Bigband and Digiweb

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Digiweb and BigBand Networks Enabling Wireless Broadband Throughout Ireland

11/15/05 -BigBand Networks, Inc. and Digiweb Ltd. announced collaboration on enabling delivery of broadband wireless services to Digiweb subscribers. The BigBand Cuda(R) CMTS (cable modem termination system) and BigBand FastFlow(R) broadband provisioning manager have been deployed to make high speed data, VoIP and eventually IPTV services available throughout most of the country, based on DOCSIS 2.0 over wireless networks. This marks BigBand Networks' first broadband wireless deployment, and positions Digiweb as the first to offer broadband wireless services across Ireland as well as the nation's most extensive DOCSIS 2.0 deployment.

"The high capacity, speed and reliability of the BigBand Cuda with the multi-service control of BigBand FastFlow give Digiweb a competitive advantage in combining the high quality of DOCSIS 2.0 services with the ubiquity and efficiency of wireless networking," said John Quinn, head of strategic development for Digiweb.

After extensive planning and testing, the initial launch occurred in Dundalk in August, Digiweb is rolling out its high-speed data and VoIP services over the next 12 months. Customers will include consumers, commercial entities, government offices and third party service providers that can access services on a wholesale basis. Initial launches will focus on large Irish cities, but with economical wireless reach, areas throughout the country will be accessible. Wireless operations allow Digiweb to openly provide broadband services without regulatory obstacles such as forced unbundling. As deployments expand, the operator plans to add IPTV including HDTV to its voice and data offerings.

Wireless DOCSIS is being deployed by Digiweb in order to deliver services at cable modem quality levels. DOCSIS signals from the Cuda platform can be upconverted and transmitted over the air at high frequencies, then downconverted at subscriber premises and received by a standard cable modems at lower frequencies. This architecture achieves a point-to-multipoint wireless bridge, replacing requirements to install and maintain last-mile physical networks.

Digiweb is also building a nationwide fiber overlay network based on MPLS (multi-protocol label switching). BigBand Cuda connects to this network at fiber end-points, with VPLS (virtual private LAN switching) utilized for quality-of-service of the signals to be wirelessly transmitted. In addition to providing high-capacity backbone connectivity, the Digiweb MPLS network can extend fiber access directly to end-users passed by it.

Digiweb's wireless service launches are provided by DOCSIS 2.0 signalling on the BigBand Cuda CMTS. The platform is designed for quality-of-service, reliable operation and signal fidelity that enhance delivery of real-time media such as voice and video. FastFlow is being utilized to establish and maintain Digiweb subscriber accounts. BigBand Networks also provides the BMR(R) (Broadband Multimedia-Service Router) platform for digital television services such as Digiweb's planned launch of wireless IPTV.