WATCH VIDEO. Dutch telco KPN is launching a STB-less service for Samsung smart TVs by releasing a special app.
The development marks another nail in the coffin for the traditional set-top box. Until now, KPN IPTV customers had to use a dedicated receiver, which is no more needed by using the smart TV app. For the moment, only Samsung smart TVs are supported, but the operator will roll out the app for other TV brands as well.
KPN is the second platform to offer a smart TV app for STB-less viewing. Last November, M7 Group’s Dutch operation Canal Digitaal launched its smart TV app to make watching TV possible without a dedicated receiver or set-top box. Cable operator Ziggo is also believed to be looking at offering a similar solution, but unconfirmed reports suggest that the operator is looking at using Android TV and Apple TV. The KPN app runs on Tizen, Samsung’s proprietary OS.
KPN customers using the app no longer need a dedicated IPTV set-top, with the app running on the smart-TV platform that can be accessed wirelessly using Wi-Fi access. The app can now be downloaded from the appstore on the Samsung smart TV.
The app offers the most commonly used functionalities from the KPN’s IPTV platform such as watching live linear TV, re-sart or catch-up via the KPN TV guide, pause, and record. There is also an easy search function, with genre filtering. KPN will further expand the possibilities of the smart TV app based on customer feedback.
“Just as the smartphone has taken over a growing number of functionalities from other devices in recent years, we see a similar development in smart TVs. We are responding to this with this innovative Smart TV app,” said Jean-Pascal Van Overbeke, Head of the KPN Consumer Market.
“We want to offer our customers the best TV experience and now we can also do that via an app on the smart TV.
The app can be used by KPN customers who have a fixed internet and TV subscription and have a recent model of smart TV from Samsung (from 2017). The Smart TV app has recently been tested extensively. In the course of 2019, KPN expects to offer the app to customers with other smart TVs as well.