IPTV

Google turns attention to white spaces

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 07:59:57 -0400

Now that the 700 MHz spectrum auction is over, Google has turned its attention once again to the "white space" unlicensed spectrum debate: In a letter to the FCC, Google pressed the government to make the spectrum available for Internet services.

"As Google has pointed out previously, the vast majority of viable spectrum in this country simply goes unused, or else is grossly underutilized," Richard Whitt, Google's Washington telecom and media lawyer, wrote in the letter.

The white spaces reside between channels 2 and 51 on TVs that are not hooked up to cable, satellite or IPTV services. Whitt claimed that opening up the spectrum would "enable much-needed competition to the incumbent broadband service providers."

Whitt said Android-powered phones would be a "very nice match" for the unused spectrum but failed to elaborate.

For more on Google's white spaces plans:
- read this article in the WSJ (sub. req.)

First Nokia-Siemens, now Nortel wants Tellabs?

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 06:59:56 -0400

According to a report from Light Reading, Nortel has entered into talks with Tellabs for a possible acquisition. The report follows a recent one that Nokia-Siemens was bidding $7 billion for the company, which has been rumored to be for sale all year. Light Reading's sources say that Nokia-Siemens is still in talks with Tellabs but Nortel recently entered the talks, too. While a Nortel acquisition of Tellabs works for FTTH, IPTV and other reasons: the wireless ramifications are just as compelling. The Tellabs 8600 and 8800 are used in various wireless network applications, 8600, in particular, is used in wireless backhaul. Tellabs' current market capitalization is around $4.5 billion.

For more on Nortel's interest in Tellabs:
- read this article from Light Reading

Nortel considers acquisition spree

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 06:59:55 -0400

Reports indicate that Nortel is in talks with various acquisition targets like 3Com, Foundry Networks, Tellabs and Sonus Networks. Nortel is looking to expand its reach in key markets like the enterprise, VoIP and IPTV.

"We are doing lots of analysis internally on how to grow the company organically and we started discussions recently with companies that we believe can be adding to our growth trajectory," Nortel CEO Mike Zafirovski said in an interview. "We're confident that we'll be able to successfully integrate other activities if the pricing is appropriate," he said.

Nortel reported its Q2 earnings earlier this week and posted a loss for the quarter.

For more on Nortel's plans:
- read this article from PC World

Editor's Corner

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 19:01:39 -0500

My bags are packed and the camera is charged for my trip out to Dallas, Texas next week to cover the TelcoTV conference for FierceIPTV. Be sure to contact Lynnette with any hard news stories set to run on Tuesday or Wednesday. As you may recall, AT&T recently announced wireless tie-ins for its IPTV service, U-Verse, earlier in the week. I suspect there will be other wireless related news coming from the show, so be sure to follow along as I liveblog the show on our dedicated TelcoTV coverage channel over at FierceIPTV. Until Thursday... - Brian

AT&T's IPTV differentiator: wireless

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 19:01:37 -0500

I have been following AT&T's IPTV progress extensively over at FierceIPTV, but until now there's been little reason to mention it here: Interestingly, AT&T is looking to differentiate its U-Verse IPTV service with mobile tie-ins for Cingular Wireless users. "Wireless is at the top of our list," said AT&T's Scott Helbing, the company's vice president of entertainment. "We believe (wireless) is a differentiation we should have for a period of time." The initial ideas for wireless tie-ins include integrating family services, like calendars, photo albums, email and movies or sports highlights from any screen: PC, TV or mobile. Users could also forward clips of a favorite TV show to a friend via any of these devices or use click to buy technology on a cell phone, TV remote or PC to purchase the clips. One idea, which has rightly taken a beating in the blogosphere, is integrating ads into ringtones.

Unfortunately, the offering will not launch for another two years, despite the company's initial IPTV offering, Homezone, launching today. Two years may be too late to call the tie-ins "differentiators," since the top U.S. cable MSOs, including Time Warner, Comcast and Cox are working with Sprint Nextel to develop a similar wireless service to complement their video offerings. By most estimates the Sprint consortium's efforts should come to fruition within two years as well.

For more on AT&T's IPTV/wireless plans:
- read this article from USA Today

Ruckus Wireless: Updated router, more VC

Sun, 08 Oct 2006 20:01:35 -0400

Ruckus Wireless announced $16 million in strategic funding led by Motorola Ventures and other new backers including T-Online Venture Fund and Firelake Capital Management. The new investment brings Ruckus' total to $30 million since its advent in 2004. The company says it will use the money to scale production, operations, sales and marketing worldwide. Ruckus Wireless' smart WiFi router is currently deployed by 75 broadband operators worldwide, including many IPTV service providers. Ruckus also announced its MediaFlex NG in-home wireless distribution platform for IPTV providers.

For more on Ruckus Wireless' VC round and the MediaFlex NG:
- see this release

Ruckus Wireless inks rural deals for IPTV

Mon, 15 May 2006 20:01:38 -0400

Ruckus Wireless announced a whole slew of deals for its MediaFlex WiFi router in rural markets with IPTV deployments. The partial list of rural carriers that will license Ruckus Wireless' wireless home technology includes Ayersville Telephone in Ohio, Monroe Telephone in Oregon, Wilkes Telecommunications in North Carolina, the Panhandle Telephone Cooperative in Oklahoma and CC Communications in Nevada. Ruckus just announced a big deal with Pioneer in March for the same system. Ruckus Wireless is a 2006 Fierce 15 winner.

For more on the wireless IPTV deal:
- see this article from Light Reading

Editor's Corner

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 19:01:40 -0500

Yesterday, the usual suspects, one hopeful and Intel formed a DVB-H centric alliance for mobile TV, mobile digital TV or mDTV, as they called it. Hours later, Nellymoser's CEO John Peterbaugh was halfway through explaining his company's position when he referred to mobile TV as "IPTV."

"Whoa, Nelly!," I should have said. IPTV? Sure, it runs on an IP architecture much like the traditional IPTV in your home, but we mustn't confuse them. John admitted as much but wanted answers: "What should I call it?"

Well, I had to sleep on it. "Mobile digital television" works for now, because the technology isn't living up to its IP potential. But once true interactivity (VOD is hardly interactive) and more value is added, the marketers should coin mIPTV or my pick, wIPTV (pronounced "Wip" TV), for the handset screen. Quadruple plays are a compendium of IP features, after all, and helping subscribers understand that might further the value-add of the bundle. In any case, mDTV sounds like a mobile insecticide. - Brian

UTStarcom shifts focus from WCDMA to IPTV

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 19:01:37 -0500

UTStarcom said it's shifting its core business from WCDMA technology to IPTV. The company said it will not completely abandon its 3G work, but because of China's delay in issuing 3G licenses, the company needs to concentrate on technologies that bring in direct profits. Surprisingly, it sees IPTV as one such technology. The company attributes its recent poor performance as a motivating factor for new direction. UTStarcom will focus on IPTV, personal handset systems (PHS) and mobile phones. The company said IPTV should start to bring in serious revenue next year, and since it's investing $1.25 billion in the technology, let's hope they're right.

For more on UTStarcom's shift from WCDMA to IPTV:
- take a look at this press release

Editor's Corner

Thu, 10 Nov 2005 19:01:40 -0500

Well, it's been a whirlwind week at the TelcoTV conference in San Diego. The usual suspects of wireline telcos, OEMs and start-ups are gearing up to challenge the increasingly VoIP-equipped cable MSOs for triple-play offerings. One notable panel focused on wireless IPTV. Satellite, converged 3G/IP and WiMax had proponents on the panel, but the Q&A period indicated the beloved WiMax won the day. The elusive quadruple play may only be realized if and when the WiMax 802.16e standard comes to fruition and makes good on its promises. Two years should tell, maybe. Ruckus Wireless supplied the "here and now" wireless solution for the home with its MIMO and smart antenna offering that routes IP-based data (including IPTV) wirelessly throughout the home. The solution worked up to 100 ft. away from the router--"The Gladiator" didn't lose a gory second.

The primary reason for the hike out to San Diego (just as DC begins to feel like winter, mind you) was to prepare for the launch of our FierceIPTV newsletter next week. Please join us as we tackle the booming IPTV industry, which some think is positioned today where VoIP was a year ago. Sign up for free at www.FierceIPTV.com and look for it Thursday.

Also: I'm very pleased to announce that the FierceCIO daily email is partnering with Sage Research this fall to sponsor a contest, "Best Practices in IP Telephony." Winners in two categories--large enterprises and SMBs with fewer than 1,000 employees--will be recognized for their use of innovative telephony solutions. If you know someone who recently worked with an enterprise IT manager to implement one of these systems, be sure to encourage them to submit an entry.

The judges for this contest include FierceCIO editor Judy Mottl, Kathryn Korostoff, president of Sage Research, and Zeus Kerravala, vice president of Enterprise Computing and Networking at Yankee Group. For complete contest details and a copy of the official rules visit this Web site. The deadline for entries is December 16. - Brian

Editor's Corner

Mon, 06 Jun 2005 20:01:40 -0400

I'm reporting today live from Supercomm in Chicago. This year's show is all about three themes: the emerging quadruple play (broadband, VoIP, digital TV, and cellular phone service in one service bundle), the coming impact of IPTV, and converged wireless.

The biggest of these three themes is the quadruple play, which in essence captures the other two issues. The quadruple play will revolutionize the telecom market, making cable companies and traditional telecoms the same. Thanks to VoIP and MVNO wireless partnerships, cable companies will turn into landline and wireless voice carriers while IPTV promises to convert incumbent telecoms into digital cable providers. The only real difference will be in the service providers respective core networks, but to consumers there will be no difference.

What will be the key differentiator for the quadruple play? I predict wireless service will be the deal maker for most. Consumers increasingly rely on their cell phones as their primary means of communication. The carrier or service provider which can give consumers reliable wireless service and afforable access to other services like cable TV will win. - Stephen