THUNDER BAY – Add Tbaytel to the list of IPTV providers who credit the Microsoft Mediaroom platform for smoothing the way for the rollout of video services.
After selecting the Calix B6 Ethernet Service Access Node (ESAN) for the launch of its advanced IPTV services to residential subscribers in Thunder Bay, Canada’s largest independent telco added Microsoft Mediaroom-powered TV services to its list of services last November by leveraging VDSL2 and Active Ethernet fibre access technology.
Tbaytel president and CEO Don Campbell told Cartt.ca that the VDSL2 multi-year deployment is well underway, but that it will still take “a couple of years” to achieve 100% coverage in this city of approximately 115,000 in Northwestern Ontario.
“We have a significant part of the city covered – we’re approaching 70% now – and we’ll cover it all in due course,” he said confidently during a telephone interview.
Tbaytel selected the technology after its experience with Calix’s B6 ESAN in delivering high-speed Internet services over ADSL to its customers. The telco also offers home phone service, security services, and recently launched its new 3G HSPA mobility service in association with Rogers.
While going head-to-head with TV service providers like Shaw Cable, Shaw Direct and Bell TV can’t be easy, Campbell described the Microsoft Mediaroom technology “as a quantum change to what’s available right now” in his market.
“In terms of the Mediaroom middleware, the IP-based system brings with it some features that are very competitive, particularly the whole home PVR, and, it offers all kinds of potentials for access into the Internet as that world continues to evolve”, Campbell said. He also cited instant channel changes and the ability to record four channels at one time as key selling points.
Saying that he’s “quite happy” with the IPTV rollout so far, Campbell declined to discuss specific subscriber numbers or targets. But he did acknowledge that his company’s strong ties to the Thunder Bay community offer a competitive advantage.
“We’re utilizing the loyalty of our customer base, in particular the multi-product customers to tie this in,” he said, referencing Tbaytel’s bundled offers for both current and new customers. “I would call it the final product of the suite of telecom products.”
