Verizon will use the Microsoft TV platform for the commercial rollout of its FiOS TV service. 
The selection builds on a string of recent, high-profile wins for the Microsoft TV platform amongst telecom carriers, including SBC, Telecom Italia, Swisscom/Bluewin and others. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Verizon plans to use the Microsoft TV platform to deliver high-definition television, digital video recording and on-demand programming. In addition, it will provide FiOS TV customers with an interactive programming guide. Verizon and its third-party partners will use the Microsoft software to add advanced IP applications for future FiOS TV services. The companies said this would differentiate Verizon in the marketplace and bring consumers the benefits of voice, video and data convergence.
FiOS TV will also use the Motorola set-top hardware platform.
Verizon said the Microsoft TV platform will work in parallel with its “iobi” service delivery platform, which allows information to be shared across many different networks, applications and devices. Significantly, the Microsoft .NET architecture supports applications on Verizon’s iobi platform as well as applications from third-party developers. Microsoft .NET architecture also supports the Microsoft TV platform.
http://www.microsoft.com/tv
- In November 2004, SBC Communications selected the new Microsoft IPTV Edition software platform for its Project Lightspeed initiative. The deal was valued at $400 million over 10 years. SBC Labs has been testing an IP-based television service built on the Microsoft TV IPTV Edition platform since June 2004. SBC companies and Microsoft will begin field trials in mid 2005 and plan commercial availability of the IP-based television platform in late 2005.
- In January 2005, BellSouth announced a technical trial of Microsoft TV Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Edition software platform over its DSL network. BellSouth plans to leverage new DSL technologies, including ADSL2+ and copper pair bonding, as well as its deep fiber network, to test a feature-rich IP video offer during the first half of 2005.
- In September 2004, Verizon Communications hired Terry Denson, former vice president of programming for Insight Communications, the ninth-largest cable operator in the country, to manage entertainment content and marketing strategies. As vice president of video programming and content marketing and strategy for Verizon, Denson will guide video product packaging, pricing and marketing strategies; video content acquisition and distribution agreements; and customer education, acquisition and retention planning.
