April 4, 2014

CSE Allows for End-to-End Delivery of 4K

PeerApp, Sandvine, and Limelight announced this week that a joint effort successfully demonstrated implementation of the Content Service Extension architecture. They used the Packet Cable Multimedia (PCMM) standard, defined and promoted by the PacketCable industry consortium, founded by CableLabs. PeerApp demonstrated end-to-end content delivery of 4K video, providing not only a promising future for 4K, but an overall benefit to subscriber experience. More on the announcement from the Wall Street Journal's MarketWatch.

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April 2, 2014

Amazon Reveals $99 Streaming Set-top

After months of rumors and speculation, Amazon on Wednesday finally unveiled its set-top box, a video-streaming and gaming device that will cost $99. It's called the Fire TV, and Amazon claims it's more powerful than any of the competitors in the streaming space, like the Roku 3, Apple TV, and Google's Chromecast stick. It will host all of the expected streaming content, like Netflix and Hulu, plus the vast amount of content that Amazon has been collecting since 2011. It supports 1080p, and boasts a quad-core processor with 2Gb of memory. While more streaming devices come on the market to

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April 1, 2014

Netgear Offers DOCSIS 3.0 Gateway

Netgear is offering a new voice and data gateway capable of DOCSIS transmission rates up to 1 GHz. This gateway truly supports the Internet of Things, designed to support smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and other home devices that will require a network connection. The device, known as the AC1900 Voice and Data Cable Gateway (C7000B), offers end-user easy-to-use functions, such as a guest network that can be connected to via a QR code scan. More on Netgear's new device from Brian Santo over at CED Magazine.

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April 1, 2014

March Madness Streams Continue to Jump

March Madness Live continues to show why it's the poster child for second-screen apps. Total mobile streams have already risen 71% over 2013 during the same timespan.  Some of the jump could be attributable to numerous upsets and unlikely runs of schools like the University of Dayton.  Of course it's also very likely that there are simply many more mobile devices in consumers' hands compared to last year. It remains to be seen if developers of social-based/traditional second-screen apps can derive any utility from March Madness Live's overwhelming success. The once-a-year and anything-can-happen-live nature of the event may be completely

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March 31, 2014

FCC Increases 5GHz Spectrum for Wi-Fi

In a move that was widely expected, the FCC voted this morning to increase the amount of unlicensed spectrum in the 5 gigahertz band. The need for more wireless spectrum has been identified for some time, and will only increase as more and more devices utilize Wi-Fi. CableLabs' own Rob Alderfer has written on the subject. To read more about the FCC's vote, check out the official press release.

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March 31, 2014

Casa Systems Releases DOCSIS 3.1 Upstream Module

As MSOs prepare to support DOCSIS 3.1, the CableLabs' spec which will enable the next generation of cable technology, Casa Systems is unveiling a new high-density upstream module which it says will support the DOCSIS 3.1 spec. CableLabs has previously stated that it will be up to CMTS and modem vendors when they will be ready for official DOCSIS 3.1 testing. More on the Casa Systems module from Multichannel News.

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March 28, 2014

Panel Discusses Next Steps for DOCSIS 3.1

It's been five months since CableLabs released the DOCSIS 3.1 specification, and as providers prepare for the next generation of cable services, it's natural to start thinking about how, when, and where DOCSIS 3.1 will be implemented. A recent panel discussed what the near future holds for DOCSIS 3.1, and what it means for operators who are simultaneously working on technologies like CCAP and SDN. CableLabs' own Dan Rice, Senior Vice President of Network Technology, sat on the panel and provided his insight. To read more about the next steps for DOCSIS 3.1 and what Dan had to say, check

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March 27, 2014

Bloomberg Reports (Very) Early Talks of DirectTV-Dish Network Merger

According to Bloomberg, Dish Network's Chairman, Charlie Ergen, recently contacted DirectTV CEO Mike White to discuss a merger of the two biggest satellite television operators in the country. A previous merger was blocked by regulators in 2002, but that hasn't stopped shares for both companies from soaring based on Bloomberg's report. At this stage it's nothing more than a report, but industry insiders will be keeping very close tabs on any developments.  Read the entire Bloomberg story here.

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March 26, 2014

Millenials Watch More TV On Small Screens Than Big Ones

A new study from Deloitte found that teens and millenials in their early 20s watch more TV shows on their smartphones, tablets, and computers than they do on a TV screen. The big screen is still king of the market, with essentially everyone but millenials preferring to watch their favorite shows or channels on a TV set. But this marks the first time any demographic actually watches more television programming on devices other than a TV. Clearly it's a sign of the times, but second-screen apps still have yet to truly take off.  The cable industry will be keeping a

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