GDB signs deal with VeHDa for UK set-top-boxes

Global Digital Broadcast, the IPTV provider, has entered into a deal with VeHDa, a UK provider of high-definition and digital technologies, to install 500,000 IP set-top boxes (STBs) in the UK by the end of 2008.

Around 100,000 STBs will be installed, by VeHDa engineers, directly into customers’ homes by Christmas 2007.

VeHDa and its sister company, Play TV, are both involved in the contract, providing over 200 installation and service engineers across the UK, and 800 sales and customer service staff.

VeHDa’s high-definition set-top boxes are programmed with GDB’s middleware. They will be pre-programmed with over 700 channels from 84 countries. This means that customers will be able to watch their own ‘local TV’, regardless of where they are located at the time.

Customers will be able to receive GDB’s own channels; local and international channels; Play TV movies, Play TV entertainment and Play TV sport; popular generic content and terrestrial freeview.

The VeHDa boxes will start to be rolled out in September 2007.