South Africa's MTN is considering a reverse takeover of India's Reliance Communications as part of talks to combine the pair and create an emerging markets telecoms giant. The proposal would follow the same structure as one abruptly rejected at the weekend by Bharti Airtel, India's biggest mobile operator by sales, which until last week was […]
From Colin Mann in Cologne Media and entertainment technologist has unveiled its SmartVision video services platform for cable operators launching On Demand services. Previously available for IPTV platforms, the solution has extended its supported infrastructures to include cable. “Thomson brings to cable operators a comprehensive solution for Video On Demand that benefits from the rich […]
Microsoft and Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan`s top telco, will co-launch an operation called IPTV Ecosystem Development Center in Taiwan to zero in the Internet-based TV market. The operation will see Microsoft offer its Mediaroom platform for IPTVs while Chunghwa integrates systems. The operation will work with Taiwan`s set-top box makers and content providers to tap markets […]
Channel 4 Radio is hoping a new electronic device that enables mobile phone users to plug into digital radio will rescue digital audio broadcasting. The broadcaster, set to launch digital station E4 Radio this year, is in talks with electronics manufacturers to create a branded plug-in DAB device for iPods and mobile phones. The broadcaster […]
Hardware makers are meeting politicians and copyright societies to discuss introducing a Europe-wide levy on media devices, offsetting revenue apparently lost from personal copying. Since 2001, 22 of Europe's 27 countries have made technology manufacturers pay the surcharge on products that allow music, books, movies and other copyrighted content to be copied. Now the European […]
From Colin Mann in Cologne The German cable industry is going through “seismic shifts” and will need to consolidate, according to Unitymedia Group CEO Parm Sandhu. Participating in the CEO Strategy Summit at the ANGA Cable Congress, he told delegates that the industry needed to face up to a very different reality. “We're competing with […]
Vodafone Group has announced that, after five years in the role, Arun Sarin will be retiring as Chief Executive at the end of the Company’s AGM on 29th July 2008. He will be succeeded by Deputy Chief Executive Vittorio Colao
From Colin Mann in Cologne Cisco and regional telecommunications operator NetCologne are joining forces to bring broadband speeds up to 200Mbps with live streaming of high-definition Internet Protocol (IP) video to the ANGA Cable trade fair. The ultra-high-speed service is delivered over NetCologne's hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network using Euro-DOCSIS 3.0 standard compliant technology from […]
Cable TV and satellite operator Turksat has chosen to deploy a Conax CAS7 conditional access solution for the new Turksat DTV platform. The unique cable operator in Turkey, Turksat serves over 1.7 million homes across the region. Partnering between Broadcast Group Turkey and Conax to deploy a content security solution will enable Turksat to focus […]
Time Warner and a partnership between NBC Universal and Blackstone Group have emerged as front runners in the auction for the Weather Channel ahead of the deadline for second round bids. Offers are understood to value the business at $3 billion-$4 billion, well short of the $5 billion Landmark Communications said it hoped to attain.