Advanced Television

MTN demos VoD over LTE

February 27, 2015

MTN recently announced that Discover Digital would operate the service which it built with Irish company Digisoft.tv  Digisoft announced a move into multi device VoD with its CastOS product at IBC 2014.  CastOS enables smartphone to throw content to a Roku, Chromecast, FireTV or white label dongl

MTN showcased the benefits of FrontRow when it streamed high bandwidth video content onto multiple mobile devices using its video on demand (VoD) offering.

The demonstration of FrontRow capabilities on MTN’s new generation network was demonstrated at a media briefing held at MTN head offices in Fairlands, Johannesburg.

MTN has launched its subscription-based video on demand (VoD) service last year for the launch price of R179 or R399 a month inclusive of a 10GB data bundle for streaming and viewing. FrontRow gives all customers regardless of which network they subscribe with access to thousands of movies and their favourite television series on up to five different devices, one device at a time.

FrontRow has a video music video catalogue that is updated month on month.

Customers who have subscribed to MTN FrontRow Club can view content via their browser on the MTN website, or through their iOS or Android mobile devices.

Larry Annetts, Chief Marketing Officer: MTN South Africa, says there are a number of factors that sets MTN FrontRow apart from other similar products in the market.

“With FrontRow, subscribers can link up to five different devices which ensures that streaming and viewing of content is not restricted to one device. FrontRow has more compelling material as it sources content from six studios compared to four studios that other providers have. This explains why MTN Front Row has exclusive access to popular series that are not available on TV, namely Black Sails and Power. These products enjoy impressive TV ratings abroad and we hope that our customers will enjoy them,” said Annetts.

He said that the substantial investment that MTN has made over the years in improving and optimising its network is paying off. “Value added services such as VoD require high performing networks to operate optimally. We are proud of the strides we have made to ensure that we provide our customers with the platform that enables them to optimally enjoy our products and solutions by providing them with technology that gives them a seamless and enhanced lifestyle experience.

“Another key differentiator is our competitive subscription pricing which comes inclusive with 10GB of data bundles. MTN has introduced special data streaming bundles to ensure that its customers can top up data at affordable rates when they have run out,” Annetts added.

He said the beauty about FrontRow is that it leverages on the ubiquity of mobile devices by giving subscribers the opportunity to stream and consume content whenever and wherever they are, unrestricted by broadcast schedules.

“Consumers consume content anywhere and everywhere and therefore they demand access to content on their devices. At MTN we believe that this transformative evolution will redefine the world of broadcast and will give customers a world of options over and above what is currently available,” Annetts concluded.

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