Thursday, September 8, 2005

Cisco Outlines its Video/IPTV Strategy

Cisco Systems outlined its approach for offering an open, standards-based approach to video/IPTV deployment with multiple middleware vendors, headend platforms, conditional access devices, video servers and IP set-top boxes.Cisco said its strategy is to enable three layers of convergence -- network convergence, which saves providers money; service convergence, which binds networks and applications together; and application convergence, which helps them drive revenue. Network ConvergenceAt the Network Convergence Layer of the IP NGN, Cisco video/IPTV...

SureWest Expands IP Video Service with Cisco Catalyst Switches

SureWest Communications, which serves the Sacramento, California region, is expanding its IP video services over an FTTH network using the Cisco IP Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) reference architecture. SureWest has deployed Cisco Catalyst 4510 and 6509 switches to deliver 100 Mbps bi-directional Ethernet to residential customers. The Catalyst 4510 switches are located in remote cabinets in residential neighborhoods and are connected to a primary hub housing Catalyst 6509 switches. The uplink connection is currently Gigabit Ethernet, but as...

Ellacoya: Top 20% of Broadband Users Consume 97% of Bandwidth

Peer-to-peer (P2P) traffic remains the most bandwidth intensive application and a handful of subscribers continue to consume disproportionate amounts of total network bandwidth, according to a new study of European broadband subscriber and application usage conducted by Ellacoya Networks. Ellacoya conducted the study between August 25, 2005 and September 2, 2005, continuously monitoring the network activity of more than one million subscribers in Europe using its IP Service Control System. The Ellacoya system uses Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) technology...

Telco Systems Introduces Multi-Service Metro Ethernet Access Platform

Telco Systems introduced its T-Metro MPLS-based multiservice metro Ethernet access platform. The modular T-Metro delivers a wide range of managed metro Ethernet services, a variety of VPN services and legacy TDM services from core networks to customers' premises. The T-Metro acts as either an edge device that interconnects with both a traditional PSTN TDM circuit-switched network and IP/MPLS core network or as an integral part of the MPLS network. It supports a wide variety of interfaces that include both copper and fiber-based fast Ethernet,...

Alcatel Supplies Optical Network for Kazakhstan China Pipeline

Alcatel will build an integrated telecommunication solution for the Kazakhstan China Pipeline, a 977 km-long oil pipeline that is being jointly built by the state-owned oil companies of Kazakhstan and China. Alcatel will deploy a transport network based on its data-aware Optical Multi-Service Node (OMSN) systems managed by the Alcatel 1350 management suite. Alcatel will also deliver VSAT back-up systems, CCTV systems, hotline systems, a UHF trunking radio system, video conferencing systems and a data network. The project will be completed by the...

Microsoft and Sigma Designs Target Low-Cost IPTV Devices

At IBC in Amsterdam , Microsoft and Sigma Designs said their collaboration is paving the way for low-cost, high-definition-capable devices optimized for the Microsoft TV Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Edition software platform based on Sigma's new SMP8634 media processor. The chip is capable of delivering multiple channels of high-definition (HD) video and on-screen graphics, powerful multimedia processing, powerful content security, and support for a full range of peripherals such as USB 2.0, IDE, Ethernet and HDMI. Support for the VC-1...

Microsoft Extends Connected Services Framework for Media Producers

Microsoft is extending the capabilities of its Connected Services Framework for the broadcast and film industries by integrating with business processes, such as scheduling and rights management systems, and dynamically interact with production processes. At IBC2005, Microsoft and partners demonstrated an enhanced workflow showcasing an end-to-end content management scenario with business management applications collaborating with content creation processes. Microsoft said the integration is achieved using a new Media Order Adapter developed with...

Microsoft and Siemens to Collaborate on Media Industry Solutions

Microsoft and Siemens Business Services are working together to develop integrated solutions, including supporting a collaborative-environment architecture, for the media industry. The solution will be based on Microsoft Office and conferencing products.The companies cited the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) as the first media customer to benefit from the joint offering. http://www.siemens.co....

"TIRAMISU" Consortium Demonstrates its DRM Solution

The TIRAMISU Consortium, a European Commission funded project, demonstrated an end-to-end digital rights management (DRM) solution for distributing movies and video clips over the Internet and mobile networks without violating the rights of the content owners. The demo, which was conducted at the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam, consists of an authoring platform, a streaming server, a home gateway that enables the distribution of the content to various end points within the home, a licensing mechanism, a peer-to-peer network...

ST Implements Secure Video Processor (SVP) in MPEG2 Decoders

STMicroelectronics announced its first silicon devices to implement Secure Video Processor (SVP) technology, the next generation open specification for the protection of digital video content. SVP technology is a hardware-based security scheme designed to protect the digital content rather than the physical link between devices. It is a low cost, future-proof solution that can be used alongside existing Conditional Access and DRM systems; content usage rights, which govern copying and redistribution, are encrypted together with the content and...

Motorola to Acquire Mitsubishi Electric's European R&D Team

Motorola has acquired from Melco Mobile Communication Europe (MMCE), a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, a European team of i-mode design employees and a research center in western France. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.The Rennes facility will become a European i-mode focused development center for Motorola, continuing to operate in its facility in Cesson-Sevigne (Rennes), France. As part of Motorola, the Rennes team will initially address the 2.5G European i-mode market. Motorola also expects the Rennes team...

Telefonica Empresas Migrates Lucent 5ESS to Next Gen Backbone

Telefonica Empresas has completed the migration of data traffic onto a new IP backbone based on Lucent's Accelerate Next Generation Communications Solutions and covering 48,000 ports, and 55 points of presence (PoPs) across Spain.Lucent Worldwide Services (LWS) provided design, integration, migration and operations and maintenance for the transition from Lucent 5ESS switches to a network of Lucent network controllers and gateways. LWS will also provide advanced remote technical support and training for the carrier's network. Lucent's support for...

MCI's SkyTel Launches Vehicle-Tracking Device for Parents of Teen Drivers

SkyTel, a division of MCI, introduced a vehicle-tracking GPS device made especially for parents of teenage drivers. The SkyGuard service allows parents to view trip information on the Web and see where a vehicle has traveled. In addition, parents can set up zones around areas of interest (like school or home) and areas that should be avoided. SkyGuard can also be used to remotely unlock or lock doors and disable a vehicle's starter, preventing the vehicle from restarting once it has been turned off. Service is available in most U.S. metro markets....

Cellcom Israel to Launch i-mode Service

Cellcom Israel started marketing NTT DoCoMo's i-mode service. The service, which is offered over Cellcom's GPRS network, marks the eleventh market for i-mode, following Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, Taiwan, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Australia. http://www.nttdocomo....