Cisco Moves to Accelerate Broadband Content

Networking equipment maker Cisco Systems Inc. Monday launched a new
program it hopes will accelerate the development of new media content to
capitalize on the growth in broadband networks.

Dubbed “Built for Broadband,” Cisco said the program will help ensure a
variety of content will be ready to deploy across broadband networks as
they become operational.

“With the Built for Broadband program, Cisco will help accelerate the
availability of advanced information and entertainment services that fully
utilize the power of new world broadband infrastructures,” said Kevin
Kennedy, senior vice president of Cisco’s service provider line unit.

“Broadband Internet networks offer content developers and online publishers
a platform to deliver an entirely new generation of consumer services with
greater interactivity and media rich audio/visual experiences. These
services are critical to accelerating the mass-market adoption of broadband
offerings.”

Broadband software platform developer Arepa
Inc. and content developer Intertainer Inc. are the first two
companies to join the new program.

The new content will use a variety of advanced networking features, such as
IP multicasting, quality of service support, directory enabled networks
support and network metering and billing capabilities that allow customers
to be billed for the network resources they consume.

Cisco said the program will help broadband service providers efficiently
deploy services while optimizing the return on their network investments.
Cisco will also give program members access to Cisco equipment and
expertise to help them develop traffic models when deploying the broadband
content.