Hong Kong Broadband Network Ltd, a subsidiary of the City Telecom Group, has deployed a Cisco Optical Core network as the foundation for new digital pay-TV service. The deployment includes the Cisco ONS 15454 SONET/SDH Multiservice Provisioning Platform (MSPP); Cisco Catalyst 6500, Catalyst 4500, Catalyst 3350, and Catalyst 2950 series switches; and Cisco 2600XM Series routers. Cisco’s ONS 15454 MSPP enables the carrier to converge its legacy voice and data services and its new pay-TV service into a single platform, and at the same time offer Layer 2 and 3 IP services using Resilient Packet Ring (RPR)-ready ML Series line cards.
The network enables HKBN to deliver up to 200 digital pay-TV channels via MPEG-2 at 4.5 Mbps to 10 Mbps with DVD visual quality. Its service also features interactive pay-TV elements and enables PC or TV connection with the aid of a set-top box.
The project was initiated in early 2003 by Macroview Telecom, a systems integrator in Hong Kong, and is expected to be completed by December 2004. http://www.cisco.com
- In August 2003, Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited launched a pay-TV service, forming the third pillar of its triple-play strategy. The carrier already offers broadband Internet access and local telephony on the same network.
- Also in August 2003, Hong Kong’s incumbent carrier, PCCW Limited, launched its own pay-TV service delivered over its broadband ADSL network using IP multicast technology.