Triple-Play Provider OEN Reveals Gaming Bandwidth Findings

With the growing role gaming is playing in bandwidth consumption of triple-play services, Optical Entertainment Network (OEN) said the function demands additional capacity.

– which is launching its FISION package today in Houston –

In a multimonth beta trial with 100 subscribers, the FTTH network operator provided a symmetrical 10mbps connection, only to find that that was not enough for gamers, driving the company to up the ante by 5mbps, for which it charges an additional $100 a month.

With Microsoft Corp. announcing plans to integrate its IPTV software with its Xbox 360 gaming console in time for this year’s holiday season, and with Sony hinting it will follow suit, the rise of gaming is not in question.

Although OEN CEO and Cofounder Al Estrada’s career started on the content side with HBO and extended into marketing, the interest in gaming was unanticipated but welcomed, he said.

“Our top finding was of the high propensity for online gaming among our beta testers,” explained Estrada. “We found they utilized 15 megabits symmetrical which got us $100 a month. We’re creating packages targeted at those subscribers.”

Estrada is convinced that not matter how much bandwidth is delivered to the home, subscribers will find a way to use more and more, which positions OEN well as an FTTH network operator due to pass 20,000 homes this year.

OEN operates a fiber ring which currently operates at 10gbps, although Estrada is prepared to ratchet up the speed to 20gbps if bandwidth demands warrant such a move.

The company is launching its FISION package in Houston today.

In addition to high-speed Internet access, FISION includes 400 channels of TV programming, including a variety of ethnic-targeted channels, numerous HD channels and VOD with 400 titles. It also has VoIP with “follow me” and voice mail to e-mail features.

OEN faces competition from incumbents including Time Warner Cable, satellite providers, and even other telcos such as AT&T Inc., which announced availability of its U-verse offereing in parts of Houston in December.

Estrada also was taken aback somewhat when a survey of FISION beta testers revealaed that 82 percent planned to buy a HD set in six to eight months if they didn’t already own one. “It was an eye-opener,” the CEO said.

Optical Entertainment Network www.fision.net

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