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January 31, 2013

Viewers in British Columbia Get More TV Options

By Ed Silverstein, TMCnet Contributor

Viewers in western Canada now have more television options with Colba.Net Telecom’s recent announcement that it’s expanding IPTV (News - Alert) service in the region.



Among the new channels are several in high definition, as well as those with American and Canadian programs.

The Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) will be offered in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, according to a company statement.

The expanded service is a result of a ruling by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). The regulator gave the company a regional license to operate a Class 1 terrestrial broadcasting distribution in: Burnaby, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Courtenay/Comox/Powell River, Duncan, Kamloops, Kelowna, Langford, Nanaimo, New Westminster, Penticton, Prince George, Vancouver, Victoria and White Rock, and their surrounding regions, each in British Columbia.

"Once again we are thrilled and proud to expand this new IPTV service in British Columbia,” Joseph Bassili, CEO of Colba.Net, said in a recent statement carried by TMCnet. “Our whole business model, corporate values and reputation are based upon offering the best possible products and services at unbeatable prices. We strongly believe that both the industry and consumers stand to greatly benefit from increasing competition in our fast growing industry sector. By offering IPTV service, Colba.Net is now a player in the big league of telecom providers and cable distributors.”

Colba.Net provides high-speed Internet access, telephony services and IPTV. ColbaNet provides a bundle of Internet, telephone and television for 50 Canadian dollars a month, according to a company statement. That is roughly $50.03 in U.S. dollars.

“Because of its competitive pricing, this recent expansion is likely to reflect positively on sales data and the company's overall value,” according to a report from TMCnet. “The company will, however, face a tough competitor in Bell Canada (News - Alert), which has already launched its IPTV service ‘Fibe TV’ in Montreal, delivered over the telco’s fibre-based network and offering over 100 high-definition channels, more than 70 international channels and over 20 thematic packages, as well as interactive features and whole home PVR capabilities.”

Research firm IHS (News - Alert) found that Canadian telcos have gained pay-television subscribers from their cable and satellite rivals. IPTV’s share of the local subscriber base increased to almost 10 percent in Q3 of 2012, TMCnet added.

It was in December, 2011, that Colba.Net began offering IPTV in Montreal, according to Mediacaster Magazine.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO Miami 2013, happening now in Miami, Florida.  Stay in touch with everything happening at ITEXPO (News - Alert). Follow us on Twitter.




Edited by Brooke Neuman
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