Telstra’s ambitious race to launch a commercial IPTV network by November is again being tainted by inter- divisional conflicts and multiple trial projects , according to sources close to the projects.
While Telstra refuses to discuss its IPTV plans it has become clear in recent weeks that Foxtel has jumped ahead of the game in terms of launching its own distinct IPTV platform by year end. Digital Media understands that at least two IPTV trials are currently underway with Telstra’s Media division and another conducted by its engineering department. Both trials have vendors clamouring to get involved via official and un-official channels.
Vendors have been scrambling since December to get on board Telstra’s latest IPTV trials which have endured a drawn out tender assessment period. While Telstra issued a closed RFP late last year, the carrier has yet to come close to making a final decision on the vendor of choice. The two trials that are currently in play include a content delivery network (CDN) trial with vendor participants that are believed to include Two Wire, Cisco , Alcatel Lucent and Ericsson.
While another closed trial for the entire IPTV ecosystem is hanging ion the balance. Vendors that were part of that RFP process are were believed to have included Alcatel Lucent, Microsoft , Cisco and Thomson and Nokia Siemens Networks. However due to a demanding RFP process and onerous network issues it is believed that only Nokia Siemens Networks is left in the process. Pressure is mounting on the carrier to solidify its IPTV infrastructure strategy and delivery plans as Foxtel and TiVo ramp up their respective rollouts.
This week TiVo announced tha the launch of its full Blockbuster Movies on Demand service. The service which piggy backs off an international agreement with TiVo and Blockbuster has launched with a limited title range of 100 films. The initial Blockbuster movie download service, launched on TiVo in December 2008, was limited to one movie a week during a four month trial period. Under the single movie a week service, over 73% of TiVo customers downloaded a collective total of more than 61 terabytes of movie content. The revamped movie service will provide 'New Releases' charged at $5.95 per film and all other titles priced at $3.95. Customers who have an internet service with Internode, Hybrid TV's TiVo unmetered partner, will be able to download movies without paying additional data charges to their ISP.
