Broadband Bob Report


12/09/99

  • AT&T to Open Access in 2002
  • @Home Reports 1 Million Subs
  • Broadcom & Conexant Introduce Tuners
  • HSA Launches Service in 10 Communities
  • ISP Channel Ends Q’3 with 7,376 Subs
  • CCS Tech Introduces Systems Integration Package
  • CableLabs Certifies 2 Com21 Cable Modems
  • CableLabs Releases PacketCable 1.0 Spec
  • Cabovisao to Deploy Nortel’s Gear in Portugal
  • IDC Releases Cable Modem Market Report
  • RCN Launches Services in South San Francisco
  • SCTE Announces Speakers for Emerging Tech Show
  • Nortel Introduces Cable Modem Firewall
  • Comcast to Trial Media Station’s CD-Rom on-Demand


    AT&T to Open Access in 2002
    In a joint announcement with MindSpring, AT&T announced that it would open access to its cable networks to multiple third party ISPs in 2002, once exclusive contracts with @Home expired. MindSpring outlined the plan in a letter submitted to the FCC. AT&T said that it would develop agreements with each ISP based on pricing terms similar to those that it holds with other ISPs.

    MindSpring stated that AT&T had agreed to allow:

    - a choice of ISPs to cable modem subscribers without having to subscribe to any other ISP
    - a choice of Internet connections at different speeds, and at prices reasonable and appropriate to those speeds
    - direct access to all content available on the WWW without any imposed charge to the consumer for such content
    - the ability of the cable modem sub to change or customize his or her start page
    - the functionality of their ISP comparable to the which such ISP has on competing high-speed systems, subject to any technical constraints particular to, or imposed upon, all ISPs using AT&T’s cable system to deliver high-speed Internet access
    - Internet transport services for high-speed Internet access at prices reasonably comparable to those offered by AT&T to any other ISP for similar services, subject to other terms negotiated between the parties on a commercial basis
    - the opportunity to market directly to consumers high-speed Internet access over cable using AT&T transport services
    - the opportunity through means to be mutually agreed upon, to market their high-speed Internet access which uses AT&T’s Internet transport services to AT&T’s cable customers who have not already designated an ISP
    - the opportunity to bill cable subs directly for services provided by the ISP that are additional to the services provided by AT&T
    - the opportunity to differentiate service offerings by various means, such as enhanced customer care and advanced applications
    - the opportunity to maintain brand recognition in all such offerings


    So, the battle is over, right? Not at all. Open access advocates were not pleased with the deal since it did not specify pricing and was not effective until 2002. The OpenNet Coalition and other ISP backed groups plan to continue to push for FCC regulation that would allow them to get in the door sooner and at the cheapest price possible.

    In trivial open access news last week, the National Conference on State Legislators Committee on Commerce and Communications voted to support open access. Also, David Horowitz, a consumer advocate spoke out against FCC regulated open access.

    Open Access Resources Page at Cable Modem University
    /modem/openaccess


    @Home Reports 1 Million Subs
    @Home announced that it had signed up one million subscribers worldwide. The company plans to launch an ad campaign soon based on the slogan, “one million can’t be wrong.”

    @Home
    http://www.home.net


    Broadcom & Conexant Introduce Tuners
    Both Broadcom and Conexant introduced single chip tuners last Monday.

    Broadcom unveiled its BCM3415, a CMOS [Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor] based digita-analog RF television tuner capable of receiving 256-QAM encoded digital cable television. The chip will receive channels in the 50-860 MHz range, amplify them and down convert them to a standard 44 MHz intermediate frequency.

    The products in Broadcom’s BCM3400 line-up utilize a triple conversion architecture turner that contains an up-conversion mixer driven by a wide band synthesizer, which translates the desired channel up to a fixed first IF. On-chip channel reduction filters then filter the signal before it is down converted to a second IF. The down conversion mixer is driven by a narrow band synthesizer. More filtering is done at the second IF and then the signal is down converted to an output frequency of 44 MHz. All of the parameters of each chip are controlled by a two-wire serial interface that is Mbus compatible.

    The 3415 is currently being sampled. Packaging is 48-pin TQFP. The tuner chip is available in sample quantities for $10.

    Conexant has introduced its own digital single chip tuner known as the InfoSurge CN2811. The unit accepts RF signals ranging from 44 to 870 MHz and converts them to IF signals at 36 to 44 MHz. The CN2811, which uses mainstream bipolar process technology, consumes less than 1.5W of power.

    The product is currently being sampled. Volume production is scheduled for Q’2 of next year. It is packaged in a 48-pin ETQFP. The CN2811, along with the CN9414, will be priced at $40 each in OEM quantities of 10,000.

    Broadcom
    http://www.broadcom.com

    Conexant
    http://www.conexant.com


    HSA Launches Service in 10 Communities
    High-Speed Access has announced the launch of cable modem services in 10 communities including Ft. Gordon, Georgia; Waynesville, Missouri; Rhinelander, Wisconsin; Gaffney, South Carolina; and Classic Cable systems in Idabel, Oklahoma; Trenton, Missouri; Lebanon, Missouri; Monahans, Texas; Terrell, Texas and Ft. Scott, Kansas. With the new deployments, HSA now has 90 commercially active services launched throughout the U.S.

    High-Speed Access
    http://www.hsacorp.net


    ISP Channel Ends Q’3 with 7,376 Subs
    In its year end fiscal report, ISP Channel said that it ended September with 7,376 cable modem subs, up 82% from the previous quarter. The company reported that it had deployed 62 headends, up from 42 from Q’2. As of November 30, ISP Channel claimed more than 9,000 subs from 67 cable systems.

    ISP Channel
    http://www.ispchannel.com


    CCS Tech Introduces Systems Integration Package
    CCS Technologies has introduced “Broadband-in-a-Box”, a data systems integration package for cable ops. The package includes installation, configuration, integration testing and training aimed at enabling cable operators to run their own cable modem service. In addition, CCS provides a ROI model and develops a broadband strategy for its clients.

    The SI is targeting operators with 1,000 or more video subs.

    CCS Technologies
    http://www.ccstech.com


    CableLabs Certifies 4 Com21 Cable Modems
    Com21 has announced that CableLabs has certified four of its cable modems including the DoxPort 1010 and three flavors of the DoxPort 101 – an impressive 11th wave comeback.

    Com21
    http://www.com21.com


    CableLabs Releases PacketCable 1.0 Spec
    CableLabs has completed the PacketCable 1.0 spec and has publicly released 11 interim specs and five technical reports. The documents provide the core functional components and interfaces necessary to implement the technology. The specs are available at
    http://www.packetcable.com

    CableLabs
    http://www.cablelabs.com


    Cabovisao to Deploy Nortel’s Gear in Portugal
    Nortel has announced that it has signed a 3-year, $60.5 million deal with Cabovisao, Portugal’s second largest cable op, to supply IP networking equipment to the provider. As part of the agreement, Nortel will fix Cabovisao up with its STM-16 2.5 Gbps multiplexer backbone, its Accelar 1200 and Versalar 25000 switches for IP and Frame Relay services, a DMS 100 switch, and cable modems. The operator will use the gear to introduce voice and data services to its more than 200,000 homes passed.

    Nortel Networks
    http://www.nortelnetworks.com


    IDC Releases Cable Modem Market Report
    International Data Corporation [IDC] has released a cable modem market report entitled “The Cable Man Cometh: U.S. Residential Data-Over-Cable Services Market Assessment and Forecast, 1998-2003. The study includes a forecast of U.S. residential cable modem services and revenue through 2003, a midyear 1999 market share breakdown of MSOs and major cable ISPs, a discussion of market trends, and some service provider profiles.

    Within the report, IDC reports that the U.S. installed base of cable modems will exceed 1.3 million by the end of the year. By 2003, the firm projects that the U.S. IB will grow to around 9 million. During the same year, IDC expects DSL to overtake cable modems in market share.

    The study also projects that cable modem service revenues will rise from $421.9 million in 1999 to $26 billion by 2003.

    IDC
    http://www.idc.com


    RCN Launches Services in South San Francisco
    RCN announced that it has launched voice, video and data services to the 22,000 homes in South San Francisco. The provider is delivering its services via 2,445 miles of plant with 150 homes per node. RCN expects to introduce services in San Mateo and Daly City soon.

    RCN
    http://www.rcn.com


    SCTE Announces Speakers for Emerging Tech Show
    The SCTE has announced its speaker line-up for sessions to be held during the annual Emerging Technologies Conference to be held in Anaheim from January 11-13.

    The pre-conference session, moderated by Rex Bullinger of @Home, will include discussions of home area networks, digital modulation measurements and overview of DOCSIS with a focus on security. Speakers will include Richard Annibaldi of Pioneer New Media, Steve Holmes of Tektronix, and Burcak Beser of 3Com.

    Session A will include a discussion of broadband telecom apps including DOCSIS and telephony.

    Moderated by: Ron Wolfe, @Home

    Speakers:
    Sasha Medvinsky, GI
    John Chapman, Cable Products & Solutions
    Doug Jones, MediaOne
    Terry Wolters, Salix Technologies
    Bijan Hakimi, Intel
    Michael Coden, Magjic.com and ADC
    Bijan Khosravi, Siara Systems

    Session B will cover interactive services and advanced set-top apps

    Moderated by: Leslie Ellis, Paul Kagan Associates

    Speakers:
    Yvette Gordon, Seachange
    Jan van der Meer, Philips
    Humphrey Liu, Cisco
    Mark O’Brien, TeraLogic
    Jim Wood, AT&T
    Joe Buehl, Time Warner

    Session C will tackle home area networks.

    Moderated by: Doug Semon, Time Warner

    Speakers:
    Justin Junkus, KnowledgeLink
    Chuck Merk, Silicon Wave
    Richard Annibaldi, Pioneer New Media

    Session D will include a discussion on network management solutions for digital broadband

    Moderated by: Jim Ludington, INT2 Internetwork Integration

    Speakers:
    Pablo Martinez, Lucent
    David Barr, Tellabs
    Bob Richardson, Chromatis Networks

    Session E will cover advancements in distribution and transport architectures

    Moderated by: Patrick O’Hare, AT&T

    Speakers:
    Chuck Crowder, S-A
    Karl Kookstool, ADC
    Joe Thomas, Chromatis Networks
    Terry Wright, C-Cor
    Oleh Sniezko, AT&T

    SCTE
    http://www.scte.org


    Nortel Introduces Cable Modem Firewall
    Nortel Networks has introduced a firewall designed to keep cable modem connections secure. The software is part of a suite of products known as Shasta 5000. In addition to the firewall, the package includes an IP service platform to enable cable operators to offer data services via multiple ISPs.

    Nortel Networks
    http://www.nortelnetworks.com


    Comcast to Trial Media Station’s CD-Rom on-Demand
    Comcast has said that it will test drive Media Station’s CD on-demand system known as SelectPlay. The MSO will offer its Detroit area subscribers the ability to download and interact with a wide selection of games, sports, educational, and knowledge-based software.

    Comcast
    http://www.comcast.com

    Media Station
    http://www.mediastation.com

    SelectPlay
    http://www.selectplay.com




    © 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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