BeeSmart is proud to announce the release of BeeSmart Lite, a striking IPTV middleware software package, which is available online, intended for commercial use and absolutely free of charge.

BeeSmart Lite contains the most desired features needed for a sophisticated TV experience. The package is particularly useful for technically skilled operators and system integrators, who are seeking for easy accessible platform which can be successfully used in pilot projects and also in first stages of commercial projects. There are five hundred end-user licenses included in the package together with extensible documentation to help installing, configuring and running the system. There is also a safe migration path defined for users, who would later on like to switch from Lite to full version and gain extended features, more end-user licenses, support and regular upgrades.

Subscribers of Ketchikan Public Utilities are now enjoying a more interactive TV experience. KPU has recently implemented Nokia Siemens Networks’ Home Entertainment 3.0, a next-generation IPTV platform, which offers a host of interactivity and customization options, and enables the quick and easy integration of third-party applications.

The International Paralympic Committee is proud to announce that KIT digital and Highwinds support the ParalympicSport.TV broadcast from the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. ParalympicSport.TV will broadcast more than 150 hours of live and on-demand coverage of the Vancouver Winter Paralympics.

TiVo launches the TiVo Premiere and TiVo Premiere XL boxes. TiVo Premiere elegantly combines access to cable programming, movies, web videos, and music all in one box at a truly affordable price. TiVo Premiere is now the only way to unlock the real value of the HD television set, a box that is more powerful, compact, and energy efficient than previous generations. If the DVR changed your life, TiVo Premiere will change it again.

MTG announces that Viasat Broadcasting has signed a long term agreement with Telenor, which will enable Viasat to distribute its premium pay-TV channel packages to Telenor’s broadband customers. Telenor had 623,000 broadband customers in Norway and 574,000 broadband customers in Sweden at the end of 2009. Viasat’s channel packages will continue to be available to Telenor subsidiary Bredbandsbolaget’s subscribers in Sweden and will also be included in Telenor’s IPTV offering in Norway, which is expected to be launched for fibre-connected broadband customers during the Spring of 2010.

EchoStar Europe will focus on enabling operators to deliver content on a multi-device stage at Cable Congress 2010, Brussels. EchoStar Europe's latest fully integrated SlingLoaded place-shifting and home networking platform will feature alongside a complete range of advanced STBs and DVRs for cable operators.

NeuLion and SVT World announce a new partnership and debut of a dedicated television service for the Swedish community in the U.S. and Canada.

By partnering with NeuLion, SVT now provides a Swedish television service to the homes in a previously untapped market through its IPTV service. NeuLion delivers an end-to-end service for SVT and this is the first time SVT will be available in North America as a linear broadcast.

Arabcom is pleased to announce that Connectiva Systems Inc has joined Arabcom 2010 Summit as a Silver Sponsor. The twelfth Arabcom 2010 Summit under the theme “Broadband Convergence for a Sustainable Future Vision 2020”, will examine the latest telecom developments investments, regulations, networks, devices, services, applications, security, access, with particular relevance to the Arab World market.

WHO: Verimatrix enhances the value and security of pay-TV networks with advanced software-based technologies designed to address the challenges facing the pay-TV industry of today, and anticipate the challenges of tomorrow. The Verimatrix 3-Dimensional Content Security approach provides a framework to enhance operator competitiveness and the consumer experience in the new world of pay-TV. Steve Oetegenn, chief sales and marketing officer, will be available for press and analyst interviews.

Pace is providing the set-top box technology to support the launch of Malaysia’s first HD service. ASTRO has selected Pace for the premium service, which launched in December 2009. ASTRO is Pace’s first HD customer in Asia.

ASTRO currently broadcasts over 100 payTV channels across Malaysia and Brunei to over 2.8 million subscribers in multiple languages. With Pace’s DS830NA set-top box, ASTRO was able to add five new HD channels initially to its existing line-up of programming that includes HBO HD, ESPN HD, Astro Supersports HD, History HD and National Geographic HD. Offering full MPEG-4 support and integrated ethernet capability, the DS830NA will be core to ASTRO’s long term expansion plans, providing the operator with the flexibility to develop its digital portfolio through the rollout of new HD services and other interactive service applications.

Pace announces that Pace France has signed a conditional agreement to acquire Bewan Systems, the Paris-based IP and cable gateways specialist. The consideration for the acquisition, part of which is subject to achievement of earn out targets, will be payable in cash and will not exceed €12.5 million. The transaction is expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2010.

The winners of the Deutsche Telekom Interactive TV Award 2009 have been elected. Last Friday the 26th of February 2009, the Jury consisting of renowned technology and media experts came together in Bonn (Germany) to select the winners of the innovative competition for the best ideas for the "future TV". The winners were broad|Support with the customizable Bundesliga application “Meine Konferenz“ and the interactive docu soap “The Cell“ presented by a team of Isrealis from a Tel Aviv based company Gum Films.

The twelfth Arabcom 2010 Summit, held in conjunction with the fifth Middle East Mobility Summit has received patronage from the new Minister of Telecommunications in Lebanon, Dr. Charbel Nahas. The two day summit, which will take place on May 13-14 in Beirut, Lebanon further elevates the stature of the summit as the premier and only definitive ICT convergence in the MENA region.