Europa Network Overcomes 'Last-Mile' Challenges With Haivision Furnace(TM) IP Video Delivery Solution

Haivision's Barracuda H.264 Encoders Provide High Quality Critical to Live IPTV Service Delivery Over Low-Bandwidth Network

MONTREAL and CHICAGO(11 Aug 2010)

Haivision Network Video today announced that Europa Network, the largest fixed-line telecommunications company for the U.K. expatriate community in Spain, is using the Haivision Furnace(TM) IP video delivery system, equipped with 20 Barracuda H.264 encoders, to stream free-to-air (FTA) content from the U.K. over IPTV as a free, value-added service. The exceptional efficiency of the Haivision encoding and IP video delivery solution, supplied by systems integrator Techex Limited, has allowed Europa Network to leverage a low-bandwidth network to expand its business cost effectively and to meet subscriber demand for high-quality broadcast content.

"Working with Techex and Haivision technology, we were able to engineer our own best-in-class solution capable of ensuring high service quality while overcoming the bandwidth restrictions imposed by the incumbent service providers that own the 'last mile,'" said Alan Dobinson, CEO of Europa Network. "In providing this revenue-enhancing service, Europa Network has become the only company in Spain to deliver high-quality IPTV on standard 1 Mbps to 3 Mbps connections. The cost of implementing this solution was covered by the addition of 12,000 new users to Europa Network's previous subscriber base of 15,000 billing customers."

Europa Network's IPTV delivery model brings 12 FTA channels, as well as a "family pack" and "adult pack" of channels, to customers along the Spanish coastline. Haivision's Barracuda encoders and Furnace system allow the company to provide high-quality IPTV with less than a 3 Mbps connection. The encoders' HiLo-Streaming(TM) supports efficient delivery of low and higher bit rate programming to subscriber PCs and to Amino set-top boxes (STBs) over an unpredictable low-bandwidth network.

The Barracuda systems encode FTA content at 1.5 Mbps for high bit rate services to customer STBs or PCs and at a lower bit rate of 0.75 Mbps for 1 Mbps customers, who watch the content on their personal computers using Haivision's patented "zero footprint" InStream(TM) player. Requiring less than 800 kB of hard drive space, the platform-independent InStream player runs solely in the computer's memory space and requires no installation, updates, or maintenance.

"Because broadband has become a commodity product, Europa Network required a solution that would enable it to use a limited amount of bandwidth to deliver quality broadcast content to its subscribers, who do not live in cities or large urban areas," said Peter Maag, senior vice president at Haivision. "Our Furnace IP video delivery system and versatile Barracuda encoders provide the unparalleled efficiency required to meet this demand and, in turn, draw additional subscribers with an enhanced service offering."

Complete information about Haivision products is available within the download center at www.haivision.com. 

About Techex
Founded in 1972 Techex is an industry-leading supplier of IP video solutions with operations in the U.K., Spain, USA, Hong Kong, and South America. Techex's focused IP video competence specializes in value-added distribution, platform design, system integration, project management, support, and consultancy. Techex works with the world's leading broadcast, telco, medical, corporate, and military organizations. www.techex.co.uk.

About Haivision Network Video
Based in Montreal and Chicago, Haivision Network Video is a private company and a world leader in delivering the most advanced and intelligent IP video networking technology. Haivision's products are deployed worldwide within the foremost Fortune 100 companies; in the most rigorous military and defense applications; in state-of-the-art healthcare facilities for video collaboration and training; in highly renowned educational institutions for IPTV, teaching, and remote learning; in the most efficient interactive broadcast applications; and within the world's leading TelePresence suites. Haivision distributes its products through value-added resellers, system integrators, distributors, and OEMs worldwide.