SCTE Approves Dielectric Test Standard
The SCTE has approved SCTE 108 2012, “Test Method for Dielectric Withstand of Coaxial Cable.” The document is intended to provide a test standard for detecting flaws in the insulation (sometimes referred to as the dielectric) of a completed coaxial cable. … Continue reading
SCTE, CableLabs to Focus on Smart Energy
Services to reduce energy consumption in the home, guidelines for energy management in cable facilities and a roadmap for the introduction of standards for the management and availability of power within the network will headline energy-related exhibits of CableLabs and … Continue reading
WOW! Offers Online ‘Remote Wizard’
According to this WOW! blog post, the cable op has launched an online remote control tool to help subscribers self-program their remotes and control TV sets, VCRs, DVD players, etc. The remote wizard can be accessed at http://content.wowway.com/apps/wowwaycontent/remoteapp/remotecontrolsupport.aspx.
The Brave New World of the Multiscreen OSS
Multiscreen service initiatives will have a profound impact on cable operators’ operational support system/business support system (OSS/BSS) infrastructures, according to experts. To date, the industry has operated with a more or less hardwired and direct tie between the BSS and … Continue reading
AT&T Jumps into Smart Home
AT&T (NYSE:T) announced plans for a new portfolio of all-digital, IP-based home security monitoring and automation services. Called AT&T Digital Life, the services are intended to give users control and security of their homes using any web-enabled device, PCs, tablets … Continue reading
Comcast Launches Smart Home in Michigan
Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA) announced the launch of Xfinity Home across the company’s service area in Michigan. Xfinity Home offers traditional home security components, such as police and fire alarm protection with 24/7 professional monitoring, as well as the ability to remotely … Continue reading
Verizon Wireless Debuts Home Internet
Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ) announced that HomeFusion Broadband, a service that provides high-speed in-home Internet access leveraging the company’s 4G LTE network, will be available throughout the country starting May 3. HomeFusion Broadband is an alternative for residential broadband, especially in … Continue reading
Expo ’12 Site Goes Live
The SCTE Cable-Tec Expo 2012 website — http://expo.scte.org — is live, and discounted pre-registrations are available. Expo is set for Oct. 17-19 in Orlando, FL. In conjunction with Expo, the SCTE will host a Digital Home Symposium and selected pre-conference … Continue reading
Connected TVs in 21% of U.S. Households
According to data from ABI Research, at least 21% of U.S. households (approximately 27 million) have either an Internet-ready TV, game console, standalone Blu-ray player, and/or smart set-top box connected to their home network. Of these four device categories, the … Continue reading
Comcast Launches IPV6 Home Networking
According to Comcast‘s blog site, the MSO is starting to support IPv6 customer home networking via gateways or routers. A previous launch supported standalone computers. The home networking deployment is native dual stack, in which IPv4 and IPv6 coexist, and … Continue reading
Comcast’s Xfinity: More than Security
Comcast’s Xfinity initiative has changed in a subtle but significant way. Xfinity started as a home security business. Gradually, however, its vision and mandate broadened. Now, the company is threading the potentially lucrative needle of home security and home automation. … Continue reading
TV Shipments Drop, but Rebound Expected
IMS Research estimates the TV set market experienced a slight decrease in shipments during 2011 compared to 2010, and forecasts the biggest drop in TV set unit shipments will occur in 2012. Estimates indicate that worldwide TV set unit shipments … Continue reading
Smart Home Biz: $7.6 Billion this Year
According to a report from Strategy Analytics, increasing demand for broadband-enabled home security and control systems will drive U.S. revenues for smart home systems and services to $7.6 billion in 2012. More than 8% of U.S. homes are expected to … Continue reading