PRT to launch satellite television services next week
April 15, 2010Print
by Michelle Kantrow Vázquezmkantrow@prdailysun.net Change Text Size Comments
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Puerto Rico Telephone next week will launch satellite television services under its ClaroTV division, marking its entrance into the island’s paid television market after more than two years of trying.
The company is expected to make the announcement next Thursday, at ClaroTV’s Santurce headquarters, the Daily Sun learned.
In preparation for the launch, on Wednesday, company officials led members of the media in a tour of ClaroTV’s technical operations center in Caguas.
To offer direct-to-home satellite television services, ClaroTV has signed a long-term agreement with SES World Skies in New Jersey.
SES will put up its AMC-21 satellite facility to launch the islandwide television service, which will feature more than 130 standard and high definition channels in Spanish and English.
“With the addition of television to our voice, Internet and wireless service offerings, we solidify our position as the leading full service provider on the island,” said Mario Barrera, PRT’s chief operating officer. “We have developed a state-of-the-art facility to deliver the best entertainment option in the market, with a superior voice and video offering, and better programming in English and Spanish,” added Barrera.
The AMC-21 satellite has a coverage footprint that spans the Caribbean, Central America and the Gulf of Mexico.
“We feel very proud that Puerto Rico Telephone has entrusted SES World Skies to carry its video [direct-to-home] offering and to play a role in their success,” said Scott Sprague, senior vice president of Global Sales for SES.
“We are investing in new satellites for the Latin America and Caribbean region and are pleased to be able to support market leaders like PRT in the execution of their business plans,” he said.
“For Puerto Rico Telephone, the AMC-21 satellite provides the high power they need to implement the new DTH offering with an impressive channel line-up to very small receiver dishes at customers’ homes,” he noted.
Two-year wait
PRT has been looking to break into the island’s paid television market since February 2008, when it requested a cable franchise license from the Telecommunciations Regulatory Board.
The company’s first request was denied, so it re-filed in December 2008. The petition moved from the agency to the courts after the petition was challenged by incumbent television service providers. No decision has been made on the case since October 2009.
Because satellite service is not an area the TRB regulates, once ClaroTV starts, the company will compete with incumbents Onelink Communications, Liberty Cable, Choice Cable, DirecTV and Dish Network.
So far, PRT has invested some $60 million to prepare its infrastructure to offer television services
April 15, 2010Print
by Michelle Kantrow Vázquezmkantrow@prdailysun.net Change Text Size Comments
Change Text Size of Story
If you are logged in, you can set the default text size for stories by going to Account >> Preferences
Puerto Rico Telephone next week will launch satellite television services under its ClaroTV division, marking its entrance into the island’s paid television market after more than two years of trying.
The company is expected to make the announcement next Thursday, at ClaroTV’s Santurce headquarters, the Daily Sun learned.
In preparation for the launch, on Wednesday, company officials led members of the media in a tour of ClaroTV’s technical operations center in Caguas.
To offer direct-to-home satellite television services, ClaroTV has signed a long-term agreement with SES World Skies in New Jersey.
SES will put up its AMC-21 satellite facility to launch the islandwide television service, which will feature more than 130 standard and high definition channels in Spanish and English.
“With the addition of television to our voice, Internet and wireless service offerings, we solidify our position as the leading full service provider on the island,” said Mario Barrera, PRT’s chief operating officer. “We have developed a state-of-the-art facility to deliver the best entertainment option in the market, with a superior voice and video offering, and better programming in English and Spanish,” added Barrera.
The AMC-21 satellite has a coverage footprint that spans the Caribbean, Central America and the Gulf of Mexico.
“We feel very proud that Puerto Rico Telephone has entrusted SES World Skies to carry its video [direct-to-home] offering and to play a role in their success,” said Scott Sprague, senior vice president of Global Sales for SES.
“We are investing in new satellites for the Latin America and Caribbean region and are pleased to be able to support market leaders like PRT in the execution of their business plans,” he said.
“For Puerto Rico Telephone, the AMC-21 satellite provides the high power they need to implement the new DTH offering with an impressive channel line-up to very small receiver dishes at customers’ homes,” he noted.
Two-year wait
PRT has been looking to break into the island’s paid television market since February 2008, when it requested a cable franchise license from the Telecommunciations Regulatory Board.
The company’s first request was denied, so it re-filed in December 2008. The petition moved from the agency to the courts after the petition was challenged by incumbent television service providers. No decision has been made on the case since October 2009.
Because satellite service is not an area the TRB regulates, once ClaroTV starts, the company will compete with incumbents Onelink Communications, Liberty Cable, Choice Cable, DirecTV and Dish Network.
So far, PRT has invested some $60 million to prepare its infrastructure to offer television services
