DOHA: A new technology called Triple Play, which facilitates the transmission of cable TV channels via the Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) Internet connection and would dispense with the need for subscribers to have antenna on their rooftops, is currently under testing by Qatar Cable Vision (QCV), Dr Nasser M Marafih, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Qatar Telecom, disclosed yesterday.
A major technical upgrade of the old, Microwave Multipoint Distribution System (MMDS) to prevent rampant signal piracy is also on the cards and expected by the end of this year, he added.
At a press conference yesterday, Dr Nasser said, the Triple Play technology would facilitate QCV to offer the cable TV service through a single ADSL cable to the high speed Internet access subscribers. For the service to be offered commercially however, the trials would have to be successful and the quality of audio and video signals very high. Qtel will launch Triple Play only if it is completely satisfied with the quality, he added.
Technologies such as Triple Play to offer cable TV signals over a single cable are used in certain western countries in order to avoid installation of antenna on rooftops.
© The Peninsula 2005
