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New-Generation XSPAN Delivers 11n Performance at Price Points To Enable Broad Deployment of Triple-Play Gateways.

SANTA CLARA, Calif — Dec 17, `07 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Atheros today announced two single-chip 802.11n solutions developed expressly for the carrier gateway market.

The new dual-band, 2.4GHz/5GHz, AR9220 and single-band, 2.4GHz AR9223 PCI designs join the comprehensive Atheros XSPAN family, the world’s most widely adopted draft 802.11n Wi-Fi solutions.

These latest 802.11n designs provide reliable, market-proven performance at price points that allow carriers to broadly deploy home gateways capable of supporting data, voice and video on a single wireless network.

The AR9220 dual-band, 2×2 MIMO, PCI design is ideal for high-end, multiplay gateways and set-top boxes, which must robustly support multimedia applications requiring uninterrupted throughput — IPTV, HD video streaming, VoIP calls and multi-player online gaming on the 5GHz channel-while using the 2.4GHz band for simple data networking.

This solution provides leading 802.11a/g/n performance, supporting up to 300 Mbps physical data rates and 200 Mbps of actual user throughput on both the uplink and the downlink. With the dual-band design, users will enjoy universal connectivity to any 802.11 device through their gateway or set-top box. More at Atheros.

NEW YORK, Dec 05, ‘07 /PRNewswire/ — Just in time for the holiday season, Verizon is unwrapping high-definition video-on-demand in many of its FiOS TV markets.

HD VOD is now available over the FiOS TV systems in Richmond and Virginia Beach, Va.; Tampa, Fla.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; and Pittsburgh. It is coming soon to the FiOS systems in the Washington, D.C., metro area, Massachusetts and Rhode Island; and to Verizon’s remaining FiOS TV markets next year.

Verizon last month said it expects to have more than 150 HD channels by the end of 2008 as it continues to add to its HD lineup, and programmerslaunch new channels. It also said that it would increase its HD VOD titles to more than 1,000 in 2008.

Verizon’s initial HD VOD offering contains around 75 HD titles including a mix of free programs and recently released blockbuster movies such as “Transformers;” “The Hoax,” starring Richard Gere; “Mr. Brooks,” with Kevin Costner and Demi Moore; and the animated “Surf’s Up.” In the coming months, the company will continue to add HD titles to its VOD library, which now totals more than 10,000 titles.

Customers access video-on-demand simply by pressing the “VOD” or “On Demand” button on their remote control, through a menu on FiOS TV’s
interactive media guide, or by tuning into channel 900. Customers need an HDTV and an HD set-top box to view the on-demand titles in high definition. More at PRNewsWire.

New Processor Provides 10x Performance Increase at One Tenth the Cost and Flexibility for HD Video Processing and Multi-Channel Applications.

HOUSTON, Texas — Dec 03, ‘07 /PRNewswire/ — To allow consumers to seamlessly move content across their video end products, Texas Instruments is offering a new DaVinci technology digital media processor for video transcoding in media gateways, multi-point control units, digital media adaptors, video security DVRs and IP set-top boxes.

Wrapped with a complete offering of development tools and digital media software, the new TMS320DM6467 DaVinci processor is a DSP-based system-on-chip (SoC) specifically tuned for real-time, multi-format, high-definition (HD) video transcoding. Integrating an ARM926EJ-S core and 600 MHz C64x+(TM) DSP core along with a high-definition video co-processor, conversion engine and targeted video port interfaces, the system solution delivers a 10x performance improvement over previous generation processors to perform simultaneous, multi-format HD encode, decode and transcoding up to H.264 HP@L4 (1080p 30fps, 1080i 60fps, 720p 60fps). More at DaVinci/TMS320DM6467.

Video security systems will see similar BOM (bill of materials) reductions and have the flexibility to implement multi-format multi-channel encode (up to four channels of MPEG4/H.264 MP D1 plus four secondary channels of MPEG4/H.264 MP CIF) or decode (up to six channels of MPEG4/H.264 MP D1) for hybrid digital video recorder (DVR) and server (DVS) systems. The DM6467 has an integrated C64x+ DSP which can accommodate video analytics or proprietary video processing algorithms. The DM6467 integrated ARM9, 10/100/1000 EMAC and ATA interfaces would eliminate the need for external host processor enabling a single chip DVR/DVS system.

Pricing and Availability

The DaVinci TMS320DM6467 is now sampling to select customers and will be sold in 50Ku volume for $35.95. The DVEVM is scheduled to begin shipping in 1Q08 from TI and TI Authorized Distributors. theDaVincieffect.

Nov 23, ‘07 — CableLabs has begun testing the first set of DOCSIS 3.0 gear, as five companies have submitted cable modems to the organization for official approval. We’ve seen precertification equipment tested, and some cable ISPs in Asia have rolled out pre-DOCSIS 3.0 equipment, but this is the first set of gear to be tested for compliance with the final DOCSIS 3.0 standard, says ARSTechnica.

ARSTechnica further writes, “Cable ISPs currently use DOCSIS 1.1, which has been “good enough” in the past. Unfortunately, when compared to fiber, DOCSIS 1.1 lacks in the speed department. DOCSIS 3.0 has the potential to drastically change that, with download speeds of up to 160Mbps and uploads of up to 120Mbps possible. In addition, DOCSIS 3.0 also offers full support for IPv6, along with enhanced network management and security features. DOCSIS 3.0 also offers enough bandwidth for IPTV and other high-def video services.

The first round of DOCSIS 3.0 certification comes at an important time for the cable industry. Cable companies used to be the unquestioned kings of download speeds, but they’re finding it impossible to compete with fiber-optic deployments such as Verizon’s FiOS service. Last month, Verizon announced its new 20/20 symmetrical FiOS service, and earlier this week made the service available across its entire territory. The company also rolled out a new service tier with speeds of 50Mbps down and 30Mbps up.” More at ARSTechnica.

Nov 06, ‘07 — AT&T cut its forecast Tuesday for how many homes will have access to U-verse, the service that sends cable TV through home phone lines.

In a regulatory filing, the San Antonio-based company said it expects U-verse to be available to 17 million homes at the end of next year, down from a previous estimate of 18 million.

The delay is due to a shift in resources to prepare for the U-Verse rollout in the former BellSouth territory, AT&T said. It acquired BellSouth late last year for $86 billion.

Also to prepare for the startup in the Southeastern region, AT&T raised its estimate for capital spending on U-verse by $500 million for 2007 and 2008, bringing it to between $4.5 billion and $5 billion. Since the additional spending is for preparatory work, it won’t result in U-verse being available to additional homes by 2008.

AT&T has already delayed the rollout schedule for the U-verse project several times. As late as May, it expected U-verse to be available to 19 million homes by the end of 2008.

The service is seen as critical to stemming the loss of voice subscribers to cable companies. To provide it, AT&T is pulling fiber-optic lines closer to homes.

Mumbai, India — November 05, ‘07 — Microsoft announced a tie-up with Reliance Anil D. Ambani Group (RADAG) worth $500 million to launch Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and allied services in India here Monday.

The IPTV services will first be launched in New Delhi and Mumbai, followed by the other metros, said RADAG chairman Anil Ambani. ‘Reliance will enjoy exclusive deployment rights for the Microsoft platform in India,’ he added.

Ambani also said that Reliance would launch direct-to-home (DTH) services in the country in the next few months. There are currently 100 million TV homes in India, he pointed out.

The service, which will be powered by next generation fiber optic network, is expected to be launched by March 2008, said a joint news release by the two companies. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Ambani were present at the announcement ceremony. Also present were Ravi Venkatesan, chairman, Microsoft India, and Prakash Bajpai, president, Reliance Communications.

“Backed by powerful Microsoft Mediaroom software, IPTV promises to offer our subscribers more choice, control and convenience, and at the end of the day, a unique and more satisfying user experience,” said Anil D. Ambani, chairman of R-Com, in a statement. The companies would also co-operate on rural broadband, mobile telephony, gaming and entertainment in the Indian market. More at Microsoft.

New York, NY–November 1, ‘07–Verizon FiOS TV customers will get even more of the high-definition content they love as Verizon today announced plans for a fivefold increase in the number of HD channels, to 150 channels, as well as plans for offering additional HD content through FiOS TV’s video-on-demand service.  Verizon is also planning a major expansion of sports and multicultural programming on FiOS TV in 2008.

In the spring of 2008, Verizon will begin expanding its HD lineup as well as the sports and multicultural program offerings on FiOS TV.  Verizon initially will double the current number of HD channels, on a market-by-market basis, to more than 60, including additional sports channels.  Verizon expects to have more than 150 HD channels by year-end 2008 as it continues to add to its HD lineup and programmers launch new channels. The company also will add standard-definition sports, multicultural and other programming during the year.

In addition to the expanded HD channel lineup, Verizon will offer HD programming through its industry-leading video-on-demand library, which already totals more than 10,000 titles.  Before the end of 2007, Verizon expects to introduce a limited number of HD on-demand titles, which will increase to more than 1,000 HD titles in 2008.

During 2008, Verizon also will expand the reach of HD programming throughout the home.  Through enhancements to the Verizon-exclusive Home Media DVR service, customers will be able to record HD shows and watch them from any room in the house with an HDTV and an HD set-top box. Moer at Verizon.

Organizations plan to collaborate on optical networking, advanced content delivery and security initiatives.

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ — Internet2, the foremost US advanced networking consortium led by the research and higher education community, has announced that Verizon Business has joined Internet2 as a corporate member. The company plans to engage the consortium in several innovative ways, including collaboration with the Internet2 community on projects involving advanced optical networking as well as in important areas of next-generation content delivery and network security.

“Verizon Business has been actively engaged with Internet2 from its inception back in 1996. As a corporate member, we look forward to collaborating with Internet2 on applications and technologies to have an impact on the research and higher education community and the commercial marketplace,” said Dennis Elwell, director for Verizon Business’ government and education organization. “Affordable optical access, wireline/wireless IP convergence, alert and notification services along with security are the hot-button issues with university chief information officers across the nation and we look forward to working with the Internet2 community on these important initiatives.”

Elwell recently was named to the Internet2 Applications, Middleware & Services Industry Advisory Council, where he will collaborate on middleware and application services for the consortium, as well as provide feedback to Industry on the trends and requirements for higher education.

One of the strongest values of the Internet2 community is its commitment to the exploration and development of leading-edge Internet technology. Internet2 thus provides an expedited life cycle path from idea to inception to research to commercialization for advanced network technologies and applications. The Internet2 community provides Verizon Business innovative partnership opportunities and a test bed for examining future network-based services and capabilities such as new network security methodologies as well as emerging technologies like IPTV.

“Internet2 relies on its corporate members like Verizon Business to play a key role in transferring technology developed within the Internet2 community into the commercial marketplace,” said Ellen Vaughan, Internet2 program manager for member and partner relations. “We are pleased to partner with Verizon Business, a leader in advanced communications and networking, on many important technology initiatives. Our shared interest in developing the latest in content distribution, security and optical technologies will provide myriad benefits to the research and education community and we believe, in the long- term, will have a long lasting impact on consumers and businesses alike.”

About Internet2

Internet2 is the foremost U.S. advanced networking consortium. Led by the research and education community since 1996, Internet2 promotes the missions of its members by providing both leading-edge network capabilities and unique partnership opportunities that together facilitate the development, deployment and use of revolutionary Internet technologies. More at Internet2. 

Washington–October 31, ‘07–FCC on Wednesday approved a rule that would ban exclusive agreements that cable television operators have with apartment buildings, opening up competition for other video providers that could eventually lead to lower prices.

The Federal Communications Commission unanimously approved the change, which Chairman Kevin Martin said would help lower cable rates for millions of subscribers who live in apartment buildings and other multi-unit dwellings, or about 25 million households. He said the move would particularly help minorities who disproportionately live in multi-unit dwellings.

The rule would prohibit cable companies, such as Comcast and Time Warner Cable from enforcing existing exclusive cable TV contracts with apartment managers and allow telecommunications companies, such as Verizon and AT&T to offer video services along with high-speed Internet access and phone service.

The cable industry, which had previously said it is unlawful for the government to invalidate existing contracts, said the deals provide apartment residents with better pricing and service.

WASHINGTON — The FCC, hoping to reduce the rising costs of cable television, is preparing to strike down thousands of contracts this week that gave individual cable companies exclusive rights to provide service to an apartment building, the agency’s chairman says. 

The new rule could open markets across the United States to competition. It would be a huge victory for Verizon Communications and AT&T, which have challenged the cable industry by offering their own video services. The two phone companies have lobbied aggressively for the provision. They have been supported in their fight by consumer groups, satellite television companies and small rivals to the big cable providers. 

Commission officials and consumer groups said the new rule could significantly lower cable prices for millions of subscribers who live in apartment buildings and have had no choice in selecting a company for paid television. Government and private studies show that when a second cable company enters a market, prices can drop as much as 30 percent.

The change, which is set to be approved Wednesday, is expected to have a particular effect on prices for low-income and minority families. They have seen cable prices rise about three times the rate of inflation over the last decade. A quarter of American households live in apartment buildings housing 50 or more residents, but 40 percent of households headed by Hispanics and African-Americans live in such buildings. 

“Exclusive contracts have been one of the most significant barriers to competition,” said Kevin Martin, chairman of the commission, in a recent interview. Cable prices have risen “about 93 percent in the last 10 years,” he said. “This is a way to introduce additional competition, which will result in lower prices and greater innovation.”

ViP-TV Offers Distributors the Ability to Deliver up to 300 Programming Channels, Including 40 Channels of HD & Local Broadcast Networks. Says Echostar. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Oct. 23, 2007 – EchoStar Communications Corporation and its subsidiary, EchoStar FSS Corporation (EFSSC), today announced the launch of ViP-TV™ service, through which EFFSC has the ability to transport over 300 channels of secure broadcast quality popular television programming via satellite to Telco, private and rural cable operators, municipalities and master planned community video providers that have obtained rights for distribution of programming over their wire-line networks.

ViP-TV is EFSSC’s turn-key solution for wholesale multi-channel content transport and distribution, and offers customers affordable, scalable and aggregated MPEG-4 Internet protocol encapsulated radio and television programming channels from a high-powered Ku-band satellite.

ViP-TV’s suite of channels includes ViP-Premier™, which offers over 100 channels of the most popular television programming, ViP-HD™, which boasts 40 channels of industryleading high definition programming; ViP-Movies™, a menu of 40 of the most popular movie services; ViP-Latino™, offering 30 of the top-rated Spanish-language programming services; and the ViP-International™ programming package, providing over 30 programming channels in 10 different languages.

More at Echostar(in pdf) and ViP-TV

CNNMoney, Citigroup analyst Jason Bazinet,  TheStreet.com senior writer Scott Moritz and Bloomberg News are speculating on the rumor – ”AT&T is likely to buy EchoStar”. AT&T has hired Goldman Sachs to explore the acquisition of EchoStar, TheStreet.com has learned.Goldman was hired by AT&T about a month ago, says a source familiar with the companies. It was around that time that EchoStar said it was considering splitting its TV broadcasting operations from its wholesale satellite transmission business.

The deal would make sense for both companies with AT&T struggling with its TV service called U-verse and EchoStar facing competition from companies with deeper pockets such as DIRECTV. With AT&T as an owner, EchoStar could invest more heavily in projects such as new satellites for High-Definition TV channels.

AT&T said it had no comment. “We are not commenting,” an EchoStar representative said.

Korea Telecom will next month connect its IPTV service that will feed shows to Sony’s PlayStation 3 games console. Tony Smith of Reg Hardware reports, “Mega TV launched in June - the same month the PS3 officially went on sale in Korea - this year as a HD-capable revamp of KT’s earlier, standard-definition only Megapass internet TV offering. Last month, KT rolled the service out to all of its broadband customers - 5.5m of them - having previously offered the service only to those in Seoul.

Not all of these subscribers also pay for Mega TV - last month, KT said it hopes to grow the IPTV service’s subscriber base to 300,000 users by the end of the year, and the deal with Sony should go some way to helping it achieve that target.

Neither Sony nor KT said how much PS3 owners will have to pay for Mega TV. However, it’s believed the player software will be made available through a download direct to the games console… er… set-top box.”

More at Reg Hardware…