TelecomNEXT focused on technology yesterday morning as the CEO of BellSouth shared the same stage with top executives from several major telecommunications manufacturers to stress the opportunities--and challenges--of creating networks that connect the world as never before.

Tut Systems, Inc., an industry leader enabling the delivery of next-generation data and video services over broadband networks, and Verimatrix, the leading provider of content protection and security for the IPTV industry, announced that MBO Video LLC/Cim-Tel Cable, LLC of Mannford, OK is deploying next-generation IPTV services utilizing Tut Systems’ Astria content processor (CP) and the Verimatrix Content Authority Systems (VCAS). The MBO Video win is the latest in a series of mutual customer wins, but the first in which Tut Systems acted as the prime vendor for the VCAS solution under a recently signed reseller agreement.

mPhase Technologies, a pioneer in the delivery of video over fixed broadband networks, today announced that LEA S.A.S., a leading supplier of components and subsystems to telecommunications equipment and service providers, will become a distributor of the mPhaseTV+ System.

Broadstream Communications, Inc. has selected Intelsat-Americas to support the commercial U.S. deployment of its IPTVConnect service offering. The multi-million dollar transaction will enable Broadstream to meet the growing content demand of telecommunication companies ("telcos") entering the IPTV market.

The long wait will soon be over for Lynnfield residents eager for cable-TV competition, thanks to a unanimous Board of Selectmen vote Monday night (March 20) authorizing Verizon to offer its fiber-optic-powered FiOS TV in the town.

Optibase Ltd., a leader in advanced digital video head end solutions, and BitBand, a leading provider of video delivery over IP solutions, is demonstrating innovative IPTV solutions including streaming and encoding technologies, TV on Demand applications and advanced Video On Demand (VOD) functionality at the CCBN 2006 Conference & Expo, Booth # 6B01 March 21-23 in Beijing.

Today, the highly anticipated TelecomNEXT exhibit floor, showcasing the latest technologies for the converged communications and entertainment marketplace, opened for business. The expanded exhibit floor features cutting-edge demos and provocative discussions and displays the latest technologies and solutions for next-generation networks - including IP video, WiMAX, IMS, VoIP, wireless and more.

Nortel is using its industry leadership in SIP-based services and its breadth of solutions across IMS, broadband and VoIP to develop new IPTV services and functionality that can dramatically change the way people use their TVs for both entertainment and communications.

Minerva Networks and Nortel announced the joint development and release of an Application Interface (API) that enables the integration of real-time IPTV services with Minerva's iTVManager software. Nortel is using this jointly developed interface as a first step to bring together Minerva's IPTV middleware platform with Nortel's IMS solution to make content available to users anywhere, anytime, on any device.

Ruckus Wireless, an innovator in next-generation smart Wi-Fi technology, today announced that Pioneer Telephone Cooperative (Pioneer), the third largest U.S. telephone cooperative and a leading provider of commercial IPTV services, is beginning a customer trial of its new in-home "smart Wi-Fi" system to enable subscribers to stream picture-perfect digital TV content to any corner of the home using standard 802.11g Wi-Fi technology. The Ruckus trial gives Pioneer a significant lead over other U.S. IPTV providers in offering subscribers a way to reliably move new digital content around the home over standard Wi-Fi.

CONNECTIONS announced today that Peter Barrett, Chief Technology Officer and General Manager of Engineering for the Microsoft TV division, will deliver the opening keynote, IPTV - The Future of Television, at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, 2006, at CONNECTIONS: The Digital Home Conference and Showcase, which will take place at the Santa Clara Convention Center, May 2-4, 2006.

Coaxsys, the leader in IPTV and multimedia networking, and XAVi Technologies, a leading provider of ADSL CPE solutions, today announced the availability of a TVnet-integrated modem for use in home IPTV deployments. The ADSL/ADSL2+ modem (model number X7823r+) includes integrated TVnet technology and a coax interface that enable operators to leverage a premise’s existing coaxial cable to distribute IPTV throughout a subscriber’s premise.

Thanks to the pioneering internet streaming company Opus Media plc, the new Vanessa Redgrave movie Russia/Chechnya: Voices of Dissent will be accessible to millions of viewers worldwide in full screen digital quality - over the public internet.

TelecomNEXT kicked off on Sunday in Las Vegas with standing-room-only sessions and tremendous anticipation for the only event that brings the converged communications and entertainment industries together. This one-of-a-kind event features an extraordinary lineup of keynote speakers including top CEOs and visionaries from communications, entertainment and technology companies and an expanded exhibit floor showing innovative, next-generation technologies including IP video, WiMAX, IMS, VoIP, wireless & more.

Auroras Entertainment, LLC and Verimatrix, Inc. announced that they have partnered to deploy Verimatrix's industry leading content security and encryption technologies, as well as VideoMark forensic watermarking technology, to protect both live broadcast and Video on Demand (VOD) television programming throughout the Auroras IPTV nationwide network.