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du set to pioneer HDTV rollout in the Middle East

by Aaron Greenwood on Apr 22, 2009

6 Comments

The UAE remains one of the Middle East's biggest markets for HD-ready TV displays.

UAE telco du has signed an $800,000 order with Swedish IPTV specialist Tilgin as part of an ongoing upgrade of its Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) IP network in Dubai.

Tilgin will supply its Home Gateway Vood 292 solution, which includes next-generation software for managing IP-networks (VCM). The technology will replace older fiber units supplied by a competitor.

The deal follows last August’s trial by du of high definition (HD)-capable set top boxes and management software supplied by Tilgin.

The PVR-enabled STBs were customised versions of Tilgin’s Mood 400 IPTV series.

Du currently offers triple-play (voice, web and pay TV) services to customers in the UAE via its fiber IP network.

While du is yet to formally announce a timescale for a commercial roll-out of the technology, sources suggest 2010 looks a safe bet, particularly given plans by regional pay TV broadcasters to commence offering limited HDTV services over the next 12 months.

Sources suggest Showtime will launch HD sport and movie channels within this period, with the former taking a HD feed of its 2009/2010 English Premier League coverage, while others, including Orbit and Al Jazeera, have, or are in the process of launching HDTV channels.

FEATURED COMMENT

This is brilliant news - at last it seems someone is taking the initiative. There's definite consumer demand for HD in t

6 Comments

Readers' Comments

Dan (Apr 24, 2009)
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

Great news
This is brilliant news - at last it seems someone is taking the initiative. There's definite consumer demand for HD in the GCC. Let's just hope the content providers jump on board and the service doesn't become a white elephant!

Mohammed (Apr 23, 2009)
Riyadh
Saudi Arabia

Picture good
I want this thing called HDTV - how do I buy them?

Gordon (Apr 23, 2009)
Bristol
United Kingdom

Cheap providers
The station's need to fork out some cash and upgrade. You can't tell people not to invest in the latest telly. It's the station's responsibility to ensure it keeps up with the times. The fact is Bob, everyone has LCD and Plasma already. They expected the station's to do the right thing improve quality for their customers. Obviously UAE stations don't care about their customers. For shame.

Bob D (Apr 23, 2009)
Dubai
United Arab Emirates

Unaware consumers
All these people buying their expensive LCD TVs don't know one vital thing -- when they get it home and plug it into their satellie box, the picture will be rubbish!!! Sat TV providers still broadcast in standard def and standard def signals on high def TVs really do look bad. The only reason to buy an LCD TV right now is to play XBox 360. Stick with your hulking CRT TV until your satellite provider switches all your favourite channels to high-def.

Gordon (Apr 23, 2009)
Bristol
United Kingdom

Insult
Assuming customers are so fickle is a blatant insult. I am amazed that out of the hundreds of channels that are available in the UAE none are HD. Once people get a taste of it they wont go back to standard def. You have to pay for it if you want to be a competitive and modern TV station. Deal with it!

Ahmad (Apr 22, 2009)
Dubai
United Arab Emirates

HDTV
All the introduction of HDTV will do is get everyone excited for 1 month. They will buy TVs and watch sports and then get sick of it. 1 month is not long enough for us broadcasters to make back the gazillions we will invest to go HD ready.

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