EchoStar’s VIP-TV to deliver video transport service to Georgia IPTV provider Ringgold Telephone

 

June 23, 2009

EchoStar Satellite Services, announced an agreement to deliver its ViP-TV video transport service to Ringgold Telephone Company (RTC), a provider of converged communications to more than 11,000 access lines in northern Georgia. Ringgold will receive transport of up to 42 popular high definition TV channels to its IP headend. 

RTC provides digital interactive video service NexTV to its subscribers along with telephone and Internet access, all via a broadband connection. The ViP-TV delivered IP channels will be available immediately to RTC subscribers. With the additions, RTC now offers a total of 48 high-definition channels. 

“We are thrilled to be equipped to offer more hi-def channels than most major cable companies in our area,” said RTC Executive Vice President Phil Erli. “We’re bringing in the highest quality HD channels available through satellite IPTV transporter EchoStar and its ViP-TV service.”  

EchoStar’s ViP-TV transport service is capable of delivering a secure, MPEG-4 encoded IP stream of approximately 275 popular, broadcast-quality TV and music channels from a satellite located at 85 degrees W.L. ViP-TV can also provide satellite-delivered local TV channel aggregation in a telco’s designated market area in both high definition and standard definition (where available).  

“EchoStar is pleased to be the provider of choice for HD content for Ringgold Telephone,” said Steve Skalski, vice president in charge of EchoStar’s ViP-TV division. “Our ViP-TV service offers small and medium-sized telcos affordable, scalable and aggregated MPEG-4 IP-encapsulated audio and video channels from our high-powered satellite.”