International Briefs, Dec. 19, 2018

Dec. 19, 2018
A roundup of vendor and operator news from around the globe. Today's edition focuses on Europe and Asia-Pacific.

A roundup of vendor and operator news from around the globe. Today's edition focuses on Europe and Asia-Pacific.

UK

Gigaclear Networks, a provider of fiber broadband connectivity to rural communities in the UK, recently deployed a 100G transport network across multiple countryside locations powered by optical and software solutions from Ciena (NYSE:CIEN). The upgraded network is intended to enable Internet service providers (ISPs) to offer advanced services, such as HD video streaming, to business and residential customers.

The network upgrade covers rural regions in the UK including Devon, Somerset, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, as well as backhaul connections from London to Bristol and Northants. The deployment includes Ciena’s 6500 Packet Optical platform with WaveLogic coherent optics and its Blue Planet Manage, Control and Plan (MCP) domain controller software, which will automate network and service management across Gigaclear’s network and provide real-time visibility into network operations.

Russia

Beeline, a telecom operator in Russia, has selected Broadpeak CDN solutions to support its Beeline TV service. Beeline plans to deliver live, VOD, catchup and start-over TV content through set-top boxes, smart TVs, mobile devices and the Internet.

Beeline is using Broadpeak's BkM100 video delivery mediator and BkS400 cache servers, deployed in various points of presence (PoPs), as well as Broadpeak's BkA100 video delivery analytics.

India

QYOU Media (TSXV:QYOU) has partnered with Airtel Digital TV, the DTH arm of Bharti Airtel in India, to provide The Q India's 24/7 linear stream of digital video content.

Airtel Digital TV, which reaches more than 14 million homes across India, is bringing The Q India to its platform to leverage short-form video content on social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook. The Q India is a 24/7 linear service stream of premium curated content that launched in December 2017 and is aimed at young Indians (20-30 years old).

Taiwan

Kbro, a broadband and cable TV providers in Taiwan, has selected Alticast's AltiPlatform as the middleware solution to integrate Kbro's existing service infrastructure with Android TV. Initial deployment is expected in late 2019.

The upgrade is intended to support the operator's traditional cable services as well as give subscribers access to over-the-top (OTT) options such as YouTube, and over 3,600 TV apps on Google Play. Alticast will bundle AltiPlatform-Android with its AltiView interactive user experience.

Alticast's AltiPlatform has been serving as Kbro's MHP middleware in iys existing Linux-based set-top-box service.