BitBand Powers First Irish IPTV Experience

Ireland gets its first IPTV deployment from BitBand through fiber-optic cable wired to homes.

BitBand has announced that BitBand’s VOD solutions are powering the first IPTV deployment in Ireland. The triple play services, delivered through a single fiber-optic cable to homes in Dublin, offersubscribers telephony services, broadband Internet access, multi-channel TV and VOD, with additional new services to be introduced in early 2005.

The deployment is led by Magnet Networks, an Irish company owned by U.S. investment company Columbia Ventures Corporation, and supported by Nordic total broadband solutions provider Industria. Magnet Networks has recently announced that it is initially investing some EUR 5 million in bringing these digital living services to new home owners in the Dublin area and that this amount could triple based on interest demonstrated by the Irish market in the first deployment.

“We are excited to be a part of this innovative deployment in Ireland, and to work in close collaboration with Magnet Networks and Industria,” said Ervin Leibovici, BitBand CEO. “Our VOD offering is designed to support Magnet Networks’ dynamic business model and growth scenarios, thus supplying a comprehensive entertainment paradigm to Irish subscribers.”

“In order to provide the best digital living experience to our subscribers in Ireland, we have built a flexible IPTV solution that will allow us to rapidly introduce new entertainment packages and maximize customer satisfaction,” said Ingvar Gardarsson, CEO of Magnet Networks.