Following up on an earlier announcement, Canadian telco Telus has started reselling the satellite TV service of fellow telco Bell Canada Enterprises as the company looks to step up it battle against cable TV competitors. Telus has about 100,000 IPTV customers, but can cover its Western Canada territory with a TV offering much more quickly by pursuing the satellite TV partnership. The practice of offering TV two different ways is nothing new to U.S. telcos, who have partnered with DirecTV and Dish Network to have a broader market impact.
The aspect of two telcos working together on a satellite TV resale deal is a little more unique, though perhaps it gives a glimpse of what is to come if AT&T decides to acquire DirecTV, a move which has been rumored at various times.
For more:
- The Toronto Globe and Mail has this report [1]
Related article
Could DirecTV be sold to a telco? [2]
Links:
[1] http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/the-satellite-surprise-telus-ties-up-with-bce/article1201235/
[2] http://www.fierceiptv.com/story/bigger-telco-deal-directvs-future/2009-05-05