to offer its video service in the community. With this latest addition, FiOS TV is now offered to a total of 64 Massachusetts communities – about 400,000 households.
Separately, Verizon Business announced the rollout of video conferencing in high-definition (HD). Along with Verizon Business’ public and private IP network services, the HD video conferencing service offers a higher-quality video picture for customers with HD-capable video equipment.
* DirecTV rolls out local HD channels in Tenn., Texas
By Traci Patterson
DirecTV is now offering local high-definition (HD) programming in Knoxville, Tenn., and the Tyler-Longview, Texas, market area.
The largest U.S. satellite provider now offers local HD broadcast channels in 72 cities, representing more than 74 percent of TV households in the U.S. The rollout is part of a nationwide expansion of HD programming that includes 92 national HD channels.
* Vudu cuts price on STB
By Mike Robuck
Internet video provider Vudu announced today that it has slashed the cost of its basic set-top box (STB) from $395 to $295. The new price took effect today. Customers who have bought one of the boxes within the past 30 days can receive a $100 movie credit by contacting Vudu.
The price cut by Vudu is in response to the recent announcement by Apple CEO Steve Jobs that the Apple TV STBs will cost less. The 40 GB version of Apple TV’s box went from $299 to $229, while the 160 GB box was reduced from $399 to $329.
At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this month, Vudu announced the addition of 70 high-definition (HD) movies from several studios and unveiled the Vudu XL, a brand-new, high-end version of Vudu’s first STB. The new product, designed for integration into high-end home theaters, will ship by the end of February.
* Avaya ending Cajun line, migrating customers to Extreme
By Brian Santo
Avaya said it is winding down sales of its Cajun line of Ethernet switches and is working with Extreme Networks to help Avaya customers who want to upgrade their Cajun switches.
The two companies will help Cajun customers migrate to Extreme’s BlackDiamond and Summit Ethernet switches. Avaya has been integrating and supporting the Extreme product lines in its Intelligent Communications solutions worldwide for more than four years.
* Sunrise launches two FTT-1000 OTDR models
By Traci Patterson
Sunrise Telecom has unveiled its FTT-1000 Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) – utilized for the installation and troubleshooting/maintenance of access, metro and-long haul networks, providing a dynamic range that can measure up to 200 kilometers of fiber length and small dead zones.
The FTT-1000 troubleshoots events that can degrade quality by pinpointing faults on long-haul, metro and access fiber links. It includes noise filtering, 4pt least square approximation (LSA) for splice loss measurement, automatic and manual mode configuration, and standard Bellcore GR-196 format for storage, the company said.
The FTT-1000 is available immediately in two models – the FTT-1002 and the FTT-1003 with 1310/1550 nm and 1310/1550/1625 nm wavelengths, respectively.
More Broadband Direct:
• Insight posts 5.4 percent growth for basic subscribers
• AT&T posts strong Q4, vows to expand U-verse
• Sprint shakes up management team
• NCTA files motion to stay part of FCC’s MDU ruling
• Bidding starts for 700 MHz band; FCC retests wireless device
• Concurrent bows new storage product line
