Dubai: Etisalat has partnered with Huawei to introduce the first ultra-high definition (Ultra HD or 4K) IPTV service in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) for its eLife customers in the UAE starting from the first quarter of 2016.
The 4K boasts a pixel format of 3840 x 2160 pixels, four times that of the current 1920 x 1080p [Full HD] services, without distortion or loss of quality on big screens.
The eLife customers will be able to enjoy access to a bespoke 4K Linear Channel and Video-on-Demand (VOD) service through a new 4K set-top box.
“We are committed to bring the most advanced TV viewing experience to our customers — be it through the quality of content or video. We were the first to bring IPTV solution to the UAE a few years ago, and now we are introducing the 4K technology, which is another revolution in home entertainment and video,” said Rashed Al Abbar, Vice-President of Consumer Product Innovation at etisalat.
Earlier this year at the ‘Ultra-Broadband Summit 2015’ hosted in UAE, industry experts recognised that the Mena region has a tradition of high content consumption and is currently growing at a faster rate than almost any other emerging market in the world.
“It is a great opportunity to serve etisalat’s customers who are looking for immersive and engaging video experiences. We believe that the mix of etisalat and Huawei innovations in the 4K realm will ultimately provide the best services to customers in the region,” said Peng Xiongji, General Manager of Huawei UAE.