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Telecom New Zealand
considers Internet TV service following set-backs to IPTV plans
Other Topics: IPTV Transcoding
Solution, IPTV Service
Telecom New Zealand
September 17, 2007
Telecom New Zealand is considering launching a limited Internet TV
service in 2008, following set-backs for its plans to launch a
full-blown IPTV service, according to the company’s General Manager
of video services, Phillip King. |
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Telecom New Zealand’s Head of
wholesale, Matt Crocket, said in July of this year that he did not
believe the telco’s broadband network could support frequent
downloads of TV programmes via an IPTV service until late 2009. The
executive blamed other pressures on the company and uncertainties
over who might fund the replacement of its copper cable network with
fibre cable, following government reforms of the industry.
Now Mr King says that Telecom New Zealand may launch a service next
year that would allow Freeview customers to “trickle down”
programmes to set-top boxes over its existing broadband network, as
preparations continue for launch of an IPTV service. A full-blown
IPTV service would reportedly not be possible until the telco’s
wholesale arm can offer an unbundled bitstream (UBA) service that
was specified to support real-time video streaming.
“We are governed by the same time line as Matt [Crockett],” said Mr
King. “That tells you that there will be no widespread IPTV
deployment until a video UBA product is available.” The executive
added that Telecom New Zealand has been testing Microsoft’s IPTV
platform, due to its capabilities to integrate with Freeview’s DTT
menu system.
Mr King also added that the operator might have more choice of
suppliers by late 2009 or early 2010: “We are aware of other vendors
aggressively trying to get into this market. Nokia and Siemens have
teamed up, Ericsson with TANDBERG [Television], and Cisco with
Scientific Atlanta are developing an IPTV platform right now.” |
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