Cisco and Ericsson compete for IPTV contract in Brazil

August 14, 2008 - Brazilian pay-TV operator GVT has announced that Cisco and Ericsson are the two finalists of its Request for Proposals to choose a systems integrator for the IPTV platform it was recently revealed to be planning, according to reports in local technology news portal Baguete .

The two companies were chosen as potential partners to develop the pilot project of the IPTV service, which will be put in place with around 300 subscribers between the end of this year and beginning of 2009, according to Baguete. The tender process reportedly involved concrete proposals from 11 companies, of which four were selected for a more in-depth evaluation until Cisco and Ericsson were chosen for the final selection round. The launch period and price of the service still depend on approval of Bill 29 (PL29), which will change the rules for the provision of content by telecoms operators in Brazil.

"Our aim is to have the project finalised and ready for launch when the discussion concerning PL29 is concluded or close to definition," said Ricardo Sanfelice, Manager of Product Marketing for GVT. "We defend the right of operators to offer content to expand the population's access to subscription TV services and increase competition, the level of service and range of services offered."