ITV

Category: Broadband

  • AOL launches software to improve PC security

    AOL launches software to improve PC security

    MUMBAI: American internet service provider AOL has launched Active Security Monitor. This is a free downloadable program that continuously checks the status of key security programs – including anti-virus, firewall, spyware protection, wireless security and Windows/browser updates – on a user’s home computer.

    Active Security Monitor assigns a Security Score to each PC on the user’s network and it offers specific recommendations based on the scan’s results to improve user security.

    AOL’s digital services division president John McKinley said, “The secret to security is information. Most people don’t have all of the core security protections they need and, worse, don’t realize how vulnerable they are. Not having updated virus, spyware, and firewall protection is like locking your front door, but leaving your windows and back door wide open.”

    “Active Security Monitor takes an entirely new approach to computer security by regularly checking to ensure that all of the core protections are active and up to date, and it extends that critical information to home networked environments,” he added.

    Active Security Monitor examines each computer on a user’s home network in eight areas: firewall, virus protection, spyware protection, Windows/browser updates, wireless security, P2P software and PC utilities. In each area, Active Security Monitor checks to see if that type of program exists, and if so, whether it is currently running and has been recently updated.

    Key features of Active Security Monitor:

    Simple, clear display of the current security status of each computer on a user’s home network.

    Unified Security Score, a single score that offers a basic summary of each computer’s risk from viruses, identity theft and network intrusion.

    Separate evaluations of each networked computer, so users can tell if security risks exist on any machine that could compromise the network.

    Detection of system vulnerabilities and recommendations to help users download missing security patches and free or paid products to improve their PC’s security.

    Simulations that allow users to see how much their Security Score would improve by following the recommendations.

    Always-on updates and alerts inform users of security status changes, for example, if an anti-virus programme’s definitions are not up to date.

     

  • CTV launches multi-channel broadband service

    CTV launches multi-channel broadband service

    MUMBAI: Canada’s private broadcaster CTV launches phase one of the CTV Broadband Network, an on-demand broadband service featuring four distinct broadband channels. 

    The CTV Broadband Network features a free, premium broadband video player that harnesses the latest in technology to deliver full length CTV programme ming in all forms from all genres at broadband speeds and enhanced resolution.

    The ad-supported broadband network was launched at CTV’s 2006 Fall Upfront in Toronto.

    The CTV Broadband Network is currently integrated into the CTV web site and can be found at www.ctv.ca. The network currently houses four channels. They are CTV Shows, a broadband channel featuring full length CTV prime time programme ming, CTV News and Docs, featuring comprehensive local, national, international and business news, all updated hourly, etalk on Broadband, Canada’s first and only broadband channel devoted exclusively to covering the Canadian and international entertainment industry and the Discovery Channel on CTV delivering entertaining science, nature and travel programme ming, informs an official release.

    Commenting on the launch of the new CTV broadband service, Bell Globemedia president and CEO and CTV CEO Ivan Fecan said: “Canadians are leaders in consuming media and the CTV Broadband Network is part one of CTV’s answer to their appetite to tap programme ming on emerging platforms and to provide a solution to the advertisers who want to reach them.”

    “CTV’s broadband network is a powerful 4-channel platform that immediately provides Canadians with the ability to access a roster of some of the top television shows in Canada and the best of news and current affairs,” said CTV VP digital media Kris Faibish. “For CTV, this is an opportunity to deliver award-winning original programme ming on demand.”

    Under phase one of the launch, the CTV Broadband Network will feature programme ming pulled from CTV’s original stable of award-winning and popular programme mes . Over the next several weeks, more and more programme ming will be loaded onto the channels with a view to launching phase 2 in Fall 2006,
    coinciding with the launch of CTV’s Fall 2006 Fall Season. 

    CTV Shows will a first look at key CTV programme mes , before they make their television premieres. In July, CTV broadband will launch Season 2 of Instant Star one day ahead of its television premiere and run episodes all summer in a one-day broadband pre-release. Immediately available now are episodes of Corner Gas (Seasons 3) Degrassi: The NextGeneration (Seasons 5) including Degrassi Webisodes, Instant Star (Season 1), Canadian Idol (Season 4) and Whistler (Season 1) launching on 26 June.

    CTV News and Documentaries will offer local, national and international news and other programme ming from the award winning CTV News Division.

    While, etalk on Broadband, the broadband channel will focus exclusively on the world of celebrity entertainment. This channel is an extension of Canada’s favourite entertainment brand etalk. While you may catch one minute of an A-lister on TV, you can catch the whole interview on broadband. programme ming here is focused on delivering entire interviews with key Canadian and international stars. Daily entertainment packages and stories from etalk and E2 can be found here.

    Discovery Channel on CTV will bring the best of Discovery programme ming from its acclaimed flagship programme Daily Planet, to the Extremely Wild and Ultimate series as well as the travel show, Valerie Pringle has Left the Building.

  • NDS selects Broadbus as on-demand video platform for synamedia metro IPTV middleware

    NDS selects Broadbus as on-demand video platform for synamedia metro IPTV middleware

    MUMBAI: Broadbus Technologies, Inc., provider of technology solutions for television on demand (TOD), and NDS, provider of technology solutions for digital pay-TV has come together to announce that the later has selected the Broadbus B-1 video server as the first on-demand video platform for the NDS synamedia metro IPTV middleware. 

    Synamedia Metro is an integrated IPTV middleware solution that enables telecommunications providers and broadband operators to quickly and easily offer the power of IPTV to their subscribers. 

    The NDS solution will incorporate the Broadbus B-1 Video Server, a 100 per cent solid-state, carrier-class solution for the delivery of IPTV and on-demand video services.

    “NDS developed synamedia metro to offer telecommunications providers a turnkey IPTV solution, including security, middleware and electronic program guide functions, that enables next generation experiences today,” said NDS Broadband Internet Group VP Nigel Smith. “NDS believe that Broadbus’ open design, scalability and reliability are a good fit for telco customers.”

    According to an official release, Synamedia Metro IPTV middleware allows IPTV operators to offer attractive Electronic Program Guides (EPG), interactive TV applications (iTV), Video on Demand (VOD), digital video recorder (DVR) or network DVR capabilities and interactive games, in either standard (SD) or high definition (HD), all of which are built using the NDS MediaHighway middleware application development tools (MHDK). 

    The solution also protects premium content and revenue streams through NDS VideoGuard, the most widely deployed, robust and secure encryption technology for content protection, revenue protection and rights management.

    “We’re very excited to be leveraging our extensive on-demand video experience to deliver a powerful IPTV offering with NDS,” said Broadbus Sr. director of marketing Tom Kennedy. 

    “By combining Broadbus’ carrier-class architecture with NDS’s market-leading middleware and security, service providers get a rock-solid foundation on which to build a reliable and scalable IPTV infrastructure.”

    The release also adds that the Broadbus B-1 Video Server is the only 100 per cent solid-state, carrier-class solution for the delivery of on-demand video services. The platform’s compact, switch-based architecture completely eliminates the use of mechanical hard drives for video streaming and ingest, instead leveraging the intelligent management of massive amounts of random-access memory. The result is unparalleled performance, reliability, scalability for VOD and advanced on-demand services at less than one-tenth the footprint and one-eighth the power requirements of traditional systems.

    By integrating the Broadbus B-1 Video Server into a single solution, the NDS Synamedia Metro architecture enables telco operators to deploy a single integrated IPTV system and reduce the time-to-market for new services. The solution is also standards-based, allowing telcos to choose their system components according to their current infrastructure needs.

  • In-Stat forecasts over 400 million global broadband subscribers by 2010

    In-Stat forecasts over 400 million global broadband subscribers by 2010

    MUMBAI: With the increasing penetration of established broadband technologies like Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service and cable modem service, the number of worldwide broadband subscribers will double over the next five years, reports the US-headquartered research firm In-Stat (http://www.in-stat.com).

    By year-end 2010, worldwide broadband subscribers will reach 413 million, it says.

    “There are several reasons behind the rapid growth in worldwide broadband subscribers, but the most important are the increasing availability of broadband services and the proliferation of new applications that rely on high-speed connections,” says In-Stat analyst Mike Paxton. “Other drivers fueling subscriber growth include a gradual, but consistent, reduction in monthly service prices, and the beginnings of effective bundling strategies that link high-speed Internet service with video and telephony services.”

    Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

    DSL remains the leading broadband access technology. On a worldwide basis, it currently accounts for 69 per cent of all broadband subscribers.

    Based on current worldwide broadband growth rates, 3.7 million new subscribers will sign up for broadband services each month this year. In the US, 670,000 new subscribers every month are projected to sign up for broadband service.

    According to In-Stat estimates, in late February 2006 the total number of worldwide broadband subscribers passed 200 million.
     

  • Content providers criticize proposed EU broadcasting rules

    Content providers criticize proposed EU broadcasting rules

    MUMBAI: ITV, BT Group, Vodafone, Yahoo, Intel and Cisco are leading an alliance among the media and technology companies that have teamed to criticize proposed European Union broadcasting rules that they believe will restrict the growth of new media formats.

    The European Commission is proposing that rules for traditional media be extended to new media, like content provided over broadband or mobile phones. Such regulations would include limits on hate speech, advertising and children-appropriate content.

    The alliance takes up the issue of proposed legislation that calls for mobile content and IPTV programming to abide by the same rules as that on traditional broadcasters. The consortium maintains that these rules-including restrictions on advertising-would inhibit investment in multiplatform content.

    “Citizen media such as blogs, videocasts and the like are one of the most exciting developments enabled by new technology,” the companies said in a statement. “This phenomenon has the potential to create new businesses … but this proposed regulation severely risks stunting its growth.”
    The EU didn’t respond to the group, but has repeatedly insisted that they don’t intend to regulate the internet. It would need the support of the European Parliament and 25 member governments in order to be approved.

  • 3G adoption to broadband economy: CII

    3G adoption to broadband economy: CII

    NEW DELHI: A new study projects that India will have 21.3 million 3G users (11 per cent of total mobile lines) by 2010.

    Within two years, India will take over Japan to become the third largest mobile market in the world after China and the US, the study, `Enabling India’s Broadband Economy-The 3G Way’, says.

    Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has carried out the survey in association with the US-based research firm The Yankee Group.

    The report tends to highlight migration from 2G to 3G is inevitable, which makes it imperative for India to get prepared at the earliest to boost its economy.

    This, in turn, is also likely to help the country’s economy achieve double-digit growth, which at present is approximately 7-8 per cent.

    “3G services will usher in greater range of handsets, services and applications that will positively impact the growth of India’s broadband market,” The Yankee Group programme manager (wireless /mobile), Asia-Pacific Farid Yunus said while unveiling the report.

    Yunus added: “India’s mobile market is growing at an impressive rate and will only be bettered with improved coverage in rural areas and mobile penetration. Regulatory bodies and policy makers will have to address contentious issues like spectrum, which are critical for growth.”

    If both CDMA and GSM operators launch 3G in 2006, the report states, 0.2 per cent of total mobile users or 0.3 per cent of the total urban mobile users in the next six months.

    Interestingly, the CII-Yankee study lauds the government-controlled BSNL’s decision to show interest in 3G in its latest GSM tender. Pointing out that it’s a key development, the report says most Indian operators will launch 3G services in quick succession.

    “Based on international experience and early adopter profiles, 3G ARPU (average revenue per user) should be roughly three times (of) 2G ARPUs in the first year. This will gradually decline as lower spending late adopters migrate to 3G,” the study points out.

    The report provides valuable insights into rural coverage, mobile penetration, handsets, services and applications, alternate technologies, regulations and policies and related issues. The present study is an attempt to leverage and use ICT tools for sustained economic growth of India.

    Keeping in view that there are only one million broadband customers in India at present, against a target of 3 million by December 2005, there is a need to exploit the 3G technologies to better broadband penetration, particularly in the congested urban areas, the report emphasizes.

    Industry representatives present during the unveiling of the report agreed that key factors needing attention include 3G license and handset costs, quality of service, content and the rate of technology advancements, which is presently higher than the rate of deployments.

  • Charter, TNS ink deal for audience measurement services

    Charter, TNS ink deal for audience measurement services

    MUMBAI: Broadband communications company Charter Communications, Inc. and TNS Media Research have entered into an agreement to launch video audience measurement services in Los Angeles.

    Charter will utilise TNS audience measurement services to maximise efficiencies when building custom television advertising campaigns and promotional schedules internally and externally. The service will also provide additional information for programming services as well as offering added revenue opportunities. “We are pleased about our partnership and the fact that it will afford cable networks and advertisers valuable insight about the digital cable environment,” said Charter senior vice president advertising sales Jim Heneghan.

    Beginning this month, Charter Communications will provide aggregated and anonymous viewing data from 55,000 households in the Los Angeles. TNS will process the aggregated data and allow for next-day analysis through InfoSys, the most widely used media analysis and planning system in the world. InfoSys allows end-users to analyze media data in depth including day part and program studies, target group studies, lead in/lead out studies, duplication analyses, minute-by-minute flow studies and competitive reports.

    Charter’s cable service provides its customers with an array of video programming options, including services in which customers choose to interact with Charter or others through Charter’s broadband technology. Charter values its customers’ privacy and considers personally identifiable information and viewing preferences contained in Charter’s business records to be strictly confidential. Unless customers provide consent through an express opt-in process, Charter only provides aggregated and/or anonymized information to Audience Measurement services, such as TNS. A complete statement of Charter’s privacy policies can be found at www.charter.com.

    The Charter partnership further solidifies TNS’ entry into the US marketplace for digital TV audience measurement services. Additionally, TNS has been providing media research in the US for many years; including ad spend tracking as well as ad copy and TV pilot testing.

    “The increased popularity of digital services, DVR, VOD and iTV has compromised traditional methods of measuring TV audiences. TNS is at the forefront of the digital revolution in video and radio measurement and is pleased to be partnering with Charter Communications to explore the new opportunities presented by digital set-top box data,” said TNS Media Research chief operating officer George Shababb.

  • Nortel and Qualcomm claim industry’s fastest HSDPA data call

    Nortel and Qualcomm claim industry’s fastest HSDPA data call

    MUMBAI: Nortel and Qualcomm have successfully achieved the industry’s first 7.2 Mbps HSDPA mobile data calls. The tests achieved data downloads at speeds up to four times faster than most current fixed broadband connections, companies claimed in an official release.

    According to the official communiqué, the companies completed the initial series of pre-commercial category 8 HSDPA data calls using test terminals based on Qualcomm’s Mobile Station Modem (MSM), MSM6280 solution and HSDPA network equipment from Nortel.

    The calls covered frequencies in all commercially available UMTS spectrum currently used by mobile operators throughout the world. The 2100MHz spectrum is the basis for most European 3G networks and the 850MHz spectrum is now in use for new UMTS networks in North America, the Caribbean and Latin America. As spectrum at 900MHz is expanded for UMTS services, Nortel believes this can also become an important part of European HSDPA roll out.

    “Nortel continues to be an industry leader in driving HSDPA technologies to faster, more cost-effective capabilities that will help power mobile communications to beyond 3G services such as high quality live TV and HD video on demand,” said Jean-Luc Jezouin, vice-president, GSM/UMTS product line management, Nortel. “Together with Qualcomm, Nortel is an industry pioneer in advancing the potential of HSDPA to help wireless operators maximize their existing UMTS infrastructures by offering new and faster services for subscribers.”

    HSDPA is designed to boost network capacity for data transmissions up to four times and enables twice as many wireless users per cell site compared to current UMTS networks. By making more efficient use of existing network capabilities, HSDPA helps reduce operating costs while delivering a high quality end-user experience.

    Nortel and Qualcomm will be demonstrating high-resolution video streaming enabled by HSDPA data calls at 7.2Mbps during CTIA Wireless 2006 in Las Vegas, 5 April to 7 April.