Broadband Briefs for 6/28/06(2)

* Three MSOs share SeaChange systemThree cable TV operators in Japan, together representing over 600,000 subscribers, are collaborating to deliver on-demand services based on systems and software from SeaChange International. C-Tech Corp., Chubu Cable and CTY Co. are running a market trial of on-demand television prior to rolling out full commercial service to 20 cities in Japan’s Aichi, Gifu and Mie prefectures later this year.
SeaChange’s IPTV System has been deployed at C-Tech in Nagoya for a single, centralized on-demand operation that serves the three cable systems over fiber-optic lines.
* Blue Ridge taps Everstream for VOD data collection and reportingBlue Ridge Communications has contracted with Everstream for hosted services, which covers data collection, warehousing, advertising, reporting, and business analytics. Everstream’s Hosted Services provide a secure, turnkey approach for operators to measure service performance and subscriber experience. Blue Ridge is using Everstream’s ReportOne to track and analyze VOD consumption, revenue and asset usage.
* HughesNet broadband adds about 30,000 subs in Q2Hughes Network Systems said the number of HughesNet small business and residential subscribers grew to 300,000 during the second quarter of 2006, representing a 19 percent increase over this time last year. The company said it averaged more than 10,000 new subscribers a month – largely business users – through the first half of 2006.
* BellSouth expands wireless broadband service into five new markets BellSouth is expanding its Wireless Broadband Service into five new markets. The company will deploy the service in the third of quarter of 2006 to select parts of Melbourne, Fla.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Greenville, Miss.; Charleston, S.C.; and Albany, Ga. BellSouth’s wireless broadband service offers residential and business customers downstream speeds up to 1.5 Mbps.
The company initially deployed the service in August 2005 in Athens, Ga. In addition, BellSouth offers wireless broadband service in Palatka, Fla.; New Orleans, La.; Gulfport, Miss.; and DeLand, Fla. BellSouth plans to expand the service to additional cities throughout 2006.