Alcatel announced that SuperSUN, the pay TV Service of Galaxy Satellite Broadcasting Limited, one of Asia's leading pay TV service providers, headquartered in Hong Kong, will use Alcatel's solution to deliver Internet Protocol-based television (IPTV) service to residential broadband users in Hong Kong. In addition, Alcatel is also selected as the integration partner for the project.

Alcatel will provide a fully integrated end-to-end video solution to enable SuperSUN to cost-effectively manage and deliver its satellite TV content over the broadband network of Hutchison Global Communications, one of Hong Kong's leading fixed telecom operators. With an open and non-proprietary architecture, the Alcatel solution uses industry-standard interfaces that allow for seamless integration with existing infrastructure and systems from different equipment vendors. As the project integrator, Alcatel will also take responsibility for the end-to-end integration with SuperSUN's set-top box and subscriber authentication suppliers.

At present, SuperSUN's satellite TV services cover 600,000 homes in Hong Kong. The service provider expects to launch its IPTV services in June 2005 and immediately expand its reach to 2 million households by leveraging the coverage of its broadband network partner. As a result, Hong Kong consumers will have a wider choice of entertainment programs delivered to their home television sets.

Jackey Chan, Chief Operating Officer of SuperSUN, said, "With Alcatel's IPTV middleware solution, we will be able to expand our business opportunities and increase our share in Hong Kong's pay TV market. Delivering our services over broadband will bring quality infotainment programs to a wider viewership in Hong Kong in a quick and cost-effective manner."

"This is not only a breakthrough business model for a pay-TV service provider, but also a proof of the huge growth potential for IPTV service in Hong Kong," said Alan Mottram, President of Alcatel's fixed solutions activities. "Alcatel is committed to working closely with our customers to bring a user-centric broadband experience to consumers. With our expertise and experience in IPTV as well as strong integration capabilities, I am confident of providing the best possible support to Galaxy in its new service development and delivery."

Alcatel has the widest IPTV expertise and field experience in the world. To date, more than 20 IPTV projects have been undertaken by Alcatel worldwide and 100,000 users are being entertained through Alcatel's IPTV solutions. This April, Alcatel launched an IPTV Solution Center for the Asia Pacific region in Shanghai, China. The Center designs tailored IPTV solutions that fit the individual requirements of operators and provides comprehensive technical support as well as consulting services to assist operators in every stage of new service development.