ATLANTA -- New video-on-demand (VOD) transport cards for the Scientific-Atlanta(R) Prisma IP(TM) multi-service digital transport platform can deliver a least-cost solution for cable operators as they expand VOD rollouts across existing cable networks. Using the VOD transport cards will enable cable operators to leverage a low-cost, low-complexity, point-to-point sub-system architecture that optimizes the options available to deliver on-demand services.

As operators move to centralize their VOD servers, flexibility within the transport system is a key requirement for successful delivery of video-on- demand service to the network's QAMs. To deliver this flexibility, the Prisma IP VOD cards support Gigabit Ethernet streams, plus ASI and SDI formats. This multi-data-format support minimizes the cable operators' cost for translation at the network edge. The Scientific-Atlanta-developed VOD cards are commercially available for order.

Cable TV operators are rapidly increasing the availability of Video-on- Demand (VOD) services, while, at the same time, experimenting with different ways of packaging and promoting the service, reports In-Stat/MDR. The high- tech market research firm reports that, as of mid-2003, approximately 40 percent of all US cable TV systems were offering VOD, and almost four million cable TV subscribers were regularly using the service to watch movies, packaged premium programming, and even "free" shows and events.

"This research forecasts that worldwide subscribers to cable VOD services are projected to nearly triple from about five million at the end of 2003, to almost 14 million in 2007," said Paul Connolly, vice president and general manager of emerging businesses at Scientific-Atlanta. "The Prisma IP VOD cards can deliver the flexibility, cost-efficiency and revenue potential to enable operators to capitalize on this opportunity."

In a separate release:

Scientific-Atlanta has announced an aggressive business initiative to increase its focus on delivering commercial services solutions to provide cable operators with new service opportunities to maximize the revenue potential of their transport networks. Paul Connolly has assumed a new role as vice president and general manager of emerging businesses at Scientific-Atlanta and is responsible for the new commercial services organization.

Providing data, voice and video services to businesses delivers the "best new opportunity for profitable growth for cable operators," according to Connolly. "Our research shows that 80 percent of the business datacom market can be adequately served by traditional dial-up, ISDN, DSL or cable modem service - but that market represents only about 20 percent of the dollars spent on business data connectivity."

The real growth potential is with the high-speed data (HSD) market that generates 80 percent of the revenue opportunity. These high-speed data services include VPN (Virtual Private Network), EPL (Ethernet Private LAN), TLS (Transparent LAN Service), and dedicated T1, T3 and OC3 lines. "We have the products, the systems, the know-how - and now the organization to give the cable operator a chance to offer a wide range of voice and data connectivity services on their cable networks, and the opportunity to capture a greater share of that 80 percent revenue figure," he added.

In May Scientific-Atlanta announced a portfolio of commercial services products including BroadLAN(TM), a new family of RF-based products for coax- based HSD, along with an expansion of Scientific-Atlanta's widely deployed Prisma IP(TM) video, data and voice multi-service optical transport platform to support HSD over fiber. Customer trials have commenced for the BroadLAN products and are now expected to be commercially available by the second calendar quarter of 2004. The Prisma IP platform was jointly developed by Scientific-Atlanta and Luminous Networks.

Scientific-Atlanta Inc.