ADSL-alternative group looks to VOD

By Dave Glazier for Goal Technology Solutions
Johannesburg, 25 Jul 2006

Goal Technology Solutions, on the verge of rolling out broadband over powerlines, will apply for a broadcast licence to provide video-on-demand (VOD) services to its future subscribers.

Goal COO Patrice Lasserre says the closing date to apply for a broadcast licence from the Independent Communications Authority of SA is 31 July, adding: "We will definitely apply before that date."

Earlier this month, at the conclusion of Goal`s powerline communications (PLC) trials, CEO Adrian Maguire said an investment of about R500 million would be made over the next five years to establish PLC across the country.

With six installation sites already complete in Pretoria`s eastern suburbs, Lasserre confirms Goal is on track to provide the service commercially in early September.

Content providers

He adds that Goal is in discussions with a number of overseas broadcast content providers, but declines to reveal further details.

"They [the potential partners] have indicated they would be very happy to supply content."

Lasserre says he is "confident" Telkom will also apply for a broadcast licence in order to be able to provide VOD services in the future. The fixed-line monopoly has stated its intentions to provide either or both VOD and Internet Protocol TV.

Lasserre does not believe Goal will race Telkom to be the first to deploy Internet TV services, saying: "The market is big enough for more than one [service provider]."