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4 cos sign pact to upgrade cable TV networks

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The Siemens Information and Communication Networks Group, Munich, Kathrein Werke KG, Rosenheim, and GHA Communications GmbH, Backnang, have signed a cooperation agreement to upgrade existing cable television networks in Germany, a press release of Siemens Pakistan said on Thursday.

Consortia will be formed as part of this cooperation to offer the existing regional cable television companies, turn-key solutions for upgrading to an interactive multimedia network.

Not only will the transmission of radio and television programmes be possible but also faster internet access, and telephone and broadband data services will be available via the broadband cable networks.

The partners in the BK 2000 consortia are anticipating a market volume of approximate DM 7.5 billion for these infrastructure solutions over the next five years. Siemens, Kathrein and GHA Communications are aiming for a 30 percent market share.

To upgrade the existing cable network to an interactive multimedia network, some of the existing copper cable network needs to be replaced by fibre optic cable using optical transmission technology. The complete solution also covers planning and implementing the new services.

The consortia can provide customer management in terms of billing and behaviour analysis, set up and management subscriber access on site, monitor the network and provide technical support to the operator.

Siemens, as lead manager, will undertake the planning, project management and monitoring and build on its position in the services sector.

Kathrein will supply and integrate the system, while GHA Communications will carry out the civil engineering works and install and commission the multimedia network.

Faster internet access up to 40 Mbit/s, telephone over cable or interactive digital television such as video-on-demand, are just a few of the many feasible components of the new network solution. An appropriately equipped broadband cable network can also support several hundred digital television cables.