• Charter now compliant with Nasdaq Stock Market
By Traci Patterson
Charter Communications has received notice from the Nasdaq Global Select Stock Market that it is compliant with the minimum price continued listing standard. Charter regained compliance when the company’s Class A common stock closed at or above $1 for the 10 consecutive business days ending May 12.
In April, Charter received notice from the Nasdaq Stock Market that its Class A common stock had closed below $1 per share for 30 consecutive business days – meaning that the MSO was not in compliance with Marketplace Rule 4450(a)(5) (story here).
On Tuesday, Charter posted a 9.8 percent increase in first-quarter earnings, largely driven by increased revenue from its broadband and digital phone services (story here).
• SCTE approves 200th technical standard for cable industry
By Traci Patterson
The Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) has now approved a total of 200 technical standards for the cable telecommunications industry.
The SCTE Engineering Committee, which oversees the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-accredited SCTE Standards Program, recently approved SCTE 151 2008 – Mechanical, Electrical and Environmental Requirements for RF Traps and Filters.
It took the SCTE eight years – from 1995 to 2003 – to approve its first 100 standards, but it took fewer than five years – 2004 to present – to double that output. SCTE standards address a wide range of industry requirements, from basic network components such as F connectors to the advanced technology used in Digital Program Insertion (DPI) for advanced advertising systems.
• JDSU adds features to FST-2802
By Traci Patterson
JDSU has added new features to its FST-2802 TestPad Ethernet test line that are designed to simplify the installation and maintenance of Carrier Ethernet and IP services. The JDSU FST-2802 is a handheld test instrument for service provider field technicians turning up and troubleshooting Ethernet, fiber channel and IP services.
The new features include support for multiple-source IP address testing, which enables providers to generate traffic that requires specific prioritization and tunneling requirements; the network Discovery feature, which allows visibility into the end-customer network in managed offerings; a Layer 2 (L2) Transparency Test feature that allows verification of Carrier Ethernet interconnection by providing transparency of networks before services are deployed; and FTP test functionality.
“The deployment of high-bandwidth triple-play services over Ethernet networks are driving new test needs, including more simplified features like those found in the FST-2802,” said Jim Nerschook, GM in JDSU’s Communications Test and Measurement business segment. “The FST-2802 automation features reduce mean time to repair and simplify Ethernet network testing, which reduces operational expenses for our customers.”
• Embarq, Synacor join forces on bundled business services
By Mike Robuck
Synacor announced today that Embarq has launched bundled business services that use Synacor’s Internet tool set. The bundled services bring together products from Embarq and Synacor to offer high-speed Internet subscribers business e-mail, business Web space and other domain-related services for small business owners.
Synacor – a provider of Internet tools, portals and content for cable, Internet and telecommunications service providers – integrated its proprietary technology platform into Embarq’s online business customer portal to support the enhanced services for small businesses. The services were created and packaged together for convenient business options for small businesses and don’t require software to download, install or upgrade.
“After analyzing the needs of small businesses, we have determined that bundled online services deliver significant value,” said Ron Frankel, president and CEO of Synacor.
More Broadband Direct:
• Cox racks up double-digit growth in Q1
• LG, Samsung join to speed arrival of mobile TV market
• TVWorks, itaas team up on tru2way developments
• EchoStar offers new SlingModem . . . to cable
• Dish Network’s first-quarter profit up 65%
• U-verse TV goes green with Energy Star set-tops
