* TWC inks 3-millionth VoIP customer
By Mike Robuck
Time Warner Cable (TWC) has broken the three-million customer mark with its VoIP service. The company said the accomplishment solidified its position as the nation’s seventh-largest phone provider.
“Thousands of people every day continue to sign up for our digital phone offering,” said TWC President and CEO Glenn Britt. “The simple and easy fixed-price approach of unlimited local and long-distance calling revolutionized the way people pay for phone service, and we continue to offer innovative new products, like our International One Price plan; up to 3,000 minutes to over 100 countries around the world for one low price. Digital phone is just another example of Time Warner Cable’s approach to making our customers’ lives easier.”
* Cisco names Calderoni CFO, EVP
By Mike Robuck
Cisco announced today that Frank Calderoni has been appointed as the company’s CFO and EVP, effective Friday. Calderoni will succeed Dennis Powell, 60, who will retire after serving more than 11 years with Cisco. Calderoni, 50, will report to Cisco Chairman and CEO John Chambers.
Calderoni served as Cisco’s SVP of customer solutions prior to his promotion. Calderoni joined Cisco in 2004 after serving as CFO at both QLogic and San Disk.
* JDSU adds testing of 40G networks
By Brian Santo
JDSU introduced a new module for its test products designed to test and maintain 40G networks.
The T-BERD/MTS-8000 40G Transport module weighs less than 18 pounds and, according to the company, addresses all fiber characterization, optical spectrum analysis, service verification and troubleshooting needs, from 1.5M up to 40G, in one platform.
* Mushroom Networks intros Truffle broadband bonding solution
By Traci Patterson
Mushroom Networks has unveiled its Truffle BBNA6401 broadband bonding solution, which was developed to bridge the gap of limited bandwidth options available for expanding local networks.
The Truffle bonds together as many as six high-speed Internet connections, the company said, forming a virtual single broadband pipe. And any combination of access technologies can be blended – including DSL, cable modem, T-1 circuits or fiber – resulting in download speeds of up to 65 Mbps, or creating the option to link multiple Truffles for even higher bandwidth potential.
* Wal-Mart stocks up on Magnavox digital converter boxes
By Traci Patterson
About 3,400 Wal-Mart stores have stocked their shelves with a new Magnavox digital converter box, which has a retail value of $49.87 ($9.87 with a digital converter box coupon).
The Nielsen Company estimates that about 13 million households will be impacted by the switch to digital broadcast.
More Broadband Direct:
• CableLabs hooks OpenCable Project onto Sun’s Java.net
• Ruckus Wi-Fi router impresses CableLabs crowd
• FCC officially sets 30 percent cap; Comcast vows fight
• Yahoo snatches Maven for $160M
• Qwest straggles to higher profits
• AT&T bows U-verse VoIP service in Conn.
• Sprint adds Whitworth to board of directors
• TWTC boosts revenues, decreases net loss in Q4
