|
 |
|
|
 |
|
 |
- Company Name:
Higashi-Awa Cable TV
(e-awa net) / (e-awa.tv)
- Founded:
March 25, 2002
- Address:
Shinko 36, Komatsushima-cho,
Komatsushima, Tokushima Pref., Japan
- URL:http://e-awa.TV/ |
|
|
|
 |
Komatsushima is located in the eastern part of Tokushima Pref., bordering on the Kii Channel. Boasting a deep natural harbor, the city has long been a key port in Eastern Shikoku, serving as a gateway for trade with the Keihanshin region. After the port was modernized to accommodate large vessels in the range of 40 thousand tons, Komatsushima became the only harbor city in the prefecture. In this city, Higashi-Awa
Cable TV has played a part in the development of an information infrastructure. Mr. Kashiwara explained the background to the founding of this CATV company, which is wholly financed by the private sector, saying, "Originally, we established Higashi- Awa Cable TV in order to prepare for terrestrial digital broadcasting, which will have begun on a full-scale basis by 2011. After digitalization, there may be some areas in
which radio wave reception is poor due to local geography. For example, if radio waves cannot be received from Kansai, it will only be possible to see NHK and one commercial TV station through terrestrial broadcasting. Actually, there were moves afoot throughout the prefecture to introduce CATV for the purpose of addressing this problem in advance, using the Internet as a valuable information infrastructure. We at the Chamber of Commerce we re carrying out projects for revitalizing the city. As one of the major subjects was promotion of the use of IT in the local community, we spent one year on preparation for the introduction of CATV. However, hampered by the issue of a municipal merger involving this city, we made little progress, since nothing could have been done for two to three years. We were afraid that analog broadcasting would be totally abolished in or before 2011. Consequently, some Chamber of Commerce members gathered voluntarily to establish this company in March 2002." In this way,
they began corporate activities to build an information infrastructure for the local
community. |
|
 |
 Higashi-Awa Cable TV will provide both multi-channel broadcasting and Internet access services through an FTTH network. They have a system for converting all contents into data for use in streaming on the Internet and broadcasting. Mr. Tateishi explains why they adopted FTTH for the first time in the CATV industry. In addition to serving as Executive Operation Manager of this company, he is an executive director of the Japan Internet Providers Association. He is also the head of "Mandala Net," the oldest ISP in Tokushima Pref. "When I was working on management of the junctions of CATV Internet using cable modems, I was plagued with so many problems. The speed limitations of cable modems also posed a problem. Although there was an increase in demand for ADSL, we really wanted to avoid being preoccupied with maintenance work due to the effect of RF signals on the network. Maintenance work involves hidden costs. We strongly believed that FTTH was the only viable solution if we were to provide Internet services on a CATV network. In addition, we learned about this technology to a certain degree at a trade show held in the United States, so we reached the decision fairly quickly." The major characteristics of this FTTH network are its 1 GB fiber trunk lines and ring network topology called "ADS" (Active Double Star). By installing OSW switches in the homes of Chamber of Commerce members, they overcame problems associated with costs and maintenance. "The main reason for our selection of ADS was its flexibility, which allows us to easily cope with an increase in subscribers. By adding 24 ports at a time, we can achieve great cost benefits. It is difficult for us to predict amounts of traffic. Actually, it isn't possible for us to determine what capacity is required based on the application. In this regard, ADS can be upgraded based on demand. Moreover, it allows us to ensure system redundancy and increase the speed of the trunk lines. We didn't hesitate to select ADS." |
|
|
 |
 According to Mr. Kashiwara, however, it truly was a difficult decision to adopt FTTH. “Among other
things,” he said, “the problem was the high cost of FTTH. We had many discussions concerning how to curb initial investments. Mr. Tateishi suggested that we might cut costs considerably by selecting Hitachi Cable’s devices. Thereafter, things progressed rapidly. That was in July of last year. We requested several times that Hitachi Cable simulate system configurations.” They compared Hitachi Cable with other companies. Mr. Tateishi says, “We compared several Japanese and foreign vendors in terms of price, functionality and, of course, maintainability. The products of other Japanese
vendors were fairly expensive. Foreign products were low in price, but weren’t acceptable in terms of functionality. As a result, we selected Hitachi Cable’s devices, which were satisfactory in terms of both price and functionality. The truth is, it was only Hitachi Cable that suggested the use of FTTH. The other vendors seemed reluctant to do so for cost reasons.” He highly values Hitachi Cable’s OSW and other devices, “They are easy to use and their settings are simple. There has been no problem since the start of operation. Unexpectedly, it took little time to complete construction.” Mr. Kashiwara appreciates the cost benefits, saying, “Our service area is in the center of the city. Users can compare ADSL and FTTH. We needed to be competitive in price, as FTTH services were thought of as being expensive. We were eager to expand our service area while minimizing costs. Without Hitachi Cable’s technological strength and suggestions, it would have been impossible for us to build an FTTH network.” |
|
 |
Tokushima is famous for Awa Odori (Awa Folk Dance) festivals, and Komatsushima is no exception. This summer, Tokushima CATV Network Association broadcast a dance festival nationwide on the Internet for the first time. This association consists of 17 CATV companies in the prefecture, including Higashi-Awa Cable TV. With the increasing importance of CATV as a community information channel, what role is the
company going to play? Mr. Kashiwara answers, “Needless to say, we’d like to contribute to the promotion of communications in the local community. For example, “e-awa channel,” our independent channel, publicizes local shops and restaurants. The city’s biggest festival, Minato Matsuri (Port Festival), was held on July 19. At that time, we broadcast fireworks and Awa Odori live, which was well received. The production of fireworks, Awa Hanabi, has long been a local industry. Prior to the fireworks, we broadcast a program on their production process. After the festival, there were reportedly many phone calls concerning this program. I feel that this is an ideal community information channel through which the audience can react directly to programs.” Concerning their vision for the future, he says, “We hope this network will serve as an information infrastructure for the community. For example, there is a Red Cross Hospital near here. As the core hospital, it can use FTTH for smooth data exchange with local clinics. FTTH can also be used in the field of education. If people in shopping areas use this network, they can manage information on their POS terminal displays from a single point of control. This is useful for th e promotion of local industries. Value can also be added by providing information on municipal administration, disaster prevention, and the like. Moreover, we are planning to provide IP telephony services, which will be beneficial to shopping areas and businesses.” What does the company expect of Hitachi Cable? “As the CATV network is essential infrastructure for the promotion of IT in the local community, reliability is of paramount importance. In addition, it must be durable and weatherresistant, as Shikoku often suffers damage from typhoons. Hitachi Cable has a high level of technical expertise to meet our needs. We hope they will continue to provide us with powerful support as we work to expand our service area.” |
|
|
 |
Higashi-Awa Cable TV
Founded in March 2002 by a voluntary group consisting of members of the Komatsushima Chamber of Commerce, as a means of revitalizing the local economy. While showing their regional characteristics such as through reports on local events and advertisements for shopping areas, they are developing their network as an information infrastructure for administration, medical care, and disaster prevention for the municipality. At present, they are providing various contents through 7 terrestrial channels, 17 CS channels, 9 BS channels, and their independent "e-awa channel" programs, and are working to further expand their service area.
|
|
|
|
