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This article examines why OpenCable Application Platform (OCAP) is a massive improvement over proprietary solutions and delve into the OCAP architecture. For a number of reasons, the closed nature of U.S. cable platforms arose by necessity, not necessarily by the design. Simply put, cable vendors were eager to transition from analog to digital networks. There are two core aspects to any closed cable solution--Conditional Access (CA) and software Application Program Interfaces. CA is the technology that encrypts and secures content. Europeans developed plans to incorporate Internet and Java-based standards into their digital television products for cable, satellite, and terrestrial markets. This effort, called the Multimedia Home Platform (MHP), was spearheaded by the Digital Video Broadcasting Project and eventually adopted as a standard by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute. A noticeable architectural difference between and OCAP is the Conditional Access Infrastructure. OCAP also differs from MHP in its use of a monitor application. In MHP, applications are launched and terminated based on the services that they are manipulating. Due to the complexities of the U.S. cable environment, OCAP has enhanced the priority-based approach of MHP with a monitor.

The article reflects on the convergence of distinct markets of wireless, wireline, cable and content transform into one digital services market. The U.S. now leads the convergence in the wireless industry after years of inactivity. Many of the leading players are developing strategies and products. However, Europe remains unconvinced about leading players following a divergent strategy to dominate single product markets.

Reports on the slowdown of the rollout and adoption of commercial fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) services in Europe due to accelerated digital subscriber line rollouts, according to a report from the Yankee Group. Forecast of the Yankee Group on consumer broadband connections via FTTH by year 2007; Outlook on the FTTH adoption across the European Union.

Reports on the condition of the video-over-broadband (VioBB) business in Europe as of August 2004. Revenue that will be generated by the business according to Yankee Group; Digital subscriber line operators of VioBB in several European countries; Remarks from Jonathan Doran, a senior analyst at Yankee.

Focuses on an option instrument, digital communications-analyzer jitter (DCA-J) by Agilent Technologies Inc. in the electronics industries in Europe. Provision of unprecedented levels of accuracy in jitter measurement by the company; Basic instrument signal path; Identification of a jitter component in a waveform by the instrument.

Reports on the introduction of a bandwidth by Tektronix in Europe. Difference of the products introduced; Price of the product; Release of the material.

Reports on the enhancement made by LeCroy Corp. on the sampling rate of its top-of-line, 6-GHz-bandwidth digital scopes in Europe. Ability of the WM 8620A digital scope product to simultaneously sample four full-bandwidth signals in real time; Upgraded capacity of the product's memory depths; Price set for the product model.

Focuses on the effect of digital technology on the radio industry as of December, 2000. Mention of the National Association of Broadcasters European Radio Conference; Opinion that it will require heavy investments for the industry to support traditional and new technologies; Technologies that could impact radio, including satellite and cable radio, Internet radio and mobile phone technology; Opinion that most of the new technologies will not reach a critical mass-market point for several years.

Presents information on initial connection fees for domestic high-speed digital private circuits in European countries.

Cites a survey by research firm Datamonitor which revealed that the Profibus system looks set to become the favored fieldbus system in Europe for digital communication in the automation market. Recognition as a European standard.

Reports that Great Britain's National Transcommunication Ltd. (NTL) will begin transmitting digital television broadcast in Europe. Compression of four digital channels into the bandwidth occupied by one analog broadcast; Simulcast of London-based television company Carlton Television Ltd.; Programming format; Description of the technology used; Plans of rival British Broadcasting Corp. to set up digital broadcast.