CSCO: R Cable Launches Digital TV Service in Spain with IP-based Technologies from Scientific Atlanta and Cisco

Scientific Atlanta, a Cisco company, today announced that R Cable, a leading cable operator in the Galicia region in Spain, is replacing its analog headend and video transport operations with new Internet Protocol (IP)-based digital headend from Scientific Atlanta and IP Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) Carrier Ethernet platform from Cisco®. This network upgrade will help enable R Cable to provide more innovative services to its customers by offering new digital TV and on-demand video services, using a cost-effective IP solution to distribute real-time TV broadcast and video-on-demand (VoD) content.

The new digital headend will use the advanced processing power of Scientific Atlanta's Digital Content Manger (DCM), which combines multiplexing, digital program insertion (DPI), transrating and scrambling functions in a single device, managing all the digitalized analog services currently running on the network. Additionally, the Landata Group, the systems integrator for the project, will deploy Scientific Atlanta's IP Streamer (Model D9655TM) to deliver the IP video streams to the DCM, where they are processed prior to being distributed over the Cisco Carrier Ethernet aggregation network, based on Cisco 7600 Series routers, across the Galician provinces of Coruna, Lugo, Ourense and Pontevedra.

"In the past, both organizations have been instrumental in providing us with reliable analog video and high-speed data capabilities," said Ignacio Penedo, manager, engineering and network design at R Cable. "For this milestone transition in our operations we knew we could rely on Scientific Atlanta and Cisco to provide the products, systems and expertise to enable us to launch digital video services over an IP-based platform."

Scientific Atlanta's Digital Content Manager is a new processing platform that delivers advanced technology to help launch and manage digital services, while supporting the freedom and flexibility for operational needs. The DCM can help:


Process digital video services from one to more than 1,600 streams in a compact 2RU chassis


Optimize and manage available network bandwidth


Secure content using digital video broadcast (DVB) scrambling technologies


Generate new revenue with ad insertion opportunities

The Cisco 7600 Series routers used by R Cable for video traffic distribution features economical high-density Ethernet interfaces, embedded security, and support for scalable IP multicast and differentiated quality of service to cost-effectively enhance the viewing experience of millions of subscribers and overcome the challenges associated with delivering video services.

"There is little doubt that the launch of digital video is changing the way people watch TV," said Luis Gutierrez de Cos, corporate sales director at the Landata Group. "Launching digital service will enable R Cable to enjoy an increasing spectrum of revenue opportunities, especially video on demand which is very popular in Spain."

About R
R is the Galician fibre optic communications operator offering businesses and homes advanced communications services including telephone, high speed Internet and multi-channel thematic television. R is launching interactive digital television service to replace its analogue service and is building a new, powerful fibre optic network to offer its telecommunication services to another 45 Galician council areas before mid 2008. More information about R is available at http://r.mundo-r.com

About Landata
Landata Engeniería S.A.U., recently acquired by Amper Group, is one of Spain's major communication network engineering companies. Landata designs, implements, operates and maintains integral communications network solutions (voice, data, video), both in the telecommunications operator segment and in the company and institutions (end-user) segment.

About Scientific Atlanta
Scientific Atlanta, a Cisco company, is a leading supplier of digital content contribution and distribution systems, transmission networks for broadband access to the home, digital interactive set-tops and subscriber systems designed for video, high-speed Internet and voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) networks, and worldwide customer service and support. Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cisco Systems, Inc. More information about Scientific Atlanta is available at: Scientific-Atlanta Europe NV http://www.saeurope.com and Scientific-Atlanta Corporate http://www.scientificatlanta.com