TeliaSonera and Samsung launch IPTV solution for Smart TV - eliminating the set-top box
TeliaSonera and Samsung have started a collaboration to develop a Smart TV solution that will allow existing IPTV without the need for an external set-top-box, with full support for key linear, catch-up and on-demand features. Earmarked as the industry’s first “set-top box free” IPTV service, the new solution will be demonstrated in beta at Samsung’s booth during IFA 2012. The Smart TV solution will be launched on TeliaSonera´s Estonian market late 2012. Next step is Sweden Q1 of 2013 and Finland during 2013.
The new solution is unique in terms of easy to use and even more customer friendly. As soon as the Smart TV equipped with the new solution is connected to Internet, it will recognize the local IPTV provider that the customer is using and the IPTV user interface will appear automatically and all TV services are ready to use. No additional settings or equipment is needed. In addition to that it reduces the number of remote controls and set top boxes for the customer – and by that also the cost. The new solution enables to use all IPTV services, such as VoD (Video on Demand) and catch-up.
- We are continuing to develop more ways for our customers to enjoy their IPTV experience without the need for a set-top box. This development is going to be a significant change to the use of TV. Samsung is continuously working on partnering with operators like TeliaSonera and making consumers enjoy their favourite contents in more easy and convenient ways. This will lead to a much higher level in broadening accessibility through Smart TV, stated Kyungshik Lee, VP of Visual Display Division, Samsung Electronics.
- TeliaSonera is proud to be first mover and pioneer in this fast-growing area of IPTV services. Our TV business is growing in all Nordic and Baltic countries and in 2012 we will make our TV service available on multiple screens. This new Smart TV solution will certainly make our TV offering even more attractive, says Malin Frenning, President Broadband Services, TeliaSonera.
In May, TeliaSonera, the 5th largest telecommunication company in Europe, and Samsung, one of the world’s leading technology companies, started a collaboration to develop the world’s first solution that would enable to use local IPTV services with a Samsung Smart TV without a set-top box, which has so far been an essential piece of equipment. The beta version of this new solution has been developed for Samsung Smart TV series 7 and 8 and IPTV service provided by Elion, TeliaSonera´s Estonian subsidiary. The new solution will initially be launched in Estonia and will thereafter be adopted in TeliaSonera’s other markets, starting with Sweden in first half of 2013 and Finland during 2013.
The first presentation of this new solution will take place at IFA trade fair in Berlin – the largest of its kind in Europe, from 31 August to 5 September 2012. The first people in the world who will have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of the new solution are Elion´s customers who use Samsung´s Smart TV from series 7 or 8.
For more information, please call the TeliaSonera press office 46-771 77 58 30, press@teliasonera.com or visit our Newsroom.
TeliaSonera provides network access and telecommunication services in the Nordic and Baltic countries, the emerging markets of Eurasia, including Russia and Turkey, and in Spain. TeliaSonera helps people and companies communicate in an easy, efficient and environmentally friendly way. Our ambition is to be number one or two in all our markets, providing the best customer experience, high quality networks and cost efficient operations. TeliaSonera is also the leading European wholesale provider with a wholly-owned international carrier network. In 2011, net sales amounted to SEK 104 billion, EBITDA to SEK 36.9 billion and earnings per share to SEK 4.20. The TeliaSonera share is listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm and NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. Read more at www.teliasonera.com.
