ADB Deploys First IPTV STB on North American Telco Network

ADB’s ADB3800W set-top boxes featuring Minerva Networks’ iTVManager software have been commercially deployed, enabling North Dakota Tel to deliver a full range of IPTV services to its customers

GENEVA, Switzerland – Advanced Digital Broadcast, a leading supplier of digital TV systems and software solutions for interactive television announced today that it has rolled-out its first commercial deployment of the ADB-3800W, high-definition (HD) IPTV set-top box (STB) featuring Minerva Networks’ iTVManager software. The units have been deployed on North Dakota Telephone Company’s (NDTC) network and will enable the operator to launch a new portfolio of new IP based, revenue-generating television services to its subscribers using standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) formats in both MPEG2 and MPEG4. The units have also been launched on over 30 Independent Operating Company (IOC) networks throughout North America.

“We are delighted to make such an announcement so shortly after receiving certification for the ADB-3800W”, commented Philippe Lambinet, CEO of ADB. “We believe that this endorses our very competitive and state-of-the-art solution which telcos are eager to deploy to maximise revenues, through new IPTV centric applications, and to increase the efficiency of their networks through applications such as Advanced Video Encoding”.

This exciting development marks ADB’s first commercial IPTV deployment in North America and the company will further expand its product portfolio later this year with the launch of an IPTV Digital Video Recorder (DVR).

“We have been waiting for availability of a fully-functional and certified MPEG-4/AVC set-top box for some time”, commented Richard Ellison from NDTC. “We expected a standard definition unit at this point, so we consider the high definition/AVC capabilities of the ADB-3800W to be a huge bonus. The solution will ensure that our set-top boxes are future-proof and allow us to launch our service and upgrade to HD services without changing hardware. We have worked very closely with ADB to ensure that this deployment has run as smoothly as possible and are extremely pleased that they have met our delivery timescales”.

ADB’s distributor Border States Electric (BSE) is also highly delighted with the response to the availability of the ADB-3800W and sees this deployment as the first of many.

“BSE has serviced the independent telco market in the Midwest for over 15 years. We have been following the emerging US IPTV market for a couple of years and have been looking for innovative solutions for telcos wishing to expand into IPTV. We believe that the Minerva Networks certification and the NDTC deployment demonstrate that the telco sector has been waiting for such a versatile product, combining advanced video coding, high definition and standard definition, for some time”, said John Elsbernd, Sales & Marketing Manager of BSE’s DataComm Division. “This unit will allow telcos to evolve their business model and tap into the triple play market place – combining traditional voice based services with revenue-generating video applications. ADB’s innovative products combined with BSE’s logistics solutions are a winning partnership for telcos deploying IPTV services.”

The ADB-3800W is an advanced digital set-top box incorporating standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) television reception and is based on MPEG-2 and H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding (AVC). The unit enables operators to maximize their broadcast bandwidth, while presenting consumers with a high quality, feature-rich television experience. ADB’s unique driver and operating software, coupled with an optimal memory configuration and state-of-the-art microprocessor, result in enhanced system performance, including fast channel decoding and swift rendering of applications such as the Electronic Programme Guide (EPG). The ADB-3800W platform is compatible with IPTV industry’s leading conditional access (CA), digital rights management (DRM) and middleware solutions.

ADB3800W set-top boxes are immediately available for commercial deployment through Border States Electric (www.borderstateselectric.com), in Fargo, ND.