The French cable operator Numericable will distribute all digital terrestrial FTA channels unencrypted on its network, allowing viewers to use their digital TV sets to directly tune in.
The operator claims about 10 million homes will benefit from the service, which will give viewers access the 18 terrestrial channels on all the digital TV sets in their homes that are connected to Numericable. In addition, the HD versions of some of the channels will also become available. The process of upgrading to the HD versions on the entire network will be finished before the end of 2011.
Numericable is also extending its SUN service (service unique numérique, or unique digital service) to all collective contracts with housing estates. For a fee of €4 a month, people will have access to a basic service of the DTT channels, telephony and 2 Mbps internet access.
SUN also makes it possible to monitor electricity and gas consumption of each individual household in real time.
