Keith Jack's Blog

Russian firm SmartLabs LLC has implemented a new IPTV user interface for Russian telco Comstar, available immediately for all new and existing subscribers and enabling them to manage their IPTV service more quickly and effectively as well as access interactive services. Comstar had 147,000 Moscow-based subscribers to its IPTV service ‘Stream TV’ by the end of the third quarter of this year, according to data from Informa Telecoms & Media.

Portugal Telecom has reaped the benefits of its marketing push for its pay-TV service ‘Meo’ (delivered via IPTV, satellite and mobile), adding 110,000 new customers in the fourth quarter of 2008 to reach 312,000 by year-end. The telco reports a 42.9% penetration rate for its IPTV service within its ADSL customer base as a whole.

Telefonica Brasil has launched an IPTV service dubbed xTreme, reports Telecompaper. The offering will initially be available in the 26 districts of Sao Paulo covered by the telco’s fibre-optic network. A basic package costing BRL240 (US$105) includes an 8Mbps internet connection and 80 television channels, while the most expensive service costs BRL337 for a 30Mbps connection and 120 channels.

Romania’s dominant fixed line and internet operator RomTelecom says it is gearing up for the launch of IPTV services later this year. Company spokesperson Cristina Popescu says the selection of an equipment supplier is close to being finalised. According to a report from Broadband TV News, trials of IPTV services have already been launched. The service is expected to be introduced in major cities across Romania.

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency designated Europe and Southeast Asia as a target market for DMB, Latin America for WiBRO and the US and East Europe for IPTV.