Bell Canada Launching IPTV in 2010
February 2010
Bell Canada announced it would introduce its IPTV service later in 2010, although it didn’t give many details about vendors or service features. Bell’s FTTN network will support Bell IPTV to customers in Toronto and Montréal, Canada in 2010. Apparently, Bell is already conducting customer trials, using Microsoft’s Mediaroom platform. However, no other vendors were announced yet.
“Bell IPTV is the perfect urban complement to our fast-growing Bell TV service, which already serves almost 2 million Canadians coast-to-coast and offers far more HD channels than any other provider in the country,” said Kevin Crull, President of Bell Residential Services. “Bell TV is already the digital TV leader across Canada, but Bell IPTV will soon significantly enhance competition and consumer choice in TV services in these core urban markets.”
Bell Canada also announced its new Fiber-to-the-Home strategy in a variety of areas, including Québec City and other nearby cities. The FTTH service will offer up to 100 Mbps Broadband connections to consumers and businesses. The Québec City region mostly uses aerial (above-ground wiring on utility poles) which can be completed faster than digging underground Fiber Cables.
Source: MRG, Inc., February 2010 IPTV Bulletin
Wal-Mart Acquired VUDU
February 2010
Wal-Mart acquired VUDU, a VOD Provider that uses over-the-top Internet peer-to-peer networking to deliver movies to subscribers. The financial details of the acquisition were not released. Analyst Comment: Wal-Mart is trying to position itself as a leader in VOD entertainment as DVD and Blu-ray sales slow down in favor of VOD and other Internet-based entertainment. Already Best Buy has partnered with TiVo and Roxio CinemaNow, Blockbuster partnered with CinemaNow and Rovi and now Wal-Mart has its own service. Can retailers make OTT video work with consumers? Wal-Mart tried and failed to launch its own VOD service to compete with Blockbuster a few years ago. So this acquisition could mean Wal-Mart is serious about making VOD work this time.
Source: MRG, Inc., February 2010 IPTV Bulletin
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