Deutsche Telekom continues to announce IPTV efforts across Europe, with a deployment in Hungary slated for launch later in 2006. T-Online Hungary, a unit of Deutsche Telekom and the largest Internet provider in Hungary, has announced that it selected the combination of the Microsoft TV IPTV Edition middleware platform and Alcatel network equipment for a public market trial of IPTV services that will commence during the summer.

This comes on the heels of a technical lab trial that concluded in January, followed by two small field trials. The first included 18 broadcast TV channels, VOD and PVR, was evaluated at its conclusion and then, based on its results, a second extended field trial was started with 500 users, enhanced quality and more TV channels. This second field trial is ongoing. During the trial, these broadcast and on-demand service offerings are being tested on a private DSL network.

According to Andras Tudos, chief information officer for T-Online Hungary, “Unlike traditional television entertainment in Hungary, innovative features, some of them introduced for the first time in this country, will make T-Online Hungary’s IPTV service offering different from regular cable/satellite TV services.” Commercial launch is scheduled for the second half of 2006 in a geographically-limited area that includes Budapest and some other major cities. T-Online Hungary officials have not yet decided whether or not to expand the footprint beyond these areas. The VOD titles will include Hungarian feature films, animations and concerts as well as foreign feature films. Report: Steven Hawley