BigBand Networks this week scored a big win for its digital video platform, with SureWest Communications choosing the vendor’s technology to support its next-generation video delivery platform, beginning in the Kansas City market. BigBand’s switched digital video platform has been deployed by six of the top 10 cable operators in North America, the company said, passing 35 million households.
According to the BigBand press release, deploying switched digital video …
…will allow [SureWest] to quickly regain RF spectrum that can then be reallocated to support high bandwidth applications such as HD and 3D programming as well as DOCSIS 3.0.
SureWest’s deployment of SDV will be implemented across its Cisco set-top box environment in the Kansas City region. SureWest also has plans to leverage future capabilities of the SDV architecture for delivery of cost-effective, next-generation IP video services that will become increasingly personalized over time.
Connected Planet’s take,
Dan O’Shea:
To employ an extremely well-worn, but still sometimes appropriate catchphrase, this a real “win-win” for two companies that were in need of some good news. For SureWest, the deployment deal comes not long after the pugnacious indie telco had to resort to layoffs as it continues to face heat in its traditional landline business. The SDV deployment helps SureWest carry on with its image as an aggressive network innovator.
For BigBand, the deal also comes on the heels of layoffs and the perception that the slowdown of Verizon’s FiOS rollout could cause the small vendor a great amount of stress. There may be no better time for BigBand to diversify its customer base.
That’s our take on this. Let us know what you think in the comments section below: