Company Profile: Pioneer Telephone Cooperative
Providing IPTV service since: Launched first of eight phases in June 2004. Have IPTV deployed in 72 towns in Central and Western Oklahoma.
Major challenges so far: Integration of IPTV solutions, keeping subscriber acquisition costs down in order to compete with incumbent Cable providers and the DBS providers.
Number of IPTV subscribers: 8500
IPTV equipment vendors:
Set-top box: Amino, Entone and Scientific Atlanta
Middleware: Myrio (NSN)
Encoder: Tut/Motorola
VOD Server: Harmonic
Test and Monitoring: In house
Security: Verimatrix
Advertising Server: ETI
Advice for upcoming IPTV service providers: Integration with vendors is critical including in particular Transport, Set Top Box, CA (security), modem and Middleware
Expected growth: 25% annual growth
Future of IPTV in Oklahoma: Oklahoma is a hotbed and leader in IPTV distribution in the US. Oklahoma already has five companies delivering IPTV including the recent launch of U-Verse by ATT in the metro area.
Innovative aspect of IPTV service: Probably the most innovative aspect is the provider’s use of Ruckus Wireless in its in-home distribution of video. The service provider worked with Ruckus for about nine months testing and helping develop standards for delivering video inside home.
