Or is that Lucent inside?...
GTE americast Upgrades Video Network to Digital Technology; Will
Increase Programming to 160 Channels
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11/20/97
Business Wire
(Copyright (c) 1997, Business Wire)
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THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 20, 1997--Beginning Thursday, GTE will enhance its video services network in Ventura County with the addition of digital video and audio capability, increasing the programming channels from 79 to 160.
The network, currently serving customers in Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, and other parts of Ventura County now is expanding into Oxnard. The enhancement also will deliver additional channels and a digital audio service called Music Choice -- 40 channels of CD-quality commercial-free music (included as part of the 160 channels). It also will include StarSight, the feature-enriched on-screen program guide with one-button VCR recording.
"This is the latest in a succession of 'firsts' for GTE americast in Ventura County," said Ron Hummel, California general manager for GTE Media Ventures. "We were the first to offer advanced video services, the first to provide cable-modem service (WorldWind) for high-speed access to the Internet, the first to bring interactive video with our GTE mainStreet service, and now the first to commercially deploy a two-way wire digital network.
The Best Value In Cable TV
"Our competitive strategy has been simple -- provide more value to customers," Hummel said. "In fact, for an introductory period of up to two months, we will offer new Ventura County premiercast customers ($26.95/mo.) all of the 82 new digital channels at only $10.95 per month. This is the best value in cable TV -- no one else has ever made this offer."
Hummel said that because the digital TV service entails a totally new technology, GTE plans to introduce it to consumers on a controlled basis. A new digital video center (set-top box) is being introduced, and will be included with all new installations of americast advantage service (at least one premium service, such as HBO or Showtime). These new customers will then have the option to sign up for digital service and the additional channels.
Existing americast advantage customers, who now use an analog set-top box, may call GTE (800/GTE-VIDEO) to order the new digital service and make an appointment for a technician to change out the equipment. Over the next couple of months, GTE expects to complete the conversion for all existing customers who request the upgrade.
Building A Foundation For Services To Come Over Next Decade
Hummel said that GTE designed its video network to accommodate digital service from the outset. "We are building our network using the best available technology -- a combination of fiber-optic and coaxial cables -- to provide superior-quality two-way broadband transmission that will be the foundation for a host of services to come over the next decade."
The immediate benefit to consumers is that they will be able to obtain a broad range of programming only available until now through Direct Broadcast Satellite service -- plus the local channels that DBS does not provide.
"The difference is that GTE americast customers can get up to 160 channels, including local programming, without having to buy a satellite dish and other expensive equipment," Hummel said. "This is the new wave in cable TV service."
Among the new digital basic channels added to the system are BET on Jazz, CNN/SI, Outdoor Life, Speedvision, EWTN, Independent Film Channel, Ovation, CMT, The Travel Channel, the Game Show Network, Nostalgia, Knowledge TV and the International Channel. There are also 14 new premium channels and 12 additional pay-per-view channels.
GTE's americast video service currently is available to 55,000 households in Ventura County, and in its current phase of construction, the network "passes" an additional 37,000 households. Total construction in the existing franchise areas will be completed early next year.
With revenues of more than $21 billion in 1996, GTE is one of the largest publicly held telecommunications companies in the world. In the United States, GTE offers local and wireless service in 29 states and long-distance service in all 50 states. GTE was the first among its peers to offer "one-stop shopping" for local, long-distance and Internet access services.
Technical information: Digital service is made available through
new equipment at the "head end," the network's programming source,
and digital set-top boxes in each customer's home or office. The
network bandwidth is 750 megahertz; the analog spectrum is 50-550
MHz and the digital spectrum is 550-750 MHz. The head end equipment
and set-top boxes (DCT-1000) are manufactured by NextLevel Systems.
The StarSight on-screen program guide is a product of StarSight
Telecast Inc. MPEG -2 encoders are manufactured by Lucent
Technologies, which is also the system integrator and contractor.
CONTACT: GTE Local contact: Larry Cox, 805/372-7112 or 800/227-5556 National contact: Brian Blevins, 972/718-6920 brian.blevins@telops.gte.com
09:48 EST NOVEMBER 20, 1997 |
