Canby Telcom Launches HD Offering Powered by IP-PRIME HD-4 Service in Central Oregon

2008-09-30 17:58:00 -

- SES AMERICOM Monica Morgan, +1 609-987-4143 Monica.Morgan@SES-AMERICOM.com or CANBY TELCOM Merry Shepard, +1 503-266-8249 mshepard@canbytel.com SES AMERICOM and Canby Telcom, a member of the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC), announced today that Canby's IPTV customers can now access 36 channels of High Definition (HD) programming, including more than two dozen channels delivered to Canby via IP-PRIME(R), from marquee programmers such as Discovery, Disney, Showtime, Fox News, ESPN, A&E and the Food Network, plus a handful of local broadcast services.

IP-PRIME delivers a comprehensive roster of high-quality standard and high-definition programming in MPEG-4 format to operators via a single satellite antenna. The IP-PRIME HD-4(TM) service delivers up to 40 national high-definition channels to operators looking to add high quality HD programming to their existing IPTV service. In addition to the HD-4 offering, the IP-PRIME full transport solution offers hundreds of programming channels to operators without the high capital and operating expenses required to build and operate an IPTV headend.

Keith Galitz, President and General Manager of Canby Telcom, said: "We are committed to bringing our customers the latest information, communications and entertainment services to enhance their personal and professional lives. In November 2005, Canby became the first provider of IP television in Oregon, and with HD-4, we are the first to deliver IPTV/HD over copper and fiber to our customers in Canby, Oregon." He continued, "As more consumers install HD-ready screens, their expectations and demands for HD programming grow with every passing week - IP-PRIME's HD-4 is an efficient and best of all, high quality solution that meets that demand."

"About a year ago, the IP-PRIME team recognized that the IPTV pioneers who initiated their TV services with MPEG-2 encoding, were challenged to deliver HD channels over their networks," said Jim Ducay, COO of SES AMERICOM. He continued: "Through our close relationships with the programmers we realized that the number of HD channels was going to grow exponentially, so we introduced the IP-PRIME HD-4 solution in late 2007. The 32 or 40 channel HD-4 service can be up and running in 60 days, and our MPEG-4 HD picture quality is stunning."

NRTC, in partnership with the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) and SES AMERICOM, offers IP-PRIME to its members in rural America.

About Canby Telcom

Canby Telcom provides telecommunications and entertainment services to more than 8000 customers over an 84 square mile foot print in the northern Willamette Valley of Oregon. The 102 year old cooperative has 68 employees and 10,000 telephone access lines. Canby Digital Television service has more than 200 channels including 36 HD channels. An Interactive Program Guide, Video on Demand, Pay-per-View and Caller ID on TV are a few of the many features available with the service.

About IP-PRIME (www.ip-prime.com)

IP-PRIME is a complete IPTV transport solution that telecom carriers, cable operators, and private networks can use today to provide their subscribers with the content that they demand including 50+ channels of HD plus another 200+ SD channels. Focused on high quality television, IP-PRIME offers a customizable programming lineup that can be deployed quickly and efficiently to subscribers.

About NRTC

The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) represents the advanced telecommunications and information technology interests of more than 1,400 rural utilities and affiliates in 47 states. Founded in 1986, NRTC provides products and services developed specifically to meet the needs of rural utilities and their customers, such as high-speed Internet access via satellite, full service Internet access and support, wireless technologies, long distance programs, mobile phone service, IP broadband backbone services, and direct broadcast satellite service (DBS) with DIRECTV. For more information, visit www.nrtc.coop.

About SES AMERICOM (www.ses-americom.com)

As the leading supplier of satellite services in the U.S., SES AMERICOM serves broadcasters, cable programmers, aeronautical and maritime communications integrators, internet service providers, mobile communications networks, government agencies, educational institutions, carriers and secure global data networks with efficient communications and content distribution solutions. The company, recognized as a major innovator of advanced satellite communications services, operates a fleet of 15 spacecraft in orbital positions predominantly providing service throughout the Americas. In addition, AMERICOM Government Services (AGS), a wholly-owned subsidiary, is dedicated to providing satellite-based communications solutions to both civilian and defense agencies of the U.S. Government.

SES AMERICOM is an SES company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG). SES wholly owns three market-leading satellite operators, SES ASTRA in Europe, SES AMERICOM in North America, and SES NEW SKIES, which provides global coverage and connectivity. The company also holds 90% of SES SIRIUS in Europe as well as strategic participations in Ciel in Canada and QuetzSat in Mexico. SES provides outstanding satellite communications solutions via a fleet of 38 satellites in 25 orbital positions around the globe. Additional information on SES is available at www.ses.com.

Canby Telcom's Customers Have Access to 36 Channels of HD