Telefónica Expands Microsoft Deployments

First deployments of convergent video platform occurring in Brazil, Chile and Spain

By George Winslow -- Broadcasting & Cable, 11/15/2012 1:43:38 PM

Telefónica Digital and Microsoft Corp. have inked a multiyear agreement to deploy a new Global Video Platform (GVP) for all of Telefónica's video entertainment services that will be based on Microsoft technologies and Microsoft Mediaroom product suite.

The deal is notable because Telefónica is one of the world's largest telcos, with significant operations in in 25 countries, including Spain, Europe and Latin America, and a customer base of nearly 314 million access points around the world.

In October, Telefónica launched an IPTV service in Chile and earlier this month bowed an IPTV service in Brazil. Both the Vivo TV Fibra in Brazil and Movistar IPTV in Chile relied on the new GVP platform and its capabilities, noted Tom Gibbons, corporate vice president, operator TV business, Microsoft in an interview.

The two companies also used the GVP platform for November 2011 Movistar Imagenio on Xbox 360 service, which provides 12 linear channels.

Telefónica is planning to deploy TV services based on the GVP to a number of its other territories in the next few years both for traditional pay TV services as well as over-the-top content.

The solution is designed to handle a variety of different network types including both satellite and broadband delivery of content, which will be important for dealing with the difference pay TV landscapes where Telefónica operates.

The technology also allows consumers to access the services on a range of devices both inside and outside the home that include set-top boxes, Xbox 360, tablets and smartphones.

Gibbons also noted that the deal highlights the considerable progress the Microsoft Mediaroom platform has made in the last 14 months. It is now used in deployments servicing over 11 million consumer households and 22 million set-top boxes across the Americas, EMEA and APAC.