BellSouth is launching a technical trial of Microsoft TV Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Edition software platform over its DSL network. BellSouth plans to leverage new DSL technologies, including ADSL2+ and copper pair bonding, as well as its deep fiber network, to test a feature-rich IP video offer during the first half of 2005. The company said it is currently completing testing of IPTV hardware and software within its labs and will later expand its trial to set-top boxes within customers' homes selected for the trial. BellSouth will then evaluate further deployment based upon results of the trial.
BellSouth will also continue to expand its fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC) network, which currently passes one million homes, to an additional 180,000 customers in 2005.
"IPTV will potentially forever alter the way we consume video content much like personal video recorders have done," said Bill Smith, BellSouth's chief technology officer.
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- BellSouth passed the two million DSL customer milestone in November.
