German service provider purtel.com calls for local cable and fibre-optic network operators to set up their own multiscreen TV and video-on-demand offers instead of just passing through OTT services such as Netflix or Amazon.
“Network investments can’t be refinanced by the ‘modern robber barony’ of OTT providers,” purtel.com managing director Dr Markus von Voss said in Munich. On the contrary: They threaten to destroy the investments of local network operators.
“The arguments put forward by free-riders such as ‘increase in competitiveness’ are lip service from operators in order to use externally financed infrastructures free of charge. This is to the considerable disadvantage of the local network operators and their investments,” warns von Voss.
Instead, he advises to focus on first-class original services, local content and closeness to customers – while maintaining the customer relationship.
Purtel.com offers a white-label platform for TV, internet and telephony used by over 90 network operators in Germany.
