IPTV pioneer Bell Aliant has selected Harmonic’s encoders for an MPEG-4 upgrade that has improved its video service for customers throughout the Atlantic provinces of Canada.
Specifically, Bell Aliant is using Harmonic’s DiviCom Electra 5400 standard-definition (SD) encoders for an MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) upgrade in its headend facility in Saint John, New Brunswick. With the upgrade, Bell Aliant is the first telco operator in Atlantic Canada to offer an MPEG-4-based service.
Bell Aliant’s IPTV service provides more than 300 digital television and audio channels to major urban centers throughout Atlantic Canada, including Halifax, Nova Scotia and St. John’s, Newfoundland, as well as Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton, New Brunswick.
With this upgrade, Aliant’s entire channel lineup is now operating on MPEG-4 technology.
“By transitioning to an MPEG-4 network, Aliant is investing in a platform for the future, which brings even higher quality video to our Aliant TV customers,” said Kevin Hastings, chief architect of broadcasting services for Bell Aliant. “This upgrade allows our customers to simultaneously watch Aliant TV on up to three TV sets in their homes, while enjoying a superior viewing experience. Given our aggressive near-term and long-term objectives, Harmonic was the logical choice for this network upgrade.”
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