12/23/97
Toshiba Introduces MCNS System & Systems Integration Services
@Home Partners with 4th Network To Deliver Service to Hotels
Dutch Operators Aggressively Upgrading Their Networks
TV Filme Launches Wireless Data Services in Brazil
@Home to Use Microsoft's Internet Explorer
Ryan, Hankin & Kent Update Market Projections
Comcast Introduces New Division to Market @Home to Businesses
MediaOne Express to Use Kinetoscope for Content Development
Phasecom Introduces Telco-Return Cable Modem
Byte Magazine Recognizes 3Com's Cable Modem with Award
Northern Cable to Deploy 3Com/USR's MCNS System
GAD Line Introduces Telephony/Data System Using NIUs
ADC Introduces Ethernet Switch that Extends Ethernet's Capabilities
Bay Introduces Cable Modem Trade-In Program
Internet Cable to Offer Data Services over US Cable's Systems
Toshiba Introduces MCNS System & Systems Integration Services
Last week, Toshiba introduced its MCNS system, which features the standard
64/256 QAM downstream and QPSK/16 QAM upstream supporting up to 40 Mbps
down and 10 Mbps up. The system has allocated bandwidth capabilities
[QoS], variable rate FEC, built-in security, and support for multicasting.
The headend features include IP routing, IP packet filtering, and support
for multiple I/O interfaces including 10/100BaseT and ATM OC-3. The
Toshiba cable modem offers support for multiple PC interfaces including
10BaseT, parallel, and USB.
The Toshiba system utilizes Libit's PHY, TurboNet's MAC, and ADI's security.
Toshiba has achieved interoperability between its network and Harmonic
Lightwave's MCNS system. Harmonic's Cable Modem Termination System [CMTS]
is based on NetGame technology and Stanford Telecom chip-sets.
Toshiba's MCNS system is currently being field tested by Time Warner in a
Road Runner service in Litchfield, Connecticut. It is expected that the
system being tested does not support QoS, but is instead a best-effort MCNS
network.
In a separate announcement, Toshiba reported that it is offering systems
integration services to cable operators. As an integrator, Toshiba will
offer services such as design, installation and integration of security,
Internet access, virtual private networking, IP video and IP telephony.
Support services include maintenance, full diagnostics, problem resolution
and on-site response. Toshiba served as a systems integrator for Time
Warner for many of its Road Runner launches.
Toshiba
http://www.tais.com
@Home Partners with 4th Network To Deliver Internet Access Service to Hotels
@Home has announced that it has partnered with Fourth Communications
Network [4th Network] to deliver @Home service to hotel guestrooms.
Through the agreement, @Home will take a minority interest in 4th Network
and receive a participatory rights on the company's Board of Directors.
4th Network offers online-enabled PCs and Internet access services to hotel
operators for deployment in guestrooms. 4th Network has already inked
long-term contracts for several hundred thousand rooms worldwide including
deals with Hilton, Marriott, Radisson, Sheraton and Westin properties.
@Home
http://www.home.net
Fourth Communications Network
http://www.4thnet.com
Dutch Operators Aggressively Upgrading Their Networks
Dutch cable operators have committed more than Gld3 billion to system
upgrades that will enable two-way communications. A2000, Casema, CasTel,
and Eneco have already invested a combined Gld 1.1 billion. By 1999,
operators expect that more than 70% of the Netherlands will be passed by
either Internet access or cable telephony services and by 2000, the
coverage is expected to increase to 85%.
A2000
http://www.a2000.net
Casema
http://www.casema.nl
CasTel
http://www.castel.nl
Eneco
http://www.eneco.nl/indexeng.html
TV Filme Launches Wireless Data Services in Brazil
TV Filme has announced that it will launch wireless Internet access service
to the Brasmlia area in December. The service entitled "Link Express" will
feature downstream support up to 27 Mbps. The system vendor was not
mentioned in the announcement.
TV Filme serves 3 Brazilian markets passing more than 1.3 million homes.
TV Filme
http://www.tvfilme.com.br
@Home to Use Microsoft's Internet Explorer
@Home has announced that it will work with Microsoft to develop an @Home
branded Internet browser based on Internet Explorer 4.0. @Home will also
use Windows NT for its own North American network and for use with @Work
services.
@Home subscribers will be given the choice of a Netscape or IE browser.
@Home
http://www.home.net
Microsoft
http://www.microsoft.com
Ryan, Hankin & Kent Update Market Projections
Ryan, Hankin & Kent [RHK] have released an updated version of its cable
modem research effort. The research firm's latest work estimates that
there will be $317 million worth of cable modems and $122 million of
headend equipment shipped by 2002. The North American installed base is
projected by RHK to grow to 7.4 million. The report, entitled "Cable
Modems: Business Case and North American Forecast" predicts there will be a
700% growth in the industry over the next five years.
In addition to forecasts, the report includes a complete business model for
offering data services. Through RHK's business model, the firm concluded
that the emergence of standardized cable modems will reduce the wait for a
typical operator to get a return on investment by one year.
RHK usually offers reports as part of larger service packages that would
include consulting.
Ryan, Hankin & Kent
http://www.rhk.com
Comcast Introduces New Division to Market @Home to Businesses
Comcast has introduced a new business division known as Comcast Commercial
Internet Services [CCIS], which will market @Home and @Work data services
to businesses. CCIS is being introduced in New Jersey and will eventually
expand to offer services in all of its @Home-served markets.
Comcast
http://www.comcast.com
MediaOne Express to Use Kinetoscope for Content Development
MediaOne has announced that it has chosen Kinetoscope to provide it with
custom java applications and a user-management platform for use with
MediaOne Express. As part of the deal, MediaOne has licensed the company's
java based Versatile Intelligent Agent System [VIA].
MediaOne
http://www.mediaone.com
Kinetoscope
http://www.kinetoscope.com
Phasecom Introduces Telco-Return Cable Modem
Phasecom has introduced a telco-return cable modem known as SpeedDemon
Telco. The unit is actually a two-way capable unit that can operate in a
telco-return mode. The modem can be remotely upgraded to a bi-directional
cable modem via a software upgrade at the headend. SpeedDemon Telco
utilizes 64QAM technology and can support up to 30 Mbps downstream.
Phasecom
http://www.speed-demon.com
Byte Magazine Recognizes 3Com's Cable Modem with Award
Byte magazine and Computer Shopper recognized 3Com's VSP and VSP Plus cable
modems with a Best of COMDEX award. Byte honored 3Com in the Best
Networking Infrastructure category.
3Com
http://www.3com.com
US Robotics
http://www.usr.com
BYTE Magazine
http://www.byte.com
Computer Shopper
http://www.compshopper.co.uk
Northern Cable to Deploy 3Com/USR's MCNS System
3Com has announced that Northern Cable in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada will
offer Internet access services using US Robotics-branded cable modems. The
operator will initially offer telco return service, converting subscribers
to two-way services as the plant is upgraded. The cable modems will be
retailed directly through 3Com, which will also provide customer
installations.
Commercial services are expected to be launched in Q'1 of '98.
Northern, a fully-owned subsidiary of Videotron, serves more than 100,000
subscribers in northeastern Ontario. The Sudbury market serves 49,000 subs.
Northern has already deployed Terayon's system, which is being used for an
educational LAN.
3Com
http://www.3com.com
US Robotics
http://www.usr.com
GAD Line Introduces Telephony/Data System Using NIUs
GAD Line has introduced a Telephony/Data system that utilizes
multi-function network interface units [NIU]. The subscriber unit can
support two of three modes including a cable modem, an ISDN modem with a U
or S interface, and a regular phone line.
GAD Line's telephony system employs FDMA utilizing either QAM or QPSK. For
data, GAD Line uses a TDMA-based system that uses QAM downstream and
QAM/QPSK upstream.
The data management system features subscriber authentication, system
monitoring, and frequency/time allocation.
GAD Line's data solution is MCNS compliant.
GAD Line
http://www.gadline.co.il
ADC Introduces Ethernet Switch that Extends Ethernet's Capabilities
ADC has introduced a new Ethernet Switch known as EtherRing that allows
data to be transmitted at faster speeds and at increased distances. The
technology will support data, IP video and IP telephony. Volume production
is scheduled for January, '98.
ADC
http://www.adc.com
Bay Introduces Cable Modem Trade-In Program
Bay Networks has introduced a trade-in program designed to help the company
dump some refurbished LCP and LCe units. Billed as the MCNS Migration
Program, Bay is allowing operators that buy refurbished equipment within
the next nine months to trade it in for MCNS-compliant equipment in the
future. Operators can trade-in a refurbished LCP for $100 towards a MCNS
cable modem and a refurbished LCe for $3000 towards a MCNS-compliant
headend. The announcement did not indicate whether the refurbished
equipment would be offered at a discount.
It would be more appealing if Bay would accept any LCP unit for a trade-in
or even more cunning if the company would accept old equipment from
competing vendors for trade-in. Don't expect it.
Bay Networks
http://www.baynetworks.com
Internet Cable to Offer Data Services over US Cable's Systems
Internet Cable, one of the first "cable ISPs" has announced that it will
offer data services over US Cable's Charleston, South Carolina cable
system. The service will use Zenith's 4 Mbps modems. Depending on the
success of the service in Charleston, US Cable may allow Internet Cable to
offer services at its other systems throughout the country.
Internet Cable entered the industry a couple of years ago when the company
enabled a small system in King, North Carolina to offer data services.
Soon after, Internet Cable managed to go public. However, the company,
then known as "The Internet Channel" suffered from some internal problems
and consequently ousted its president. The US Cable deal has allowed
Internet Cable to get back into the game.
© 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.
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