Three in Japan using BigBand’s M-CMTS
By Traci Patterson, CED
BigBand Networks’s M-CMTS solution, which utilizes DOCSIS 3.0 downstream channel bonding, is being deployed by three Japanese cable operators as part of their rollout of high-speed data services.
Bay Communications Inc. and Cable Networks Akita Co. have already begun rolling out high-speed data services, offering speeds up to 120 Mbps by leveraging BigBand’s Cuda-based M-CMTS with channel bonding. Hino Cable Television Inc. has upgraded its existing deployment of the Cuda 12000 to an M-CMTS architecture, expanding the 25 Mbps downstream service to subs and rolling out 120 Mbps downstream high-speed data service with channel bonding.
Meanwhile, Korean cable operator Keumkang Cable Networks has deployed BigBand’s Broadband Multimedia-Services Router (BMR) to deliver digital TV service. The operator is using the BMR as a “headend-in-a-box” for RateShaping, scrambling and RF modulation abilities.
DirecTV, Dish to bundle Clearwire’s wireless data
By Traci Patterson, CED
Clearwire Corp. has entered into distribution agreements with DirecTV and EchoStar Communications Corp.
The agreements enable both satellite companies to offer Clearwire’s high-speed Internet service, and allow Clearwire to offer video services of one or both satellite companies.
The launch, slated for later this year, is expected to enable all three companies to offer triple-play services in all current and future Clearwire markets. The satellite companies will also be able to sell the Internet service on a stand-alone basis.
In separate deals, IBM networks with Nortel, Cisco
By Brian Santo, CED
IBM announced two moves to strengthen its position in enterprise networking, combining forces with Nortel to help corporations migrate to IP telephony, and expanding its relationship with Cisco to integrate their network management products.
The Nortel-IBM System i Unified Communications solution, targeting small to medium businesses (SMBs) and branch offices, will integrate IBM’s System i business computing platform and the IBM Lotus Sametime unified communications and collaboration platform with Nortel’s suite of VoIP and multimedia technologies to create a system that supports VoIP and multimedia applications that all run on a single system.
The Nortel-IBM i platform that will be complemented by a portfolio of SIP clients and allow for connectivity to Nortel’s data portfolio for SMBs.
Next month, Cisco will introduce a service-management solution that combines its Active Network Abstraction (ANA) technology with IBM’s Tivoli software to create what Cisco will call its Assurance Management Solution. The AMS product will provide network fault monitoring, trouble isolation, and real-time service-level event management for large multi-vendor networks on a next-generation mediation platform.
The initial version of the Cisco Assurance Management Solution will include IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus and Netcool/Precision technology. Cisco is also able to incorporate other Tivoli technologies in future versions of assurance solutions.
Tellabs helps Blue Valley upgrade to GPON
By Brian Santo, CED
Blue Valley Tele-Communications, headquartered in Home, Kan., is upgrading its broadband PON network with Tellabs DynamicHome gigabit PON products.
Tellabs Global Services helped Blue Valley plan and build the new network, including integration of new and existing technology. Blue Valley will use the new Tellabs 1150 multiservice access platform and the Tellabs 8830 multiservice router to deliver IPTV, in addition to voice and data.
“Our customers want reliable, affordable video, so we’re improving our network to meet these demands,” said Terry O’Neil, general manager of Blue Valley Tele-Communications.
Broadcom firmware improves IPTV on xDSL
By Brian Santo, CED
Broadcom announced a new impulse noise protection technology it’s calling PhyR (“fire”), which incorporates the company’s ADSL2+/VDSL2 firmware and provides a significant improvement in residual bit error rate (BER) as well as resistance against impulsive noise.
IPTV deployments require carriers to provide a certain acceptable level of impulse noise protection and margin settings, which in turn determine an achievable data rate and the loop length over which voice, video and data or IPTV services will be delivered. Increasing noise protection in current IPTV deployments has an improved effect on residual errors, Broadcom explained, but has an adverse effect on the serviceable reach and data rate, thereby limiting the service coverage area.
Broadcom said its PhyR technology significantly improves noise protection without inducing limitations of reach, rate, margin or latency. PhyR firmware is sampling to early access partners and will be demonstrated next week at NXTComm 2007.
ADC intros amp, fiber management system
By Brian Santo, CED
ADC expanded its FiberGuide and RiserGuide product families with a new FiberGuide Fiber Management System that doubles the size (from 12 inches to 24 inches) of its predecessor, thereby doubling network capacity.
FiberGuide Fiber Management Systems are used to protect and route fiber optic patch cords, multifiber cable assemblies and intra-facility fiber cable to and from fiber splice enclosures, distribution frames and fiber optic terminal devices.
Meanwhile, the company is featuring its recently announced ClearGain ground-mounted amplifier at NXTcomm in Chicago next week. The ClearGain DD1900 ground-mounted amplifier (GMA) offers inexpensive signal quality improvement, ADC said, without the need for tower climbs.
Cox distributes grant money
By Traci Patterson, CED
Cox Communications Northern Virginia will officially honor three local organizations as beneficiaries of the Cox Connects Community Fund at the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce’s Chairman’s Luncheon on Monday.
A $25,000 grant was awarded to Liberty’s Promise, a non-profit organization that runs a program for recent immigrants between the ages of 15 and 21. A $12,500 grant was given to Nadar Por Vida (“Swimming for Life”), a competitive swim program for economically disadvantaged youth. And a $12,500 grant was awarded to the Around School Enrichment (ASE) Program at an elementary school.
Broadband Briefs for 06/14/07
• ICTV names CFO
ICTV has appointed veteran senior finance executive Christine Munson as the company’s CFO. Prior to joining ICTV, Munson was VP of finance for MarketTools Inc., a San Francisco-based market research company.
• Tollgrade adds DOCSIS Wi-fi gateway
Tollgrade Communications Inc., a supplier of network service assurance products, has introduced its DOCSIS-based broadband wireless access point, the HyFi 1100. The HyFi 1100 is intended to enable cable operators to leverage their existing HFC network to provide broadband wireless services for city-wide Hotzone and municipal Wi-Fi apps. The product will be featured at the Cable-Tec Expo in Orlando next week.
• Symmetricom IPTV monitoring tech from Genista
Symmetricom has purchased the rights to several software-based technologies designed to accurately determine the quality of real time video streams as delivered to end-user devices across both fixed and mobile networks. The technology was developed by Genista Corp. Symmetricom will use the technology to provide a broader and seamless set of performance-measurement tools to monitor the quality of IPTV, TV over IP, video on demand and other IP-based multimedia services.
• UTStarcom to support Tiscali IPTV/VoIP in Italy
UTStarcom said it was granted a contract to supply its iAN8K B1000 Multiservice Access Node / Gateway (MSAN / MSAG) to Tiscali Italia, the Italian operation of Tiscali, one of the main European independent telecommunication companies. Tiscali Italia will deploy over 350,000 lines of UTStarcom’s iAN8K(R) B1000 to support the delivery of high-speed data, voice over IP (VoIP) and IPTV services to all major markets in Italy.