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http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/cc/general/profile/prima_cp… Customer Profile Cisco and PrimaCom AG PrimaCom AG recently became the first cable network operator in Germany to roll out a European Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (EuroDOCSIS) multiservice network. Built with EuroDOCSIS equipment from Cisco Systems, Inc., the PrimaCom network incorporates industry-leading Cisco routers and cable modem cards and integrated EuroDOCSIS-compliant set-top boxes from Cisco New World Ecosystem Partner Program member Galaxis Technology AG. These components, along with cutting-edge glass-fiber technology cable infrastructure, have enabled PrimaCom to introduce a new generation of revenue-enhancing interactive digital TV services to the German cable market. Background Germany is the largest cable market in Europe and the second largest in the world behind the United States. In 1996, the German Telecommunications Act ended the network monopoly of Deutsche Telekom, creating a host of new opportunities for companies such as PrimaCom AG. Germany`s fourth-largest cable network operator, PrimaCom has 1.5 million subscribers and serves approximately one million residential customers in Germany and another 300,000 customers in the Netherlands. PrimaCom is well positioned to extend its network through its strategy of acquiring existing cable networks and upgrading them with the latest technology. In the process, PrimaCom intends to revolutionize the German and Dutch cable markets by offering a new generation of digital interactive TV services never before available to subscribers in these regions. Challenge PrimaCom has built its analog cable television network to high technological standards. Incorporating star architecture, this network gives PrimaCom exceptional broadcast flexibility, supporting bandwidths of up to 862 MHz. However, delivering Germany`s first interactive multimedia services not only requires considerably more bandwidth, it calls for a return path to accommodate a wide range of interactive applications. To meet its goal of offering multiple services, PrimaCom is building a new interactive hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC). This will provide PrimaCom with advanced interactive services and allow it to significantly enhance its revenue streams and lessen its reliance on Deutsche Telekom, Germany`s largest supplier of cable infrastructure. Solution PrimaCom decided to start by upgrading its existing cable television networks in Leipzig. It installed a superior headend and connected it to a fiber-optic loop that covers the entire city. Throughout this digital network, PrimaCom has deployed several Cisco components, including: Cisco uBR7200 Series, a cable modem termination system (CMTS) that allows data communication over the HFC network, which connects to a Galaxis set-top box (incorporating a EuroDOCSIS cable modem) in the subscriber`s home. It allows high-speed data services to be packaged just as cable TV or video services are packaged. Cisco MC-16E EuroDOCSIS cable modem card, which builds on the DOCSIS protocol, adding support at the physical layer for the 8-MHz downstream channel. Cisco GSR 12000 Gigabit Switch Router, which resides in the backbone system and enables an IP layer directly over the optical infrastructure. Cisco 7200 Series Routers and Catalyst® switches. With these Cisco components, PrimaCom allocates HFC network capacity for Internet access, virtual private network (VPN), or voice-over-IP (VoIP) services using an HFC cable plant. PrimaCom has upgraded its network to 100,000 of its customers in Germany and all of its subscribers in the Netherlands. In addition to the Cisco and Galaxis equipment, PrimaCom deploys OpenTV`s API software platform and Philips` Cryptoworks Conditional Access System. Together with the Cisco and Galaxis hardware, these components have enabled PrimaCom to build the first phase of its digital, multiservice, interactive cable network. Why Cisco To ensure the ability to deliver multiple services to a wide range of customer premises equipment (CPE), it was essential that PrimaCom choose IP network components based on the EuroDOCSIS standard, according to Hans Wolfert, PrimaCom`s Chief Corporate Development Officer. "It is of key importance that Germany get an open standard," says Wolfert. "And Cisco was the natural choice for the delivery of this technology. They are the unchallenged leader in the U.S. DOCSIS market, and they are now establishing a similar position in the EuroDOCSIS market." In addition, notes Wolfert, "Standards-based technology like EuroDOCSIS give us a level of flexibility unparalleled in Germany. Quite simply, no other company could provide the equipment and experience needed for us to achieve our strategic business objectives. Cisco provides us with a combination of superior radio frequency (RF) performance and data networking." Results PrimaCom`s digital IP network based on Cisco equipment will allow the company to deploy a wide range of interactive TV services. It has already begun offering digital TV packages with 80 TV programs along with interactive services in Germany. These new services are available in Leipzig, Chemnitz, Naumburg and Aschersleben, and will soon be available in other cities in Germany and the Netherlands. The company has also created an electronic program guide (EPG), which is used for PrimaCom`s near video on demand (VoD) system, among other things. Other services scheduled for deployment include interactive games and a host of Internet-based services such as telephony and Web TV. With these exciting new Web services, subscribers can bank and shop on line, for example, get weather updates for any city in the world, send e-mail, shop for groceries, buy CDs—all via their TVs. "Our new multiservices network represents something completely new in the German cable market," says Andrei Noppe, Managing Director of PrimaCom Leipzig. "With this new technology we have been able to offer our customers a much broader selection of programming options, but also to redefine what traditionally has been thought of as cable television services." EuroDOCSIS Offers Clear Benefits PrimaCom`s network now delivers traditional analog as well as digital video, high-speed Internet access, and new interactive services, thanks to EuroDOCSIS standards-based equipment from Cisco and Cisco Ecosystem Partner Program members Galaxis and OpenTV. EuroDOCSIS, based on the popular DOCSIS standard used around the world, offers a number of unique features to European cable operators. Among the most important, EuroDOCSIS better supports the existing European frequency allocation, which uses 8-MHz-wide channels. EuroDOCSIS also offers a greater frequency selection, 5 to 65 MHz instead of 5 to 42 MHz for the upstream communication channel and 70 to 862 MHz for the downstream channel. "Investing in Cisco EuroDOCSIS IP network equipment for our system backbone offers a number of strategic advantages," notes Noppe. "It positions us to deliver IP services to our entire customer base without changing protocols, enables us to deploy new digital services quickly and efficiently using two-way data management, and also allows us to continue to build a leading-edge network cost-effectively while minimizing compatibility issues. These advantages pave the way for a variety of expansion opportunities for the future." Leading the Way in Europe PrimaCom`s new broadband IP network has also enabled the company to transform itself into Germany`s only multiple services capable operator-one of just a handful in all of Europe. Other companies are sure to follow PrimaCom`s lead. But for the time being, PrimaCom has seized an important competitive advantage in its markets. "Being the first cable network operator with a EuroDOCSIS multiple-service network gives us an extraordinary advantage by differentiating our services in the market and increasing our revenue potential," says Noppe. "Only Cisco, Galaxis, and their partners offered the experience and technical expertise required to build this end-to-end network. Choosing them as our technology partners has helped PrimaCom become the leader in this exciting new segment of the cable industry." For additional information about Cisco`s cable solutions, visit the Cisco Web site: http://www.cisco.com/go/cable. Posted: Fri Mar 23 20:00:57 PST 2001 All contents are Copyright © 1992--2001 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Important Notices and Privacy Statement. |
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| aus der Diskussion: | PRIMACOM THREAD 100 |
| Autor (Datum des Eintrages): | sturmvogel (31.12.01 17:44:55) |
| Beitrag: | 76 von 192 (ID:5237216) |
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