Connected Home News

Virgin Media confirms 50 Mbps broadband launch for December 15th

December 8, 2008 - UK cable operator Virgin Media has confirmed that it will launch its new 50 Mbps broadband package in a week's time on December 15th, reports online news portal Techradar, which would be easily the fastest broadband connection currently available in the UK.

French retail chain FNAC launches Pack TV

December 5, 2008 - French retail chain FNAC is launching a new hybrid terrestrial/over-the-top VOD service called Pack TV this weekend, featuring all French DTT channels as well as video on demand titles, delivered over the open Internet to a dedicated set-top box.

Sky debuts new online video service

December 4, 2008 - UK satellite broadcaster Sky has introduced its new online video service 'Sky Player TV', enabling anyone in the UK or Ireland with a broadband-connected PC or Mac to access its premium content, including live programming and video on demand titles.

UK's Competition Commission finds Project Kangaroo would restrict competition

December 3, 2008 - The UK's Competition Commission (CC) has given provisional findings on the nascent Internet TV collaboration Project Kangaroo, proposed by the broadcasters BBC, ITV and Channel 4, ruling that the service would restrict competition.

Brits go doolally over DVRs

December 2, 2008 - British consumers are now quite keen on their DVRs, to the extent that the UK is the first European nation to adopt them in "significant numbers", according to new research from Parks Associates, with over 35% of UK broadband households found to own a DVR.

IMS/NGN Forum releases second IMS Report Card

December 2, 2008 - The IMS/NGN Forum, an industry association dedicated to interoperabiity and certification of IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) and Next Generation Networks (NGN) applications and services, has released its second IMS Report Card containing the results from the five IMS Forum Plugfest events conducted to date and clarifying the state of IMS as a technology and framework.

Belgacom completes acquisition of Belgian ISP Scarlet

December 1, 2008 - Belgacom has completed its acquisition of Belgian ISP Scarlet, following formal approval from the Belgian Competition Council on November 7th, enabling Belgacom to penetrate a new market segment and reinforce its multi-play offering in Belgium.

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