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BigBand Networks and WilTel Communications Collaborate on Digital Video Transport Solution Concept

Posted on: Wednesday, 16 June 2004, 06:00 CDT

Demonstration at SCTE Cable-Tec Expo Highlights Capabilities for Efficient Program Sourcing and Enhanced Video Service Reliability

BigBand Networks, Inc., a leading provider of broadband multimedia platforms for broadcast television and on-demand services, and WilTel Communications, a leading provider of customized communications solutions, today announced a digital video networking collaboration. At SCTE Cable-Tec Expo, the two companies are exhibiting an integrated solution concept combining BigBand Networks' digital video routing and processing platforms with WilTel Communications' network services, to demonstrate IP transport of high-quality programming between cable headend facilities. This can cost-effectively source digital cable content from any facility over any distance, while enhancing service reliability through automated redundancy switching to alternate facilities when problems are encountered.

"Combining our strengths, BigBand Networks and WilTel Communications can provide new opportunities for cable operators to optimize cost effectiveness and service assurance," said Mark Davis, vice president of professional services, BigBand Networks. "The networking capabilities of the BigBand BMR platforms, combined with WilTel's MPLS-enabled IP backbone, address current industry needs, with upgradeability for emerging solutions."

The Cable-Tec Expo demonstration connects the BigBand Networks and WilTel Communications exhibit spaces, transporting digital cable programming sourced from Cox Communications' Tulsa, Oklahoma and Charter Communications' Fort Worth, Texas cable systems. The BigBand Transport Gateway application on the BigBand BMR(R) (Broadband Multimedia-Service Router) terminates, grooms and de-jitters these transport links to assure digital cable quality over long haul networks and conversion from any optical Ethernet protocol to standard cable headend and networking interfaces, including ASI, QAM and IP video. BMR platform intelligence can also recognize the availability and quality of programs and dynamically switch to alternate sources in order to maintain services when failure conditions are encountered.

"As WilTel launches its portfolio of advanced data, voice, IP and professional services to the cable market, the digital video over IP concept is a great example of our ability to create customized solutions," said Tony Tomae, senior vice president of marketing for WilTel.

BigBand Transport Gateway leverages advanced networking technologies for high-quality digital video applications. Benefits include:

-- Reduced operating and capital costs through headend consolidation;

-- Multiple transport protocols over long distances with content quality maintained;

-- Extension of cable services to remote areas or small operations;

-- Support for networked applications such as VOD, local digital advertising and switched broadcast;

-- Enhanced reliability by redundant sourcing of content from multiple facilities; and

-- Disaster recovery in cases of catastrophic environmental damage or equipment failure.

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(TM) technology uniquely capable of communicating and processing video, audio 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 interactive services. Services supported by BigBand Networks' platforms include digital broadcast television, HDTV, transport of high quality video, ad insertion, VOD and iTV. The company's customers include Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications, Adelphia Communications, Bright House Networks, Mediacom Communications and Rogers Cable. BigBand Networks is based in Redwood City, CA. For more information on BigBand Networks, please visit www.bigbandnet.com.

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