• Charter drops plan to track subs’ Web usage
By Traci Patterson
According to published reports, Charter Communications is canning plans to track the Web usage of some of its high-speed Internet subscribers due to concerns that were raised by some subscribers.
In May, Charter announced a pilot program in four markets – Ft. Worth, Texas; San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Oxford, Mass.; and Newtown, Conn. – that would gather information so that advertisers could target online ads to individual subscribers based on their Web habits.
But since some Charter subscribers raised concerns, the program will be bagged before ever beginning.
• AT&T launches U-verse services in Central Valley
By Traci Patterson
AT&T has launched its suite of U-verse services – which includes U-verse TV, U-verse high-speed Internet and U-verse Voice – in Fresno, Visalia and Clovis, Calif.
Customers can order AT&T U-verse services in parts of the Central Valley, which includes the Fresno, Visalia and Clovis communities. AT&T said that it will make U-verse services available to more homes throughout the area on an ongoing basis.
“AT&T U-verse is going to be a game-changer for the Central Valley,” said Melba Muscarolas, VP and GM for AT&T West. “Not only are customers getting a new choice to break away from cable, they’re getting more from their services.”
• RGB taps Corbalis as VP of engineering
By CED staff
RGB Networks has added Charles Corbalis as its new VP of engineering; he is charged with overseeing the continued development of the company’s expanding product line.
Corbalis’ experience includes more than 25 years in senior engineering and business management roles. Most recently, he was co-founder, president and CEO of Calient Networks.
Prior to co-founding Calient, he was VP and GM of Cisco Systems’ Multiservice Switching/WAN Business Unit. In this role, he worked closely with the technical and marketing leadership within many service providers – such as AT&T, WorldCom, NTT and Telecom Italia – to tailor and adapt the Cisco products. Prior to its acquisition by Cisco, Corbalis was co-founder and VP of engineering at StrataCom Inc. He holds more than 16 patents.
• ActiveVideo Networks enhances Distribution Network
By Traci Patterson
ActiveVideo Networks has enhanced its ActiveVideo Distribution Network, enabling consumers to experience Web-based TV – including user-generated content, social media, Web-based channels, games, and other programming and applications – through virtually any network-connected device.
ActiveVideo allows viewers using standard remote controls to engage with Web content in a high-quality, highly responsive TV environment via existing and next-generation consumer electronics equipment, without the need for new devices. ActiveVideo delivers programming as a single MPEG stream to Web-connected TVs, Blu-Ray players, video game consoles and other devices, as well as cable and IPTV set-top boxes.
“While consumers today have a clear desire to experience Web media on the television, they are often paralyzed by the need to choose among a number of conflicting technological options,” said Jeff Miller, president and CEO of ActiveVideo Networks. “Our platform simply utilizes the strength of the network and the MPEG-2, DivX or H.264 decoders on every Web-connected device and set-top box, enabling even the simplest [consumer electronics] products to deliver Web media in an extraordinary, compelling viewing environment.”
• JDSU unveils MAP-200
By Traci Patterson
JDSU has unveiled the latest generation of its Multiple Application Platform (MAP) optical test and measurement platform, the MAP-200.
The MAP-200 is optimized for the cost-effective development and manufacturing of optical transmission network elements and offers a broad portfolio of fiber optic power measurement and signal management tools using an updated, dense and configurable platform.
“Today’s rapidly changing optical market requires investment in productivity-enhancing technologies and tools like the MAP-200,” said Enzo di Luigi, GM in JDSU’s Communications Test and Measurement business segment. “Thanks to its multi-function capabilities and ease-of-use, the MAP-200 enables a quick return on capital investment and simplifies testing – which reduces operational expenses.”
• German MSO renews vows for Arris’ CMTS platform
By Mike Robuck
Arris said today that it has reached an agreement with Germany’s largest cable operator, Kabel Deutschland GmbH (KDG), to supply a substantial volume of Arris C4 cable modem termination systems (CMTSs) during KDG’s current fiscal year.
KDG has deployed the C4 CMTS platform throughout its franchise areas since last year to help offer high-speed data and VoIP services to its customers.
“We are very pleased with the performance and reliability of the Arris C4 CMTS platform and its ease of migration to DOCSIS 3.0 capability,” said KDG CTO Lorenz Glatz. “The C4 CMTS’s density, scalability and all-component redundancy, and the reliability of Arris as a company, are among the reasons we have decided to increase our deployment of their CMTS platform.”
KDG operates cable networks in 13 German states and supplies its services to approximately 9 million connected TV households in Germany. Kabel Deutschland is Germany’s largest cable network operator.
• Anadigics intros programmable gain amplifier
By Traci Patterson
Anadigics has launched its ARA2017, a programmable gain amplifier – optimized for DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem and E-MTA applications – that supports high linear power levels, enabling channel bonding and higher data rates in the cable system upstream path.
The ARA2017 operates in the 5-85 MHz frequency range and supports DOCSIS 3.0-specified signal levels of +64dBmV while minimizing harmonic distortion and output noise levels. At minimum attenuation, the ARA2017 has 33dB of RF gain. An integrated, digitally controlled, multi-stage precision step attenuator provides up to 58 dB of attenuation in 2 dB increments. Requiring a single 5V supply, the device is offered in a 28-pin 5mm x 5mm x 1mm QFN package.
According to the company, the ARA2017 is an industry first. The product is being used by multiple vendors in cable modems that were certified for DOCSIS 3.0 usage based on recent testing at CableLabs, the company said. It is available now for $3.60 in quantities of 5,000 units.
• TriAccess intros amplifier for HFC network apps
By Traci Patterson
TriAccess Technologies has introduced a new high-performance, low-noise 75 Ohm drop amplifier for hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) cable TV network applications.
The company has also formed a supply agreement with TriQuint Semiconductor’s Commercial Foundry business unit for the manufacturing of TriAccess’ products with TriQuint’s GaAs foundry process.
TriAccess can support output delivery of volume orders in a launch window of four to eight weeks while maintaining optimum performance, reliability and quality, the company said. The TAT 7461 uses TriQuint GaAs foundry technology.
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• Cox picks TOA Technologies for workforce management systems
• Cox Arizona ups high-speed Internet speeds
• Familiar faces on SCTE’s board of directors
• Arris, BlackArrow team up on dynamic VOD advertising
• Harmonic, CommScope offering ops high-speed FTTH solution
• Trilithic’s TDM System to integrate with Ventyx
• Bright House using Mixed Signals’ Sentry, Medius
• Symmetricom headend analyzer to enter market in September
• LiquidxStream, Camiant complete interoperability testing
• IneoQuest Technologies beefs up video testing line