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France's Free Taps Intellon-Based HomePlug AV Powerline Connectivity(Wireless News Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Intellon Corp., a provider of HomePlug-compatible integrated circuits (ICs) for home networking, networked entertainment, broadband over powerline (BPL) and smart grid applications, announced that Free, a French broadband service provider, has selected Intellon's HomePlug AV-compliant powerline communication ICs for use in all Freebox HD service packages in France. Freebox HD provides triple play services that include voice, data and Internet Protocol television (IPTV). Free has embedded Intellon's INT6300 ICs into unique dual-purpose power supplies that provide both power and powerline communications for the Freebox HD gateways and set-top boxes used in the triple play service packages. By embedding Intellon's ICs into the power supplies for the units, Free was able to add powerline communications without redesigning the Freebox gateways or set-top boxes, thus reducing engineering costs and speeding time to market. With this simple approach, the Intellon-enabled power supply units send Free's IPTV programming from the Freebox broadband gateway over the customer's existing electrical wiring to the Freebox set-top box next to the customer's television set. In selecting a triple play connectivity solution, Free needed carrier-grade performance combined with easy plug-and-play installation. The Intellon-based solution met these requirements in testing trials Free conducted. "In addition to providing our customers aggressive pricing for triple play services, we wanted to deliver a high quality video experience by adding the newest technology," said Maxime Lombardini, Chief Executive Officer of Iliad (Free) . "Our tests revealed that the Intellon HomePlug AV solution was easy to install and reliably delivered high quality IPTV content. As a result, we wanted to get those benefits into our customers' hands as soon as possible." "We are delighted that Free chose Intellon's HomePlug AV technology over other solutions they tested," said Rick Furtney, COO and President of Intellon Corp. "Our HomePlug AV-compliant INT6000 and INT6300 ICs support simple and secure connectivity for video, data and voice applications throughout the home, making life easier for service providers and their customers." ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) ((Distributed on behalf of 10Meters via M2 Communications Ltd - http://www.m2.com)) ((10Meters - http://www.10meters.com)) Copyright ? 2008 Wireless News |