Cisco Systems has teamed with Avail Media to provide a managed IPTV service -- which includes everything from set-tops and satellite receivers to programming -- for service providers.
The IPTV services are fully managed through Cisco's National Control Center, eliminating the need for service providers to hire staff for headend management.
The service processes TV programming and other content, then distributes it via satellite to telecommunications companies and their IPTV consumers nationwide. Cisco, Avail and their respective partners will provide systems integration services as part of the offering.
MPEG-4 content distribution is provided via Avail Media's Avail Connect service. The service also includes middleware and digital rights management, scrambling and descrambling, satellite receivers, conditional access, set-top provision, service management, systems integration services, and program management for video hub office components.
"This solution greatly reduces the complexity of and time to market for service provider IPTV deployments," said Cisco vice president and general manager of IPTV Solutions Dave Davies. "We are extremely pleased to be working with Avail Media in our efforts to help service providers deploy flexible and differentiated end-to-end IPTV solutions that are designed to evolve and help them stay competitive in an ever-changing marketplace."
Avail Media distributes a lineup of live television programming with hundreds of channels from the national programmers, including ABC-Disney, Turner, NBC Universal, MTV Networks and Fox Cable Networks.
