Telefónica and Microsoft partner for global video platform
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Telefónica and Microsoft partner for global video platform

Telefónica and Microsoft have entered into a multi-year strategic agreement to create a Global Video Platform (GVP) for all video entertainment services across Telefónica Group.

The platform, which is based on the Microsoft Mediaroom platform, will be used for pay TV and OTT services in Telefónica’s businesses beginning in Brazil, Chile and Spain.

GVP is designed to deliver TV services over both managed IPTV and non-managed OTT networks to a range of consumer devices. 

Telefónica said that it anticipates bringing GVP to a number of its other businesses over the next few years.

“This new platform allows us to reflect the deep and rapid changes happening in this market. It offers the ease and convenience of a global, convergent platform while maintaining flexibility over content for our local businesses. Most important, it allows us to meet customer demands for access to video content on an ever- expanding range of devices,” said Vivek Dev, director of digital services at Telefónica Digital.

Telefónica said that GVP and its use of Mediaroom will result in significant efficiencies in terms of time to market, cost of delivery and overall scale.

The announcement follows Telefónica’s launch of premium IPTV services earlier this month in Brazil and a similar launch in Chile in October. Both deployments were the first to take advantage of the GVP platform.

 

“Telefónica is a close partner to Microsoft, and the Global Video Platform - based on the Microsoft Mediaroom platform - will enable them to grow their business and reach new audiences,” said Tom Gibbons, corporate VP, Operator TV Business at Microsoft.

“This new agreement focussed on Telefónica’s GVP further extends our alliance in the world of TV and video entertainment to a range of screens throughout the home and on the go, and the benefits will be enjoyed by many millions of people globally.”

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