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Casema Selects BigBand Networks for Digital Cable Infrastructure

Posted on: Monday, 6 December 2004, 09:00 CST

Dutch Operator Works with BigBand Networks Platforms and Professional Services on Complete End-to-End Deployment Spanning 13 Sites

BigBand Networks, Inc., a leading provider of network platforms for video, voice and data services, today announced that it has been selected by Casema for an end-to-end digital cable infrastructure deployment. This multi-vendor solution is led by BigBand Networks' European professional services organization, and is based on the company's digital video platforms. It enables Casema to directly provide more than one million out of its 1.3 million analog cable subscribers with digital television services at the highest levels of reliability, quality and cost effectiveness.

"BigBand Networks has distinguished itself with platforms and a solution design that address our current and ongoing needs," said Andrei Noppe, vice president network operations for Casema. "We are leveraging the best-of-breed characteristics of infrastructure from BigBand Networks and other industry leaders to expand offerings to our subscribers, while enhancing our economics and management capabilities."

This deployment links 13 regional headends in the southwestern and central parts of The Netherlands to a primary headend in The Hague. Programming is sourced on the BigBand BMR(R) (Broadband Multimedia-Service Router) which controls channel line-ups, video quality and bandwidth efficiency. Distribution between sites is achieved by cost-effective Gigabit Ethernet, with advanced route and source redundancy to assure service availability. High-density edge modulation transmits scores of high-quality video programs and services to a variety of digital set-top boxes which Casema subscribers can purchase retail.

BigBand Networks has designed Casema's digital cable system to include end-to-end monitoring and active management availability for real-time control over operations. The deployment is fully standards-compliant, openly incorporates encryption for content security, and enables ongoing innovations and enhancements to fulfill evolving objectives.

"Casema is establishing itself as a forward-thinking operator with this deployment that optimizes network and resource efficiencies today, and provides flexibility for further introductions of advanced multimedia services," said Sam Kershaw, BigBand Networks director EMEA. "BigBand Networks' integrated turn-key solutions featuring our multi-service platforms position us to partner with leading European operators such as Casema as they expand their digital offerings to subscribers."

The Casema deployment utilizes several services on BigBand Networks' platforms, including:

-- BigBand Grooming - Management of channel line-up including RateShaping(R) bit rate adaptation with assurance of video quality;

-- BigBand SimulCrypt - Standards-based scrambling with leading reliability, resource availability, and ease of use;

-- BigBand Transport Gateway - Distribution of high quality programming between facilities based on standard protocols such as Gigabit Ethernet with sophisticated redundancy mechanisms for reliable service provision;

-- BigBand Broadcast Edge - Integrated QAM modulation and RF upconversion for robust and efficient transmission to any digital subscriber; and

-- BigBand Real-Time Encoding - Encoding of analog and remote-sourced programs for incorporation into integrated digital service environments.

ABOUT BIGBAND NETWORKS

BigBand Networks, Inc. designs, manufactures, sells and supports platforms for broadband multimedia services. These platforms are built on the company's NativeMedia(R) technology uniquely capable of communicating and processing video, voice and data in their native formats. The field-upgradeable architecture combines advanced hardware and software technologies for high performance with agility to optimize for each service supported. This enables network operators to cost-effectively expand revenue-generating offerings of rich content and advanced, interactive services. Services supported by BigBand Networks' platforms include high-speed data, voice over IP, digital broadcast television, HDTV, transport of high quality video, ad insertion, VOD and iTV. The company's customers include Casema, Essent Kabelcom, ish, Kabel Baden-Wurttemberg, and Multikabel, as well as seven of the top ten North American cable operators. BigBand Networks is based in Redwood City, CA. For more information on BigBand Networks, please visit www.bigbandnet.com.

ABOUT CASEMA

Casema is the third-largest cable operator in The Netherlands, serving close to 1.4 million subscribers. Casema offers analog and digital TV services, as well as data services to residential and business customers, and telephony to the business market.

Source: Business Wire

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