| This week's sponsor is Ineoquest. |  | Webinar: Assuring Customers’ Multiscreen and OTT Video Viewing Experience
Monday August 19th, 2pm ET/ 11am PT
This webinar is intended to provide a general description and recommended practices for monitoring adaptive streaming video networks, provide an opportunity to understand how many others have successfully deployed a video service assurance solution for multiscreen and OTT video. Register to attend the webinar. |
Also Noted: Alcatel-Lucent
Spotlight On... WOW sheds 8,200 video subs in Q2 2013
GSN signs Vubiquity to power VOD launch; Showtime launches SHO SYNC app on LG TVs and much more... Special Report:
 Progress report: A snapshot of U.S. LTE deployments in 2013
How are deployments of LTE going? FierceWireless compiled standard information from all four of the Tier 1 carriers on their LTE networks and future plans so that they can be compared as fairly as possible. Get the details
(Image source: Mosaik) 
Follow @FierceCable on Twitter! News From the Fierce Network:
1. FairPoint, Maine PUC reach agreement on state's broadband plans
2. CenturyLink's Ewing: We'll bring fiber to 19-20,000 towers this year
3. Report: Verizon puts potential Canadian wireless deals on hold
| This week's sponsor is Ooyala. |  | Webinar: Scoring with the Second Screen
Wednesday, September 4th, 2 pm ET/ 11 am PT
This webinar from FierceCable will focus on applications for smartphones and tablets that content providers and distributors are relying on to drive increased ratings and ad revenue.
Register today for access to this live event. |
| Sponsor: Ateme, Harris Broadcast, Kontron, Ramp, Vubiquity and PacketVideo Corporation FierceLive! Webinars > Assuring Customers' Multiscreen and OTT Video Viewing Experience- August 19, 2013, 2 pm ET / 11 am PT
> Getting started with carrier WiFi - what's it take for a great user experience? - August 27th, 11am ET/ 8am PT
> LTE Advanced is here! - Wednesday, August 28th, 1pm ET /10am PT
> Scoring with the Second Screen- September 4th, 2 pm ET/ 11 am PT
Events > TIA 2013 - October 7-10 - Washington D.C.
> TelcoVision 2013 - October 23-25 - Las Vegas, NV
Marketplace > Whitepaper: Cisco ONE: Framework for the Internet of Everything
> Whitepaper: The Financial Benefit of Cisco's Elastic Core
> Whitepaper: Touch Technology Extends Mobile Gaming
> Whitepaper: New Wi-Fi Business Models Create Real Value for SPs
> Whitepaper: Gain Business Advantages with Service Provider Wi-Fi
> Whitepaper: SP Wi-Fi: Authorization Options for Mobile Network Operators
> eBook: Making Money from Multiscreen
> Whitepaper: Five Steps to Building Visibility and Security Into Your Network
Jobs > Wireless Store Manager – Florham Park, NJ – Cricket Communications
> Sr. Account Executive – San Diego, CA – Cox Communications
> Inventory Specialist /Revenue Analyst – Oklahoma City, OK – Cox Communications
> Field Auditor I – Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – Cox Communications
> SAS Administrator – Atlanta, CA – Cox Communications
> Senior Director, Technology Delivery Assurance – Atlanta, CA – Cox Communications
> SMB Account Exec (Cox Business) – San Diego, CA – Cox Communications
> Commercial Development Executive – Anywhere – WhistleOut
> Director of Operations Engineering – Tyler, Texas – Suddenlink Communications
> CLEC CFO - Anywhere - National CLEC
> Need a job? Need to hire? Visit FierceWirelessJobs
* Post a classified ad: Click here.
* General ad info: Click here | Today's Top News 1. Comcast, Time Warner Cable form set-top software joint venture
Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA) and Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC) said Thursday that they formed a joint venture that will focus on licensing advanced set-top software to technology vendors and other cable operators. The MSOs said RDK Management LLC will manage the licensing of the reference design kit software Comcast developed for its X1 product. Time Warner Cable plans to launch a similar service this year, which will offer subscribers a super DVR containing six tuners and 1 terabyte of storage as well as low-cost IP set-tops that will be able to deliver video to multiple rooms in subscriber homes. While Comcast and TWC didn't disclose financial terms of the deal, Comcast spokeswoman Jenni Moyer told FierceCable that "Comcast is the managing member of the RDK Management, LLC and Time Warner Cable will be managing it with us." Time Warner Cable spokeswoman Judy Barbao said the MSO will contribute software code, technical guidance and financial support to RDK Management. When Comcast announced the development of the RDK software bundle last year, it said the project would help cable operators launch advanced services like X1 on set-tops and video gateways from multiple hardware vendors. "Its standard interfaces and shared source code model ensures the interoperability of interfaces and functionality on multiple platforms," Comcast said in August 2012, when it announced that Motorola Mobility, which is now owned by Arris (Nasdaq: ARRS), had licensed the RDK. More than 100 companies have licensed the RDK, including Pace (LSE: PIC.L), Humax, Ericsson, Broadcom, SeaChange International (Nasdaq: SEAC), Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) and ThinkAnalytics. Cox Communications VP of Video Product Development Steve Necessary told FierceCable in June that the MSO was considering licensing the RDK and that it could help Cox, whose primary set-top supplier is Cisco (Nasdaq: CSCO), deploy hardware and software from multiple vendors. "We have a great relationship with Cisco. But it's always nice to have choices," Necessary said. Cable operators that have licensed the RDK include Liberty Global (Nasdaq: LBTYA) and Canadian MSO Rogers Communications (NYSE: RCI). RDK Management isn't the first joint venture between Comcast and Time Warner Cable. The top two MSOs are owners of pay-per-view and video-on-demand programming distributor In Demand, which is also backed by Cox Communications and Bright House Networks. Comcast, TWC and Bright House were also owners of the Spectrum Co. joint venture, which sold $3.6 billion in advanced wireless spectrum to Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ) in December 2011. And Comcast and TWC own stakes in Canoe Ventures, which is developing a platform for VOD advertising. For more:
- see the release Related articles:
Cox may license Comcast RDK middleware platform
Comcast licenses RDK to motion control developer Hillcrest Labs
Comcast licenses RDK to ThinkAnalytics
Licensing deal could help Comcast deploy X1 on Motorola Mobility set-tops and gateways
Pace licenses RDK set-top design kit from Comcast |
| This week's sponsors are Ateme, Harris Broadcast, Kontron, Ramp, Vubiquity and PacketVideo Corporation. |  | eBook | Making Money from Multiscreen Cable operators and networks are slowly building a platform that could make multiscreen programming and advertising a much bigger business. Learn more today. |
2. Report: Google Fiber threat prompts Comcast to slash prices in Provo
Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA) has slashed the pricing on its triple-play package in Provo, Utah, in advance of Google Fiber's (Nasdaq: GOOG) launch in the city later this year, DSL Reports said Thursday. According to the report, which cited a Comcast internal memo, Comcast is beginning to offer Provo residents a $120 monthly bundle of video, voice and a 105 Mbps Internet service. That would allow it to match the price Google Fiber is currently charging in the Kansas City area for wideband Internet and subscription video service. In April, Google announced a deal to acquire iProvo, a municipal broadband network in Provo. Acquiring the system and upgrading the plant to its 1-Gig network will help Google expand faster in Provo than in cities where it has to construct its entire fiber-to-the-home network from scratch. Google, which recently announced the launch of a $10 monthly sports tier on Google Fiber, continues to expand its programming lineup. On Thursday, it announced that it added content from Internet video supplier Vudu to its video-on-demand library, which can be accessed through its Fiber TV Box. For more:
- DSL Reports has this story
- see Google Fiber blog post about Vudu Related articles:
Google Fiber to take on Comcast in Provo, Utah
Google Fiber TV to charge $120 monthly for 1 GB Internet connection and hundreds of HD networks
Google Fiber launches $10 monthly sports tier
Google Fiber kicking off mobile marketing tour Read more about: Comcast, Google Fiber
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3. DirecTV, Time Warner Cable, Dish agree to launch FS1
Fox Networks said Thursday that it has struck distribution deals for new national sports network FS1 with all major distributors, including Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC), DirecTV (Nasdaq: DTV) and Dish Network (Nasdaq: DISH). The satellite TV providers and TWC had been the last major holdouts for FS1, which will debut on Saturday. FS1 will occupy the channel space previously held by auto-racing network Speed. "We are thrilled that virtually all pay-television customers across America will have access to FOX Sports 1," Mike Hopkins, president of distribution at Fox Networks, said in a prepared statement. According to FS1's programming schedule, the network will flip the switch at 6 a.m. with a program about college football. Saturday's lineup also includes NASCAR and UFC programming. FS1's channel assignment varies by provider. Its high-definition feed will run on DirecTV channel 219, Dish channel 150 and Verizon FiOS channel 583. For more :
- see the release Related articles:
Fox pushing DirecTV, Time Warner Cable, Dish to carry FS1
News Corp. converting Speed Channel into Fox Sports 1
Fox outbids Comcast, ESPN for U.S. Open golf rights
Report: Fox charging affiliates 80 cents monthly for FS1
Needham: 20M 'super fan' homes would pay $30 monthly for ESPN
Yankees sign 30-year rights deal with YES Network
DirecTV to hit 5 million subscribers with $3 monthly sports surcharge Read more about: Time Warner Cable
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4. Chambers: Cisco must 'fix set-top box business and migrate it to the cloud'
Cisco (Nasdaq: CSCO) said its set-top business struggled in its fiscal fourth quarter, with CEO John Chambers telling analysts Wednesday that set-top volume dropped by 40 percent compared to the third quarter. Chambers also announced that Cisco plans to cut 4,000 employees, or 5 percent of its workforce, which he said would help it grow profits and put the company in a better position to acquire other technology players. While Cisco expects major MSOs to buy home video gateways and IP-based set-tops as they deploy cloud-based services, Chambers said the company has seen less demand for set-tops as operators prepare for the transition. "This is part of our focus on profitable set top boxes in the market that is becoming very tough, almost commodity-like. We [have] got to be able to fix [the] set top box business and migrate it to the cloud and implement it very successfully within that," Chambers said on Cisco's earnings call. Cox Communications said it plans to deploy a new HD DVR from Cisco to power its multiscreen video product. But Cisco hasn't announced deals this year with any other major U.S. cable MSOs. Growth from sales of wireless products and commercial revenue helped Cisco post $12.4 billion in revenue for the quarter ending July 27, up 6.2 percent from last year. Net income jumped 18.4 percent to $2.3 billion (42 cents per share). Cisco stock took a hit following the release of its earnings report late Wednesday. The stock had dropped about 7 percent by 11:45 a.m. ET Thursday. For more:
- see the release
- see transcript from earnings call
- CNBC has this story Special Report: Cable in the second quarter of 2013 Related articles:
Cisco: 'We love set-top boxes'; dismisses speculation that it will sell Scientific-Atlanta unit
Cisco: Wi-Fi revenue 'up well over 100%'
Cisco doubles Wi-Fi revenue from deals with service providers
Cisco to acquire NDS for $5B; deal bolsters Videoscape platform Read more about: Cisco, John Chambers
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5. Cablevision pulling plug on linear TV version of MSG Varsity
Cablevision (NYSE: CVC) said Wednesday that it will pull the plug on the linear TV version of MSG Varsity on Aug. 29 and convert the high school sports channel to an online network offering live and video-on-demand programming for Web browsers and mobile devices. The move will allow Cablevision to move another network into the prized channel 14 position, which has been occupied by MSG Varsity since it debuted in fall 2009, on its Optimum programming lineup. "We will share the new content for channel 14 with our customers in the next few weeks," Cablevision spokeswoman Kelly McAndrew told FierceCable. While Cablevision's Optimum subscribers may no longer be able to watch live high school football games on TV, the MSO emphasized that it will distribute more live sporting events online. It plans to launch a redesigned version of the MSG Varsity website on Aug. 29. Cablevision said it'll distribute 500 live MSG Varsity programs each year on the Web and mobile devices. The cable VOD version of MSG Varsity, available on channel 614, will offer on-demand coverage of games "soon after they are played," the MSO said in the announcement. It plans to archive the VOD programs for the entire school year, the company added. Cablevision spun off regional sports network MSG into a separate publicly traded company in 2010, but it kept MSG Varsity. Rival Verizon (NYSE: VZ) distributes live high school sporting events through its FiOS1 channel. For more:
- see the release Related articles:
Verizon to shoot lacrosse match in Cablevision's backyard
Cablevision delivers live high school sports to iPad, iPhone
Verizon adds high-school sports to FiOS TV lineup in New Jersey
FCC forces Cablevision to license MSG HD to Verizon, AT&T Read more about: Cablevision
back to top |
Also Noted | This week's sponsor is Alcatel-Lucent. | 
| Webinar: Getting started with carrier WiFi - what's it take for a great user experience?
Wednesday, August 27th, 11am ET/ 8am PT
Meeting customer expectations has never been more challenging than it is today. Learn how Alcatel-Lucent OmniAccess™ Wireless LAN switch family and Access Point product line can help you deliver the Wi-Fi solution your customers want and create new revenue streams. Register Today! |
SPOTLIGHT ON... WOW sheds 8,200 video subs in Q2 2013 Cable overbuilder WideOpenWest said it lost 8,200 video subscribers in the second quarter. WOW, which now counts 682,300 video subscribers, grew its broadband Internet subscriber count to 709,100 during the period, according to its earnings report. It posted $301.4 million in revenue. Read more Quick news from across the Web. > GSN said it will launch a video-on-demand programming service which will feature classic library titles and original programming. It signed Vubiquity to deliver the content and provide encoding and metadata management. News release > The city of Baltimore hired a contractor to help it study the possibility of launching its own broadband service for consumers and businesses. Article > Showtime said subscribers who buy a connected TV from LG will be able to access synchronized interactive content through its SHO SYNC application. News release > Rentrak said it struck a deal with The Weather Channel to supply it with national and local viewing data collected from cable and satellite set-tops. News release Telecom News > CenturyLink may not provide its own wireless services, but with a fiber network connected to over 16,700 towers in its footprint the telco continues to be a big enabler of wireless operators. Read more > Facebook is poised to launch a new payments platform enabling consumers to make purchases within mobile applications using their Facebook login information, AllThingsD reports. Read more And finally… beIN Sport marks its one-year anniversary today. News release > Assuring Customers' Multiscreen and OTT Video Viewing Experience- August 19, 2013, 2 pm ET / 11 am PT This webinar is intended to provide a general description and recommended practices for monitoring adaptive streaming video networks, provide an opportunity to understand how many others have successfully deployed a video service assurance solution for multiscreen and OTT video. Register to attend the webinar. > Getting started with carrier WiFi - what's it take for a great user experience? - August 27th, 11am ET/ 8am PT Meeting customer expectations has never been more challenging than it is today. Learn how Alcatel-Lucent OmniAccess™ Wireless LAN switch family and Access Point product line can help you deliver the Wi-Fi solution your customers want and create new revenue streams. Register Today! > LTE Advanced is here! - Wednesday, August 28th, 1pm ET /10am PT Tune into this webinar to understand the success factors behind the proliferation of LTE and an impressive line-up of enhancements that LTE Advanced encompasses, including Carrier Aggregation. Register Today! > Scoring with the Second Screen- September 4th, 2 pm ET/ 11 am PT This webinar from FierceCable will focus on applications for smartphones and tablets that content providers and distributors are relying on to drive increased ratings and ad revenue.
Register today for access to this live event.
| > TIA 2013 - October 7-10 - Washington D.C. TIA 2013 will address disruptive technologies and changing business models as companies position themselves for success with wireless, the transition to all-IP networks, Cloud, M2M, smart buildings, and more. The conference will offer ideas for thriving in the changing ICT environment. www.tia2013.org. Registration opens June 2013. > TelcoVision 2013 - October 23-25 - Las Vegas, NV TelcoVision (formerly TelcoTV) is the premier conference and expo devoted to Tier 2 - 4 broadband service providers. Don’t miss this opportunity to join other industry decision makers and thought-leaders in the broadband field. Register now and save $200 off all conference passes with priority code MPTV1314.
| > Whitepaper: Cisco ONE: Framework for the Internet of Everything Prepare service provider networks to harness network value, increase business agility, and achieve greater operational efficiency. Learn More > Whitepaper: The Financial Benefit of Cisco's Elastic Core This whitepaper describes the financial benefits of an intelligent, converged, and programmable network. Read Now > Whitepaper: Touch Technology Extends Mobile Gaming Get the latest in touch and sensory technologies. This edition explores the frontiers of touch computing, mobile lifestyles and more. Learn more today. > Whitepaper: New Wi-Fi Business Models Create Real Value for SPs The rapid growth of mobile data and the popularity of Wi-Fi have created new and innovative money-making opportunities for service providers. This whitepaper shares how service providers can make money by implementing new and innovative Wi-Fi business models and how correctly deploying the right model can lead to significant business benefits. Download Whitepaper Now. > Whitepaper: Gain Business Advantages with Service Provider Wi-Fi Wi-Fi has become a strategic asset for Service Providers to keep up with the growing mobile data demands on their network. As a result, Wi-Fi is seen as a place for business innovations and monetization opportunities. Explore the different ways operators can monetize their network with Wi-Fi through lowered costs and increased revenues. Download Whitepaper Now. > Whitepaper: SP Wi-Fi: Authorization Options for Mobile Network Operators The availability of Hotspot 2.0 and Passpoint devices will remove the historical friction users have faced in getting their Wi-Fi devices to seamlessly and securely connect to a new Wi-Fi network. Learn more about the standard for authenticating the user within a Wi-Fi environment and, how to authorize a particular user for access to the Wi-Fi network. Download Whitepaper Now. > eBook: Making Money from Multiscreen Cable operators and networks are slowly building a platform that could make multiscreen programming and advertising a much bigger business. Learn more today. > Whitepaper: Five Steps to Building Visibility and Security Into Your Network This five-step approach can help IT easily deliver the right information to the right tools at the right time to optimize your network. Download Now
| > Wireless Store Manager – Florham Park, NJ – Cricket Communications Cricket Communications offers nationwide wireless voice and mobile data services over high-quality, all-digital wireless networks. Every day, our Store Managers at Cricket run all aspects of the Cricket retail business including, but not limited to, financial management, business operations... Learn More > Sr. Account Executive – San Diego, CA – Cox Communications The Sr. Account Executive - Enterprise is responsible for meeting or exceeding sales goals for large accounts. The position is responsible for initial contact with customers, follow-up, proposal preparation, making customer presentations and seeing the sale through to the signing of a contract...Learn More > Inventory Specialist /Revenue Analyst – Oklahoma City, OK – Cox Communications The Inventory Specialist is responsible for providing accurate and detailed reports regarding inventory sell-out levels with recommendations and guidance to assist sales leadership in yield management through the development of optimized rates...Learn More > Field Auditor I – Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – Cox Communications The Field Auditor will maintain the security of the cable system by designing and implementing an effective and efficient audit program, asset and loss prevention programs; investigate internal and external security problems; implement internal and field security programs with other departments... Learn More > SAS Administrator – Atlanta, CA – Cox Communications SAS Administrator is responsible for providing senior level expertise on overall technology, infrastructure and administration as it relates to the SAS Grid enabled architecture, installed on RHEL/JBOSS server platform. Manages, configures and supports SAS...Learn More > Senior Director, Technology Delivery Assurance – Atlanta, CA – Cox Communications This position is accountable for driving Standard Processes, Governance, and Continuous Process Improvements across the Technology organization to improve the consistency and repeatability of our delivery processes. This role supports all technology organizations and closely partners with our enterprise portfolio management team...Learn More > SMB Account Exec (Cox Business) – San Diego, CA – Cox Communications The SMB Account Executive promotes, sells, and retains commercial business solutions for voice, data and video to SMB level customers. Sell bundled telephony, data and video products to existing/new commercial business customers based on assigned revenue targets...Learn More > Commercial Development Executive – Anywhere – WhistleOut This is an easy, 'open and shut' opportunity for an experienced and well-connected telco executive who is looking for a fresh opportunity in digital marketing with a unique, innovative and fast growing online comparison engine. This position is tasked with enhancing the depth of relationships with carriers and resellers in the US and Canada... Learn More > Director of Operations Engineering – Tyler, Texas – Suddenlink Communications Suddenlink Communications is the 7th largest provider of broadband cable, internet, phone and security services in a multi-state environment. We are currently seeking a Director of Operations Engineering to support our Texas and Oklahoma markets. This position requires cable gurus with the following experience...Learn More > CLEC CFO - Anywhere - National CLEC The Chief Financial Officer (the "CFO ") will be an integral part of a Local Exchange Carrier (the "Company") leadership team, lead the finance organization, be key in aligning the Company's finance and business strategies, and drive shareholder value creation through efficiencies, lower costs and tightened operations... Learn More > Need a job? Need to hire? Visit FierceWirelessJobs | |
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