Satcaster SES Americom said it will cease providing its IP-PRIME IPTV service in North America by next summer due to current economic conditions and a slow adoption rate by its target markets, according to the company.
“In line with its plan, IP-PRIME has contracted IPTV signal delivery agreements with 70 small telecom operators, of which 37 have so far reached commercial stage. However, with a subscriber base of less than ten thousand at the end of November and after more than 2 years of service, the consumer uptake is insufficient to justify continuing operations,” said Rob Bednarek, President and CEO of SES Americom-New Skies.
The IP-PRIME service will continue to operate until July 31, 2009. This will offer telecom operators an opportunity to orderly transfer their services and SES AMERICOM, in collaboration with third parties involved in the service, to seek the best option to transition the business.
SES does not expect that the termination of IP-PRIME will materially affect its financial guidance for 2008 and 2009 related to revenues and EBITD.
