MICROSOFT MEDIA EMBLAZED

Chunghwa Telecom expects market segmentation for two VOD platforms

Bryan Chuang, Taipei; Adam Hwang, DigiTimes.com [Friday 24 December 2004]

Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) plans to have its two VOD (video on demand) systems focus on two different market segments, with MOD (multimedia on demand) targeted to TVs in homes and hiChannel to PC users, according to HiNet.

HiNet is the CHT branch responsible for ISP (Internet service provider) operations. The hiChannel service is based on an Internet-based multimedia platform and began operating in June 2000. The service currently offers more than 10,000 digital-content programs through 136 channels and attracts 60,000 viewings a month on average.

Unlike hiChannel, MOD services are specifically provided via HiNet’s ADSL network, and their video quality is better than that of hiChannel’s. The difference in video quality is the main reason for market segmentation, HiNet indicated.

HiNet has 2.4 million ADSL subscribers at present, 1.27 million of which subscribe to service packages with download rates of 2Mbps or higher.