[opendtv] Cox All-Digital Wave Reaches More Markets | Multichannel
- From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: OpenDTV Mail List <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2015 07:35:49 -0400
http://www.multichannel.com/news/advanced-services/cox-all-digital-wave-reaches-more-markets/388966
Cox All-Digital Wave Reaches More Markets
Following an initial rollout in Connecticut, Cox Communications confirmed that
its all-digital transition has stretched into systems serving Rhode Island and
Tulsa, Okla.
Next in line are New Orleans and Cleveland as Cox looks to expand the migration
to other systems through the end of this year and into 2016, Cox spokesman Todd
Smith said.
Cox kicked off the transition in Connecticut late last year, a move that will
enable the operator to reclaim spectrum currently being used to deliver about
60 analog TV channels. Cox will use that reclaimed capacity to pump up its
digital TV channel offerings, expand its VOD service and free up spectrum for
DOCSIS 3.1, an emerging multi-gigabit platform for HFC networks.
More than half of that reclaimed spectrum will be used for DOCSIS 3.1, Kevin
Hart, Cox’s EVP and CTO, told Multichannel News in an interview last year.
Cox is deploying fiber-to-the-premises technology in a somewhat targeted
fashion during its initial deployment of 1-Gig residential broadband services,
though DOCSIS 3.1 is expected to play a keyrole in a plan that calls for Cox
to begin market-wide deployments of gigabit speeds by the end of 2016.
To assist with all-digital migration, Cox is employing a “Mini Box,” a
downstream-only Digital Transport Adapter (DTA) that converts digital signals
to analog. Cox’s is using a new class of DTA with an HDMI port that supports
high definition TV. Cox’s HD-DTAs will also come with a remote control, an
on-screen guide, and parental controls.
Multichannel News reported in August that Cox had selected Evolution Digital
and Cisco Systems as its first two DTA suppliers.
Cox has launched a web site for its all-digital project. Cox is offering
eligible subs one free Mini Box for up to 12 months, and leasing out additional
units for $1.99 per month. Cox is also providing a free CableCARD for 12 months
instead of a Mini Box for subs with TiVo boxes and other CableCARD-compatible
devices.
Alternatively, Cox customers affected by the all-digital shift can lease
interactive set-tops with CableCARDs that support services and apps such as
VOD, the operator’s new Contour interface, and premium channels .
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