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Altice Selects Motorola Broadband as Key
Technology Provider for System-Wide Upgrade
Altice chooses Motorola
optical transport and digital set-top solutions to power the re-launch of its
digital TV and broadband services in its French cable systems
AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, 11 Sept., 2003
— Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) Broadband Communications Sector today
announced it has been selected by Altice, one of France’s leading cable
operators, as a key end-to-end technology provider for the re-launch of its
digital TV services for its Est Videocommunications plant. This digital
re-launch, which will include pay-per-view services, will be distributed from a
single, central head-end station to all the Est Videocommunications networks
covering the French region, Alsace. Est Videocommunications will deploy
Motorola’s DVi1000 digital set-tops and the Motorola MBT-5000 SDH optical
transport solution during the fourth quarter of 2003. The announcement was made
prior to the IBC2003 trade show, September 12-16, in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
The Motorola DVi1000 DVB-compliant set-top pricing is
similar to basic analog cable set-top pricing, yet the platform delivers more
programming channels and increased subscriber benefits. In addition to an
expanded channel line-up, the DVi1000 provides subscribers with a superior user
interface, and telco-return for impulse pay-per-view (PPV).
With the next-generation Motorola MBT-5000 SDH transport
platform, Est Videocommunications can deliver Gigabit Ethernet, Fast Ethernet
and Time Devision Multiplex (TDM) services efficiently over the same network
infrastructure.
As part of the upgrade, Motorola Broadband will install
new digital cable head-end technology in the system. The TMX-2010 Transport
Multiplexer solution will perform MPEG-2 service multiplexing, grooming, video
bit-rate transcoding, and IP data encapsulation for Est
Videocommunication’s broadcast architecture. The SmartStream Encryptor
Modulator (SEM) will perform digital processing, modulation and upconversion
functions for up to eight service multi-plexes within the central head-end as
well as an edge processing device with the Motorola transport platform. Est
Videocommunication’s selection of these products ensures optimal
efficiency in bandwidth usage and superior picture quality.
“Motorola’s local presence, coupled with its
global leadership in set-tops and applied expertise in the cable industry,
positions them as a natural technology partner for such a critical
project,” said Patrick Drahi, CEO of Altice. “The broad range of
standard and advanced digital set-tops offered by Motorola enables Altice to
provide additional viewing options to subscribers. Altice intends to grow its
digital subscriber base exponentially in the coming years, and the combination
of Motorola’s optical transport and digital set-tops are critical to the
success of this endeavor.”
“We are pleased to provide a comprehensive
platform for the re-launch of Altice’s digital TV service. Est
Videocommunication’s selection of Motorola to provide infrastructure and
digital set-tops underscores the quality and reliability of Motorola’s
digital platform -- and the confidence it instills in our customers
worldwide,” said Paul King, Motorola vice president and general
manager—Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). “The rapid
deployment of Motorola’s leading edge broadband solutions such as HFC- and
SDH-infrastructure components, Cable Modem Termination Systems and cable modems
throughout France effectively extends Motorola Broadband’s presence in
Europe, while enabling operators such as Est Videocommunications to provide the
value-added services needed to attract and retain subscribers.”
In addition to the Motorola data and video products used
in this upgrade, Altice has already deployed the Motorola BSR 64000 CMTS/Router
and five thousand Motorola SB4200E cable
modems. About the Motorola
DVi1000The Motorola DVi1000 DVB-compliant
set-top is an enhanced-broadcast digital cable platform that can be deployed at
a similar price point as basic analog cable set-tops – while delivering
more programming channels and the subscriber benefits that come with digital
cable. Subscribers with a DVi1000 set-top benefit from an expanded channel
line-up, a superior user interface, and telco-return for impulse pay-per-view
(PPV). About the Motorola
MBT-5000The Motorola MBT-5000 is a
data-optimized, multi-service optical transport solution that offers service
flexibility and high port density, as well as carrier-class reliability and QoS.
The platform leverages a standards-based, unified architecture that integrates
next-generation SDH technology with powerful Ethernet switching and DWDM
capabilities. With the MBT-5000 platform, broadband operators can deliver
flexible Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet services – as well as
traditional voice and private line services – efficiently over the same
metro area network infrastructure. About
Altice Altice is a European Cable Venture
whose purpose is to acquire, expand and consolidate cable clusters in
French-speaking territories in Europe. In 2002, Altice acquired Est
Videocommunication, the leading cable operator in eastern France. Est
Videocommunication provides Analog TV, Digital TV and Broadband Internet to more
than 170,000 customers. For more information about Est Videocommunication,
visit
www.estvideo.com. About
Motorola Broadband Communications Sector The
Motorola Broadband Communications Sector provides a scalable, integrated
end-to-end system for the delivery of broadband services that keeps consumers
informed, entertained and connected. Its technology enables network operators
and retailers to create and execute on new business opportunities by providing
innovative products and services to the home. Customer-responsive design and
manufacturing expertise further contribute to the company’s position as
the world's leading supplier of digital cable set-tops and cable modems. For
more information about the Motorola Broadband Communications Sector, visit
www.motorola.com/broadband.About
MotorolaMotorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) is a global
leader in wireless, automotive and broadband communications. Sales in 2002
were $27.3 billion. Motorola is a global corporate citizen dedicated to
ethical business practices and pioneering important innovations that make things
smarter and life better, honored traditions that began when the company was
founded 75 years ago this year. For more information, please visit
www.motorola.com. #
# # Media Contacts:
Europe, Middle East and
AfricaMotorola Helen
Yarrow +44 - (0) - 1189-227-546 a.benetti@estvideo.comMOTOROLA
and the Stylized M Logo are registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office.
All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners.
© Motorola, Inc. 2003. |
