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BigBand Networks and CableMatrix Collaborate on PacketCable Multimedia Solution For Video Over IP

Posted on: Wednesday, 18 August 2004, 06:00 CDT

Live Programming and On-Demand Services Available to Wide Range of Consumer Devices

BigBand Networks, Inc., a leading provider of network platforms for video, voice and data services, and CableMatrix, a primary vendor of platforms for enhanced QoS (quality of service) applications, announced today that they have collaborated on a PCMM (PacketCableTM Multimedia) solution to make high-quality video programming over cable networks available to IP devices. This integrates the BigBand BMR(R) (Broadband Multimedia-Service Router), BigBand Cuda(TM) CMTS (cable modem termination system), and CableMatrix's ODSP(TM) (On Demand Service Platform).

"The work we've done with CableMatrix combines the functionality of BigBand Networks' industry-leading digital video and IP data platforms, illustrating their converged services potential," said Ran Oz, co-founder and chief technology officer of BigBand Networks. "Leveraging PacketCable Multimedia, our companies are expanding capabilities to provide consumers with access to any service from any device."

The joint development work of BigBand Networks and CableMatrix enables cable operators to access live or on-demand digital video feeds via satellite, terrestrial, locally encoded or server sources. The content can be modified for IP distribution with guaranteed QoS via the PCMM specification. The BMR performs content sourcing, bit rate adaptation and protocol conversion, the Cuda modulates content according to the DOCSIS(R) standard, and the ODSP commits the required bandwidth via PCMM. The receiving cable modem can deliver to multiple devices, including PCs and IP set-top boxes connected to televisions. Integration of these components for this solution was demonstrated last week at the CableLabs(R) Summer Conference in Keystone, Colorado.

"With CableMatrix's PacketCable Multimedia-complaint ODSP policy server and BigBand Networks' multimedia routing and processing platforms, broadband network operators can meet intensive QoS requirements, for all video, voice or data services," said John Pickens, CableMatrix chief technologist. "Broadcast-quality IP video illustrates the power of PacketCable Multimedia and our companies' platforms to empower consumers with greater choice and richer functionality over next-generation networks."

The CableLabs PCMM specification makes use of IP technology to provide dynamic QoS signaling mechanisms that allow different applications to request and obtain bandwidth from the DOCSIS(R) 1.1 or 2.0 data link layer. It expands the existing PacketCable bandwidth management architecture to support a new wave of QoS-intensive, media-rich IP applications and services, such as streaming media, videoconferencing, and on-line gaming.

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, 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 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 CableMatrix

CableMatrix (www.cablematrix.com), a US company with R&D facilities in Israel, provides advanced, PCMM-based software solutions that enable MSOs to maximize their revenues while delivering the new breed of media-rich IP applications and services. Its standards-compliant ODSP enables MSOs to implement dynamic, real-time QoS and bandwidth management on a per-customer or per-application basis, giving broadband cable operators the ability to directly link increased bandwidth usage with increased revenue.

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