• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Cablecom Deploys BigBand Networks Platforms for Digital Cable Services Across Switzerland

Posted on: Tuesday, 22 March 2005, 09:00 CST

Country's Largest Operator Implements a Redundant Headend Architecture to Serve More Than Two Million Subscribers on Own Systems and Those of Other Operators

BigBand Networks, Inc., a leading provider of network platforms for video, voice and data services, today announced that it has provided a solution for cablecom, Switzerland's largest cable operator, to deliver digital television services throughout the country. The company's European professional services team has deployed the BigBand BMR(R) (Broadband Multimedia-Service Router) and BigBand BRE(TM) (Broadband Real-Time Encoder) in the operator's centralized Zurich headend, with content security assured through Simulcrypt integration with Nagravision Conditional Access. Content from these platforms is distributed by network transport to cablecom's subscribers as well as those of other connected cable operators.

"With BigBand Networks' robust platforms and solutions expertise, cablecom has achieved a best-of-breed deployment," said David Taber, head of television product management for cablecom. "cablecom and our cable operator partners are transforming television experiences across Switzerland by providing rich, reliable and secure digital services enabled through BigBand Networks' innovative solutions."

cablecom has a presence in 14 of the 16 most populated Swiss cities. Its high capacity network is based on a fully redundant fiber backbone that spans the country and is capable of delivering video, voice and data services. The operator is multiplexing digital satellite feeds with analog video feeds encoded by the BigBand BRE and using the BigBand BMR to control line-up, quality and bandwidth efficiency of digital video and audio programs. The system offers fully redundant operation by Gigabit Ethernet connection. Simulcrypt integration between the BMR platform and Nagravision Conditional Access assures secure content delivery in all operators' cable networks. In total, more than 2 million households, the large majority of the Swiss cable market, are served in this deployment.

"The power of video networking is being demonstrated by cablecom fully leveraging its infrastructure and BigBand Networks' capabilities," said Sam Kershaw, BigBand Networks vice president and director EMEA. "cablecom and cable operators throughout Switzerland can quickly and easily upgrade to more and better cable services delivered on BigBand Networks platforms."

The cablecom deployment utilizes multiple capabilities on BigBand Networks' platforms, including:

-- Real-time encoding - Conversion of analog sourced content in order to leverage digital program benefits;

-- Grooming - Control over channel line-up among video and audio programs, including RateShaping(R) for bandwidth efficiency with video quality;

-- Simulcrypt - Integration of digital broadcast solutions with open standards conditional access;

-- Network transport - Distribution of high quality programming between facilities based on standard protocols such as Gigabit Ethernet; and

-- Program-level redundancy - Robust service assurance through automated fail-over to alternative sources in problem scenarios.

ABOUT BIGBAND NETWORKS

BigBand Networks, Inc. designs, manufactures, sells and supports platforms for broadband multimedia services. These platforms are built on open technologies uniquely capable of communicating and processing video, voice and data for best delivery throughout networks. As a result, network operators can 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 television, HDTV, transport of high quality video, local advertising, VOD and iTV. The company's customers include CAIW, Casema, Essent Kabelcom, ish, Kabel Baden-Wurttemberg, Multikabel and cablecom, 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 CABLECOM

cablecom is the leading cable network operator in Switzerland with approximately 1.5 million households and 1,500 employees. As a multi-service provider, cablecom offers solutions in analog and digital cable TV and radio, broadband internet, telephony and business applications.

Source: Business Wire

More News in this Category