Belgacom TV is likely to be the second IPTV provider to directly connect with its customers using the Samsung Smart TV solution.
The solution allows for direct access to an IPTV service without the need for a separate set-top box. Telia’s IPTV service Elion in Estonia was the first to successfully deploy the service, which was also shown in action at the Samsung booth at the IBC 2012 in Amsterdam.
According to Belgian press reports, Belgacom CEO Didier Bellens announced during his New Year’s speech that customers buying a new Samsung TV will be able to return their set-top boxes at the end of the year.
TeliaSomnera is planning to roll out the Samsung solution in Sweden in Q1 2013 with Finland following later this year.
Once the Smart TV is connected to the Internet it recognizes the IPTV provider that the customer is using. The IPTV interface will then automatically appear and the settings will be configured without intervention by the customer.
