Telstra Selects Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi as an In-Home Distribution Option for its New Internet TV Service
Announcement posted by Rivers of Communication 23 Aug 2010
Ruckus Wireless™ today announced that it has been selected by Telstra, Australia’s largest telecommunications provider, to offer Smart 802.11n Wi-Fi systems as part of its Home Network Extender accessory range for enabling wireless distribution of its Internet-based broadband television service within subscriber homes.
Ruckus Wireless is providing Telstra with its award-winning MediaFlex™ 7000 Series Smart Wi-Fi system for use with its new T-Box™ set-top box which combines BigPond TV, movie downloads, HD free-to-air channels and a personal video recorder. The Ruckus MediaFlex systems is being offered as an option for Telstra customers who need to connect T-Box™ beyond the reach of an Ethernet connection or normal Wi-Fi connectivity.
The Ruckus MediaFlex 7000 series, based on high-speed 802.11n 5GHz technology, is a unique in-home Wi-Fi system specifically designed for high-reliability and long-range transmission of IP-based video. Unlike any other Wi-Fi system available today, the MediaFlex 7000 integrates patented smart antenna technology that focuses Wi-Fi signals only where they are needed while constantly steering transmissions over the highest performing signal paths.
According to Telstra, the Ruckus MediaFlex Smart Wi-Fi system was selected due to its ease of use, superior handling of streaming video content and ability to automatically adapt to obstacles and interference that typically cause packet loss which results in the pixilation of content on TVs.
To enable wireless TV in the home via the MediaFlex Smart Wi-Fi system, Telstra customers simply purchase and plug in a pre-configured Ruckus MediaFlex bundle that includes a 5GHz 802.11n access point and 5GHz wireless adapter. The Ruckus MediaFlex AP attaches to the Telstra home gateway via Ethernet and the Ruckus MediaFlex adapter plugs into an Ethernet port on Telstra’s new T-Box™ set-top box. No configuration or cabling is required giving Telstra customers the freedom to place their T-Boxes and televisions virtually anywhere in the home.
Smart Wi-Fi Dominates the Market for In-Home Multimedia Distribution
Smart Wi-Fi, the newest innovation in 802.11 technology, uses advances in intelligent antenna arrays and quality of service (Smart Wi-Fi) to effectively triple the range, reliability and performance of Wi-Fi communications. Smart Wi-Fi works by continuously routing Wi-Fi signals over the best and highest performing paths while steering these Wi-Fi signals around interference as it is experienced. This enables Smart Wi-Fi systems to automatically adapt to the changing Wi-Fi environment and support real-time, delay-sensitive applications such as streaming digital video.
Based on patented technology, the Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi system is the world’s first and only Wi-Fi solution specifically developed to reliably transmit IP-based streaming digital video over standard 802.11 technology. This Ruckus MediaFlex system now dominates the market for in-home multimedia distribution, having been adopted by over 125 broadband operators and service providers around the world.
To date, more than one million Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi units have been installed in subscriber homes to support commercial around the world by the world’s leading telecommunications companies including Belgacom, AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, PCCW, Swisscom, Telecom Austria, SingTel, Telefnica O2 Czech Republic Telefnica Del Sur, Telenor and many others.