Columbus Communications Launches Digital IP Video Technology Platform with Evolution Digital, Conax and Cubiware

One of Caribbean’s Largest MSOs Enhance Offering by Providing IP VOD and TV Everywhere

ORLANDO — SCTE Cable-Tec Expo — Columbus Communications, a leader in video and data networks throughout 25 countries in the greater Caribbean, Central America and Andean region, today announced that they are deploying a Pre-Integrated Hybrid IP Video Platform by Evolution Digital, Conax and Cubiware among other partners.

Columbus Communications, which has a fully protected, ringed submarine fiber optic network spanning more than 18,000 kms’ has taken an aggressive approach to next generation IP Technology. Columbus Communications new Digital IP Video Platform supports HD Hybrid IP STBs with support for Adaptive Bit Rate Technology delivering IP VOD content. The Platform will support delivery of VOD content across IP Hybrid STBs and multiscreen devices and provide features like “Follow me” and “Pause live TV”. Many new features and services will be announced in the coming months.

Darren Richer, Chief Technology Officer, Columbus Communications explains, “In order to expand our reach across the region and offer new enhanced services in cost-effective ways, we chose to work with vendors who bring their respective strengths in products and knowledge to deliver future-proof Adaptive Bit Rate technology to provide IP VOD and TV Everywhere.”

This elegant pre-integrated hybrid IP ecosystem includes hybrid IP Set-top boxes from Evolution Digital, security across all screens and DRM through Conax Xtend Multiscreen™ content security and Middleware from Cubiware, ensuring a consistent high-impact UI customer experience and residing on HE and STB. UXP Systems provides the Connected Experience Platform giving Columbus Communications customers a unified User Interface experience for their Voice, Video and Data services on multiscreen devices. MPS Broadband has provided the content management system, Elemental Technologies the Encoding Platform and Seawell Networks the Content Delivery Network.

“This collaborative approach of pre-integrating best-in-class components, enabling each to be tested together prior to deploying, has proven scalable and customizable per market,” States Brent Smith, President, Evolution Digital. “This effective, proven architecture has allowed Columbus for a quick time to market.”

“The solution is being built in phases and Columbus Communication’s approach towards adopting open standards solution show a clear indication that the advantages of DVB Open Standards has found their way to the Pay TV platforms this side of the Atlantic,” comments Rohit Mehra, VP of Americas, Conax AS.

“Adopting of the pre-integrated eco-system strengthens Columbus Communication’s position as the market leader in the region. Flexibility and feature-richness given by the platform enables providing advanced TV services today and tomorrow,” adds Jakub Górski, CEO, Cubiware.

The core solution offering is built around Conax Xtend Multiscreen™ platform, which was launched recently at IBC in Amsterdam and will be on display at Evolution Digital’s booth #2503 at the SCTE Cable-Tec Expo.