IP Connectivity for HITS

After years of anticipation, digital cable operators can finally send commands to HITS “Headend in the Sky” via Internet.  Great Lakes Data Systems, Inc., the cable industry’s leading provider of PC based billing, SMS, and digital control solutions has announced successful launch of its IP-COMM product, which enables cable operators to send HITS data over IP/Internet for a flat monthly fee. 

“Our customers demanded a better alternative to dialup connection,” explained GLDS account manager Susan Hook.  “IP-COMM is much less expensive than a leased line, and a big savings over what many of our customers were paying for dialup modem access.”  Savings notwithstanding, cable operators now using the product cite greater speed and reliability as the major advantages of IP-COMM.

IP-COMM has been successfully tested at several systems, including the Northland Cable TV operation in Corsicana, Texas.  Lawton Cablevision in Lawton, Oklahoma was one of the initial beta test sites for IP-COMM.  “Our techs all told me they’d quit if they had to go back to dialup,” manager Dave Thomas explained, following successful implementation of IP-COMM at his system.    

Addressable commands, including converter authorizations, changes of service, PPV orders, cold boots, converter refreshes, etc., are sent via IP to Great Lakes Data Systems.  Validated commands are then instantly routed to HITS over a high-speed leased line.  IP-COMM is also available to Canadian cable operators, who typically pay even higher costs for every command sent to HITS in Denver.  IP-COMM will be offered for HITS2HOME before the end of 2003.