FINNISH CABLE OPERATOR TURKU CABLE TV LAUNCHES CABLE VIDEO-ON-DEMAND (VOD) SERVICE BUILT WITH TELESTE TECHNOLOGY
TELESTE CORPORATION PRESS RELEASE 6.4.2010 AT 14:00 FINNISH CABLE OPERATOR TURKU CABLE TV LAUNCHES CABLE VIDEO-ON-DEMAND (VOD) SERVICE BUILT WITH TELESTE TECHNOLOGY Finland's first Cable Video-on-Demand service will be launched in the spring of 2010. Turku Cable TV is starting VOD service test distribution in its cable TV network in the Turku area in April. Closer to autumn, once the testing stage is over, customers can order movies to watch as they prefer. The VOD service works on the Teleste-developed MyCast application platform. The Video-on-Demand service will significantly change viewing habits over the next few years. Viewers increasingly value the opportunity to select their own program content as well as choosing the time to view it. Another advantage is that there are no binding minimum order times. Cable VOD makes it possible for Turku Cable to better respond to changing customer needs, as the new service is available for all current cable TV customers at all times. Cable Video-on-Demand is an easy and affordable option, as the services work on customers' existing cable receivers (set-top-boxes). Except for a smart card, no other new equipment or accessories are needed. Movies can be ordered from the Turku Cable website, and are ready for viewing on the customer's own receiver. The movie prices vary from € 3 to € 7 depending on the category, and billing takes place monthly according to use. ”I'm very happy that we have an operator here acting without prejudice at the forefront of technical advancement. With the Teleste MyCast application platform and video headend equipment, Turku Cable can offer its customers an entirely new service and user experience, where the customers is in charge of viewing the movies,“ comments Teleste CEO Jukka Rinnevaara. “Turku Cable's Video-on-Demand system is the first of its kind in Finland. We offer our customers a solution which does not require expensive new equipment, but is easy and affordable to use. The open hardware standard the system uses makes it possible to select customer terminals and future development as and when needed. Turku Cable VOD movies can be viewed with an affordable basic digital set-top-box (STB) as well as with a state-of-the-art high definition (HD) box,” explains Samuli Salanterä, CEO of Turku Cable. The Video-on-Demand service is made possible by the Teleste MyCast platform. The application platform manages the service content, connects to the conditional access system (CAS) and the subscriber management system, generates the end-user VOD portal and manages playout control and cable network resource utilisation. Teleste MyCast also enables the provision of VOD and other services to interactive set-top-boxes running MyCast IPTV middleware. More information: Jukka Rinnevaara, CEO, Teleste Group Tel +358 2 2605611 Mobile +358 400 747488 jukka.rinnevaara@teleste.com Samuli Salanterä CEO, Oy Turun Kaapelitelevisio- Åbo Kabeltelevision Ab (Turku Cable TV) Tel +358 2 478 0800 Mobile +358 44 505 5000 samuli.salantera@turunkaapelitv.fi Teleste is an international technology group founded in 1954, which is specialised in broadband video and data communication systems and services. The group is active in two business segments, Video and Broadband Solutions and Network Services; in both fields, we are among the global leaders. Video is at the core of our business activities, with a focus on the processing, transmission and management of video and data for operators and public authorities who provide multiple video-related information, entertainment and security services to end-users. Video and Broadband Solutions business segment has the emphasis on product solutions for broadband access networks, video service platforms and video surveillance applications. Network Services segment deliver comprehensive network service solutions including new construction, rebuilding, upgrading, planning and maintenance services of cable networks. In 2009 the group's net sales totalled EUR 142 million and the group employed 1260 persons at the year-end. The company has approximately 30 offices world-wide and over 90% of Teleste's net sales are generated outside Finland. The company is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. www.teleste.com for more information. Turun Kaapelitelevisio Oy, Turku Cable TV is a local cable TV operator founded in 1985, and it is one of the largest cable TV operators offering TV and radio services in the Turku region and Southwest Finland.In the Turku and Kaarina area, Turku Cable also offers broadband cable services to households and housing associations. The company covers 85,000 households. Additionally, Turku Cable also offers a local channel, Turku TV, over terrestrial television. The program offering covers over 140 TV and radio channels. There are 24 free, basic TV channels. The largest owners of the company, Turun Kaapelitelevisio Oy, are TS Group, the City of Turku and Förlags Ab Sydvästkusten.