Liberty Global is looking at abandoning DVB-C in favour of all-IP delivery of its bouquets of TV channels.
VodafoneZiggo, the company’s Dutch joint venture with Vodafone, has started to deploy the new Mediabox mini, the 4K Mini TV Box, on a test basis. The set-top is the same as is currently in use in Poland and on the UPC network in Switzerland.
The all-IP box has exactly the same UI and functionalities as the classic DVB-C capable Mediabox Next, but lacks the coax cable connection. This includes an EPG, re-start programmes up to seven days in the past, record programmes in the cloud and access to the large VOD catalogue. The box is capable of delivering 4k and Dolby Audio.
Ziggo is also offering exactly the same functionalities with its Ziggo Go app for smart TVs, Google Chromecast and Android TV.
In theory the offers Ziggo the possibility to offer its channel bouquets and on-demand services on any network in the country, not only on its own cable footprint.