Hong Kong’s PCCW Limited unveiled a new pay-TV service delivered over its broadband ADSL network using IP multicast technology. PCCW currently has a broadband customer base of 480,000 subscribers. The new Broadband TV service will carry feature films, regional and international news, documentaries, music, sports, health, fashion, travel and children’s programming. Content agreements have been signed with 23 major channels. PCCW said it is network is capable of delivering DVD-quality video to all locations in Hong Kong. At the customer home, digital decoder set-top box is connected via Ethernet cable to the ADSL modem.
PCCW is using encryption for its Broadband TV service. A Conditional Access Unit at the core of the network ensures secure access to the system, protects content from piracy and allows customers to subscribe to channels online. PCCW has applied for a patent for its secure access technology.
PCCW will promote the new Broadband TV service through an advertising campaign as well as through its 21 retail outlets throughout Hong Kong. PCCW is also featuring a flexible pricing model at rates of HKG$15 to HKG$35 per month per channel selected. Channels can be added or dropped using on-screen menus and the remote control.
PCCW is targetting 20,000 subscriber sign-ups per month for Broadband TV.
http://www.pccw.com
- PCCW holds the market-leading position in communications in Hong Kong. The company originated from the merger of Hong Kong Telecommunications Limited (Hongkong Telecom) and Hong Kong Telephone and Cable & Wireless HKT International in 1988. The company was later renamed Cable & Wireless HKT. In August 2000, Pacific Century CyberWorks (PCCW) acquired Cable & Wireless HKT for US$29 billion.
- PCCW said its SMS fixed line service, which was launched on 17-July-2003, has seen an extraordinary response, with over 350,000 lines subscribed in the first six weeks. The enhanced phone service also features a voice-activated phonebook stored on the network that uses speech recognition to make phone calls; and a voice-activated, 7×24 automatic reception and call routing service.