* Cox facility starts going solar
By Brian Santo
Cox Enterprises has installed a solar power system in its 336,000 square foot operations and communications hub in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. The 100 kilowatt system from Solar Power Inc. will provide only a fraction of the facility’s total annual electricity requirements, but Cox considers it a start on its green energy initiative, Cox Conserves.
“Cox Enterprises has a companywide initiative in place to further reduce our company’s carbon footprint, or greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by the year 2017,” said Steven Bradley, senior manager of engineering alternate energy & business continuity with Cox Enterprises. “We hope the technology will serve as an ongoing example to our employees and the communities we serve of the benefits a photovoltaic solar system can deliver.”
* Connexion picks BitBand’s IPTV servers
By Mike Robuck
Connexion Technologies will be using BitBand’s servers for its IPTV deployments. According to the agreement announced today, BitBand will help Connexion provide multi-dwelling residences and communities with advanced entertainment packages delivered over a single fiber-to the-home (FTTH) network.
Connexion Technologies deploys fiber-optic infrastructures for properties in the United States. The company designs, installs and operates the networks and provides a one-stop-shop for real estate developers and communities. Utilizing BitBand’s servers allows Connexion Technologies to quickly enable and deploy on-demand IPTV applications and business models.
* Smart Telecom selects Verimatrix for IPTV security
By Mike Robuck
Dublin Ireland-based telecom provider Smart Telecom announced today that it will be using Verimatrix’s security offering for its interactive and VOD services.
Smart Telecom will use Verimatrix’s video content authority system (VCAS) to deliver secure content on its digital video network. Smart Telecom is offering IPTV triple play services over its Carrier Ethernet network.
“The race for IPTV subscribers is on, so we must offer compelling services to attract and build consumer loyalty from the start,” said Smart Telecom CEO John Riordan, in a prepared statement.
“Verimatrix’s vision for content security enables us to provide premium content today, and develop future business models that will continue to offer content when, where and how subscribers want it.”
* Verizon expands FiOS TV reach in Mass.
By Traci Patterson
Verizon’s FiOS TV service is now available to about 15,000 more Massachusetts households thanks to a newly-approved cable franchise in Waltham. Verizon currently offers its FiOS TV service to more than 400,000 households in 59 Massachusetts communities, as well as other locations in California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia.
* AT&T adds features to U-verse in Houston
By Brian Santo
AT&T will be adding services and features to its U-verse TV product in the Houston area. The features include an information bar for the TV screen that includes customizable weather, stock, sports and traffic information; Yellowpages.com TV; and AT&T Yahoo! Games.
