Calix does quick TV turn up in Idaho

Calix announced today that Filer Mutual Telephone is using its C7 ultra-broadband loop carrier to offer video service over an IP-based network using ADSL2+. More impressive than simply landing the contract with an existing customer is the fact that the carrier, which serves the south central Idaho region, made the transition to video in about 30 days.

“It was 30 days after placing an order with Calix for our IP resource card that they were able to turn up video service for their customers,” said Kevin Walsh, vice president of marketing for Calix.

The contract makes Filer the first telco in Idaho to offer multiple video streams over the technology to residential subscribers. Filer also is also the first carrier to make use of a video feed from Project Mutual Telephone. Project Mutual, which is using AFC’s access gear in its own plant, has set up a regional head end and is delivering video streams to neighboring independent carriers.

Key to Filer’s transition to video service was use of the IP resource card, which is deployed in the head end and handles all of the IGMP messages. The card, which is typically deployed in pairs, also handles tasks such as channel changes.

Filer is offering two to three video streams per user depending on their location and also is positioning its service to offer HDTV in the future. Additionally, the company launched video on demand service using Kasenna servers, encoders and middleware from Minerva Networks and Amino IP set tops.

One of the biggest issues with VOD is simply getting enough capacity in the access network, Walsh said.

“From a capacity standpoint, broadcast television is very efficient,” he said. “But as more VOD gets deployed, it’s uni-cast traffic. If you and your neighbor are watching the same movie and you agree to start it at the same time, it’s still two streams.”