Intellon Corporation, the world leader in HomePlug standards-based powerline communications (PLC) integrated circuits, today announced that devolo AG of Aachen, Germany is using Intellon's HomePlug AV based powerline communications integrated circuits (ICs) in their new dLAN 200 AVdesk powerline-to-Ethernet adapter.

Verizon celebrates the first anniversary of its fiber-optic FiOS TV service this week, leading the industry in several categories and adding advanced services that give customers more control over their entertainment.

Citing Verizon research that shows the majority of FiOS TV subscribers were previously cable subscribers, Marilyn O'Connell, senior vice president - video solutions, said, "Customers have spoken loudly about the quality and value of FiOS TV as they've moved from cable to Verizon. We think 2007 will be an even bigger year for FiOS TV and our subscribers as we add advanced services and new markets."

According to published reports, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission has circulated a draft order approving the ATT/BellSouth merger without imposing conditions to protect competition or consumers. This draft merger approval appears timed for adoption at the FCC’s October 12 open agenda meeting. The merger must also be approved by the Department of Justice, which has not yet ruled. Pursuant to the Tunney Act, the federal court in Washington, D.C. is still reviewing DoJ’s approval of the SBC/AT&T and Verizon/MCI mergers. The most recent communications industry merger approved by the FCC, that of Comcast/Time Warner and Adelphia, contained numerous merger conditions.

On Monday, September 25 at 11 AM Eastern, representatives from national consumer and public interest groups and state consumer officials will hold a press conference call to respond to reports that the FCC is considering approving the merger of BellSouth and AT&T with no conditions and before review by the Department of Justice is complete.

The FCC Chairman Kevin Martin circulated a message on Thursday giving his approval for the AT&T-Bellsouth merger and recommended "unconditional approval of AT&T Inc.'s $67 billion purchase of BellSouth Corp." to the agency that will vote later in October according to an article released from the associated press.

TV of the future has already arrived in Croatia with the IPTV solution from Siemens Communications: With a broadband connection and set-top box, people there can benefit from the comprehensive "MAXtv" offer made by Deutsche Telekom subsidiary Croatian T-Com. For the country's new IPTV with its wide range of services, Siemens Communications set up the turnkey technology and integrated it into the carrier's network.

By Colin Dixon, Senior Consultant, IPTV Practice Manager
The Diffusion Group (TDG)

What I Learned at IBC

While visiting IBC in Amsterdam two weeks ago, I attended a conference session in the Multi-Media in the Connected Home track called 'The Markets - Integration or Disintegration.' The panel discussion inevitably turned to the much-debated subject of broadband video on the television. The Microsoft representative on the panel argued that it will be "decades" before broadband video reaches the TV and becomes a mainstream phenomenon.

His argument centered on the generally accepted notion that the so-called "late majority' - a segment which in theory comprises over ½ of the mainstream consumer market - is typically very slow to embrace new technologies1. According to this principle, one would expect that for many people - especially mainstream consumers who have become quite comfortable with the TV they have known and loved for decades - are unlikely to embrace a radically different medium of delivery.

While this insight seems commonsensical, the late majority has proven to be surprisingly agile when something compelling comes along that appeals directly to them. Witness the speed with which this segment has embraced the Internet. In an extremely short period of time, even the 'wait and see' late majority has flocked to the Internet, enjoying the convenience of online shopping, the immediacy of Internet messaging, and the virtual interaction of online social communities.

According to a senior media exec, that's the current buying price for the online video company. The story, YouTube's Got a Fat Idea of Itself, was released by Sam Gustin of the NY Post. Sam told Michael Arrington of TechCrunch (See YouTube’s Magic Number - $1.5 Billion) that the source of the information is "a senior exec at a well known media company that has been in acquisition talks with YouTube," and stated that YouTube is absolutely willing to sell, but that the number must be "at least $1.5 billion."

Companies that are interested in YouTube include Viacom, Disney, AOL, eBay, and News Corp. Of course, who wouldn't be?

If you still haven't got enough YouTube, the NewStatesMan has an interesting write-up about the prospects of MTV acquiring YouTube. It also includes some vintage YouTube moments that are worth the watch.

Neuf Cegetel and Time Warner announced that they have finalized their agreement, after exclusive negotiations, for Neuf Cegetel to acquire AOL France's Internet access business for EUR 288 million ($365 million) in cash.

GE Commercial Finance - Global Media & Communications announced that its Technology team has provided growth capital financing to Brightcove, an Internet TV pioneer. GE was the lead lender of the $5 million facility, which closed September 1.

The growth capital financing from GE will enable Brightcove to accelerate the development of solutions for content owners to distribute and monetize broadband video content.

Ofcom has published an independent study by RAND Europe on the impact of the European Commission's proposed Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) Directive. The directive aims to extend regulation beyond the Television without Frontiers Directive, which has been in place since 1989. The rhetoric of the new directive is so open that it could be extended to include new media sectors such as IPTV and mobile multimedia.

"The proposal has raised serious concerns among UK and European industry, on the grounds that it will significantly increase regulatory costs and uncertainty. Further, it has been argued that it will negatively impact on innovation, European competitiveness, and the Lisbon Agenda goals."

Officials with Eagle Broadband, Inc., a national provider of broadband, Internet protocol (IP) and communications technology and services, announced the company began construction of its super head-end and satellite farm at NewCom International in Miami, Florida.

The new super head-end being constructed at NewCom International's Miami teleport will allow Eagle to collect and digitize IPTV content gathered from the more than 30 satellites across North America.

Will the national video franchise reform make it through Congress in the U.S.? According to an article in Light Reading, the answer is no. In the article, attorneys from several large companies make the case that it is highly unlikely the bill will be passed before the congressional session ends.

What's the hold up? Believe it or not, it's not the cable companies political maneuvering. The reason is Net Neutrality.

Read the rest of Lawyers: Video Franchise Law Won't Make It.

3P Networks Inc. announced the launch of its primary platform, IPTV, Voice and Data (triple play telecommunications) services, for the multi-family dwelling (MDU), hotel, resort and health care markets.

3P Networks offers a unique value proposition by empowering property owners to administer and provide data and communication solutions to the residents and guests of their multi-dwelling buildings.

Based on a recent study, IMS Research is forecasting nearly 40% of TV sets shipped in 2011 will be enabled with some type of digital tuner enabling reception of digital TV without the need for a set-top box. This proportion is up from an estimated 7% in 2005.