Broadband Applications Suite

Broadserve software allows access to TV, video phone, video on demand, shopping, mail, and other media services through a single interface.

by Wayne Kawamoto [July 5, 2000]

Broadserve recently introduced its proprietary, software-based platform that promises an easy-to-use, scalable one-stop communications and multimedia solution for the emerging world of high-speed Internet access.

According to the company, Broadserve's software enables ISP's customers to access multiple applications, including video conferencing, voice over IP, video-on-demand, and streaming TV and e-commerce, all through a single, user-friendly interface. The company says that Broadserve users will be able to perform functions that currently require users to download, install, and open multiple pieces of software.

Broadserve promises to automatically deliver content that is optimal at multiple connection speeds. For this, the software uses a dynamic bandwidth allocation and management system, which should deliver the appropriate datastream to the end user's system (enabling it to work at optimum levels in both a narrowband and broadband environment). The company's proprietary, state-of-the-art digital conversion and compression process promises maximum quality and speed. Also, the company claims that its Broadserve's software is scalable to support up to one million users, and its ability for future growth is limited only by bandwidth.

"The great advances in technology, especially broadband, have opened up a new world for communications, media and commerce. Until now, however, Internet service providers have been unable to take full advantage of their investment in building the broadband infrastructure," said Joseph Atias, president and chief executive officer of Broadserve, Inc. "Broadserve will allow ISP customers to access all of the 'killer applications' for broadband with a single download, thereby providing a more accessible and complete Internet experience. We believe that Broadserve can be a leading broadband applications platform, offering ISPs and content providers a valuable new tool to drive the migration from narrowband to broadband, while giving the end-user a far superior Internet experience."

Requirements
Broadserve software runs on the Windows operating system (95, 98, 98 SE, and 2000) and requires at least a PII at 266 MHz or a Celeron running at 333 MHz with at least 32 MB of RAM (preferably 64 MB of RAM), a sound card, and a graphics card with at least 8 MB of RAM. It also requires a camera, speakers, and a microphone.

The software utilizes third party software. Users must have Internet Explorer 5.0 (Broadserve is not compatible with Netscape Navigator at press time) and Media Player version 6.4 or higher.

Also Broadserve can run over a 56K dialup connection, it works best at speeds of at least 300 kbps.

Pricing and Availability
Broadserve 1.0 will be available later this summer. The initial download will be free of charge, with certain premium services available at a yet to be determined cost. A beta version of the Broadserve software can be downloaded at Broadserve's website. The site also features Flash demonstrations of Broadserve's user interface.

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