Cinergy MetroNet, an Indiana based FTTH triple play provider, has launched TV Caller ID and other converged applications, including call logs and a networked address book. Cinergy includes the service, marketed as Caller ID on TV, as a free value add for its triple play customers and for $2.95/month for non-triple play customers. Cinergy MetroNet uses the Integra5 Converged Services platform.

Comcast is joining the caller ID on the television party. While a little late to the party, they plan on moving aggressively into the converged communications arena with other services as well. Caller ID TV will be available in August, followed by caller ID on the PC and visual voicemail for the TV early next year. Other cable MSOs including Cablevision have been offering Caller ID TV for some time. Telecom competitors have also been offering it for some time. Comcast also announced the launch of a “fourth” screen product, similar to Embarq’s eGo phone.

Comcast’s move into converged communications raises the bar for everyone. They are now the fourth largest phone company in the U.S., and competitors who don’t have these services in Comcast’s markets will be at a disadvantage. Caller ID TV is an extremely sticky service that subscribers come to love very quickly. Its value was initially underestimated, but it’s now one of the most successful differentiating applications available. Any service provider looking to compete in the marketplace today is basically compelled to offer it.

Panhandle Telephone (PTCI) of Guymon, Oklahoma has expanded their converged caller ID application, which allows caller ID integration with the television and the PC. The expanded applications include picture caller ID, custom tones, nicknames, fonts and colors for TV and PC Caller ID notifications. The services are provided through Integra5. PTCI offers TV Caller ID, marketed as “OnScreen Caller ID,” to customers who subscribe to its digital TV and telephone caller ID services. PC Caller ID is available to high-speed Internet subscribers for a separate fee of $3 per month.

Once the purview of IPTV operators only, caller ID display on the television is increasingly catching on with cable MSOs. Cablevision is the latest MSO to announce (discussed towards the bottom of the page) its launch. Cablevision has not decided whether to charge for the service

Cable MSOs are now beginning to roll out on screen caller ID into their video packages. The service provides a screen pop on the television, identifying incoming caller information. Cable MSOs are now beginning to realize what many smaller IPTV players learned long ago. On screen caller ID is an inexpensive, yet valuable competitive differentiator. It’s one of those applications that was developed with little fanfare in the beginning, but early adopting IPTV operators soon began to realize how valuable it was. Consumers love it, and many a smaller video provider has used it as effective bait to lure subscribers away from both cable and DBS operators. Looks like the secret is out. Smaller cable companies like Wide Open West have recently launched the service. Comcast says it will make the service available in the next 12 – 18 months.

Read this Cable360Net post for more details.