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Charter Deploys SDV to Improve Broadband Bandwidth


In the wake of high definition television (HD) exploding popularity in homes in the US, Charter Communications has decided to make a switch and will deploy switched digital video (SDV).

SDV technology dynamically optimizes bandwith management which should not only improve cable video bandwidth, but also improve broadband cable high-speed Internet and digital phone bandwidth as well.

Charter and other cable operators, are faced with extreme pressure to deliver a more bandwidth-rich HD television programming experience without completely re-constructing their plant.

While the initial SDV deployment will start in Charter’s Los Angeles area properties in Malibu, Burbank and Glendale, the entire SDV plan is for all of Charter’s properties serving 20 states and 5.7 million customers.

Charter is hoping to test in California so that they can monitor any surprises in the engineering - if any.

Main Video Competitor: DirecTV


Employing SDV will strengthen cable providers' position to compete with high definition satellite operators such as DirecTV.

Not surprisingly, Charter's decision to deploy SDV comes at the same time that mega competitor DirecTV Group Inc. plans on offering up to 100 HD channels by year-end - perfect for the holiday season.

Charter is fighting back by saying that it too expects to offer more than 100 HD options in most of its markets by the end of 2007. These options also include HD video-on-demand titles.

Charter Chooses BigBand for SDV


Charter has selected a “start to finish” platform from BigBand instead of piecing together a new system from multiple vendors. Cox Communications Inc. has recently chose BigBand for SDV in Northern Virginia and Phoenix, Ariz.

Cablevision Systems Corp. and Time Warner Cable Inc. have deployed SDV the most broadly, and Comcast Corp., which is in the middle of early SDV field tests in Cherry Hill, N.J. and the Denver area, has also selected BigBand's SDV.

In total, BigBand says they have deals with five operators in 20 cable systems that pass more than 11 million homes.