Clix adds free IPTV tier in Portugal; PTC poised to launch

Sonaecom launched a free IPTV service with 21 TV channels in April, to attract new broadband clients to its triple-play offer while PT Comunicações prepares launch later in the year. By Branislav Pekic

Sonaecom aims for 10% market share
In addition to the four Portuguese national terrestrial TV channels (RTP 1, RTP, SIC and TVI), Sonaecom's new Clix SmarTV offer includes 17 international channels including Bloomberg, France 24, TV5 and NHK. The new service is available only for customers of Sonaecom's 12 Mbps (€29.90) and 24 Mbps (€39.90) broadband Internet offers. They must also purchase a set-top box (€150) and pay €50 for the installation fee.

The operator's full Clix SmarTV offer carries over 100 TV channels, available in three packages – Best of 45, Best of 65 and Total - costing €18.50, €23.50 and €34.50 a month, respectively. If this is not enough, users can also take premium programming, such as Sport TV, for an additional €20.50 per month. There is also "home video" service, with 600 (soon to increase to 2000) movies, documentaries and concerts, costing €0.99 to €4.90 each. Other value added services, such as radio channels and games, will launch shortly.

The operator is aiming for a 10% share of the Portuguese pay-TV market in two years time, says CEO Luís Reis. Initially, the service is available to around one million homes (60% of homes covered with Clix's ADSL and telephone offer). According to Mr. Reis, Sonaecom's triple-play package saves at least €30 in comparison to competition. He admitted that the premium offer does not include any channels from the PT Group, but added that negotiations are still underway for its Lusomundo package. SmarTV is delivered via Amino and Kreatel/Motorola set-top boxes, Tandberg (SkyStream) encoders, Kasenna video servers, Orca Interactive's middleware and Widevine content protection software.

PT Comunicações to launch IPTV later 2007
PT Comunicações (PTC) presented its IPTV project in February, pencilling an official launch for the second half of this year. Tests are currently underway with 100 PTC collaborators, due to be extended to 5.000 users in Lisbon, Porto and Castelo Branco in May/June. PTC president Rodrigo Costa revealed that the IPTV offer will launch with 100 channels, "some of them in HDTV". PTC hopes to have the offer available to 40% of the territory by the end of 2007 (North and Central Portugal, the coastal area and the Algarve) and cover the entire country during 2008. The IPTV offer will require a minimum 8mbps connection to PTC's Sapo ADSL. PTC has selected Alcatel, as system integrator, and Microsoft, as middleware technology supplier, for its IPTV service.

NBC Universal seeks IPTV distribution deals
NBC Universal is negotiating with both PTC and Sonaecom for distribution of some of its channels on those IPTV services. PTC confirmed that the company has already been contacted by NBC, but did not say whether the deal could also be extended to PTC's cable operator TV Cabo. Confirmation of the talks also came from Susanna Barbato, head of marketing of Clix SmarTV, who said that her company is negotiating with NBC. However, none of them mentioned the names of the channels that could be destined for the Portuguese market.