Happy 5th anniversary Broadband Gear Report
Happy 5th anniversary Broadband Gear Report (www.broadbandgear.net)! Five years ago many (yours truly included) weren’t convinced the market could support another publication, but the BGR folks were savvy enough to focus their editorial and have managed to live, thrive and survive. As the name suggests, BGR reports on the needs of cable operators and the products that equipment vendors have created to address these needs.
And the operators definitely need the help. Since time immemorial operators have had a ‘best of breed’ mentality when it comes to building their networks. Rather than source all their equipment from a single vendor, operators prefer to buy products from multiple vendors so they can use the best VOD server, the best stat mux, etc. Sounds simple, but identifying the particular QAM, or optical node that best meets their specific requirements can be very time consuming. Fortunately BGR is here to help.
In particular, BGR’s annual Diamond Technology Reviews give operators an informed and unbiased review of the best products on the market. The rotating roster of judges includes CTOs, engineering veeps, network architects, plant managers – a cross section of wonks responsible for everything from identifying equipment needs, ‘tire kicking’ new products in the lab and the installation, configuration and maintenance of equipment. Good luck coming up with a better, more balanced collection of judges.
Do I sound like a fan? I should, because I definitely am. It’s a crowded, noisy market place out there with vendors making loud claims about their products … and behind closed doors bashing the competition. Getting thoughtful and insightful assessments that are non-partisan is tremendously valuable.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I have to note that my clients (RGB Networks and Mixed Signals) have traditionally done very well in the Diamond Technology Reviews. In the 2009 reviews RGB’s Broadcast Network Processor got a stellar 4.5 Diamonds (out of a possible 5) and Mixed Signals’ Sentry achieved an impressive 4 Diamonds – much higher than any of Sentry’s competitors.
So again, congrats on your fifth anniversary Broadband Gear Report, you’re earned it.
