Cisco to provide cloud-based TV platform for Kabel Deutschland

Kabel Deutschland

Cisco is to provide a new advanced TV platform for Vodafone-owned German cable operator Kabel Deutschland with a launch date expected in 2016-17.

Kabel Deutschland will reveal more details of the platform, which will combine broadcast, on-demand, catch-up, and time-shifted TV with internet video, at the IFA 2015 show in September.

According to Cisco, which released the news ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, subscribers will be able to access all the video they consume through a single user interface which works across all their TVs and personal devices. The platform will be based on a new cloud platform developed jointly by Kabel Deutschland and Cisco, which will also provide connected devices in the home to enable the consumption of video services.

Cisco and Kabel Deutschland have yet to reveal details of the platform, including whether it will be based on the RDK software stack supported by operators including Vodafone rival Liberty Global. Kabel Deutschland licensed the RDK in February last year.

“Our video future lies in delivering converged, personalised, social, multiscreen video experiences, from a standardized, IP-based, cloud-powered platform. We have chosen Cisco as our partner for software and set-top boxes because Cisco shares these fundamental tenets, and their products and plans best realize them,” said Manuel Cubero, CEO of Kabel Deutschland.

“Cisco is proud to work with a leader and innovator like Kabel Deutschland to realise their vision of transforming their video business to a software-based, agile, cloud-powered platform. Cisco has invested heavily to become the leader in cloud and virtualisation because these technologies will help our customers deliver great services, become more agile and ultimately grow their businesses,” said Yvette Kanouff, senior vice-president and general manager, Cisco Service Provider Video Software and Solutions.