Today's Top Stories Bell Canada (NYSE: BCE) on Thursday introduced its Fibe TV On Demand store, a new VOD interface that will offer existing and new subscribers ways to access and organize their video content to match their own profile. It appears that Bell is using the On Demand store as a way to attract new Fibe TV users. However, it will extend the service in phases to existing subscribers throughout January and February. Through the On Demand store, IPTV consumers can get access to an array of applications, including a poster-style interface; ratings, reviews and recommendations from Rotten Tomatoes; and a "My Videos" feature that enables viewers to add content to their wish list for future screening while showing all current rentals in one location. A big draw of the Fibe TV On Demand store is, of course, the content. Existing and new Bell Fibe consumers can access a wide array of On Demand HD programming and a selection of traditional channels including AMC, CTV, CTV Two, Disney Junior, HBO, HGTV and The Movie Network. Most movies are available beginning at $4.99 and are complemented by a range of free content. With much of its traditional landline voice revenue declining every quarter, Bell Canada, like many U.S.-based telcos, is mining new opportunities in the wireline segment of its business by offering IPTV services, and the new Fibe TV features will advance that effort. One of the interesting effects that Bell Canada's IPTV play has had is that it drove the ongoing increase in data revenues during Q3 2012. Bell Canada reported that in the wireline segment, its broadband data revenues rose 0.1 percent to CAD 1.4 million (USD 1.4 million), a factor it attributes higher TV revenue driven by strong subscriber growth in its Fibe TV offering. The telco added 13,416 new net high-speed Internet customers in Q3, compared to a net loss of 101 users in 2011. While it saw continued growth of Fibe TV during the quarter, it only added 15,846 net new subscribers, down from the 26,169 it added in Q3 2011. Bell Fibe TV added 42,973 net new customers, up from 20,297 in Q3 2011. Bell's Fibe Fiber to the X (FTTX) network footprint passed 200,000 homes as the Fibe TV footprint reached over 2.8 million households at the end of Q3. For more:
- see the release Related articles:
BCE Q3 wireline revenue declines 4% despite focus on FTTx, IPTV service sets
Bell Canada appeals to feds after Astral Media acquisition rejected
CRTC rejects Bell Canada's Astral Media acquisition
Bell Canada, investors wrap up Q9 Networks purchase Read more about: IPTV
back to top
| This week's sponsor is Aricent. | 
 | Webinar: Capitalizing SON – How to Implement SON for LTE to reduce OPEX and Increase Revenue
Tuesday, January 29th, 11am ET / 8am PT LTE is the fastest growing communication technology of all time. In this webinar our experts will discuss how Network Equipment Manufacturers can leverage the concept of Self Organizing Networks (SON) to not only manage highly complex LTE networks but also reduce operational expenditures and enhance customer satisfaction. Register Today! |
Windstream (Nasdaq: WIN) on Thursday introduced a managed endpoint security service from McAfee to its growing base of small to medium business (SMB) customers. With the new Endpoint Security Protection service, Windstream takes on the burden of handling multiple security products by giving SMBs a single solution to detect and block viruses, spyware, spam, phishing attempts and hacker attacks. As a proactive service, Endpoint filters and quarantines threats carried by email in the cloud before they have a chance to reach a customer's network. Windstream is likely looking at this from the angle that, while SMBs can go out and purchase off the shelf licenses from McAfee, they do not typically have the resources to deal with or prevent larger-scale security problems. Two key points of the new service are affordability and ease of use. SMBs that may already use Windstream for telephone and data services have an established relationship with the provider and may be more likely to adopt the service versus having a local IT dealer provide it to them to protect their PCs and laptops. Endpoint Security Protection includes the ability to customize protection by blocking websites and emails that "are potentially dangerous or cause employees to be less productive." Unlike when companies manage software releases on their own, Windstream will also provide automatic updates and upgrades to ensure they have the most up-to-date security elements in place to deal with emerging threats. While cloud-based security services are still relatively nascent, Windstream is tapping into a market that does have great growth potential. A recent survey from Infonetics estimates that global demand for managed cloud-based security services will grow 83 percent between 2011 and 2016. For more:
- see the release Related articles:
Windstream recovers chunk of TRO bond from D.I.D. Corp.
Windstream sees strong FTTT uptake
Windstream Hosted Solutions to build Durham, N.C. data center
Synergy: IaaS and PaaS revenues rise 65%
Windstream takes top spot in VoIP access, SIP trunking services market, says Frost Read more about: Cyber Security
back to top
Verizon (NYSE: VZ) and AT&T (NYSE: T) will release their Q4 earnings next Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, and Morgan Stanley forecasts that both telcos' wireline results will be a mixed bag. With Verizon, the wireline headlines are predicted to center on how the telco is recovering from Hurricane Sandy. The telco's wireline facilities, mainly in New York and New Jersey, suffered major damage as the result of massive flooding, a factor that left many of its consumer and business customers without service. "We see stable wireline margins of 21.9% (up from 21.7% in 3Q12) and revenues declining by 2.0% as the storm as well as fiscal cliff uncertainty likely impacted both consumer and business customers," Morgan Stanley said in a research note. Interestingly, the impact of Hurricane Sandy drove Verizon to replace damaged copper wiring with fiber. Lowell McAdam, CEO and chairman of Verizon, said during the UBS Financial conference in December that the copper-to-fiber transition is an initiative that will give the company the opportunity to not only upsell consumers multiple services, but will also "reduce our maintenance costs dramatically." In addition to driving out more fiber into the network, Verizon settled its issues with the Communications Workers of America and International Brotherhood of Workers (IBEW) unions. Morgan Stanley noted that "Though 3Q12 saw the end of union negotiations, any financial benefit of the new contracts isn't expected until 2013." AT&T, meanwhile, will also see decent growth in the consumer segment, while business revenues will be "sluggish" due to ongoing economic uncertainty in the United States and Europe. "In wireline, we expect a similar tone as 3Q12 with reasonable growth in consumer, but sluggish revenues from business customer," said Morgan Stanley. As seen in previous quarters, Morgan Stanley forecasts that AT&T will see declines in wireline broadband of 56,000, with DSL losses of 700,000 outpacing the 644,000 growth of its higher speed Fiber to the Node (FTTN)-based U-verse service. Morgan Stanley expects the company will report that it added U-verse video subscribers during the quarter. On the U-verse side, the financial company said another key factor will be "Project VIP's expected impact on DSL and U-verse subs in 2013." Related articles:
AT&T Q3: Consumer, business IP drive up wireline revenues 2%
Verizon's Q3 wireline earnings get a boost from consumer FiOS services Read more about: Morgan Stanley, fourth quarter earnings 2012
back to top
Hibernia Networks, a global capacity provider, on Thursday completed refinancing of $52.5 million of its debt, a move it says will enable it to pay off debt and provide incremental liquidity for growth and capital. One of the new lender groups in this transaction includes funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group LLC and Bridge Bank. The financing comes at a transitional time for the service provider. Earlier this week, Hibernia Atlantic changed its name from Hibernia Atlantic to Hibernia Networks as a way to illustrate that it has evolved from just another submarine cable operator to being a broader network solutions provider. In recent years, the service provider has been finding a growing niche for its fiber-based Ethernet, DTM and even SONET-based services in three main vertical segments: wholesale, financial and media. While Hibernia has not announced any specific new network growth plans, it will likely continue to play up its growing image as a broader solutions provider and use this refinancing effort to focus on key growth areas. For more:
- see the release Related articles:
Hibernia renamed Hibernia Networks to reflect global solutions focus
Telehouse, Hibernia Atlantic take up network challenge after Hurricane Sandy disrupts communications
Hibernia Atlantic brings Ethernet services to IO New Jersey
Hibernia strengthens media capabilities by acquiring TeliaSonera's MediaConnect business
Hibernia Atlantic names CME Group as latest PoP on its GFN Read more about: Debt Financing, Global Capacity
back to top
Transtelco, a competitive wholesale and business service provider, on Wednesday put the final touches on its metro fiber network in Mexico City, enabling it to address growing wholesale and enterprise service opportunities in a high growth Latin American country. The multi-duct, multi-ring network will be able to provide a suite of services--including transport, IP access, Metro Ethernet, voice, collocation, content delivery and IT services-- to other service providers and businesses located along the U.S.-Mexico border. Similar to other providers like XO Communications, Transtelco is extending its reach into Mexico City via Reynosa-McAllen and Nuevo Laredo-Laredo, Texas markets--two growing entry points into Mexico. Having this network complete provides the benefits of greater reach to both Mexican and U.S.-based businesses and service providers. A U.S.-based incumbent or competitive service provider could better respond to their client's need to expand their respective businesses into Mexico City, particularly Ethernet. While service providers have been aggressively expanding their Ethernet footprints, they can't get to every location so they'll need to have local partners like Transtelco that can give them that reach into a market where they don't have network or experience serving.
Likewise, Mexico-based companies and service providers that have traditionally had little options besides Telmex will be able to have an alternative provider for in-region service and access to major U.S. markets via Transtelco's own network facilities and partners. Transtelco was an early adopter of Ethernet exchanges, having established a connection with carrier Ethernet exchange provider CENX in 2010. "The expansion of Transtelco's network into this critical market allows Transtelco to expand its footprint in an important manner while offering new services and solutions to a growing customer base at competitive rates," said Edgar Mosti, Vice President of Wholesale Network Services, Transtelco, in a release about the new network.
In addition to Ethernet, the new network will be an enabler for cloud services. Last May, the service provider began a trial of Alcatel-Lucent's (NYSE: ALU) CloudBand system to connect customers to its cloud services out of its El Paso data center. For more:
- see the release
Related articles:
Transtelco expands U.S. Ethernet reach via CENX
XO extends its Latin American network reach
Transtelco dips feet into the cloud market with Alcatel-Lucent's CloudBand product Read more about: Alcatel-Lucent, Transtelco
back to top
| 
No comments:
Post a Comment
Keep a civil tongue.