• Verizon’s FiOS TV wins again in N.Y., Wash.
By Traci Patterson
Consumers in New Hempstead, Hempstead and Kenmore, N.Y., will soon have access to Verizon’s FiOS TV service, thanks to newly approved agreements authorizing the telco to offer its video service in the New York villages. The new agreements make 131 the total number of New York municipalities that have approved video franchises for Verizon.
Additionally, residents of Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo and Redmond, Wash., will also soon have access to Verizon’s video service, thanks to newly approved agreements authorizing the telco to offer its FiOS TV service in the communities. The new agreements make 13 the total number of Washington State communities that have granted video franchises to Verizon. The company plans to being offering FiOS TV in the state later this year.
And finally, Verizon is now offering its broadband customers access to free parental controls, and the telco has launched a Parental Control Center with tips and tools for how to protect children when they are online. The Verizon Parental Control Center features tutorials on subjects such as social networking and safe surfing for kids, and it offers links to Web sites for organizations such as WiredSafety and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Cyber Tipline.
• Broadweave inks marketing agreement with Telarus
By Traci Patterson
Broadweave Networks has reached a marketing agreement with Telarus, a telecommunications sales agency, to market and sell Broadweave’s commercial data and voice services on its newly acquired iProvo fiber optic network. Last week, Broadweave completed the $40.6 million acquisition of the iProvo network in Provo, Utah, officially becoming the sole owner and operator of what was the largest municipal fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network in the U.S. (story here).
Telarus will market and sell high-speed data and voice services as a master sales agent under the Broadweave brand. Telarus sales agents have begun contacting businesses in Provo, and they expect to contact every business within the next few weeks.
Broadweave’s suite of business services includes 1 Mbps to 10 Gbps high-speed Internet access over Ethernet, hosted VoIP service, SIP trunking, PRI service and call-center telephony services.
• Acme Packet names Minihane CFO, treasurer
By Traci Patterson
Acme Packet has appointed Peter Minihane to the role of CFO and treasurer, effective Sept. 18.
Minihane will assume global responsibility for the company’s accounting, finance and investor relations functions. He joins Acme Packet from Colubris Networks, where he served as CFO. Prior to joining Colubris in 2007, Minihane was CFO and COO of StarBak Communications. Prior to StarBak, Minihane held various executive roles with Visual Networks, Microcom, SKOK Systems, Automatix Inc. and Data General.
In February, Acme Packet announced that Keith Seidman, the company’s current CFO and treasurer, planned to retire following a successful search for a new CFO. Seidman will remain with the company until a successful transition period under Minihane has been completed, the company said.
• Convergys closes Intervoice acquisition
By Traci Patterson
Convergys Corp. has closed its acquisition of Intervoice Inc. for $335 million in cash, or $8.25 per share.
With the acquisition of Intervoice, Convergys said that it is extending its position in relationship management by adding additional strengths in the software-based interactive voice response, contact center, and mobile messaging technology and applications markets.
“This acquisition is about investing to address the current and future needs of our clients,” said Dave Dougherty, president and CEO of Convergys. “Convergys is committed to delivering, and in fact enhancing, Intervoice’s product roadmap. Together, we will ensure that all Intervoice and Convergys clients and partners have access to industry-leading technology, professional services and support solutions that enhance relationship management across all touch points.
More Broadband Direct:
• Cablevision turns on Wi-Fi network
• Comcast’s Fancast serves up downloaded content
• TiVo introduces new DVR with more memory for HD
• Ciena’s revenue up; co. braces for trouble ahead
• Mixed Signals to demo Sentry at IBC2008
• NCTA promotes Vest to senior VP
• Harvey joins ActiveVideo Networks
• Oh, Canada to host new SCTE conference
