ELLACOYA LANDS DEAL WITH SHAW

Ellacoya Networks will announce this week that it has signed a deal with Shaw Communications to deploy its IP Service Control System. Though the company isn't releasing financial details of the agreement, the contract is significant because it will place Ellacoya e30 IP service switches in about 50 sites across Shaw's network.

“Historically, customers have used our platform to solve congestion problems,” said Ben Legault, vice president of marketing for Ellacoya. “In the case of a customer like Shaw, they're looking at providing better performance, so we're looking to provide it across the network.”

The switches will let Shaw dynamically manage access and backbone network usage for its 1 million-plus cable modem customers. Shaw, traditionally among the most aggressive cable operators, is looking to improve the overall customer experience.

At the end of 2004, the company reported that 50% of its basic cable subscribers also were high-speed Internet customers. Moving that number up significantly requires marketing to a different group.

“What they're looking at is for our product to prioritize applications in the network,” Legault said. “It's all about putting in place a framework that can provide better quality of service.”