New Ruckus Wireless MediaFlex 7000 series enables wireless HD IPTV

July 28, 2008 - Ruckus Wireless has introduced its new MediaFlex 7000 solution, an 802.11n Wi-Fi system designed specifically to allow IPTV operators to distribute multiple streams of high-definition content around a subscriber's home wirelessly, and announced that Belgian telco Belgacom is among the first of its customers for the new solution.

The new MediaFlex 7000 series incorporates Ruckus' beam steering technology, known as BeamFlex, to control and coordinate the forms and directions of multiple signal streams to support real-time high-definition IPTV, and also offers remote management capabilities through the Ruckus FlexMaster system, a wireless LAN and service management platform.  FlexMaster enables operators to remotely run diagnostic tests on MediaFlex systems located in the home and automatically upgrade firmware.

"The IPTV market is moving quickly to high-definition service and we’re helping providers get there as fast as possible by eliminating serious pain points in the installation and upgrade process,” said Selina Lo, President and CEO of Ruckus Wireless.  “We are the only Wi-Fi company that has focused on the unique needs of service providers and it has paid off.  Our carrier business continues to grow as providers focus on streamlining the last hundred feet of the IPTV delivery infrastructure.  Extending our IPTV success with 802.11n is a natural next step and one that is greeted with great enthusiasm by providers everywhere,” concluded Lo.

The Ruckus MediaFlex 7000 series includes the MediaFlex 7811 multimedia 802.11n one-port access point and MediaFlex 7111 one-port multimedia adaptor, the latter of which also provides video-grade, 802.11n connectivity to any Ethernet-equipped video server, including set-top boxes, personal video recorders, media centres and media centre extenders.

To date, nearly 1mn Ruckus MediaFlex 802.11g/a systems have been installed worldwide by over 140 broadband providers, including Deutsche Telekom, Telekom Austria, TeliaSonera, Telenor, Fastweb, PCCW, SingTel and Belgacom.