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Broadcaster

Bell to trial Microsoft's IPTV on ExpressVu

10/9/2003

TORONTO and REDMOND, Wash. - Microsoft Corp. and Bell Canada today announced the two companies will work together to test and deploy TV services based on new Internet protocol TV (IPTV) technology from the software giant.

Bell Canada will be the first in Canada and among the first in the world to trial the delivery of Bell ExpressVu programming over an IP broadband network using IPTV technology being developed by Microsoft TV.

"Initiatives like this technology trial allow us to explore new ways to deliver services to our customers and ultimately provide them with more choice on how they can receive those services," said Eugene Roman, group president, systems and technology, Bell Canada.

"This is part of our overall video strategy to find more ways to deliver Bell ExpressVu digital programming services to customers on their terms, whether through satellite or wire line."

Microsoft TV's planned IPTV solution will use video compression technology to dramatically reduce bandwidth requirements, enabling Bell Canada to deliver broadcast quality video services to a variety of devices over its broadband network.

Microsoft TV's IPTV is designed to support standard and high-definition channels, on-demand programming, and interactive program guides, plus future service offerings which leverage two-way, interactive platforms.

"Microsoft TV's IPTV solution will provide very high-quality, cost-efficient, next-generation media delivery and viewer experiences," said Moshe Lichtman, corporate vice-president, Microsoft TV Division. "It will allow Bell Canada to maximize the value of its network and its Bell ExpressVu digital programming service. Bell Canada is well positioned as a world-leading telco and digital TV provider to kick off our new IPTV effort to transform the market for advanced video services."

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