Broadband Bob Report


12-19-96



Standards
Trials/Commitments
  • Motorola Picked by More Operators
  • Hewlett Packard Modem Chosen by Four Japanese Operators
  • Bay Networks (formerly LANcity) to Deploy Modems in Phoenix
  • Hybrid Announces Trial Locations
  • Terayon Announces International Commitment for 100,000 modems
    Partnerships
  • Terayon Signs Deals with Digital and Sumitomo
  • Bay Networks (formerly LANcity) and Racal Data Team Up
  • HP's Internet Delivery System to be Interoperable with Com21
  • Nokia To Distribute HP modems in Europe
  • Sharp Will Manufacture Hybrid Modems on OEM Basis
  • NextLevel Makes Equity Investment in Telegate
    Content
  • @Home Announces More Content Development Partners
  • InterMedia to Use @Home Service
  • Com21 Creates Partnership with Community Networks
  • Road Runner May Offer AOL
  • @Home and Pathfinder to Use Internet Shopping Network
    Modem Development
  • Lucent and LSI Introduce QAM Demodulators
  • Stanford Telecom Announces New Burst Receiver
  • RAD Data Introduces Single Chip Ethernet Bridge
    New Players Announce Modem Specifications
  • NEC Announces Specs for CM1500 Cable Modem
  • GAD Line Releases Specifications for TRC 7001 Cable Modem
    One Way Cable Modems
  • NextLevel Grabs Several Commitments From Cable Operators
  • TCA To Use Scientific Atlanta's DataXcellerator Modem
  • Hayes Enters Cable Modem Market
  • New Media Announces World's Fastest Cable Modem
    Cable Modems for Internet Television
  • Bandai Introduces First Internet Television Device Using a Cable Modem
    System Upgrades
  • Time Warner to Upgrade Manhattan System to 862 MHz


    Standards
    Just as last year's Western Show, this year the CCTA sponsored event was highlighted by news releases from vendors offering cable modems and related services.

    However, overshadowing the newly announced trials, commitments and partnerships was news that MCNS had finally released RF interface specifications for the delivery of data over cable networks. Finishing touches on the specification are due soon. The network security specification is expected to be finished this week and an operations support system interface should be completed by early next year. At this point, access to the over 100 page document is only available to the vendor community. The specifications can be downloaded from the MCNS web site if you have been given a password by the organization.

    Though most vendors indicated that they are still reviewing the specifications and have not made a final decision on pursuing development of a MCNS compliant modem, the following vendors have announced they will build a standard modem based on the MCNS released specifications: Bay Networks (formerly LANcity), Motorola, Hewlett Packard, and Com21. Terayon representatives have said that there is some flexibility in the specification and that the company plans to continue hope that S-CDMA will be chosen by MCNS as a broadband access method for the return path. Their continued support of S-CDMA follows a Western Show announcement that Terayon's technology performed 99% error free in trial testing. They refused to comment on the company's direction if the group solidified its position on QPSK.

    The only publicly released specifications include an indication that the Network Layer is IP and that the Data Link Layer is comprised of three sublayers:

  • Logical Link Control will conform to Ethernet standards
  • Link security will support the basic needs of privacy, authorization, and authentication
  • Media Access Control will support variable length PDUs. The main features of the MAC will include:
  • Headend controlled mix of contention and reservation transmission opportunities
  • A stream of mini-slots in the return
  • Bandwidth efficiency through support of various length packets
  • Extensions provided for future support of ATM or other PDUs
  • Support for multiple grades of service
  • Support for a wide range of data rates

    MCNS
    http://www.cablemodem.com

    Trials and Commitments

  • Motorola topped the vendor list with announcements of new trials and commitments. The list of newly announced locations includes a deployment of CyberSURFR modems by US West's MediaOne in Atlanta, by Telewest in Basildon, England, by Binariang Sdn Bhd in Malaysia, by the Ministry of Electronics Industry in China, and by Janco Kabel in Oslo, Norway. In addition, Motorola signed a deal with Cox Communications that calls for 50,000 CyberSURFR units to be shipped to the MSO in 1997.

    Motorola
     http://www.mot.com/multimedia

  • Hewlett Packard, still operating with an undeveloped cable modem announced deals made with Cox Communications, four Japanese operators and with Helsinki Television Ltd in Finland.

    Hewlett Packard     http://www.hp.com

  • In addition to Motorola and HP, Cox has also committed to purchasing Bay Networks (formerly LANcity) modems in 1997. They plan to deploy the modems in Cox's Phoenix, Arizona system.

    Bay Networks (formerly LANcity)
     http://www.baynetworks.com

  • Though Hybrid Networks did not announce any new trials, they did disclose locations that were using their cable modem. Unfortunately, the list did not specify which modems were used in HFC networks and which modems were wireless installations for internet access purposes. Nevertheless, the list of locations may prove to be useful. They include:

    Provider/CustomerLocationApplication
    AlcatelBelgiumInternet Access
    AT&TNew JerseyTelework
    CablevisionLong Island, NYInternet Access
    CAI WirelessRochester, NYInternet Access
    ComcastMurray Hill, NJTelework
    DacomKoreaInternet Access
    Digital DataFt. Lauderdale, FLWireless
    Digital & WirelessWashington D.C.Wireless
    France TelecomParisInternet Access
    Go FastMinnesotaWireless
    GW WirelessWashington D.C.Wireless
    Internet VenturesVentura, CAInternet Access
    Jones IntercableCelebrity City, FLInternet Access
    Lucent TechnologiesMurray Hill, NJTelework
    IntelChandler, AZLab
    Intel GermanyGermanyLab
    MagnavisionNew YorkInternet Access
    Metro.NetBerkeley, CAWireless
    Metro.NetLas Vegas, NVWireless
    NTT DataJapanInternet Access
    People's Choice TVDetroit, MIWireless
    Philips Public Tele. Sys.PortugalInternet Access
    SharpJapanLab
    Tele-DenmarkDenmarkInternet Access
    TelstraSydney, AustraliaInternet Access
    TCICupertino, CAInternet Access
    TCICastro Valley, CAInternet Access
    TrigemSeoul, KoreaInternet Access
    Warp DriveSan Jose, CAWireless


    Hybrid Networks
     http://www.hybrid.com

  • Though not announced by press release, Terayon representatives are claiming to have acquired an international commitment for 100,000 TeraPro units.

    Terayon
    http://www.terayon.com

    Partnerships

  • Terayon announced a deal with Sumitomo for the distribution of TeraPro in Japan. The agreement which provided Sumitomo exclusive rights to the Japanese market, included a $5 million dollar investment by Sumitomo in Terayon, Corp.

    Terayon also announced that they had signed a deal with Digital. The non-exclusive agreement calls for Digital to provide integration services and worldwide distribution for Terayon's products.

    Terayon
     http://www.terayon.com

  • Bay Networks (formerly LANcity) and Racal Data Group announced that they had teamed together in a co-marketing agreement that includes Bay Networks (formerly LANcity)'s data communications equipment and Racal Data's PremNet 5000 broadband fiber system and integration services.

    Bay Networks (formerly LANcity)
     http://www.baynetworks.com

  • HP and Com21 have agreed to work together to make Com21's Cable DataPort modem interoperable with HP's Broadband Internet Delivery System.

    Com21
     http://www.com21.com

  • Hewlett Packard has announced that they will supply QuickBurst modems and Link Routers to Nokia on an OEM basis. Nokia, a Finnish company will distribute the products throughout Europe.

    Hewlett Packard
     http://www.hp.com

  • Hybrid has formed a partnership with Itochu and Sharp. Sharp will manufacture modems for Hybrid Networks on an OEM basis and Itochu will distribute the modems in Japan. Hybrid also will partner with Alcatel. Alcatel will market and distribute Hybrid products worldwide.

    Hybrid Networks
     http://www.hybrid.com

    Alcatel
    http://www.alcatel.com

  • NextLevel has made a $4 million equity investment in Telegate. GI will work with the Israeli company to distribute telephony equipment.

    General Instruement
     http://www.gi.com

    Telegate
    http://www.telegate.co.il

    Content

    High speed Internet access and interactive television (MainStreet) providers have identified the need to focus on local content. Services such as Road Runner, Highway1 and MainStreet have announced that they will take steps to include more localized content for their services.

  • @Home has announced fifty new companies that will provide content for the @Home service. The additional companies brings the @Home development crew to include more than one hundred companies. The new additions include:

    1-800-flowers
    3DO
    Addicted to Noise
    Agents
    American Cybercast
    Attitude Network
    AudioNet
    BigBook
    Bonus.com
    Books That Work
    C 5/8Net
    Channel A
    Classifieds 2000
    Coordinate.com
    CUC International
    Curbside Networks
    Cybersource
    Cyberspace Promotions
    Digex
    Digital Planet
    Digital Sight and Sound
    Discovery Channel Online
    E! Online
    Federal Express
    Film.com
    Fly Fishers Online
    Folks Online
    Four 11
    Gamepen
    Global Music Outlet
    Golfweb
    GoPlay
    Hollywood Online
    Hot Wired
    Inc. Online
    Infonautics
    Ingenius
    Interactive Creations
    Internet College Exchange
    Internet Shopping Network
    Internet Video Services
    Interzine Productions
    Intouch Group
    Intravenous TV
    IUMA
    Ivillage
    Knight-Ridder
    Knowledge Web
    Match.com
    Marinex Multimedia
    MB Interactive
    Mercury Mail
    MGM Interactive
    Microplacement
    Mindshare Media
    Motley Fool
    Mountain Zone
    Netcast Comm
    NetNoir
    NetPlay
    NetRadio
    New Archetype Publishing
    Novo Media Group
    NY Times
    OmniView
    Quote.com
    PC Flowers and Gifts
    Personal Training Systems
    Planet Live Power Labs
    Pop Rocket
    Powerlab Studios
    Preview Travel
    RedBook Florist Services
    Reverberate Entertainment
    Riddler.com
    Salon
    SegaSoft
    Silicon Reef
    SiteSpecific
    Smart Wired
    Spot Media Comm
    Supernet
    TCI Interactive Services
    TENetwork
    Terraflex
    The Auto Channel
    The Blue Wolf Network
    The Gold Channel
    The Palace
    The Red Herring
    The Wall Street Journal
    The Weather Channel
    Travelocity
    2Way Media
    Universal Press Syndicate
    USA Today
    UTV
    Vanlittlecybere Research
    Virtual Netcasting
    Virtual Vegas
    Virtual Vineyard
    Vividus
    Weatherlabs
    Website Magazine
    Windom Health
    Women's Wire
    World African Network
    World Webcasting Network
    World Wide Waiter
    WWW.Woman
    Yahoo
    ZD Net
    Zentrophy Interactive

  • @Home also announced that InterMedia has become the first MSO with no equity investment in @Home to agree to use the service. InterMedia will launch the @Home service in Nashville in 1997. Other InterMedia markets lined up for the service include Spartanburg and Greenville, North Carolina.

    @Home
     http://www.home.net

  • Com21 has announced a partnership with Community Networks. Community Networks, owned by BTG, a system integrator, will provide content for the modem vendor. Community Networks will specialize in developing multimedia content for cable systems that do not splurge for one of the national content services such as Road Runner, @Home or the Jones Internet Channel. The small start up content developer created content for the Loudoun, Virginia system that was set up with Internet access services via BTG.

    Com21
     http://www.com21.com

  • AOL has announced that they are in discussions with Time Warner's Road Runner, hoping to be added to the service.

    Time Warner
     http://pathfinder.com/@@pgDwZAcAUVxfH2O2/Corp/divisions/cablehome.html

  • The Internet Shopping Network announced partnerships with both @Home and Pathfinder. The online computer shopping service will provide content for both services. Road Runner claims that ISN will be the service's only computer shopping content provider.

    Pathfinder
     http://pathfinder.com

    Modem Development
  • Both Lucent Technologies and LSI Logic have announced new QAM demodulator chips. The announcements tighten the silicon field bringing solid competition to established chip vendors Broadcom and Stanford Telecom.

    Lucent's Microelectronics Group is introducing a single chip 256QAM demodulator chip known as AV6410. The demodulator will support data rates up to 40Mbps. The chip combines a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter, a 256QAM demodulator, and an IF passband-to-baseband converter. The chip supports channel bandwidths up to 10MHz. In 64QAM mode, the AV6410 supports 27Mbps. A Hilbert filter implements the downconversion from IF passband to baseband. The 0.35 micron device autodetects the QAM constellation size. Lucent's new product will also support demodulation in 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 modes.

    The AV6410 is the latest addition to Lucent's Cable Modem Silicon Suite. The product line consists of an RF transmitter, transmit/receive data converters, a QPSK/QAM modulator, Ethernet MACs and transceivers, and encryption devices.

    The new 256 QAM chip will be available in sample quantities in the first quarter of 1997. Lucent plans to charge $25 per unit in volumes of 100,000 or more.

    LSI Logic has introduced a new QAM receiver with an application specific (ASSP) chip known as CableStream. The single chip solution includes an A/D converter, a QAM demodulator, and an EEC decoder. CableStream and an evaluation board for the receiver will be available in the first quarter of 1997.

    Lucent Technologies
     http://www.lucent.com

    LSI Logic
    http://www.lsilogic.com

  • Stanford Telecom announced the introduction of their next generation burst receiver. The STEL-9257 addresses both Ethernet and ATM style packets. The product features a tracking bit synchronizer, selectable bit rates from 0.5Mbps to 4Mbps QPSK and an aplha=.25 filter. The burst receivers are tunable to receive TDMA and FDMA signals over 5 to 40 MHz.The burst receiver, available in volume in the first quarter of 1997 will cost you $625 in quantities of 1,000.

    Stanford Telecom
     http://www.stelhq.com

  • RAD Data announced the development of a remote, single-chip Ethernet bridge that will provide Ethernet-to-digital bitstream conversion, buffer management and bit rate adaption with single frame latency. The chip's interfaces are IEEE 802.3. The ChipBridge has been used by two cable modem vendors, by xDSL manufacturers and for use in satellite modems. According to RAD, the bridge is the world's first single-chip solution.

    RAD Data
     http://www.rad.com/chip/bridge

    Newly Announced Modem Specifications
  • NEC announced specifications for their CM1500 cable modem. The new modem will support data rates of 6Mbps downstream and 1.5 Mbps upstream using 64QAM for downstream modulation and QPSK for the return path. The modem is frequency agile between 30 to 50 MHz upstream and 70-750 MHz downstream. NEC has stated that the current modem has scaleability problems and volume availability will depend on their ability to solve the problem. Trials are set for Q1 of 1997 and estimated availability is Q3 of next year.

    NEC
     http://www.nec.com

  • GAD Line has released specifications for their Cybermode TRC 7001 cable modem. The unit supports 10.24 Mbps downstream using QPSK and 2.56 Mbps upstream using QPSK. The modem is frequency agile from 5 to 42 MHz upstream and 48 to 750 MHz downstream. The upstream carrier uses 1.5 MHz and the downstream utilizes a full 6 MHz channel. Though capable of being used for Internet access, GAD Line is focusing itself on the telephony market.

    One Way Cable Modems

     NextLevel announced several commitments for their SURFboard telco return cable modem. Though volume was left unannounced, GI will be supplying Adelphia, BTG, Television International of Monterrey, Mexico, TV Cable, S.A. of Ecuador and Red Argentina, S.A. of Buenos Aires. SURFboard supports 27 Mbps downstream

    NextLevel
     http://www.gi.com

  • Scientific Atlanta announced commitments for their one way "DataXcellerator" cable modem. TCA Cable TV has chosen the modem and will deploy units in Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. DataXcellerator supports 1.5 Mbps downstream.

    Scientific Atlanta
     http://www.sciatl.com

  • Hayes, the well-known dial up modem manufacturer has entered the one way modem market. They have introduced ULTRA, an internal cable modem that supports 5 Mbps downstream using FSK modulation. At this time, Hayes is claiming that the modem will become available in April at $179 per unit in volumes of 10,000.

    Hayes
     http://www.hayes.com

  • New Media Communication has introduced an internal cable modem that will support 54 Mbps downstream using 256 QAM. The modem can be used for Internet access for HFC networks and the wireless and satellite markets. Initial trials of the modem are set for Q1 of 1997 and availability is expected in the second quarter. The CyberCity modem is compliant with DVB-C/S standards and MPEG2 format. The CyberCity modem will run $199 in volume.

    New Media also announced a partnership with Comstream, for distribution of the CyberCity system.

    New Media Communication
     http://www.nmcfast.com

    Internet Television Cable Modems

     Bandai Digital Entertainment announced successful testing of their internet television device which utilizes a two-way cable modem. The test of @World conducted with Cogeco Cable and Cable-Axion Digitel in Canada used cable modems from three different vendors. @World was configured with a 10-BaseT Ethernet adapter card. Due to the success of the tests, Bandai plans to expand the trial to homes in the Eastern townships of Quebec.

    Bandai Digital Entertainment
     http://www.bdec.com

    System Upgrades
  • Time Warner has announced that they will upgrade a system covering Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn to a 862 MHz HFC network. Of the 1500 blocks included in the Manhattan upgrade, 40 blocks have been completed. Full completion of the project is expected in the year 2000.

    Time Warner
     http://pathfinder.com/@@pgDwZAcAUVxfH2O2/Corp/divisions/cablehome.html



    © Copyright 2000 Gecko Research & Publishing

    The Broadband Bob Report is a weekly take of the latest news regarding data over cable, 2-way HFC networks and related applications and services. Subscribers to Broadband Bob’s Cable Modem Mailing List receive the Broadband Bob Report via E-Mail each Monday. For info on joining the mailing list, visit http://www.hfc.net/mailinglist

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