ARRIS and RGB Combine to Demonstrate IPTV Video Solution over M-CMTS Architecture at IBC 

September 5, 2005 - ARRIS, provider of broadband access for cable telephony, data and video solutions and RGB Networks, has announced that they will jointly demonstrate an IPTV Video Solution over the ARRIS M-CMTS (Modular Cable Modem Termination System) architecture at the IBC Conference and Exhibition in Amsterdam.

ARRIS has integrated RGB's Broadcast Network Processor (BNP) statistical multiplexer and video groomer with the ARRIS Cadant® C4® CMTS and the ARRIS Keystone™ D5™ Universal EdgeQAM to create a video over DOCSIS® solution. 

The combined solution from these two technology platforms allows cable operators to deliver broadcast quality video streams to TVs or PCs at home, along with high speed data and voice services. The RGB BNP product is engineered to deliver the video streams at what they claim is the highest video quality within the specified available bit rates, allowing for concurrent provisioning of multiple advanced services on the same cable 

"ARRIS is committed to developing products and solutions in order to drive the broadband IP convergence of video, voice and data. This solution allows operators to take advantage of the intelligent platforms from ARRIS and RGB to deliver a wide variety of multimedia services over existing HFC networks to existing and next-generation consumer devices," said Charles Cheevers, ARRIS CTO, Europe. 

"RGB is delighted to be part of this advanced technology demonstration, showcasing an architecture for the next generation of video delivery. This demonstration highlights the flexibility and strength of RGB's Broadcast Network Processor for its use in today's broadcast environment as well as in next-generation IPTV environments, delivering very high quality video streams at very high densities to broadband subscribers," said Ramin Farassat, Vice President of Product Marketing for RGB Networks. 

September 6, 2006 - HP has announced its collaboration with Intel to open two Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) test centers to help carriers and broadband providers take advantage of the opportunities of the emerging technology. 

The IPTV Centers of Excellence will help customers accelerate deployment of new revenue-producing IPTV services, as well as reduce the costs and risks associated with them. The centers also address the service providers' need for a "one-stop" facility where they can test and validate IPTV solutions and resolve problems before the solution is deployed for subscribers.

At the two facilities, located in Grenoble, France, and Richardson, Texas, HP and Intel have created state-of-the-art working environments where carriers and broadband providers can develop and model the infrastructure they need to deliver a successful IPTV service. It is claimed that the facilities allow for performance and scalability evaluation, characterization, sizing, full proof-of-concept testing, and integration of IPTV solutions into the network and the operational and business support systems. 

"Intel and HP have created a world-class IPTV resource that will deliver very real operational and business value for service providers," said Peggy Dau, worldwide director, broadband and media solutions, Communications, Media and Entertainment, HP. "Our close cooperation with Intel has been key to HP's overall effort to make IPTV services more attractive for both operators and consumers."

"This center is the result of a longstanding collaboration with HP to bring service providers a testing facility that helps them 

bring their solutions to market faster," said Ralph Corey, director, communications and media solutions, Customer Solutions Group, Intel. "Through the use of the latest technology from Intel and HP, service providers are able to test their solutions in advance of bringing them to market, thereby improving their overall operational efficiency for new IPTV deployments."

Accedo and IntAct Partner to Bring Revenue Generating Services to the IPTV Market 

September 6, 2006 - Accedo Broadband, aggregator of TV-centric applications distributed over broadband, and IntAct Software Limited, have today announced the availability of Accedo's range of TV-centric applications for set-top boxes powered by the IntAct(TM) IPTV software stack.

The Accedo Application Portfolio(TM) claims to be the largest available collection of interactive value-added services such as games, karaoke on demand, weather, puzzles, horoscope, comics, quizzes and PlasmaArt(TM) for IPTV.

The IntAct IPTV software stack provides IPTV operators and set top box vendors with a standard platform for IPTV applications, middleware and conditional access systems, and is deployed on over 700,000 IP set-top 

Under the collaboration agreed between the two companies, the complete Accedo Application Portfolio(TM) will be available to IPTV service providers for all devices powered by the IntAct IPTV software stack - including the AmiNET(TM) range from Amino Communications Ltd - providing them with further opportunities to differentiate their IPTV solution and create additional revenue streams.

"IntAct's market-proven IPTV solution is the most deployed in the world. We are therefore excited to start offering the Accedo Application Portfolio(TM) to IntAct's customers in the IPTV space," said Fredrik Andersson, VP Business Development of Accedo Broadband. "Together, we will offer service providers the opportunity to purchase a pre-integrated and tested white label solution for interactive applications. This will enable service providers to focus on core issues, help them to generate additional profits and distinguish themselves from the competition."

"The successful integration of Accedo Application Portfolio(TM) with our solutions strengthens the appeal of our joint offering to Telcos, providing them with further opportunities to differentiate their IPTV solution and create additional revenue streams," commented Karthik Ranjan, VP Sales & Marketing, IntAct Software Limited.

September 17, 2006 - Advanced Digital Broadcast (ADB), supplier of technology to the global digital television industry, has announced that it has commenced manufacturing and subsequent delivery of its latest high definition (HD) IPTV set-top box (STB) to Telefónica, Spain. 

ADB believes this to be the world's first deployment of a hybrid, single-chip, high definition IPTV STB incorporating Advanced Video Coding (AVC) and is the first that is in the process of certification with Telefónica as being ready for launch on its network.

The ADB-3800TW is a digital set-top box incorporating standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) television reception based on MPEG-2 and H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding (AVC). The unit claims to enable operators to optimise their broadcast bandwidth, whilst presenting consumers with the highest quality in sound and vision. ADB claims that the product features a state-of-the-art, single-chip microprocessor, resulting in enhanced system performance and innovative feature-set, including fast channel decoding, HDMI™ interface and swift rendering of on-screen graphics and applications.

"ADB and Telefónica have successfully and closely collaborated on the field trials of the Imagenio high definition service during this summer's FIFA World Cup™", stated Jose Antonio Castillo, Digital Home Product Line Manager of Telefónica, Spain. Mr. Castillo added that, "ADB continues to be one of our key technology partners in the IPTV space. The availability of the ADB-3800TW high definition set-top box is allowing us to prove our network for the delivery of high definition television services, ensuring that we will once again be ahead of the competition in progressing the innovative services 

and technology that we offer our customers". 

"ADB's core competence is being first-to-market with new technology and this world-first achievement is testament to our ability to maintain this position", highlighted Philippe Lambinet, CEO of ADB. "We believe that the provision of new technology is fundamentally important as we witness a growth in the deployment of new high definition based Pay-TV services. This coupled with an exponential growth in sales of HD Ready television sets, has facilitated consumers' desire for better quality television and services". 

Amino Demonstrates New Multi-Codec IPTV Platform for Asian Market 

September 18, 2006 - Amino, IPTV platform supplier, has announced the first ever demonstration in Asia of the AmiNET125 at IPTV World Forum Asia 2006. Roy Kirsopp, VP and General Manager of Amino will also be talking about IPTV technology during his 'Creating the connected home' presentation at 2pm on 28th September. 
According to Amino, the AmiNET125 is a new fully featured multi-codec device supporting standard definition (SD) video streams. It has been built on a new hardware platform, which draws on the popular AmiNET110 MPEG-2 and award-winning AmiNET124 MPEG-4 devices to offer multiple software configurations and support for 

"This device will allow our customers to stay ahead of the curve and offer the most advanced services to their subscribers, boosting ROI and ARPU, while keeping their costs low," commented Roy Kirsopp, VP and General Manager of Amino. "It combines the best features from our previous SD units and the enhanced features will help operators to reduce customer churn."

The unit, which supports home networking, is expected to prove particularly attractive to the Asian markets which have embraced SD IPTV and the increased market reach offered by the latest video compression standards. The addition of a USB 2.0 connector also adds an extra level of future proofing. "We predict that additional applications such as video telephony over IP will become increasingly attractive as time goes by," continued Kirsopp. "Therefore, we are ensuring that our platform can be easily expanded to cope with the changing market needs while also offering immediate value to our customers."

ADSL2+ and HDTV Do Not Mix for IPTV Offering, says Analysys 

September 19, 2006 - Incumbent operators that intend to launch IPTV and triple-play services may find ADSL2+ lacking, according to a new report, Fibre in the Last Mile: the business case for FTTP and VDSL, published by Analysys, the global advisers on telecommunications, IT and media. 

"Real-life speeds of all DSL technologies can be as much as 40% lower at source than their theoretical maximum, and, despite continuing improvements in digital processing, ADSL2+ does not leave a lot of reliable bandwidth to play with over and above one HDTV stream," says Martin Scott, co-author of the report. "Standard digital TV may provide a stop-gap for the near future, but HDTV will be the future standard, and ADSL2+ won't cope. If ADSL2+ isn't enough then operators must look to VDSL2 and fibre," adds Scott.

According to Analysys, the key findings from the new report are that at present, cabinet-based VDSL technologies are the most financially-sound option in Western European countries, though payback will take at least six years. Large fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) builds will not earn a return on investment (ROI) for at least 15 years, making state-aided builds the only viable model. Operators should follow the lead of France Telecom, however, and initiate trials to gauge potential 

This report brings together an assessment of the costs of VDSL and fibre deployments; forecasts consumer bandwidth demand based on the development of services including IPTV, video communication and remote working; and provides ROI scenarios for operators in Western European country markets.

Fibre in the Last Mile: the business case for FTTP and VDSL, evaluates the realistic deployment options for each of the DSL and fibre-based technologies that are likely to be used in Western Europe, identifies the options most commercially viable under local circumstances, and quantifies the take-up and revenue per service user needed to achieve an adequate financial return from each technology.

The report is available to purchase online at http://research.analysys.com/store.

Programmers and TV Networks Link IPTV Distribution Deals with SES AMERICOM 

September 20, 2006 -SES AMERICOM, an SES GLOBAL company, has announced more than 30 leading television programmers and networks representing 120 channels have signed IPTV transport agreements with SES AMERICOM and its IP-PRIME™ IPTV Television Broadcast Center. 

Starz!/Encore, A&E Television Networks, Hallmark Channels, and Lifetime Networks headline the lineup, which is expected to surpass the 200 channel mark by the time IP-PRIME makes its commercial debut later this year. 

The centralized, satellite delivered IPTV solution originates from SES AMERICOM's IPTV distribution center based in Vernon Valley, New Jersey, where high-end video programming and content is received, processed, and then transported nationwide by satellite to authorized video hubs and consumer set top boxes. IP-PRIME is an innovative turnkey solution that leverages both cutting-edge distribution and encoding technologies and long-standing relationships with the world's leading programmers. 

The inaugural line-up of IP-PRIME programmers that have signed agreements with 

SES AMERICOM includes the Starz!/Encore suite of movie channels; Lifetime Television's three channels; Crowns Media's two Hallmark channels; the C-SPAN channels; EWTN; the Tennis Channel; Bloomberg Television; Gospel Music Channel; and Wealth TV, among others. 

BellSouth and the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) are in advanced stages of trials of the IP-PRIME IPTV programming distribution platform, which claims to be capable of delivering content to the telephone company's video hubs or all the way to the IPTV set-top box in the customer's home.

Bryan McGuirk, president of media solutions for SES AMERICOM stated, "IP-PRIME opens the door for programmers in search of new markets and viewers ready to receive the true triple play of video, voice and broadband over a single line to the home." 

BT Vision Announces Editorial Content Deal with Future for IPTV Service 

September 21, 2006 - BT has announced that Future Plus, the customer-publishing agency of Future Publishing, will be supplying editorial content for BT Vision, its next-generation IPTV service , which is due to launch in autumn 2006. 

Future will also support the editorial requirements of BT Vision's interactive services as they develop, including community forums, special-interest areas and reader-generated content along with user ratings and popularity charts. Future is putting together an eleven-strong editorial team to provide these services to BT Vision. 

At launch, BT Vision customers will be able to enjoy a vast range of film, music and television programming available on-demand as well as interactive services and all the Freeview channels, all available on the TV, with no compulsory subscription. This combination will be delivered on a software platform powered by Microsoft and through a set-top box made by Philips.