Applications


  • Internet Access
    Internet access is the most well-known and widely used data over cable application. The popularity of the Internet has completely driven the cable industry into the data services business. The available bandwidth of cable's broadband network allows users to download web pages faster and to support multimedia driven IP technologies that require extensive bandwidth resources to support streaming audio and video.


  • IP Telephony
    IP Telephony allows cable operators to offer local and/or long distance telephone services using Internet Protocol to deliver voice through the use of a gateway located at the cable headend. Telephony networks can either be private with services limited to a LAN, or allow access across the Internet or to and from the telco system. The initial telephony networks developed to operate over IP were crude. However, the current technology provides an acceptable level of quality.

    Cable operators offering the service:
  • France Telecom
  • GTE Corp

    Primary IP telephony network vendors:
  • Array Telecom
  • Delta Three
  • Dialogic
  • Global Gateway Group
  • VocalTec Communications

    Further Reading
  • Brooktrout Technology White Paper: Boston: The Future of Electronic
    Messaging
  • IP xStream


  • Multi-User Dimensions [MUD]
    A MUD is a structured social environment operating over IP and managed by a computer program. It involves a loosely organized context or theme, such as a castle with multiple rooms. As a user enters a MUD, he or she is represented within the program as an animated character visible to all of the users. Depending on the capabilities and nature of the MUD, users can communicate in real-time via text chat or voice, and engage in activities within the environment such as playing a game or fighting. Though most MUDS are designed for entertainment, some are used for informational purposes such as distance learning.

    Primary MUD developers:
  • Intermetrics
  • mPath Interactive
  • Sony


  • Video Conferencing
    Video conferencing, which is run over IP, allows a group of users to communicate in real-time through the use of live streaming audio and video. Some conferences involve a single video image from a main source and multiple audio feeds from many sites, while others can support at least up to four users on a split screen. Some video conferencing programs feature "whiteboarding", which allows users to interactively draw or write onto a commonly shared portion of the PC screen.

    Primary vendors of video conferencing software & servers:
  • Concentric Networks
  • Digiphone International
  • Microsoft
  • Netscape
  • VocalTec


  • Facsimile over IP
    Just as IP can support telephony, the Internet Protocol can also handle facsimile transmissions. Networks supporting faxes can either be private or provide access over the Internet.

    Primary suppliers of facsimile networking equipment:
  • DSP Software Engineering
  • Delta Three
  • ViaDSP
  • VocalTec
  • Voxo Telecom


  • Webcasting
    Webcasting, often referred to as PUSH technology, is the automated delivery of information from server to client over IP. Generally, webcasting services offer users access to a wide range of information and news. Users are able to filter or specify what information is to be downloaded to their PC. For example, if a service clipped the latest news regarding high-speed data services, the user may be given the option to accept all articles and press releases regarding high-speed data services or specify only articles that deal directly with cable modems. The application would eliminate the need for the user to find the article on the Internet and manually download it.

    Primary webcasting providers:
  • BackWeb
  • Castanet
  • Headliner
  • Intermind
  • Microsoft
  • Netscape
  • Pointcast


  • Multicasting
    Multicasting is the automatic transmission of files or streaming audio and video to pre-selected multiple users. Though multicasting is similar to webcasting, it operates like a sophisticated mailing list rather than a news clipping service. Information is uploaded by the provider to a server and users automatically download that information or a pre-selected portion of that information. It promises to be a popular application within private networks.

    Standards for IP delivery of multicasting are being developed including IP Multicast and Mbone.

    Cable operators offering multicasting:
  • TCI, Fremont, California via @Home

    Primary providers of multicasting technology:
  • Cisco Systems
  • Nortel
  • 3Com Corp
  • Netscape
  • Microsoft
  • Stardust Technologies
  • Newbridge
  • Cabletron
  • Platinum

    Further Reading
  • CNET's Cable Modems: What They Do


  • Virtual Private Networks
    Since a cable system acts as a broadband network, operators are capable of developing virtual private networks [VPN] or pseudo local area networks [LAN]. The networks can be built as a completely closed environment or allow users access to the Internet [Intranet].

    In many cases, the VPN application may generate more revenue than Internet access. Instead of competing with ISPs, the cable operator is competing with networking companies that demand higher prices at better margins. If a cable operator passes 20,000 homes and gets 2% of those households to subscribe to a high-speed Internet access service at $40 a month, the monthly revenue generated is $16,000. If that operator has 20 VPN customers with an average monthly bill of $1,000 then the monthly revenue is $20,000.


  • Telecommuting
    Telecommuting is usually an extension of the virtual private network, allowing the network to extend outside the office premises. The telecommuting service may be part of a VPN or simply a high-bandwidth connection to the office or the Internet enabling an employee to work effectively from home.

    Further Reading
  • Cable Modems: Hype or Hoax


  • Municipal LANs
    Municipal LANs are VPNs that connect governmental agencies and public offices such as police, fire, emergency services and city hall. Operators that are seeking government subsidies for plant upgrades may want to emphasize the application's potential and possibly offer the service at no charge or at a discounted rate. Obviously, the application provides operates with leverage in politically controlled environments.


  • Educational LANs/Distance Learning
    Educational LANs connect local schools, universities and libraries. Within that application, the network can be used to teach students outside the physical classroom. Professors can use tools such as video conferencing or multicasting to simulate the classroom over a PC. Just as telecommuting allows employees to work from home, distance learning allows students to learn from home.

    Primary vendors of software developed specifically for distance learning:
  • Intermetrics
  • Ichat

    Further Reading
  • Video Conferencing in Higher Education
  • Energy Management
    Through distance monitoring, the cable infrastructure can support energy management of local utilities (electric, water, and gas). Maintenance, troubleshooting, meter reading and usage monitoring can be performed from a remote location.

    HFC operators utilizing energy management applications:
  • TCI for Pacific Gas & Electric, in San Fransisco, San Jose, and Walnut Creek
  • Cox for Virginia Power
  • Jones Intercable [undisclosed location]

    Primary suppliers of software specifically developed for energy management applications:
  • CTI
  • Electrotek Concepts
  • WaterLink Systems


  • Home Monitoring/Security
    The cable network can be used to monitor homes for fires, break-ins, and medical emergencies. The available bandwidth of a cable network combined with the system's "always on" characteristic enables emergency information to be quickly transmitted.

    Cable operators utilizing the home monitoring application:
  • South Tokyo Cable Television with Sogo Keibi Hosho

    Primary supplier of home monitoring equipment/software:
  • Signal Communications


  • Karaoke
    Since the cable network has the available bandwidth to support streaming audio and video, it can support karaoke as an application. Users can download video clips and sing the words into a PC microphone.

    Cable operators offering karaoke:
  • Jupiter Telecom & Sumitomo, in Urawaka, Japan


  • Telemedicine
    Physicians, specialists, patients, hospitals, clinics, and mobile units can take advantage of a broadband networks' ability to support the quick transfer of huge files can aid the medical community in providing diagnosis, treatment, consulting and education.

    Primary vendors of software used for telemedicine applications:
  • International Telemedicine Center
  • Applicare Medical Imaging B.V.
  • CyberOptions
  • WEBRAD


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