Motorola inks two set-top partnerships 

ATLANTA—Motorola announced this week that it has signed two deals with other vendors that will put its Streamaster set-top box into a package of network equipment geared to telcos providing video services.

In one deal, the company is teaming up with Optical Solutions to create a fiber-to-the-home solution that lets carriers offer IP video, game and Internet services. As part of the deal, Optical Solutions, which has targeted independent carriers as its major customers, will use the Streamaster set-top as one option in its FiberPath FTTH architecture.

The combination of the two companies give Motorola entry into the U.S. telco market. Previously, Motorola has deployed Streamaster boxes in several international markets and as part of a trial with Enron and Blockbuster, but has yet to crack the U.S. telco market. Part of the problem, according to Ted Finch, marketing director of Motorola’s Multimedia Systems Division, has been the carriers working through business models that would allow them a reasonable return on investment. The downturn in the market also hasn’t helped.

“The economy has shifted everything about six months,” said Finch.

In a separate announcement, Motorola said it has completed integration with VideoTele.com. Under terms of that deal, Motorola will combine its Streamaster with VideoTele.com’s digital headend solution.
Vince Vittore is Executive Editor for Telephony. He can be reached at vvittore@intertec.com.