Hong Kong-based media corporation deploys managed service IP network solution to facilitate broadcast traffic to the US.

HONG KONG, 22 APRIL 2008 – The STAR Group has signed a multi-million dollar contract with BT for a managed service IP network solution for STAR’s broadcast services to the United States.

The three-year service will run across BT's Global Media Network, a Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) enabled IP network designed to carry broadcast traffic.

The Hong Kong-based STAR Group broadcasts more than 60 services in 10 languages, including STAR News, STAR Chinese Movies, and [V] Taiwan, reaching more than 300 million viewers in 53 countries across Asia.

“This deal further strengthens our capability in distributing our content beyond Asia. After this deal we will have a total of 12 channels on the MPLS network, allowing us to readily multicast them to more destinations,” said Dr. Guo Xiao Yong (picture), chief technology officer of STAR. “It also enables us to save costs by further moving away from point-to-point fiber circuits or satellite contribution circuits.”

According to Dr. Guo, BT was chosen because “We [STAR Group] are pleased with the performance of the BT MPLS services since the launch of our first four channels in October last year.”

North Asia expansion

Guo said that the deal fits in line with STAR's on-going strategy of expansion into North Asia/elsewhere: “STAR already has a strong presence in Asia. We are actively working to expand our content distribution beyond Asia to markets including Europe and North America. The use of MPLS distribution network will enable us to achieve this cost effectively.”

Signals will be fed through Direct To Home (DTH) platforms including deploying connectivity to DirecTV, Echostar and cable systems that reach millions of STAR subscribers across the United States. By utilising the IP network, STAR is gaining access to a globally deployed Media IP network that touches more than 300 points of presence in 170 countries.

With multicast enabled, STAR plans to benefit from reduced cost of sending the same feeds to multiple locations across the globe.

Giant technology leap

“BT’s service has provided us with a giant technology leap, particularly in assisting us to expand the distribution of our channels in North America”, said Guo.

BT’s video-enabled Global Media Network connects customers to multiple platforms across many countries without having to move out of the network.

Mr. Kevin Taylor (picture), chief operating officer of BT Asia Pacific, said that the global IT network enables STAR to “achieve much more than point to point capability”, and to enable “the operation of complex workflows that demand high delivery speeds, security and most importantly - reliability.”