iptv news_news 07/03/2014 08:32 Page 3
Google Fiber explores wider roll-out
aying that it has
learned a lot from its
existing gigabit
Internet Google Fiber
projects, Google has invited
cities in nine metro areas
around the US - 34 cities
altogether – to work with it
to explore the possibility of
bringing the service to those
locations.
Milo Medin, VP, Google
Access Services, notes that over
the last few years, gigabit
Internet has moved from idea to
reality, with dozens of communities working hard to build networks with speeds 100 times
faster than what most of us live
with today. “People are hungrier
than ever for faster Internet, and
as a result, cities across America
are making speed a priority.
Hundreds of mayors from across
the US have stated that abundant high-speed Internet access
is essential for sparking innovation, driving economic growth
and improving education.
Portland, Nashville and dozens
of others have made high-speed
broadband a pillar of their eco-
S
Australia:
FreeviewPlus features
unveiled
Following the announcement November 2013 that
it would be launching a
hybrid broadcast/broadband service, Australian
digital terrestrial platform
Freeview has unveiled the
key features of its
FreeviewPlus service which
will provide access to content and services from the
free-to air networks.
FreeviewPlus aims to
deliver the most advanced,
user-friendly free-to-air EPG
experience, with catch-up
services accessed from one
place on TV screens for the
first time.
“FreeviewPlus is one of
the most important advances
nomic development plans.
Julian Castro, the mayor of San
Antonio, declared in June that
every school should have access
to gigabit speeds by 2020.”
Madin says that Google has
long believed that the Internet’s
next chapter will be built on
gigabit speeds, and it is “fantastic” to see this momentum. “And
now that we’ve learned a lot
from our Google Fiber projects
in Kansas City, Austin and
Provo, we want to help build
more ultra-fast networks. So
we’ve invited cities in nine
metro areas around the US to
work with us to explore what it
in free-to-air television in
Australia since the introduction of digital TV,” said Liz
Ross, GM of Freeview. “In
just a few months, Australian
TV viewers will be able to
access and enjoy a very
sophisticated and yet easyto-use free-to-air TV service.”
The FreeviewPlus service
uses hybrid TV technology,
which seamlessly combines
broadband and broadcast
TV. The technology will also
enable the free-to-air networks to introduce a range
of new broadband services.
FreeviewPlus will offer a
range of new features including:
l A seven-day, easy-touse EPG
l All available FTA catchup TV through the TV
screen and one EPG
would take to bring them Google
Fiber.”
He says that Google aims to
provide updates by the end of the
year about which cities will be
getting Google Fiber. “Between
now and then, we’ll work closely
with each city’s leaders on a joint
planning process that will not
only map out a Google Fiber
network in detail, but also assess
what unique local challenges we
might face. These are such big
jobs that advance planning goes a
long way toward helping us stick
to schedules and minimise
disruption for residents.”
Meanwhile, cities will com-
l Highlights of the big
shows today, on catch-up
and in the future
l Ability to browse and
search programmes for
the next seven days
l A ‘Favourites’ function
with reminders
Retailers and manufacturers are working closely with
Freeview in the lead up to
launch in one of the biggest
developments in FTA TV
since the introduction of
digital multichannels.
Freeview is planning an
extensive marketing campaign which will support
retailers and manufacturers
and drive consumer awareness of FreeviewPlus.
FreeviewPlus will be available
through new connected
receivers carrying the
FreeviewPlus logo including
plete a checklist of items that
will help them get ready for a
project of this scale and speed.
“For example, they’ll provide us
with maps of existing conduit,
water, gas and electricity lines so
that we can plan where to place
fiber. They’ll also help us find
ways to access existing infrastructure—like utility poles—so
we don’t unnecessarily dig up
streets or have to put up a new
pole next to an existing one.”
Although Medin says that
Google wants to bring Fiber to
every one of the cities, it might
not work out for everyone. “But
cities who go through this process
with us will be more prepared for
us or any provider who wants to
build a fiber network. In fact, we
want to give everyone a boost in
their thinking about how to bring
fiber to their communities; we
plan to share what we learn in
these 34 cities.”
Cities include the metropolitan
areas of San Jose, Calif.; Salt Lake
City; Phoenix; San Antonio;
Nashville; Atlanta; Charlotte,
N.C.; Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; and
Portland, Ore.
panel TVs, set top boxes and
recording devices.
Manufacturers will release a
range of FreeviewPlus
receivers to coincide with the
launch of FreeviewPlus and
these will be available from
all major appliance and
electronics retailers.
“Last year, live free-to-air
TV reached an audience of
15.2 million Australians
daily, and a quarter of all
Internet-connected
consumers watched catch-up
TV,” said Ross. “We expect
that with the launch of
FreeviewPlus, Australians will
continue their love of FTA TV
as more and more viewers
watch their favourite shows
when they want to watch
them on their TV with the
simple press of a button,”
she declared.
IP television 9