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30 April, 2013

Meet with Front Porch in France during Management World 2013

2018-08-13T14:30:45-07:00April 30th, 2013|

Front Porch will be available in Nice, France for meetings during the 2013 Management World.

Contact Front Porch now to schedule meetings in Nice France during the week of May 13. An in person meeting will include a hands on demo of our proven and effective in-browser subscriber notification capability used by mobile, Wi-Fi, cable and telco providers around the world.

12 February, 2013

Front Porch Provides Network Branding for Majority of CableWiFi

2018-08-13T14:30:53-07:00February 12th, 2013|

Auto-authentication is a double-edged sword.

It’s a boon for users of registered Wi-Fi devices, letting them automatically connect to CableWiFi, a nationwide hotspot collaboration among cable providers, without having to enter a username and password. But it’s a different story for MSOs, who saw key branding disappear along with their login page. Front Porch Inc. is helping MSOs regain this branding opportunity with its in-browser messaging system. The majority of the CableWiFi hotspot operators in the U.S. are now Front Porch-enabled, serving millions of Wi-Fi users.

Front Porch lets Wi-Fi providers deliver in-browser messages such as product promotions, app discovery, and service notifications to subscribers’ registered devices. With Front Porch’s in-browser notification, MSOs can add graphical content to any device’s screen and control its presentation, effects, and delivery as users surf the Internet. Now, when subscribers connect to a CableWiFi member network, they’re likely to see the MSO’s logo, as an overlay watermark, in the bottom right corner of their device’s browser, or perhaps a toolbar across the bottom of the screen, offering a variety of functions and messages.

MSOs can also use Front Porch technology to deliver device-specific promotions for Wi-Fi Finder, TV Everywhere, and Sports apps. Patented Front Porch technology ensures that all content is optimized for easy viewing on a variety of devices.

CableWiFi is a broad Wi-Fi-sharing effort among five of the nation’s largest MSOs, including Bright House Networks, Cox Communications, Optimum, Time Warner Cable, and XFINITY. The member companies give each other’s high-speed Internet customers free access to Wi-Fi hotspots outside their home network area. The majority of CableWiFi MSOs use the Front Porch in-browser messaging solution.

About Front Porch: Front Porch is the worldwide leader in Wi-Fi monetization. It offers residential and mobile broadband service providers a network-based in-browser notification solution that increases revenue by solving key communication needs, monetizing Wi-Fi, and making broadband a smart pipe without client-side software. Front Porch is headquartered in Sonora, California, with additional offices in Europe and Asia. www.frontporch.com/wifi

2 November, 2012

Front Porch Demonstrates Wi-Fi Monetization at WBA Congress

2016-04-13T12:38:17-07:00November 2nd, 2012|

SONORA, Calif., Nov 1 2012 – Front Porch, Inc. will demonstrate how Wi-Fi providers in all industries (cable, carrier, retail, resort, venue, metro) can improve their subscribers’ experience and their own bottom lines at the WBA Wi-Fi Global Congress, held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Francisco, Nov. 6–7, 2012.

Front Porch is the creator of a powerful communications platform that empowers Wi-Fi providers to deliver messages — such as product promotions, app discovery, and service notifications — to subscribers’ smartphones while they surf the web. Front Porch in-browser notification options allow network operators to put any graphical content on any device’s screen and control the presentation effects and timing of delivery as users surf anywhere on the Internet. Some network operators deliver transparent watermarks of their logo in the bottom right corner of the browser. Others deliver a interactive toolbar across the bottom of the screen with multiple functions and messages. Available as an appliance or a cloud service, the Front Porch solution lets Wi-Fi providers brand and monetize Wi-Fi, deliver product offers, gather business intelligence, increase app adoption, and turn showroomers into buyers.

Company representatives will be on hand at the event to demonstrate the solution’s ease of use. In addition, on Tuesday, Nov. 6, Derek Maxson, President and CTO of Front Porch, will take part in a panel discussion on developing and monetizing networks.

About Front Porch: Front Porch is the worldwide leader in Wi-Fi monetization. Its services use the patented PorchLight technology to generate millions of dollars for thousands of retailers, venues, and service providers in the U.S. and abroad. Front Porch is headquartered in Sonora, California, with additional offices in Europe and Asia. www.frontporch.com

About the WBA Wi-Fi Global Congress: The WBA Wi-Fi Global Congress is the world’s largest carrier-grade Wi-Fi event, bringing together more than 300 industry leaders from all parts of the ecosystem. www.wifiglobalcongress.com

28 September, 2012

Front Porch Exhibiting at Retail RAMP

2014-07-11T23:59:05-07:00September 28th, 2012|

Sonora, California – Front Porch, Inc. is demonstrating its powerful PorchLight Wi-Fi communications platform to retailers, airlines, hoteliers, shopping malls and other providers who want to realize the benefits of delivering promotional and other messages to consumers on the go.

The hosted PorchLight service enables retailers and venue operators to communicate to connected consumers’ smartphones and other devices while they shop or pass time in waiting areas. Through the easy-to-use PorchLight dashboard providers can gain access to real-time statistics about campaign and network activity.

Front Porch will be demonstrating how Wi-Fi providers of all descriptions can improve customer experience and their bottom lines during exhibit hours at the 2012 Retail RAMP conference at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago October 1 – 3, 2012.

Visitors will gain a first-hand experience of the Ease of Implementation of the Front Porch solution as company representatives showcase the ability to: Brand & Monetize Wi-Fi, Deliver Product Offers, Gather Business Intelligence, Turn Showroomers into Shoppers and Increase App Adoption.

The RAMP conference kicks off with a welcome reception Monday evening and concludes Wednesday at 5PM. See link below for complete event details.

About Front Porch: Front Porch is the worldwide leader in Wi-Fi Monetization. Front Porch services utilize the patented PorchLight technology to generate millions of dollars for thousands of retailers, venues and service providers in the US and abroad. Front Porch is headquartered in Sonora, California with additional offices in Europe and Asia. www.frontporch.com

About Retail RAMP: 500++ retailers, restaurants and industry executives gather to debate the full spectrum of mobile commerce and mobile retail services. RAMP III takes attendees truly to the next level, delving into not only emerging payment systems and mobile retail services, but into the development and implementation of omni-channel strategies. www.retailramp.com

Learn more about this Wi-Fi Solution

17 May, 2012

Front Porch to Demo at Cable Show

2014-07-11T23:59:45-07:00May 17th, 2012|

Front Porch will be conducting live demonstrations of in-browser messaging on a variety of devices inside the CableNET Pavilion.

Stop by the Front Porch showcase at the Cable Show 2012 in Boston, May 21-23, to get a hands on view of our proven and effective in-browser subscriber messaging capability.  Come and learn about the variety of use cases recently deployed on many MSO’s across North America.

14 May, 2012

Cable Wi-Fi Agenda Progress

2018-08-13T14:31:01-07:00May 14th, 2012|

Progress on Key Issues Offers Hope for Cable Wi-Fi Agenda

By Fred Dawson

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May 11, 2012 – Can the leading cable companies pull of their latest wireless strategy with greater success than previous efforts?

It’s hard to tell at this point, but generally things are going in the right direction. In fact, some participants in cable operators’ ambitious plans to allow their subscribers to roam across all cable partners’ hot spots nationwide say privately that this will be doable by sometime this summer.

Whether or not that turns out to be the case, progress on some key details bodes well for at least the first phase of Wi-Fi roaming strategy, which envisions contiguous Wi-Fi coverage in some MSOs’ service areas and some degree of expanded coverage across other cable footprints. As previously reported (December, p. 1), roaming partnerships tied to this build-out strategy kicked off last year with an agreement covering Cablevision, Time Warner Cable and Comcast service areas in the mid-Atlantic region and southern New England. These plans dovetail in still-vague ways with MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) deals to be forged with Verizon Wireless in conjunction with that carrier’s purchase of AWS cellular spectrum from Comcast, TWC, Cox and Bright House Networks.

All of the top MSOs with the exception of Charter Communications have recently signaled stepped-up Wi-Fi infrastructure agendas. Cablevision, for example, is now testing mobile access to video as the next step in its bid to be the first MSO to provide footprint-saturation coverage that encompasses streamed pay TV as well as broadband connectivity for its subscribers.

Comcast earlier this year told investors it was committed to expanding its footprint in 2012. And sources say Bright House has stayed on course with its previously announced plans for some 2,000 new hot spots in Florida cities.

Cox, while not saying much about its plans in the wake of abandoning its mobile strategy and selling off its AWS spectrum, has offered a clue to its plans in the form of a job solicitation notice posted on its Website. The MSO says it has a position for a “wireless design engineer III,” who will serve as “part of the mobility project team to take the technical lead in the analysis, design, implementation, optimization and enhancement of Wi-Fi wireless networks with a particular focus on adding out-of-home connectivity to…high-speed broadband Internet and video services and potentially voice service.”

TWC, which told investors in early May that it is deploying another 10,000 Wi-Fi hot spots in New York and Los Angeles this year with other cities to come, makes clear its goal is to create a robust carrier-grade wireless network capable of serving its own and partners’ subscribers with mobile broadband connectivity. “Wi-Fi at the carrier level is anything but simple and requires new technologies that go beyond vanilla reference design access points and enterprise-level management,” says Mike Roudi, senior vice president of mobile services at Time Warner Cable. “The problem is finding Wi-Fi technology specifically designed for stringent carrier requirements.”

TWC has turned to Ruckus Wireless as a second source beyond Ericsson’s newly acquired BelAir Networks unit for supply of dual–band strand–mounted Wi-Fi access points that integrate a DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem for backhauling Wi-Fi traffic over TWC’s existing cable plant. TWC is also using the Ruckus 802.11n Smart Wi-Fi platform to extend broadband services to high–traffic environments using specialized, ultra high–capacity Wi-Fi access points designed for stadiums and large public venues. “Our partnership with Ruckus will be important for delivering carrier–class Wi-Fi services that offer best–in–class broadband mobility to our subscribers,” Roudi says.

As Ruckus president and CEO Selina Lo notes, a big advantage for the Wi-Fi mobility strategy is it leverages a device base that doesn’t require MSOs to get into the phone-store business. “The expansion of Wi-Fi into millions of homes, offices and public Wi-Fi hotspots, along with the growth of a vast and mature ecosystem built of thousands of devices, has established Wi-Fi as the most heavily used wireless technology in the world,” Lo says.

Indeed, at the beginning of 2012, Wi-Fi accounted for 63.4 percent of all smartphone-originated data traffic within the United States, according to a new report from Mobidia. Rising smartphone penetration rates and the successful attachment of data plans to those devices will grow the value of small–screen access revenues to operators to more than $230 billion by 2016, according to Informa Telecoms & Media forecasts.

But this means operators will have to equip their networks with capabilities that go well beyond the early iterations of Wi-Fi where laptops were the primary targeted devices. Today’s Wi-Fi enabled smartphones have very different characteristics from one brand to the next in terms of power, antennas, support for IP–based streaming video and the constantly changing angle of these devices. The simple variation of a device’s orientation can account for up to a 5x performance degradation among Wi-Fi products unable to adapt to such changes, Lo notes.

In February The Wall Street Journal reported testing TWC and Cablevision hot spots in the New York area with decidedly mixed results. “Simple Google searches took several minutes to load at both operators’ hot spots, while YouTube videos and live streams from the WatchESPN iPhone app failed to load after more than 10 minutes of buffering at various Cablevision outdoor Wi-Fi access points in Brooklyn,” the report said.

These are the kinds of issues a state-of-the-art carrier Wi-Fi platform like TWC is deploying with Ruckus is meant to solve. Lo says. Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi focuses and constantly steers Wi-Fi signals over the fastest signal paths using patented adaptive antenna technology, he says, adding that the platform uses specialized technology that accounts for changing device orientation.

Now that operators are investing heavily in Wi-Fi infrastructure it stands to reason they would want their subscribers to know this enhancement to their broadband services is provided by their cable operator. It turns out this is harder than it seems, which has prompted one of the top MSOs in this space to deploy a customer messaging solution supplied by Front Porch, Inc.

Results of this unnamed MSO’s efforts bode well for the industry’s ability not only to enhance subscriber awareness of the operator’s role in providing the Wi-Fi service but also to drive greater usage of applications the operator is providing through that broadband connection, and the legacy fixed connection as well, says Front Porch founder and CEO Zach Britton. “Operators need to speak directly to subscribers over the Internet,” Britton says. “It’s a non-trivial problem.”

In the case of the MSO now using the Front Porch system for Wi-Fi messaging, one of the major conveniences associated with the service, namely, automatic sign in, left consumers in the dark as to where the service was coming from. Notwithstanding extensive marketing touting all the conveniences associated with the new broadband anywhere service, focus group studies showed consumers thought they were getting the automatic Wi-Fi connection from their mobile service provider, Britton says.

Now, with a brief, unobtrusive message from the Front Porch network-based browser solution, which does not require client-side software, all users know where the service is coming from. Moreover, they’re now getting messages asking them if they would like to download a Mobile TV app to enable programming on the iOS phones and tablets.

This, too, has had a significant impact on consumers in comparison to the usage generated by local TV advertising, print ads, emails and app store listings. “Our customer has seen an increase in take rates on the Wi-Fi TV Everywhere app of over 20 percent,” Britton says. The message prompting activation of the app is very simple. “FREE Live TV App” with the MSO’s logo is all it takes to get people engaged, he adds.

With such messaging capabilities MSOs have an opportunity to deliver app prompts that could greatly increase perceived value as well as open the path to new revenues, Britton notes. For example, Front Porch customer have long leveraged its messaging system over fixed broadband networks to deliver promotions, provide subscribers access to account and billing information and allow them to open chat sessions with service reps.

All these capabilities can be extended to devices using the Wi-Fi network, Britton says. Also in the works for the unnamed MSO’s Wi-Fi service are messages promoting apps tied to finding goods and services from local retailers, linking users to home security services and prompting users to access their home voice service over the Wi-Fi connection.

Another barrier to building a compelling Wi-Fi experience for cable subscribers has been the absence of seamless connectivity across hot spots and other roaming-related ease-of-use issues.
But there has been considerable progress in this area, suggesting a new level of experience that will obviate re-registration as users traverse multiple hot spots both within their cable operator’s service area and partner service areas is in the offing.

One important development along these lines is the CableLabs Wi-Fi Roaming Architecture and Interfaces Specification, issued in 2010, which provides a common approach to authentication of partners’ subscribers as they enter cable Wi-Fi footprints outside their home cities. Here the idea is to support subscriber access via a Web portal sign-in with username and password, allowing the visited network to “proxie” credentials to the home network for subscriber authentication and device authorization.

More recently, TWC has made known details of a technical solution that supports seamless roaming from one hot spot to another both within a given MSO’s Wi-Fi network and within a partner’s network when a subscriber is authenticated to use the partner’s system. In a patent entitled “System and Method for Wi-Fi Roaming” filed in February, TWC engineers describe a process by which roaming subscriber devices can sustain access across multiple hot spots through a complex system of “virtual access point” instantiations tied to remotely stored Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs) that associate the device with an authenticated home access point gateway.

The system requires that the Wi-Fi network be equipped with AP roaming modules with software processing capabilities that match the MAC (media access control) address of roaming devices with SSIDs of authenticated subscribers that are stored in a roaming datastore. Once match is made the roaming module initiates a “virtual AP” which allows the device to communicate as if it were connected to its home AP. The patent also describes an alternative means of maintaining continuous connectivity whereby the roaming device can be connected via IP tunneling directly through the network back to its home AP.

And the patent application covers a means by which a session initiated by an authorized subscriber on a cellular or Wi-Fi network can be handed off to another network and then returned to the network on which the session was initiated as the user traverses the different connection points. This makes it possible to sustain continuous connection as the subscriber moves from a cellular network to a Wi-Fi network and back to cellular or vice versa, which would be a significant benefit for subscribers of MSOs who partner with an MVNO provider like Verizon Wireless.

As noted with the Front Porch customer, along with using Wi-Fi to deliver the broadband experience and TV Everywhere services beyond the home, MSOs are looking at these networks as a way to extend the reach of their digital voice services. Already, as reported elsewhere, Caribbean MSO Columbus Communications is demonstrating how this can be done over any Wi-Fi connection to a hot spot anywhere in the world using the integration platform supplied by UXP Systems. These new seamless roaming capabilities would allow operators to support an all-IP mobile triple-play service at a fraction of the costs of building an LTE (Long-Term Evolution) 4G mobile infrastructure.

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read the full story Here

27 May, 2011

Front Porch Participates in World IPv6 Day

2018-08-13T14:31:10-07:00May 27th, 2011|

Front Porch announced today that it is participating in World IPv6 Day, scheduled for June 8, 2011. One of the day’s highlights is demonstrating Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) compatibility of its product line, including the popular PorchLight™ appliance, used for Direct-to-the-Browser messaging. A wide range of operating systems, browsers, and product configurations are slated for testing, as well as multiple solution use cases. A dedicated IPv6 lab environment with public IPv6 addresses is constructed already, and numerous test runs have been conducted.

Additionally, acting as end users as part of the World IPv6 Day, Front Porch is validating connectivity from its headquarters to various IPv6-enabled Web sites.

The goal of World IPv6 Day is to motivate organizations across the industry—from hardware manufacturers and ISPs to Web site operators—to prepare services for IPv6 and help ensure a smooth transition from IPv4. As a result, the Internet Society (ISOC) is encouraging network operators to enable IPv6 connectivity to end users on World IPv6 Day. Web site owners are requested to run IPv6 and IPv4 (dual stack) on their sites.

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10 January, 2011

Magazine recognizes Front Porch

2016-04-13T12:43:14-07:00January 10th, 2011|

Voice of the Customer

Think an informal, ad hoc committee can’t make a big impact on productivity?

Think again. Two years ago Sonora, California-based software firm Front Porch assembled such a committee, called Team Customer.

The idea was to give all of their 73 employees access to a customer conversation. Management betted that doing this, while trusting line workers to take immediate action on a customer’s issue—as opposed to sending it up the chain of command—would increase their satisfaction, leading to more repeat business and referrals. It was a fruitful wager; everyone now better understands what Front Porch calls VOC, or “voice of the customer,” and by extension they link in a more fundamental way their daily work to the success of the firm.

That’s a recipe for stronger retention.

Entire Article:

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10 February, 2010

Demo of In Browser Notifications at CableLabs

2018-08-13T14:31:17-07:00February 10th, 2010|

Front Porch Inc. and Active Broadband Networks today announce a joint demonstration at CableLabs® Winter Conference of Active Broadband Networks’ innovative Active Resource Manager and Front Porch’s direct-to-browser Subscriber Messaging Platform. We will show how the two systems can be integrated to provide a direct-to-browser message to Internet users alerting them of their current network resource consumption level. Two powerful use cases will be demonstrated: a “fuel gauge” showing the customers’ current monthly consumption of bandwidth and an alert window when a customer has reached 80% utilization.

Active Broadband Networks technology is based upon the open standards of IPDR, which has been broadly embraced by CableLabs® and its members. DOCSIS® 3.0 is being deployed by Cable Operators to provide new and higher speed services to their subscribers. The additional IPDR functionality in DOCSIS® 3.0 significantly improves network and service management where high reliability and large volumes of information are required. The Active Resource Manager is an IPDR collection, storage and processing system designed to meet the needs of Cable Operators. Active Broadband Networks technology uses the IPDR standards to measure bandwidth consumption at a granular level, accurately and cost-effectively.

Front Porch’s direct-to-browser Subscriber Messaging platform supports Service Providers in 40 countries, enabling Providers to deliver engaging, cost-effective messages that provides a better customer communication experience. Our bandwidth consumption messaging solution communications an accurate real-time measurement of customer bandwidth usage direct to the customers’ browser. Effective customer communication of bandwidth usage is vital to the implementation of bandwidth usage caps.

“Active Broadband Networks is a natural partner for Front Porch. They clearly have an emerging technology to help MSOs with the complex issues of resource management. Our customers realize that accuracy, clarity and communication are key components to the successful deployment of solutions to manage the use of bandwidth and Active Broadband Networks delivers the technology to meet this need,” said Derek Maxson, President and Chief Technology Officer of Front Porch.

Adam Dunstan, President of Active Broadband Networks remarked, “We are excited to partner with Front Porch to help our customers effectively communicate to users their current consumption of network resources. Front Porch Subscriber Messaging is a powerful addition to our technology, allowing MSOs to complete the offering and bridge the gap to the consumer.”

About Active Broadband Networks
Active Broadband Networks is a leading provider of Open Source Subscriber Service and Broadband Network Management systems. We are the developers of the Active Resource Manager; a Subscriber Service Management and Broadband Network Management platform based upon the emerging IPDR protocol standards. The Active Resource Manager provides a subscriber-service-centric view of network resource usage that is unavailable in current network management systems. It further leverages this information to predict future demands, identify top-talkers by service class, implement per-subscriber usage quotas and measure subscriber experience. Designed to meet the needs of Broadband Service Providers, the Active Resource Manager is available in three editions including a distributed system supporting up-to 100 million subscriber devices. The Active Resource Manager is an Open Source platform. This benefits our customers by eliminating complex licensing, easing integration with other Operational Support Systems, and offering choice in on-going support and functionality development. Active Broadband Networks provides commercial support and professional services for the Active Resource Manager.

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18 September, 2009

Front Porch Opens New Channel of Telecom Acquisition and Merger Communication

2016-04-13T12:38:25-07:00September 18th, 2009|

Front Porch Inc., the leading supplier of in browser notifications for broadband Internet providers, today announced that it has expanded services for Iowa Telecom assisting in the integration of new customer acquisitions in Minnesota. The Front Porch solution will be deployed to improve the transition of acquired customers during and after the merger.

”Front Porch has helped us communicate effectively and efficiently with our customers for years. Front Porch technology will help us improve customer satisfaction, reduce churn and reduce customer service calls,” said Rob Satterfield, Director ISP & Data Network Operations at Iowa Telecom.
“Iowa Telecom has been a great partner with Front Porch and we’re excited to help provide the best possible service to their newest customers and ensure a smooth transition. Internet providers know that excellent customer service is critical to the long-term success of their company and Iowa Telecom is truly a market leader in merger subscriber communication. We’re glad to be able to provide technology that assists them in fulfilling their vision of providing ‘Telephone Service with a Personal Touch,’” said Derek Maxson, President of Front Porch, Inc.

Using its patented customer messaging technology, Front Porch enables MSOs, telecoms, mobile and other Internet providers to bridge the communication gap with their customers. These solutions increase revenue and decrease costs related to customer service, delinquent accounts, and terms of use violations.
 
About Iowa Telecom
Iowa Telecommunications Services, Inc. (d/b/a Iowa Telecom) is a telecommunications service provider that offers local telephone, long distance, Internet, broadband and network access services to business and residential customers. Today, the Company and its subsidiaries serve over 450 Iowa communities, 10 Minnesota communities and employs approximately 800 people. The Company’s headquarters are in Newton, Iowa. The Company trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol IWA. For further information regarding Iowa Telecom, please go to www.iowatelecom.com and select “Investor Relations.” The Iowa Telecom logo is a registered trademark of Iowa Telecommunications Services, Inc. in the United States.

 

learn more at http://www.frontporch.com

9 June, 2009

Tier One Service Provider Increases Web Portal Traffic

2016-04-13T12:38:27-07:00June 9th, 2009|

Expands Existing Deployment by Adding Over One Million New Subscribers

Front Porch Inc., the worldwide leader in direct-to-the-browser messaging for broadband Internet providers, today announced that a major Asian telco increased traffic to its popular content portal by delivering a customized version of the website using Front Porch’s patented messaging and online advertising solution. The telco improved advertising response rates and generated substantial new revenue by combining Front Porch’s unique solution with existing display and text ads. Advertiser’s click-thru rates soared seven-fold over the previous benchmark.

In addition to increasing portal traffic and revenue, Front Porch expanded its existing deployment by over one million new broadband subscribers. Because Front Porch’s solution deploys out-of-path of Internet traffic, the telco experienced a fast and easy multi-million subscriber ramp up with no network downtime or negative impact to subscribers.

Internet providers need to increase revenue

“In today’s tough economy, Internet providers need to increase revenue now more than ever before. Our customers experience increased portal traffic, improved results and higher revenue with no risk to the network or negative impact to subscribers. We’re thrilled about our customers’ success and the increased interest we’re seeing worldwide,” stated Raul Vaughn, Front Porch Vice President of Asia and Emerging Markets.

more

7 January, 2008

Cable Provider Sends In Browser Copyright Notifications

2016-04-13T12:38:29-07:00January 7th, 2008|

THE PROBLEM: Internet providers must find a way to serve their subscribers with demand letters from copyright holders saying they’re violating copyrights via illegal downloads.

THE RESPONSE: Bill stuffers are thrown out unread and e-mail messages are deleted. Even messages that load alongside a provider’s homepage have no guarantee of being seen, as more consumers use third-party portals like AOL or Yahoo.

Tackling that challenge, Ohio’s Massillon Cable TV contracted with Front Porch for a messaging system that can’t be avoided. Front Porch’s software “follows” an Internet user wherever they navigate, loading the operator-branded message page into their browser before the information from the requested destination is loaded.

Front Porch CEO Zach Britton said this works better than a pop-up or pop-under, because those methods can cause disputes with Web site owners that want unimpeded viewing for their banner ads.

Massillon president Bob Gessner came up with the idea of using the application to respond to legal demands regarding Web users accused of violating terms of service by downloading music or movies without paying for them.

“We haven’t scratched the surface of all [the software] can do,” Gessner said.

THE RESULT: Consumers have a chance to legalize their behavior rather than getting their service cut off — and the provider doesn’t lose revenue.

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Fair Warning for Copyright Holders, by Linda Haugsted — Multichannel News, 1/6/2008

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