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Minnesota-based satellite TV hardware and content distributor and provider of IPTV (News - Alert) solutions for telcos, ISPs and system operators Pace International has joined the EchoStar's ViP-TV Reseller Program.

Pace currently delivers hardware and content solutions, including local TV channels, to hundreds of thousands of commercial, SMATV and MDU units. ViP-TV is claimed to deliver the largest selection of HD IPTV channels and the fullest mix of cable networks, local channels, sports, music, and international programming. EchoStar has claimed that they leverage more than 25 years of experience in video delivery with its ViP-TV platform. Through nine owned and leased satellites and 10 uplink centers, EchoStar currently broadcasts more channels than any other service in the world.

The ViP-TV solution, with its small footprint and low-cost receive head-end, is designed to plug into user network and evolving business model. The ViP-TV service features the largest selection of HD IPTV channels available from a single source. ViP-TV resellers offer customers ViP-TV's blade-based receiver system that can significantly reduce capital expenditures, required rack space, power consumption and operating costs for head-ends.

Vern Swedin, president of Pace said Pace is well positioned to provide telcos with a single partner who can help them "Just Add TV" to their voice and data services and gain the retention value of a triple-play offer. With hundreds of channels of IP video from ViP-TV paired with local TV channel coverage from other partners, Pace can provide telcos with an answer to their customers' requests for a video option on a single bill.

Vernon Smith, senior vice president and general manager of ViP-TV for EchoStar has said that they're excited to land Pace as a ViP-TV reseller as they have a unique set of integration skills to aggressively drive penetration of ViP-TV. With Pace, telcos have another reason to deploy now versus waiting for increased competition for their customers. Their combined solutions and support provide a high quality and cost-effective IPTV solution.