VideoTel.com product extends reach of DSL video networks

VideoTele.com has added rural spice to its video-over-DSL technology platform with a remote content processor [RCP] that lets service providers deliver digital TV services over multiple networks and different types of access platforms from a single content processor.

VT.c, which is in the process of being acquired by Tut Systems, expects the product to help smaller telcos that want to offer video-over-DSL networks but can’t afford the initial cost to get into the business.

“This allows you to have one centralized headend and variety of sub-tended headends and control them from one single point,” said John Cvetko, VT.c’s product management director.

The first customer, Iowa Network Services (INS), serves 147 locally owned independent telephone companies with about 250,000 subscribers. With an RCP, INS can deliver signals to “sub-tended headends” where the local telephone companies can remove some national or regional content and insert local content--including advertising, Cvetko said.

“Each company may do their last-mile video delivery differently. Some may use ADSL, IP-over-ATM, pure ATM, VDSL ATM or Gig-E, fiber-to-the-home and some may use cable TV or have a combination,” said Cvetko. “This allows INS to convert their ATM aggregated signal on their SONET backbone that runs to any protocol for the local independent telephone company.”

Besides adding local channels and advertising, the independent telcos also can insert regionalized emergency alert system [EAS] data, which is now mandated for all video delivery providers.

“We’re helping the service provider lower the cost of deployment,” said Cvetko. “If you look at the really small rural players, they can’t necessarily justify the cost of a digital headend. In a case like Iowa Network Services, the cost of an RCP comes in at a fraction of the cost of a headend. It really lowers their capital expenses when they want to deploy video.”

It’s not surprising that the first customer would be a regional consortium supporting smaller IOCs. They’re the initial video-over-DSL adopters. The product, while aimed at that niche, isn’t restricted, Cvetko said.

“For an RBOC or a large regional telcos, this is another cost-effective way to deploy video over a large geographical area while allowing the insertion of local content,” he said.