THE VIODI VIEW
In this Issue: OPASTCO, FRED, Telecom '03, Whites of Eyes, CLEC or BustJuly, 2003 Issue
Click Here to Listen to a Sample of the Fiber: Opticmize Your Network Conference
BMI "Mouse Car"
- It Really Is a Wonderful Life
- FRED Video Debuts in Traverse City, Michigan
- CLEC or Bust
- USTA Telecom '03 - Just Do It
- Psst! You Can See the White of Their Eyes
July Overview
One of the objectives of the Viodi View has been to foster communication
within the independent telco market segment regarding the challenges of
obtaining and marketing video and other interactive television content.
I am pleased with the comments and emails received from folks associated
with independent telephone companies.
And it is heartening to talk to independent telcos directly, as I did
at last week’s OPASTCO Summer Convention. This convention was a
great way to catch up with old friends and make new friends. They remind
me that,
It Really
Is a Wonderful Life
The OPASTCO summer vacation was also a chance to learn more about FRED,
an organization that is a vital conduit for independent telcos and their
suppliers in their efforts to help the rural communities that they serve.
FRED Video Debuts in Traverse City
As usual, I always learn something new and get a fresh perspective on things at these industry conferences. David Irwin, Managing Partner, Irwin, Campbell & Tannenwald, PC, led an interesting panel that looked at the CLEC opportunity for independent telcos. This is detailed in the article,
CLEC or
Bust
Bruce Municipal Utilities, a Tiverton, Ontario telco/CLEC, showed a unique
marketing technique with their “mouse car”. This high profile,
self-propelled mouse is quite popular and is used in local parades and
other outreach efforts. It must be working, as BMI has approximately 6,000
Internet subscribers within their exchange and three times as many outside
of their exchange.
It may seem a little strange that I was sharing a booth with USTA, while promoting NTCA CD-ROMs at the OPASTCO convention, but that is exactly what I was doing last week. The reality is these three organizations are as important to the rollout of interactive television, as a $100 set-top box. Read more at:
USTA Telecom
’03 – Just Do It
Finally, I am pleased to include an article written by Gopal Miglani,
President of BitRouter. Gopal is reacting to articles highlighted in the
past two issues, as well as recent announcements from the larger telephone
companies stating that they are planning the aggressive rollout of fiber
to the premise
networks. Gopal makes the argument that these larger telcos need to somehow
become much more pragmatic, like their smaller IOC cousins, and just begin
offering video services and not wait for the “perfect” access
solution. Read Gopal’s viewpoint in,
Psst, You Can See the White of Their Eyes
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Mission of the Viodi View:
In this on-line publication, we share our analysis, opinions and direction on the interactive television news and views that we believe will be of interest and use to our friends associated directly or indirectly with independent telephone companies. For more information on Viodi's efforts to unite the independent telephone company's interactive television efforts, please send an email to [email protected].
Disclaimer:
The Viodi View [Viodi, LLC] and its associates used their best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein. However, the Viodi View [Viodi, LLC] does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any and all liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.
Copyright 2003 Viodi, LLC. All Rights Reserved