* Zachem joins Comcast as regulatory affairs exec
By Mike Robuck
Comcast Corp. today announced that Kathryn A. Zachem will join Comcast as VP of regulatory affairs and Comcast Cable as SVP of regulatory affairs, effective Feb. 1. In this role, Zachem will oversee all of the company’s regulatory efforts and will be based in Comcast’s Washington, D.C., office. Prior to Comcast, Zachem was a partner in the law firm of Wilkinson Barker Knauer.
* JDSU intros DWDM channel checker
By Brian Santo
JDSU announced what it claims is the industry’s smallest and lightest channel checker for DWDM networks. The OCC-56 Smart Optical Channel Checker is a selective power meter for DWDM applications that can be used in lieu of optical spectrum analyzers (OSAs).
The OCC-56 is available in C-band or L-band models. It is specifically designed for DWDM system installation and upgrades, channel routing verification in ROADM networks and troubleshooting DWDM systems.
* Brazilian telco serves IPTV with UTStarcom system
By Brian Santo
UTStarcom will supply its RollingStream end-to-end IPTV solution to Brasil Telecom, marking UTStarcom’s first deployment in Latin America and the operator’s first foray into video. Brasil Telecom has begun TV service in Brasilia and plans to expand its IPTV footprint to cover other cities in the country.
UTStarcom said RollingStream serves 600,000 subs globally. The company has commercial IPTV deployments in China with China Netcom and China Telecom; with Bharti Airtel and MTNL/Aksh in India; and with Softbank in Japan.
* Ensequence names Graham as CFO
By Mike Robuck
Ensequence said that Wayne Graham has joined the company as CFO. Graham was most recently the CFO of Local Insight Media 9, the fifth-largest yellow pages publisher in the U.S.
* Gemstar-TV Guide’s EVP of distribution resigns
By Traci Patterson
Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc.’s Tonia O’Connor has resigned from her position as EVP of distribution, effective Dec. 31. O’Connor leaves Gemstar-TV Guide to join Univision, where on Jan. 2 she will become EVP of distribution, sales and marketing. The senior members of O’Connor’s distribution team will report directly to Gemstar-TV Guide’s CEO Rich Battista.
* VoIP Inc. appoints co-CTOs
By Traci Patterson
VoIP Inc. has appointed Arthur L. McCabe and Kevin Behanna as co-CTOs. McCabe has been the director of engineering and software development at VoIP since 2003.
Behanna was previously the director of operations for the company.
* Accenture completes Corliant purchase
By Brian Santo
Accenture has completed its acquisition of Corliant, a privately-held technology consulting firm that helps clients deploy and support IP networks, largely based on Cisco equipment.
