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BigBand Networks Trials Modular CMTS for Docsis 3.0 with Multiple European Operators


WEBWIRE

Multikabel and LiWest evaluate BigBand platform for faster broadband speeds and bandwidth flexibility advantages

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Dec. 20, 2006 – BigBand Networks, Inc., a leading provider of network platforms for video, voice and data services, today announced that multiple European cable operators—including Multikabel in the Netherlands and Austria’s LiWest Kabelmedien GmbH—are evaluating the BigBand modular cable modem termination system (M-CMTS). BigBand has provided its M-CMTS platform to operators in North America, Europe and Asia as part of an early access program (EAP) designed to speed the availability of M-CMTS benefits such as quadrupled downstream delivery capacity and convergence of video, data and voice traffic.

“We’re seeing substantial increases in the amount of bandwidth that subscribers are consuming and want to have the infrastructure in place to offer services that perfectly meet each user’s needs,” said Stefan van Dijk, manager of network technology at Multikabel. “We looked at a range of options and the BigBand M-CMTS architecture seems to be the best way to implement DOCSIS® 3.0 downstream channel bonding. The BigBand M-CMTS provides us with the ability to increase broadband speeds and use bandwidth more flexibly, all with improved economics.”

The M-CMTS and DOCSIS 3.0 specifications, developed by CableLabs® and EuroCableLabs, provide various tools to enhance network functionality, including significantly increasing capacity for IP-based traffic. This expansion in performance is needed in response to the emergence of online video, peer-to-peer applications, multi-player gaming, VoIP, commercial services and other IP-based advances. Unlike traditional CMTS platforms that integrate capabilities on one chassis, a modular CMTS separates functionality onto two platforms. One of these platforms, the BigBand Cuda12000 CMTS, performs DOCSIS protocol processing on IP packets destined for subscribers. The second platform, the BigBand BEQ6000, delivers these packets to subscribers using RF quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signaling. Disaggregation of CMTS functionality is designed to open the door to more economical realization of higher broadband speeds and increasing bandwidth flexibility.

“Consumers are demanding faster and better broadband services, and we’re responding by evaluating the potential of channel bonding for enhancing commercial services, IPTV over DOCSIS and other bandwidth-intensive applications,” said Hubert Riedl, officer and head of telekom service of LiWest. “We’re interested in the BigBand M-CMTS platform because it may give us the opportunity to evolve toward DOCSIS 3.0 network performance while re-using most of the network infrastructure we already have in place.”

Already deployed with cable operators worldwide on DOCSIS 1.0, 1.1 and 2.0 networks, the BigBand Cuda can scale to DOCSIS 3.0 functionality with minimal hardware changes required. The BigBand BEQ, the other half of the BigBand M-CMTS platform, is based on the widely-deployed BigBand BME used by the company in its switched broadcast and video-on-demand solutions.

“We believe we have a time-to-market lead in M-CMTS, and we’re hoping to extend this advantage to our customers and allow them to benefit from downstream capacity increases, with a cost-effective migration path to DOCSIS 3.0,” said John Connelly, executive vice president of marketing and business development at BigBand Networks. “We’re providing early access to M-CMTS to a range of operators in Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America. EAP partners like Multikabel are gaining valuable experience in the implementation of key DOCSIS 3.0 functionality that we believe should make their upgrade path smoother.”

BigBand Networks expects that its M-CMTS EAP will help speed up implementation of the DOCSIS 3.0 specification worldwide by allowing cable operators to gain hands-on experience with downstream channel bonding and prepare requisite operations and billing support systems. For additional information about BigBand’s M-CMTS platform, visit http://www.bigbandnet.com/products/sol_mcmts.php.
About LiWest

LiWest is the second largest cable-net operator in Austria with approximately 107,000 households passed. The company serves 40,000 internet subscribers, 10,300 digital TV subscribers and 14,600 telephone subscibers. All services (Cable TV, Internet and fixed-line telephony) are available in 14 cities and municipalities in Upper Austria. LiWest generated an annual turnover of 37.1 Million EUR and engages 105 employees, based on results published in September 2006.
About Multikabel

Multikabel is the fourth-largest cable operator in the Netherlands, providing triple play services that include video, broadband Internet and telephony. The company is the market leader in its franchise areas, which span 38 municipalities across the province of Noord-Holland. Multikabel serves over 300,000 analog TV subscribers, 145,000 data subscribers, 70,000 voice subscribers and 45,000 digital TV subscribers. Multikabel is owned by Warburg Pincus and Cinven.
About BigBand Networks

BigBand Networks, Inc. is a leading provider of broadband multimedia infrastructure for video, voice and data. Utilizing unique combinations of open technologies, the company’s solutions are designed to process, optimize, and deliver services such as broadband Internet, VoIP, digital broadcast television, HDTV, transport of high quality video, local advertising, VOD, interactive TV and IPTV through any network. Service providers use BigBand Networks’ platforms in efforts to cost-effectively expand revenue-generating offerings of rich content and advanced interactive services. Customers include nine of the ten largest North American cable operators, U.S. telecommunications companies, as well as leading service providers in Asia, Europe and Latin America. Founded in 1998, BigBand Networks is based in Redwood City, Calif., with offices worldwide. For more information, please call 650-995-5000, email info@bigbandnet.com or visit www.bigbandnet.com.



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