KDDI Launches Broadband TV and VOD over Fiber

KDDI, currently the second largest telecommunications company in Japan, launched "Hikari Plus TV," a multi-channel broadcasting and video on delivery (VOD) service offered over fiber lines. The new service rounds out the KDDI's Hikari Plus suite, which has also includes the recent launch of Hikari Plus Phone (VoIP) and Hikari Plus Net (fast Internet) in October 2003.


Hikari Plus TV will be delivered through KDDI rental set top boxes (680 yen per month) with connectivity to KDDI's proprietary CDN (Content Delivery Network). In addition to fiber, in-building connections may use VDSL or Ethernet. The network uses IP packet priority control and IP multicasting to deliver DVD-grade video. Residential users will also be able to access the Hikari Plus TV service using PCs and other devices.


KDDI expects to have about 2,000 titles in its VOD library by March 2004. Users will be able to view up to three titles (including one new title) for a fixed monthly charge, and an unlimited number of titles on a pay per view basis of 100-500 yen per title. Multi-channel broadcasting will also be available for a fixed monthly charge. Users can select from 25 channels including MTV and Sports Eye ESPN. In addition, Hikari Plus TV will offer online karaoke with a library of approximately 3,000 titles.


KDDI's Hikari Plus service area includes Sapporo, Sendai, Chiba, Saitama, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Nagoya, Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hyogo, Takamatsu, Hiroshima, Kita Kyushu, a part of Fukuoka. KDDI expects to expand its service area in the future.
http://www.kddi.com/

Read More

Verizon Adds Corning and 3 Others to FTTP Vendor List

Verizon selected four additional suppliers for its fiber- to-the-premises (FTTP) project: Corning Cable Systems, ADC, Preformed Line Products Co., and Tyco Electronics. The companies will provide fiber-optic cabling and other outside plant equipment, also known as the "passive" elements of the FTTP system.


They join four other companies that Verizon selected and announced in November 2003: AFC for the central-office electronics; and Sumitomo Electric Lightwave, Pirelli Communications Cables and Systems and Fiber Optic Network Solutions (FONS) as outside plant suppliers.


Verizon said it plans to continue performing lab and technology interoperability tests on the FTTP systems, ensuring the new technology works properly with existing and new Verizon operations support systems. In the first half of 2004, Verizon expects to begin initial test-deployments in at least two communities. By the end of the year, the company expects to deploy the new technology in over 100 central offices across nine states.
http://www.verizon.com

Read More

Thomson uses Broadcom Chips for DSL in China

Thomson began shipping a new SpeedTouch ADSL modem designed for the Chinese market and which is based on Broadcom's silicon. The Chinese ADSL market is expected to grow to over 18 million subscribers by the end of 2004.
http://www.thomson.nethttp://www.broadcom.com

Read More

UTStarcom Signs Expansion Contracts in Vietnam

Vietnam Post and Telecommunications (VNPT) awarded an expansion contract valued in excess of US$10 million to UTStarcom for continued deployment of the IP-based PAS citywide wireless access system in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, the two largest cities in Vietnam. VNPT officially launched iPAS service under the "Cityphone" brand name in Hanoi in December 2002 and in Ho Chi Minh in February 2003. To date, VNPT has attracted nearly 50,000 subscribers to its networks. In addition, the "Cityphone" iPAS service now includes value-added data services (VAS) such as short messaging and multi-media messaging. These new value-added services are interoperable with VNPT's GSM network and 64kbps wireless Internet access via the handset, laptop computer, or personal digital assistant. VNPT also offers pre-paid services to its customers. VNPT is working with UTStarcom to launch six new handset models in 2004.
http://www.utstar.com

Read More