Quick news from across the Web.
> Cogeco Cable Canada launched home phone service in Fergus and Elora, Ontario. Press release
> Harmonic has expanded its support services for cable edge customers with a new group of technical support and field engineers dedicated to providing design, strategy, deployment, migration and ongoing operations support for cable, ultimately implementing a Converged Cable Access Platform (CCAP). Press release
> Robert Thun has been named senior vice president of content and programming for DirecTV. Story
> Jonathan Sarrow is the new man in charge of negotiating retransmission consent and other carriage-fee deals for CBS content. Story
> German cable network operator Tele Columbus launched a new digital TV offering increasing the number of private free-to-air channels in the HD-Package from seven to 17 and boosting the number of HD channels in the Extra HD pay TV package from six to 10. Story
> Beeline TV, a rapidly-growing Russian home IPTV services provider, will use Snell Sirius and Halo routers to drive its newly upgraded playout center in Moscow, from which it serves about 900,000 users. Story
> Internet TV software provider Quiptel has joined the Open IPTV Forum as a new member. Story
Telecom News
> Cincinnati Bell continued its top management transition as Jack Cassidy, the telco's vice chairman of the board, announced he would retire by the end of this year. Full article
Wireless News
> Alcatel-Lucent CEO Michel Combes warned that the company is facing a dire situation and that its recently announced job cuts and restructuring moves are necessary to keep the vendor afloat. Full article
And finally… Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. acquired Mid Europa Partners' SBB/Telemach Group a Southeastern Europe cable, DTHand broadband operator. Story