Partner launches video-on-demand service

The firm is following a global trend by telecom companies.

18 June 08 19:24, Gad Peretz

Partner Communications (Nasdaq: PTNR; TASE: PTNR is seeking to develop a parallel video download service to that of Blockbuster's Moviebox. Partner's decision to invest in a web-based content platform is part of a global trend now being led by telecommunications giants such as Orange, AT&T, Belgian telecommunications carrier Belgacom, and Telefonica, which operates in Spain and Portugal. These companies offer customers film downloads alongside IP-based television broadcast services.

The global trend is being driven by the development of content relay technology, which enables the supply of content over IP infrastructure. This has given the various companies the ability to expand their service offering to customers.

Content distributors worldwide are also expanding their service provision to digital platforms with a view to enabling customers to consume content anywhere they choose. Telecommunications companies now aim to offer customers a triple play offering consisting of telephony, Internet and television.

Partner has been in talks with Blockbuster for some time on partnering with the latter in its new payment-based film downloading service Moviebox. However no agreement was reached and Partner has now decided to develop its own web-based platform.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on June 18, 2008

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