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Rural Telcos Ink Agreement to Deliver NRTC's Programming for IPTV
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IPTV Feature Article

July 21, 2009

Rural Telcos Ink Agreement to Deliver NRTC's Programming for IPTV

By Anshu Shrivastava, TMCnet Contributor


The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) has announced that more of its telco members are building their competitive advantage by signing on to deliver the Cooperative’s programming for Internet Protocol television (IPTV (News - Alert)).


Over 350 video and audio channels of IPTV programming are being delivered by Telcos to homes and businesses across the United States, according NRTC (News - Alert) officials.

For their respective markets, Telcos working with NRTC can customize programming packages, including two tiers of high-definition (HD) programming and Hispanic programming, said officials. Additional offerings include sports pay-per-view, access to broadband content and video on demand (VOD).

In a release, Madeleine Forrer, vice president of video services at NRTC, said that the ability to create customized programming packages specifically for their markets gives members an edge. He said that company’s online contract management tools make it easy to manage complex programming contracts and carriage requirements.

The company has secured the appropriate rights for any member’s system -- and the marketing and training support makes sure that these telcos are ready to compete, said Forrer, adding that “rural telcos simply can't make a better choice than NRTC for their programming needs.”

The distribution agreements of NRTC include rights for telcos to deliver the programming in Internet Protocol and analog formats over copper, fiber or coaxial cable.

Along with the rights to high definition (HD) services, NRTC has also acquired rights to these channels’ VoD services, when available.

Recently, some of the companies that began delivering IPTV programming via NRTC are Nahunta, Ga.-based BTC Communications; FrontGate Networks in Fort Meyers, Fla.; Mountain Rural Telephone Cooperative Corporation, in West Liberty, Ky.; and Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative, in Walterboro, S.C.

“These telcos are getting into video to increase the value of their landlines and improve their competitive position,” said Bob Phillips, president and CEO at NRTC.

NRTC and the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) partnered in 2007 to offer rural telcos a complete programming selection for IPTV. The offering includes over 350 video and audio channels, including more than 80 channels of HD programming, from companies such as HBO, Cinemax, A&E Television Networks, Disney/ESPN (News - Alert)/ABC, NBC Universal, Fox News, and more.

“Rural telcos are turning to NRTC because we deliver great programming with flexibility and outstanding member support. Rural telcos need their own source for programming—from an entity that understands and champions their interests. No one else can offer this complete package,” said Phillips.

Anshu Shrivastava is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Anshu’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Patrick Barnard

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