BigBand Networks Prepares For First International Deployment Of Switched Digital Video

BigBand Networks, a leading innovator in digital video networking, has announced that it has added functionality to its switched digital video solution in preparation for deployments by Korean cable operators.
Additionally, BigBand has completed qualification of its switched digital video (SDV) solutions and SDV client software from Alticast, a provider of interactive TV middleware, with its headquarters in Seoul, South Korea.
David Heard, BigBand's Chief Operating Officer, said: "An ability to implement SDV in Korea represents a major milestone for BigBand Networks and paves the way for the first SDV deployments outside North America.
"The potential for SDV in international markets is significant, both in terms of economics and the number of viewers that will benefit from the richer choices of HDTV and long-tail content that the solution enables."
According to In-Stat, a market research firm, the worldwide market opportunity for switched digital video market equipment, software and services is expected to exceed US $1B in 2012. In-Stat forecasts that Asian deployments of SDV will grow at an average rate of 85% for the next four years, reaching $212M by 2012.
Gerry Kaufhold, Principal Analyst for In-Stat, said: "Switched digital video is a cost-effective way for service providers to begin offering virtually unlimited amounts of HD and SD programming.
"First proven by operators in North America, BigBand's SDV solution is now entering an era of international deployments."
BigBand's SDV solution has been deployed, or is in the process of being deployed, by six of the top 10 service providers in North America, across 30 systems that pass more than 17 million households.
BigBand SDV is already interoperable with five electronic programming guides and has been or is in the process of being deployed in Cisco, Motorola and DVB-based conditional access systems. The integration with Alticast, a leading provider of middleware for interactive video services, along with other product developments by BigBand, prepares BigBand SDV for deployment in Korea and worldwide.
II Hyung Kim, Executive Vice President at Alticast, said: "Alticast envisions the joint effort with BigBand Networks to be a strategic and significant market opportunity. As cable operators adapt to market demands for more diverse quality services and high definition services, Bigband's SDV solution presents tremendous opportunities for Alticast and BigBand on a global scale."
BigBand's SDV solution is designed to provide the capacity needed for bandwidth-intensive services such as HDTV by enhancing the efficiency of bandwidth and network resources that cable operators use to provide digital programming.
While BigBand SDV represents a cost-effective way to expand programme line-ups, the technology also introduces possibilities for further value enhancements, such as the capability to deliver video services that are increasingly personalised.
Visit: www.bigbandnet.com for more information on BigBand Networks' switched digital video solutions or email: [email protected].
(KMcA)