Polish IPTV draws nearer

[BGonaSTICK]

According to local reports, Poland’s National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) is about to grant the incumbent telco TPSA cable operator status, thereby paving the way for the France Telecom-backed company to launch a triple-play service, including IPTV, in the third quarter.

TPSA is expected to invest up to PLN3.5 billion (€903 million) this year, with some 80% of the total being allocated to the development of new services, and poses a potential threat to the country’s cable industry, which serves some 4.5 million homes.

Separately, the Polish national commercial station TVN has renewed its contract with Eutelsat for capacity on the Hot Bird system. However, it will now use the new Hot Bird 7A satellite, which was put into full service on April 20, rather than Hot Bird 1 to distribute its portfolio of channels.