The Belgian cable operator Telenet will launch HD services over its networks on December 1 with a two-tier offer: a starter bouquet and a premium bouquet. The basic tier will consist of just two channels, cultural channel Exqi and National Geographic HD.The premium tier will meanwhile consist of HD versions of the Telenet Prime channels, Prime Movies HD and Prime Sports HD.
At present, just one HD cable tuner – the Telenet HD Digicorder, which incorporates a hard disk recorder will be made available for rental only. Sometime next year, an HD cable tuner without hard disk will also be offered. The operator will offer the new HD service for free for a four-month period to early adopters, who have subscribed to the Telenet Digital TV service since its launch in 2005.
Telenet is Belgium’s largest cable operator serving about 1.8 million homes; it is the third operator to offer HD on their networks. Interkabel and Coditel already have HD bouquets available. Also, earlier this month Belgacom TV announced it would invest in its IPTV network to allow for HD.
