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The joint venture, called DirecPath, will use voice over Internet Protocol equipment from Vistula Communications Services to run a six-month pilot program of the technology. If the trial goes well, voice services could be expanded to a larger portion of DirecPath's customers, Vistula said in a statement.
DirecPath was formed by DirecTV and Hicks in May to provide bundled services such as broadband Internet access, phone service and video to multiple dwelling units (MDUs) and gated-community residents across the United States. DirecTV has formed partnerships with phone companies Verizon Communications, Qwest Communications International and BellSouth to sell a bundle of broadband, telephony and TV services to single-family homes.
DirecTV spokesman Robert Mercer said the trial with Vistula will likely be one of several by the joint venture to test new services. But he emphasized that DirecPath's efforts don't reflect a wider agenda from DirecTV itself to enter the VoIP market.
"DirecPath is exploring one of many technology solutions to offer a competitive bundle in the MDU market and does not represent a broader DirecTV strategy to offer an Internet phone service to its customers," he said. "Vistula is one provider that DirecPath chose to try on a short-term trial basis; there will likely be others."
Satellite TV providers such as DirecTV are under pressure to bulk up their services as they face tough competition from cable operators, which can offer customers a triple-play package of TV, broadband and now telephony.
Currently, satellite companies offer only TV service and partner with phone companies to deliver broadband and voice services. But satellite TV providers could be in trouble down the road as phone companies such as Verizon and AT&T upgrade their networks to deliver TV service.
DirecTV seems to recognize the importance of the bundle. The company said it will begin marketing the package offered through its telephone partners, in addition to letting partners market the services. Until now, DirecTV has relied on the phone companies to sell its TV service in the telephone company's region.
But DirecTV is also looking at longer-term solutions to its bundle problem. Earlier this month, it teamed with EchoStar Communications, another satellite TV provider, to bid on wireless spectrum being auctioned by the Federal Communications Commission. But after only a week into the auction, the companies pulled out of the bidding process.
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I think the reporter/author really missed the boat on this article. A little frustrated here.
BUT ... imagine a series of at least three geosynchronous orbital satellites providing wireless Internet access to the entire world. That?s exactly what a project called SWANsat or Super-Wide Area Network Satellite plans to do by the year 2011. They intend to be a global broadband Internet service provider that can facilitate up to 600 million connections per satellite. All you need is a handheld mobile device to connect to the system.
Read more: HYPERLINK http://www.gizmocafe.com/blogs/gizmo_waydes_blog/archive/2006/08/21/96546.aspx
IOSTAR, SANDIA LABS, ORBITAL. The pioneers of GPS & Teledesic ? together with directors such as 4 Star General Tony McPeak & former secretary of US Air Force (Roche) and former Branch Chief of guided missiles & CEO of Western Digital ? are coming together for intriguing development called SWANsat.
The Teledesic Chief Architect (now President of IOSTAR) recently made this presentation:
HYPERLINK http://csmarts.colorado.edu/presentationpages/34_future_of_space/page_01.htm
HYPERLINK http://csmarts.colorado.edu/presentationpages/34_future_of_space/Slide45.JPG
Keith
http://www.eHDMI.com