PLDT Group Pioneers Simultaneous Video Broadcast Over
3G, Mobile TV, Fixed Line and Wireless Broadband Internet
Offers Free Coverage of Pacquiao-Solis Fight Across All Service Platforms
Manila, Philippines, April 10, 2007… Leading telecommunications provider Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) will provide a free, exclusive, and uninterrupted broadcast of “Blaze of Glory: Manny Pacquiao versus Jorge Solis” to select 3G users, PLDT myDSL, Mobile TV, and SmartBro subscribers nationwide for free on April 14.
With a closed circuit live feed provided by Solar Entertainment (who owns the exclusive program rights to the bout) and a Webcast feed provided by local company NetVision (www.netvision.com.ph), the coverage marks the first time that a single provider will concurrently transmit a live event over separate digital delivery platforms on top of traditional television. The webcast is also one of the first live webcasts of a major sporting event in the world.
“The investments we have made in our fixed line and wireless infrastructure, as well as the strategic partnerships we have created enabled this true convergence of technologies. The airing of the fight is being done on a test basis, but provides a preview of the services PLDT and its subsidiaries will be offering in the near future. In the meantime, this broadcast is part of our gesture of gratitude to our loyal PLDT and Smart subscribers,” said PLDT chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan.
3G
Any Smart subscriber with a 3G handset, within Smart’s 3G coverage area, can view the bout by going to the wapsite (wap.smart.com.ph) and clicking on the link to the video stream. The content will be provided for free, however the regular streaming access cost of P15 per 30 minutes still apply.
PLDT myDSL subscribers
Internet Café, myDSL Biz, and subscribers with a Residential Plan of 1995 and up can log on to www.mypad.net to register and get their access PINs. This is a limited offer, as registration ends on April 13. On the day of the fight, registered users can enjoy the live video stream from myPad using their single myDSL-wired PC with no commercial breaks ahead of the rest!
SmartBro
SmartBro Computer Station and loyal residential subscribers in good standing who qualify will receive a private URL via callout and SMS. Once the URL has been accessed, the subscriber will be required to enter his account details to view the fight.
Mobile TV
For the Pacquiao-Solis bout, MediaQuest/NBC will be opening a temporary channel for subscribers with Mobile TV-capable phones. Mobile TV allows viewers to have anytime, anywhere access to TV using DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting - Handheld) capable mobile phones. Smart, in partnership with MediaQuest/NBC have already begun its Mobile TV test broadcast, offering nine channels including CNN, BBC World, CNBC, Basketball TV, Jack TV, Fashion TV, and MTV.