SwitchPoint Networks Enables Video-On-Demand Services.
OREM, Utah, Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ --
SwitchPoint(TM) Networks, Inc. today announces a joint agreement with Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI) and Enron Broadband Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Enron Corp. (NYSE: ENE), to enable VHS-quality, video-on-demand services to residential customers in Utah. This agreement is further validation of the SwitchPoint Networks business plan, and of its position as the leading enabler of broadband communications services by means of a unique, next-generation solution for solving the "last mile bottleneck"; a solution which enables residential and business broadband access at speeds of 100 Mbps.
Earlier this week, Enron Broadband Services and Blockbuster announced that they had begun delivering movies via the Blockbuster Entertainment On-Demand service over Enron's broadband network in Seattle, Portland, Ore., and, with SwitchPoint Networks, in Orem, Utah. The companies also said that a technical trial of the service had commenced in New York City.
In this implementation, the video on-demand service will employ an IP-based, advanced multimedia system as the set-top box which controls access to movies, while future generation set top boxes are expected to provide a whole range of interactive multimedia services. Consumers are able to Start, Stop, Pause, Rewind, and View movies on demand, and with VHS visual and sound quality. And since the data will travel and reside on Enron's and SwitchPoint's networks, the video feeds are susceptible to none of the bottlenecks that are typically encountered when distributing data through the global Internet cloud.
Dependable and predictable service is assured by SwitchPoint's Ethernet-based, peer-to-peer technology, which is suitable for deployment in all residential and small business markets. In this case, the video stream is transported over SwitchPoint's state-of-the-art data network directly to the customer's television set.
According to Mark Gilman, President of Blockbuster New Media: "As the market launch demonstrates, we have the infrastructure in place through our alliance with Enron, and our other partners, like SwitchPoint, to deliver a quality Blockbuster branded entertainment on demand service. The SwitchPoint network offers innovative technology, flexibility and speed of service. We're pleased with our relationship with SwitchPoint and with the progress that has been made in a short period of time."
Ken Rice, chairman and CEO of Enron Broadband Services, said: "Our relationship with SwitchPoint is important to the success of this offering. We are extremely pleased with the SwitchPoint team's dedication in their implementation of the VOD offering. They have enlisted and installed customers in record time and are delivering the service on schedule with high quality standards."
According to Rondo Fehlberg, SwitchPoint's Executive Vice President, "This alliance with Enron Broadband Services and with Blockbuster is among many relationships we are pursuing with broadband network builders and with broadband applications developers. Through this joint approach, as our network partners deploy SwitchPoint technology throughout their network build outs, we are also enabling them to supply the premium, multi-media applications for end users that will fulfill the larger promise of a true broadband Internet."
[Note: I see they list WideOpenWest as one of their network partners]
About SwitchPoint(TM) Networks, Inc.
SwitchPoint(TM) Networks, Inc., formerly known as AirSwitch Corporation, has developed a unique, next-generation solution for the "last mile bottleneck" using a technology implementation and network architecture that enables broadband Internet access at speeds of 100 Mbps. Unlike competing technologies, such as DSL and Cable modems, SwitchPoint-based networks are fully-duplexed and bi-directional, meaning subscribers can send and receive data simultaneously and at equal speeds. In addition, SwitchPoint digital networks can be constructed for far less than the cost of competing technologies such as fiber-to-the-home ->[ftth: it'd be nice if they defined what they meant by FTTH in their comparison. Probably it's cheaper than the most expensive FTTH deployment, but...they still have to trench, after all] implementations. This proven and commercially available Ethernet-based, peer-to-peer technology is suitable for residential and small business markets in the U.S. and abroad. SwitchPoint provides its technology solutions to network partners who are building the infrastructure needed to meet the growing demands for broadband Internet access and communications services. Additional information can be found at www.switchpointnetworks.com.
Neighborhood Network(TM) and SwitchPoint(TM) are trademarks of SwitchPoint Networks, Inc.
About Enron Broadband Services
Enron Broadband Services is a leading provider of high quality, high bandwidth delivery and application services. The company's business model combines the power of the Enron Intelligent Network(TM), Enron's Broadband Operating System, bandwidth trading and intermediation services, and high-bandwidth applications to fundamentally improve the experience and functionality of the Internet. Enron's Broadband Operating System allows application developers to dynamically provision bandwidth for the quality of service necessary to deliver broadband content. Enron is also creating a market for bandwidth that will allow network providers to scale to meet the demands required by increasingly complex applications. Enron Broadband Services can be found on the Web at www.enron.net.
About Blockbuster
Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI) is a publicly traded subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B) and is the world's leading renter of videos, DVDs, and video games with approximately 7,500 stores throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia. Viacom is the No. 1 platform in the world for advertisers, with preeminent positions in broadcast and cable television, radio, outdoor advertising, and online. With programming that appeals to audiences in every demographic category across virtually all media, the company is a leader in the creation, promotion, and distribution of entertainment, news, sports, and music. Viacom's well-known brands include CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, Paramount Pictures, Infinity Broadcasting, UPN, TNN, CMT, Showtime, and Simon & Schuster. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at www.viacom.com. |
