StarHub rolls out pay-TV service over fibre broadband

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StarHub is finally delivering its pay-TV programmes over a fibre broadband connection to homes in Singapore, though with a catch – users have to sign up for its Internet services to enjoy the improved interactivity.

Available from tomorrow, this Internet TV service will let users simultaneously record up to two programmes with their set-top boxes and approved hard disks. Previously, they could only record one programme at a time.

The new offering, called StarHub TV on Fibre, also gives users the flexibility of recording on one set-top box in the living room, then watching it later on another box, say, in the bedroom.

The improvements are likely the result of the greater bandwidth and interactivity offered by a fibre broadband link.

Though StarHub’s relatively modern cable TV network can handle two-way links, it is still designed with delivering TV programmes to homes, rather than the start-stop, on-demand services that users increasingly want.

To access the new TV service, users have to sign up to StarHub’s fibre broadband service. They then connect their set-top boxes to the fibre broadband modem, or optical network terminal (ONT), provided by StarHub. It costs S$6 to rent the set-top box.

The move from the cable TV operator is the clearest admission yet that its old cable network is being edged out by the nationwide fibre broadband network.

It remains to be seen what plans it has for the ageing network as Internet and TV programmes will now be delivered to more homes over the newer network.

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GALLERY