BRIEFS

CABLEWORLD STAFF Microsoft TV has rounded up another taker for its Advanced software suite, signing on biggie Mexico cable op Megacable. Under a joint agreement with Motorola and Digital Latin America, Microsoft will provide its software to allow Megacable to deliver a number of services, including an IPG, pay-per-view, e-mail, Web browsing and instant messaging. The Advanced suite will be deployed via Motorola’s DCT-5000 set-tops. Megacable plans to add VOD services in 2004. Gartner Dataquest analysts said last week that the semiconductor industry is “poised for growth,” with an 8% uptick in capital spending likely this year. Gartner went on to predict that the next two years could herald a dramatic turnaround for the beleaguered industry, with chipset revenue growth reaching 23% in 2004 and 22% in 2005. Advanced Forecasting Corp. has also predicted that “a robust recovery” is in the cards, beginning Q4. The Wi-Fi Alliance bestowed formal certification last week to Broadcom Corp.’s 802.11g access point reference design, the BCM94306-GAP. Broadcom was the first vendor to ship 802.11g products, and has released software upgrades that will allow customers to bring their draft equipment into compliance with the standard. Terayon Communication Systems has signed a “Platinum Partner” agreement with the National Cable Television Cooperative, a purchasing organization representing more than half of the cable television systems in the U.S. The deal gives NCTC partners access to Terayon’s DOCSIS 2.0 cable modems and CMTS line, its Network CherryPicker and HD and SD receivers. The SCTE is calling for papers to be presented at the Nov. 17-19 Jornadas ATVC 2003 conference. The Society is specifically looking for papers addressing such topics as DOCSIS 1.1 vs 2.0, HSD launches and VoIP deployments, among others. The deadline for submissions is Aug. 22.