Winter Park, Fla. - Highwinds Network Group, a provider of content delivery network services for IPTV and other applications, announced on Tuesday that it has closed a $55 million round of financing, led by General Catalyst Partners and Alta Communications.

New York - Online video broadcaster ROO Group on Monday further detailed its restructuring efforts, announcing it will shutter its business solutions unit and lay off 10 employees.

Palo Alto, Calif. - Vuze, a distributor of video content using BitTorrent peer-to-peer technology, announced that it has raised $20 million in its third round of funding, led by New Enterprise Associates.

Chicago - USTelematics (NASD: UTLM), a provider of Web-connected, in-car entertainment systems, said on Friday that it has added Apple iTunes (NASD: AAPL) functionality and services. USTelematics' Voyager product line offers live IPTV for passenger vehicles, connecting to the Internet over either 3G EVDO or WiMax networks. The product features a 40GB hard drive, delivers live streaming video, and can also play live and stored online games, from providers such as Disney Online and Xbox Live.

Hoofddorp, the Netherlands - Irdeto, a unit of media group Naspers that provides content security technology for digital TV, IPTV and mobile platforms, announced on Tuesday that it has acquired Virginia-based Cloakware, a developer of software security technology.

Reston, Va. - Avail Media, a provider of IPTV and other media services to broadband operators, announced on Thursday that it has raised $25 million in its second round of venture capital financing.

Mumbai, India - Microsoft (NASD: MSFT) announced on Tuesday a $500 million contract with Reliance Communications, to power the India-based company's IPTV service. The service will offer both HD and standard content, as well as features like video-on-demand, digital video recording, instant channel changing and personal media sharing.

Seoul, South Korea - Sony Computer Entertainment Korea plans to launch a service next month that will enable the PlayStation 3 to act as a set-top box to receive telecom KT's Mega TV IPTV service, The Korea Times reported.

San Diego - Verimatrix, a provider of content security software for pay-TV networks, announced on Thursday that it has raised $5 million in new venture capital financing, from existing investors including Mission Ventures.

Austin, Texas - Media Excel, a developer of transcoding technologies for mobile TV, IPTV and Web TV platforms, said on Tuesday that financier Red McCombs, a co-founder of Clear Channel Communications, has increased his investment in the company.

Chicago - Microsoft announced on Monday an update and name change for its Internet TV (IPTV) software, which will now be known as Mediaroom and include new features like in-home personal music and photo sharing, multiple picture-in-picture capabilities, support for digital terrestrial television, and new advanced applications tools for developers. So far, 18 IPTV providers worldwide have deployed Microsoft's IPTV software, including AT&T's U-verse service.

Los Angeles - China Film Group, the country's largest state-owned media company, announced on Tuesday that it has partnered with Hollywood-based digital media services firm Crest Digital, on a joint venture that will distribute entertainment and technology software via digital platforms in China. The partnership will provide secure manufacturing and distribution of DVD and CD media via a new facility outside Beijing, and also focus on emerging platforms including VOD, IPTV, Internet and mobile.

Stockholm, Sweden - A group of companies involved in delivering television services over the Internet (IPTV), including AT&T, Ericsson, Sony, Philips and Samsung Siemens, on Monday announced the formation of a consortium that will develop an end-to-end specification for the technology.

Redwood City, Calif. - ViDeOnline Communications, a company that aggregates digital media content for distribution over its network to Internet service providers, said on Monday that it has landed $12 million in a new round of funding, led by Intel Capital.

London - Microsoft plans to demonstrate its IPTV technology for the Xbox 360 video game console for the first time next month in London at The Connected Home Show, part of the IPTV World Forum. "Separately the Xbox 360 and Microsoft TV IPTV Edition deliver unique and exciting entertainment experiences, but IPTV on Xbox 360 delivers a real value proposition for consumers, service providers and content and game developers alike," said Ed Graczyk, worldwide director of marketing and communications for Microsoft TV. The company is expected to launch IPTV for the Xbox 360 as early as this fall.

New York - Verizon announced on Thursday an agreement with video-sharing site Revver, to offer user-generated videos from Revver for free to its FiOS TV and consumer broadband customers. Revver content is slated to launch on Verizon's Surround broadband entertainment portal by the end of the first quarter, and on FiOS TV later this year.

New York - Raketu Communications on Wednesday announced the beta launch of Raketu.tv, its integrated IPTV, video-on-demand and social networking service. The service allows users to view Internet-delivered TV and on-demand video programming while interacting with others on the network. New York-based Raketu said it has so far established content partnerships with providers including Media Global Intertainment, NamcheTV and KlikVU.com.

Dallas - By the end of 2007, 55% of all U.S. households will have high-speed Internet access, according to projections in a report from market research firm Parks Associates.