T-HT, a Croatian telecom operator, recently announced that it has selected the 16 degrees East satellite neighborhood operated by Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) to extend reach of its MAXtv pay-TV platform to all homes across Croatia.

According to this 10-year contract for three satellite transponders, MAXtv will consolidate its position in Croatia's digital television market. Through the contract, T-HT will optimize the footprint of MAXtv to viewers beyond range of its ADSL network, particularly to semi-urban, rural communities and Croatian islands in the Adriatic.

In addition, for T-HT's ADSL subscribers, a new hybrid box will enable users to benefit from interactive services through the DSL network and a broad range of digital and High-Definition television delivered by satellite.

Subscribers will now be able to choose different program packages including an attractive sports package with exclusive content, and also have access to free-to-air international satellite channels.

Also, with the help of a hybrid box, ADSL customers will also be able to access other advanced, interactive and Internet features, including a recording service called Snimalica, Video Library, interactive Internet content (Internet portals, widgets, red buttons etc.) and HDTV channels. Subscription services, including dish installation are provided by all T-HT Centres in Croatia.

"We are very proud of the fact that MAXtv, as the first interactive pay-TV service in the region, is now available across the entire territory of the Republic of Croatia thanks to our satellite capacity with Eutelsat (News - Alert),” said Ivica Mudrinic, president of the management board of T-Hrvatski Telekom (T-HT), in a statement.

“Being aware of the limited possibilities for growth in the traditional mobile and fixed telephony market, we at HT focused on the strengthening of our position in the media and entertainment segment by constant development of innovative products and services. This makes MAXtv the first digital television in Croatia and we are also the first in the Deutsche Telekom (News - Alert) Group to introduce this hybrid service,” he added.

"We are delighted that T-HT, part of the Deutsche Telekom Group, has selected our 16 degrees East platform to extend MAXtv to all Croatian homes,” said Andrew Wallace, Eutelsat chief commercial officer, in a statement.

“T-HT is maximizing the strengths of terrestrial and satellite platforms to ensure that all homes have the opportunity to benefit from a multi-channel broadcast environment and we are proud to be their chosen satellite partner in this media adventure," he added.

Rahul Arora is a TMCnet contributor. He has worked as an editor and freelance writer for several reputed organizations in India. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Janice McDuffee