HBO GO
Posted by Kevin McGuire on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 · 
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Here we go again. HBO has entered into the online video market with it’s “HBO GO” product. They describe the service on their website:
It’s HBO. Anywhere.
Unlimited Access- Gain instant access to hundreds of titles including HBO Original Series, blockbuster movies, sports and more in high-quality HD. Plus, get bonus features and exclusive behind-the-scenes extras.
Watch anytime, anywhere- Watch HBO GO wherever you go- from your laptop or desktop. Pause, fast-forward, rewind and view at your convenience.
Make it your own- Create personal Watchlists and set a Series Pass to access your favorite HBO shows automatically.
HBO GO. Free with your HBO subscription.
Verizon Demos 10G PON
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, December 21, 2009 · ·
Verizon announced last week that it successfully field-tested a passive optical network system known as XG-PON that can transmit data at 10 Gbps downstream and 2.4 Gbps upstream, four times as fast as the current top transmission speeds supporting the company’s all-fiber FiOS network.
The XG-PON signal was tested independently on a dedicated passive optical network (PON) as well as overlaid on a fiber providing FiOS service to a customer.
Until now, next-generation PON technology has been tried only in demonstrations and lab trials. Final technical standards for global design and deployment aren’t expected until mid 2010. Read more
Telcos Lead in TV Satisfaction
Posted by Jesse Ward on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 · ·
Telecom service providers and AT&T in particular were the big winners in JD Power and Associates’ 2009 U.S. Residential Television Service Satisfaction Study, released last week.
AT&T’s U-verse TV service finished with the highest customer satisfaction rating in the South and West regions of the United States, and finished second in the North central region to independent regional cable TV firm WideOpenWest.
Verizon Communications and its FiOS TV service won the satisfaction war in the East region, where most of its TV efforts are concentrated. Read more
5.3 Million North American Fiber Customers
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, October 5, 2009 · ·
The number of North American fiber to the home (FTTH) subscribers now stands at more than 5.3 million, as deployers of end-to-end fiber networks continue to add more than 1.5 million customers a year, according to a study released last week by the FTTH Council.
Five years after their deployment began in earnest, FTTH networks now are available to 15% of homes in North America. In addition, the study found that the overall take rate — the percentage of those offered FTTH service who decide to subscribe — increased for the seventh straight six-month period, with the vast majority of providers experiencing take rates greater than 50%. Read more
Verizon FiOS Launches Apps for Facebook, Twitter and ESPN
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, July 20, 2009 · ·
Verizon announced early last week the launch of two new widgets (a.k.a. applications or apps) built for social networking and online video sharing, now available via Verizon’s online Widget Bazaar.
Verizon worked with social media companies including Facebook and Twitter to unite the TV and social media experiences, and allow subscribers to view and update their social media accounts via their FiOS TVs. The new Widget Bazaar applications marketplace is launching with free Facebook, Twitter and ESPN Fantasy Football Widgets. Read more