CableLabs®’ Go2BroadbandSM Program Launches Multiple Services Program

CableLabs®’ Go2BroadbandSM (G2B) project announced recently that it was expanding the role of its service locator from offering only high-speed cable modem-related services to a multiple services offering capability. The new listings include digital set-top boxes and video-on-demand.

G2B already is a success in assisting cable operators with high-speed Internet services. More than 550,000 people visited G2B in May 2002 looking for cable Internet services.

G2B is a business-to-business e-commerce site that acts as a clearinghouse between affiliates and cable operators for serviceability checks and orders for high-speed Internet services. The capability is now being expanded to serve other cable operator offerings. G2B accepts customer address serviceability queries from retailers, identifies the appropriate cable company to which to forward the query, and responds back to the retailer with cable operator service availability and offer details. The service can handle thousands of messages simultaneously in real time.

The stage already is set for this new offering since a number of prominent affiliates participate in the program in conjunction with eight of the top 10 cable operators in the nation. Participating MSOs include Adelphia, AT&T Broadband, Charter Communications, Comcast Communications, Cox Communications, Insight Communications, Mediacom, and Time Warner Cable. More than 24 affiliates use G2B including prominent retailers, PC manufacturers, on-line retailers, and content providers.

“In its first year, G2B has experienced an exponential rise in traffic,” said Kevin Leddy, Time Warner Cable Senior Vice President of New Business Development, who is the chair of the project for CableLabs members. “That is a clear indicator that G2B is a win-win situation for everyone—the consumer, the cable operator, and our affiliate partners. G2B has proven to be a one-stop shop for the consumer for cable services at their homes,” Leddy said.

“AT&T Broadband supports the initiative and our customers already are benefiting from its use. The industry and our customers will benefit from Go2Broadband’s expanded, multiple service capabilities,” said Susan Marshall, Senior Vice President, Advanced Broadband Services, AT&T Broadband.

“We are excited at the prospects of multiple service offering capabilities in G2B,” said JP Singh, Director (E-Commerce) at CableLabs who leads the G2B initiative. “The G2B architecture is flexible allowing both MSOs and affiliates to fulfill a wide variety of business agreements. With 550,000 people utilizing G2B for high-speed data alone, traffic is anticipated to surge when the affiliates and MSOs start utilizing the new functionality” he added.