Tele Columbus completes first phase of 4K UHD advanced TV trial

German cable operator Tele Columbus has completed the initial phase of an ongoing 4K UHD TV advanced TV field trial in partnership with technology provider Espial, the company has announced.

The operator has tapped Espial to provide its RDK-based G4 set-top client, back-office infrastructure and multiscreen technologies to support the delivery of a UHD-ready platform with advanced DVR functionality and a custom-designed user guide featuring advanced search functionality.

According to Tele Columbus, the trial, conducted in selected households within its footprint, was received positively by subscribers, with 83% of users approving of the system’s clarity and 78% approving of Tele Columbus’s ‘Premium EPG’ service. The operator said that 70% of trial participants were regularly using the system to disocver content and learn about the TV programmes they planned to watch.

“The first phase of our Advanced TV platform trial has been an unqualified success, with viewer feedback on the new video services extremely positive. Espial’s expertise in integrating best-in-class video technologies enabled us to get to first field trial stage in record time,” said Stefan Beberweil, Tele Columbus chief marketing officer.

“Given the highly competitive video environment in Germany and worldwide, Tele Columbus has seized the initiative by creating and launching a new set of advanced IP video services that their viewers love,” said Jaison Dolvane, Espial president and CEO.

“We’re proud to help Tele Columbus transform their business through our industry leading software solutions and Elite systems integration services.”