ERICSSON IS BRINGING HIGH-QUALITY, INTERACTIVE TV TO VIEWERS IN ARMENIA THROUGH A DEAL WITH OPERATOR UCOM, ROLLOUT TO START IN JULY 2009

ArmInfo
2009-06-24 23:37:00

Ericsson is bringing high-quality, interactive TV to viewers in Armenia
through a deal with operator Ucom. Ericsson will deliver its IPTV
solution including GPON technology in the first contract of its kind.

Ericsson press-service told ArmInfo that IPTV allows viewers to
experience the same type of interactivity on their televisions as they
are used to on their PCs, with personalized features such as chat,
e-voting, web TV and access to social media networks. The IPTV solution
for Ucom will also give viewers access to a flexible, customized
portal that offers a wide range of broadcast channels, video on demand,
an electronic program guide and personal video-recording capabilities.

The IPTV services will be delivered via the latest fiber-access
technology, known as Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON),
supplied by Ericsson. GPON allows the consumer to watch several HDTV
channels, download large files from the internet and place voice
calls simultaneously without service disruptions. Rollout will start
in July 2009.

Hayk Yesayan, President of Ucom, says: "We are proud to be the
first operator in Armenia to offer IPTV, and are convinced it will
be popular with our customers. We chose Ericsson’s market-leading
technology and services, and capability to help us bring this new
offering to market quickly and efficiently."

Jan Campbell, Head of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, at Ericsson,
says: "This deal reflects Ericsson’s ability to deliver innovative
multimedia solutions. We are delighted to partner with Ucom and help
them provide customers with a truly personalized, interactive and
high-quality TV experience."

Ericsson’s IPTV solution for Ucom includes IPTV middleware; a
content-distribution platform; the customized consumer portal and
GPON technology. The agreement also includes systems integration of
operational management tools and consultancy services.

Ericsson’s GPON fiber-access solution, EDA 1500, provides the
highest bandwidth capacity on the market and supports a wide range of
applications and services, in particular bandwidth-demanding services
such as unicast and broadcast video and TV.