Du to launch video-on-demand service

Dubai: Du will become the first telecom operator in the UAE to offer video-on-demand service to its internet protocol television (IPTV) customers from Sunday.

Viewers will be able to watch Arabic, Hollywood, and Bollywood cinemas at a simple touch on the du TV remote control and can watch it as many times as they like within 48 hours.

‘Excited'

"Today's TV subscribers demand the latest in technology and services and truly fit their needs. We are excited to demonstrate once again that we are committed to providing our customers with the very best inb cutting-edge, user friendly and most of the all innovative solutions," said Farid Faraidooni, executive vice-president, du.

He said as of now they have around 100 movies and expects to add around 2,000 titles by the first quarter of next year. From next year onwards titles from more languages will be added. Like a DVD, customers can pause, rewind and fast-forward the action.

"The customers can watch the preview of the movie and then rent it if they like," he said.

The service is available to all the du TV and du TV+ customers, and the company is in the process of upgrading its du TV customers to du TV+ service for free.

Competitive price

The movies will be available at a competitive price range of Dh7-Dh19 billed monthly.

Farid said as of now they have around 25,000 customers for its IPTV platform and expects to have around 85,000 customers by 2010.

Du launched its IPTV service commercially in the UAE in August.

Only etisalat, du and Q-Tel offer IPTV service in the Gulf.