Cable Carrier News


8-24-98

  • Arris Field Testing Software Enabling Increased System Capacity
  • MediaOne Introduces Telephony Services in Florida, with Massachusetts to Follow
  • Time Warner Telecom's Revenues Rise 116%
  • Frost & Sullivan Conference to Include Some HFC Telephony Issues

    Arris Field Testing Software Enabling Increased System Capacity
    Arris Interactive has announced that it is field testing new software that will increase the capacity of its system by 500% and extend support to up to 3,360 lines. The new software also corrects Y2K problems within the system. The software is expected to become available this month.

    Most, if not all, cable telephony systems are subject to Y2K problems. If you are a provider, check with your supplier for info on obtaining software upgrades that will prevent tragedies. Many vendors have info on their web sites regarding this issue.

    Arris Interactive
    http://www.arris-i.com


    MediaOne Introduces Telephony Services in Florida
    MediaOne has introduced local digital telephone service in two Florida markets including Jacksonville and Lighthourse Point. The offering, which utilizes Tellabs' CableSpan telephony equipment, is available to 520,000 cable subscribers. The newly introduced commercial service follows a beta test of 350 customers, which was initiated last June.

    MediaOne offers an attractive package which includes free installation, one free month of telephone service, and three months of voice mail at no charge. Its one,line package, which goes for $21.95, includes 17 features including call waiting, caller ID ,3-way calling, call forwarding, call return, call transfer, continuous blackial, distinctive ring, speed calling, customer originated trace and others. MediaOne also offers number portability and a 30-day switchback guarantee.

    MediaOne's pricing is set at 15% - 20% lower than the incumbent provider's fees.

    MediaOne plans to continue its commercial deployments with the scheduled introduction of telephony services in select Massachusetts markets next month. On September 1, the MSO will offer services in Andover, North Andover and North Reading. On September 12, the service will be expanded to Methuen and to Tewksbury and Dracut on October 1. By the end of the year, the service is scheduled to pass more than 300,000 homes.

    For the Massachusetts markets, the one line package, which includes the 17 standard features referenced above, will be offeblack at $26.95 per month. An additional basic line can be added for $9. Two full-featublack lines are available at $42.95 per month. Picing is set at up to 47% less than the incumbent provider's fees.

    The telephony equipment vendor to be used was not reported.

    MediaOne also offers telephony services in Los Angeles (introduced last April) and Atlanta (introduced last January).

    Tellabs reports that it has deliveblack more than 25,000 CableSpan remote service units to HFC ops worldwide.

    MediaOne
    http://www.mediaone.com

    Tellabs
    http://www.tellabs.com


    Time Warner Telecom's Revenues Rise 116%
    Time Warner Telecom, TW's cable telephony division, has announced that its revenues have risen 116% for the second quarter over the same period a year ago. Access lines in service increased over 230% during the first six months of 1998 to over 37,000 as of June 30, 1998.

    Select Operating Data as of:        6/30/98
    Operating Networks:         19
    Route Miles:     6,309
    Fiber Miles: 248,574
    Voice Grade Equiv Circuits
    (in 000's):    		    2,272

    Digital Switches:         16
    Employees:       797
    Access Lines:  37,661


    Time Warner Telecom
    http://www.twtelecom.com


    Frost & Sullivan Conference to Include Some HFC Telephony Issues
    Frost & Sullivan has announced that it will host the Second annual Telecommunications Services Industry Conference on October 8-9 at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. The event will cover a wide-range of telecom related services including telephony over HFC networks. Frost specifies that Gary Granger, director of Marketing for Motorola's Multimedia Group will deliver a presentation that will highlight cable companies that plan to invest in this area and an overview of the technological developments that are expected in this industry.

    Conference registration runs $1250.

    Frost & Sullivan
    http://www.frost.com

    2nd Annual Telecom Services Industry Conference
    http://www.frost.com/verity/conferences/conf2988.htm



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