Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Megafon pushes smart home devices; ADVA supports Exaring network in Germany; UKTV rejigs YouView portal.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Megafon pushes smart home devices; ADVA supports Exaring network in Germany; UKTV rejigs YouView portal.
KPN Telecom NV (NYSE: KPN) is less than happy with the Dutch government's policy on spectrum, and says that the rollout of 5G in the Netherlands and the country's position at the forefront of the move to a digital economy is under threat if the government doesn't change tack. The operator is specifically frustrated by the uncertainty surrounding the availability of spectrum in the 3.5GHz band, which has been earmarked by the EU for the launch of 5G. KPN claims that the existence of a satellite station at Burum has severely restricted the use of this band. It also objects to the proposed withdrawal of 2 x 10MHz of spectrum that is currently available for mobile communications. In a statement, the operator concludes: "KPN believes that Dutch spectrum policy will only be successful if it is in line with international spectrum harmonization agreements and consistent with European Union spectrum policy."
Russian operator MegaFon is trumpeting a new set of "smart home" products, which it has collectively dubbed Life Control. The system, says MegaFon, uses a range of sensors to handle tasks related to the remote control of the home, and also encompasses GPS trackers and fitness bracelets. Before any of the Life Control products will work, however, potential customers need to invest in MegaFon's Smart Home Center, which retails for 8,900 rubles ($150).
German digital service provider Exaring has turned to ADVA Optical Networking 's FSP 3000 platform to power what Exaring calls Germany's "first fully integrated platform for IP entertainment services." Exaring's new national backbone network will transmit on-demand TV and gaming services to around 23 million households.
British broadcaster UKTV, purveyor of ancient comedy shows on the Dave channel and more, has unveiled a new player on the YouView platform for its on-demand service. It's the usual rejig: new home screen, "tailored" program recommendations and so on. The update follows YouView's re-engineering of its platform, known as Next Generation YouView.
— Paul Rainford, Assistant Editor, Europe, Light Reading
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