Barely a month after Viasat Broadcasting
launched a few new HD offerings in Norway (among other places), along comes word that ECI Telecom and Fibra Networks are teaming up to construct a gigabit passive optical network (GPON) in the country. By utilizing ECI's Hi-FOCuS MultiService Access Node (MSAN) platform in a GPON OLT (optical line terminator) configuration, the GPON endeavor will reportedly "deliver fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) with cost-effective broadband and video capabilities for Norwegian residents." As expected, the network will enable IPTV, HDTV and "multicast distribution of television, as well as internet access and IP-based telephony." Unfortunately, there's no word on when this project will reach completion, but the sooner the better, we say.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Hans Martin @ Feb 29th 2008 7:20AM
Hooray... As a resident of Norway, I salute any replacement of electrical cables with fiber optics!
Of course, I have had fiber optical broadband upwards configurable to 100Mb/s for over 3 years already, at home. With additional reserved bandwidth for IPTV, VOD and IP-based phone. However, since content distribution isn't so much a technical problem as is is a legal problem, there isn't much content I would like to purchase over my line so far. The channels are still bundled in packages where 80% of them are completely uninteresting to me.
With the technology available, I want to be able to tailor my own channels, or better yet shop TV-programs individually and forgo the entire concept of "channels". And I would be ecstatic to do this directly for American content producers, at the same time as American customers, and not some two to five years later when lawyers have hammered together a ridiculous overseas distribution agreement.
50% of torrent downloads are TV-series. Consumers are tired of waiting for slow and cumbersome legal distribution of content that are offered to them hassle free through pirating. The industry needs to address this problem.
Jyncus @ Feb 29th 2008 9:41AM
Well said.
Sadly, I don't predict any country will see that kind of massive restructuring of the telecom industries for another decade. I mean, we're finally just now mandating that they switch over to DTV broadcast here in the US..and how long has that been available?
Aside from the few exceptions like Verizon's FIOS, it seems the entire cable industry moves along at a snail's pace. =/
SirWalksAlot @ Feb 29th 2008 11:57AM
ECI's Hi-FOCuS MSAN in a GPON OLT for FTTH to enable IPTV and HDTV???
OMG!
cognito @ Feb 29th 2008 3:52PM
Sounds like a good deal, hope i can get it where i live.
I think its nice that you guys post articles from everywhere in the world, even little Norway ;D