Canadian tier 2 operator Cogeco Connexion announced the rollout of Ericsson’s recently rebranded MediaFirst IPTV platform.
The Montreal-based cable operator will deploy the MediaFirst TV platform with Android Google mobile services, encoding on-demand, video storage and processing Platform (VSPP), content management system (CMS) and professional services,
“Once integrated, Cogeco Connexion's new MediaFirst Video Experience will be entirely IPTV-based, voice activated, and will rely entirely on a media-optimized cloud-based TV platform," said Michel Blais, VP, engineering and operations, Cogeco Connexion, in a statement. ”We expect to make the service available to customers throughout our footprint by mid-year 2019 and it will then become the standard video experience offered to new customers."
Related: Ericsson Rebrands Media Solutions Unit as MediaKind
It was only in July when Ericsson announced that its Media Solutions unit, which includes the MediaFirst IPTV platform, has been rebranded as MediaKind. The unit includes technology Ericsson has acquired from such companies as Aspex, Azuki Systems, Envivio, Fabrix, HyCGroup and Tandberg Television. The division currently serves more than 900 cable, satellite and telecom service providers and broadcasters around the world with video delivery technology.
In January, One Equity Partners agreed to buy 51% of the Media Solutions business. MediaKind also named its senior executive team, led by CEO Angel Ruiz.
In its press release, Cogeco said, “Customers currently enjoying our existing video services, including the advanced TiVo solution, will continue to be offered their current services in the future as MediaFirst will coexist with these video platforms.”
In January 2017, Congeco announced the deployment of a TiVo-powered 4K DVR, along with the introduction of TSN 4K, a channel that provides Ultra HD coverage of live sporting events and games featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Raptors, and Toronto FC.
Related: Bell Canada Rings Up Ericsson for Upgraded TV Platform
As for MediaFirst, other Canadian operators have deployed the IPTV platform, as well. In January, for example, Bell announced an expanded deal with Ericsson to make the platform part of the technology offering that serves more than 1.5 million Fibe TV and Alt TV subs in Canada.
Telus, another Canadian service provider that has previously used Ericsson’s MediaRoom, is announced in December of last year that it’s also upgrading to MediaFirst to augment Optik TV, its full-freight, managed IPTV service. Telus is also using Ericson’s MediaFirst platform to power Pik TV, an IP-delivered skinny bundle service that was introduced last year.
"Trends in TV viewing clearly show that operators must always innovate in order to offer a rich and customized customer experience,” said Ken Smithard, president of Cogeco Connexion. “After careful consideration, we are confident that the MediaFirst IPTV platform is the best vehicle to fulfill our promise to Canadian viewers by offering a cutting-edge technology with personalization features and greater ease of use for the kind of viewing experience our customers want and deserve."
