Sonic.net, a Calif.-based competitive broadband service provider, plans to launch a new streaming video service that will be delivered over its broadband network. The service provider, which has become known mainly for lower priced DSL service, filed with California's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to get a video franchise.
 |
|
Jasper: "...the franchise application moves us toward offering local channels over IP" |
Offering video service is part of Sonic.net's ongoing drive to expand its service portfolio beyond traditional broadband data. In addition to video, the service provider began offering an ADSL2+/voice bundle last September and is in the process of building out a Fiber to the Home (FTTH) to serve 600 homes in Sebastopol, Calif.
Until it gets approval for its video franchise, Sonic.net will offer a "triple play" voice, video and data bundle via a partnership with satellite provider DirecTV (Nasdaq: DTV).
"The DirecTV triple play gives us a compelling multichannel lineup, while the franchise application moves us toward offering local channels over IP," Dane Jasper, Sonic CEO, said in a GigaOm article.
Set to be offered as a complement to existing over the top video services such as Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX), Sonic.net said users that would subscribe to the TV service would get a limited set of local TV channels.
While Sonic.net's video streaming service will never be the size of a large cable MSO, the telcos or even its partner DirecTV, it will be a sound alternative to users in its serving area whose choices have been largely limited to the cable companies and satellite.
For more:
- GigaOm has this article
Related articles:
Sonic.net has no plans for usage based billing
Sonic.net to launch a 1 Gbps FTTH service
Google taps Sonic.net to operate its Stanford FTTH network
Sonic.net offers up $40 month ADSL2+ data/voice bundle