Advancements elevate optical bandwidth

The burgeoning optical network is the basis for most compelling convergence services, and the recent Optical Fiber Conference witnessed the debut of a number of new products that promise elevated optical bandwidth.
Princeton Lightwave, for example, announced three new product families for use in either long-haul or metro-area networks—WaveHarp, WaveRider, and WavePower. Covering the entire S, [...]

WildBlue advances broadband-via-satellite plans

Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite providers such as Hughes Network Systems’ (DirecPC) and recent entrant StarBand have made two-way Internet-access via satellite a reality (see “Dishing it out“). But it’s been a somewhat sober reality, because the Ku-band satellite technology such systems employ is upstream-challenged. DirecPC requires a dial-up modem for its up-channel, and StarBand’s upstream is [...]

Data-over-airwave scheme targets local broadcasters

While providing consumers with bundled video, data, and voice services has become a holy grail for cable-TV operators and telephone companies, traditional television broadcasters have not seen a clear road to entering this emerging marketplace. Despite the dawn of digital television (DTV), delivering Internet access and telephone service has remained technically beyond their horizons. A [...]

OUTLOOK: Platform may spur rollout of true unified-messaging services

Long a goal of the computer and communications industry,  promises real benefits to consumers and business professionals. Imagine single-point access to voice messages, email, faxes, and other types of communications. Furthermore, imagine having such access whether you’re connected via a cellular handset, a PC with a broadband link, or a pay telephone. Such a service [...]