Showing posts with label Comcast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Comcast. Show all posts

Thursday, October 07, 2021

Sky launches Sky Glass: smart TV in 3 sizes, seeking global syndication

Launches Sky Glass:
  • streaming connected smart TV (no dish, no box)
  • tech & OS developed with Comcast
  • first in UK (211018), then other Sky markets
  • syndicates to Australia with Foxtel, plans further global expansion
  • TV in 3 sizes (Small 43”, Medium 55”, Large 65”), designed by Map Project Office
  • with
    • Dolby Atmos
    • voice control
    • Glance Motion Technology (walk past to activate)
    • personalised playlist
    • apps pre-installed: Sky, BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Disney+, ITV Hub, All4, Spotify, Peloton, PlayWorks etc
  • whole home service using Sky Stream Puck, 10 GBP/mo
  • plans to launch 4K smart camera 2022 (chat, play games, workout, share entertainment at home)
  • pricing for Small TV from 13 GBP/mo (with Sky TV; interest free, 48 mo) or 26 GBP/mo (with Sky Ultimate TV), 39 GBP/mo (with Sky Originals and Sky Exclusives, Netflix), pricing for Medium TV adds 4 GBP/mo, Large TV adds 8 GBP/mo)
  • [suggests Small TV costs GBP 624, Medium TV GBP 816, Large TV GBP 1008]
  • Quotes:
    • "By taking this step, Sky will operate across the whole value chain, from content production, through to connectivity and aggregation, all coming together on the Sky Glass screen."
    • "Choose to buy your TV like you buy your mobile phone by paying in one go or spread the cost with interest-free monthly payments."

at 12:47 pm 0 comments
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Monday, November 02, 2020

Week 44 in Telecoms, Internet, Media

Corporate

M&A

Earnings

Networks

FTTP

  • KPN: Acquires Sterk Midden-Drenthe FTTH: 5900 premises in 23 villages, to close Nov 2020; to provide service on the network from 2021
  • Primevest & T-Mobile NL start FTTP roll-out in Eindhoven: 29k premises in Centrum, Strijp, Gestel (186 route km, 1680 fiber km), to finish end 2021
  • Proximus: Establishes JV with Eurofiber to design, build, maintain, upgrade FTTH in Wallonia, target 500k premises
  • Telefonica DE: Establishes 50/50 OA FTTP JV with Allianz, EUR 5b in 6 yr (Telefonica EUR 500m in equity, Allianz EUR 1b + external financing): rural & semi-rural FTTP to 2m HH; Telefonica Infra to own 40%, Telefonica DE 10%, Allianz 50%; to close 21H1
  • Comcast: Sky UK launches FTTP option for Sky Broadband Superfast and Sky Broadband Ultrafast subs; coverage 3m HP, target 7.3m by March 2021; average speed 145/27 Mb/s; 35 GBP/mo; G.fast reach 2.8m HH, FTTC 28.9m

5G

  • Finnish Shared Network Ltd (SYV; = DNA, Telia FI) orders 5G RAN from Nokia (also: 2G, 3G, 4G site modernisation), 2021-2023
  • OnePlus launches Nord N10 5G, EUR 200 (without 5G: from EUR 200)
  • TPG Telecom plans 5G-based FWA service ('the method of delivery of broadband, whether via fixed line or mobile, is increasingly irrelevant')
  • T-Mobile NL reaches near-nationwide (90% pops) coverage
  • Post Luxembourg orders 5G Core & RAN from Ericsson
  • BT plans Private 5G in Belfast Harbour, to launch early
  • C Spire to launch 5G in Brookhaven (Lincoln County) & Columbus (Lowndes County)
  • FCC (US) establishes 5G Fund for Rural America, $9b in 10 yr
  • Vodacom ZA orders 5G (Cora, RAN, FWA) from Nokia (incl 700/800, 2600, 3500 MHz bands to be auctioned 21Q1)
  • T-Mobile US expands 5G-2500 by 200 to 410 cities; target 100m pops coverage YE 2020
  • Verizon 5G Home Internet (FWA) expands to Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, San Jose (total 12 cities)
  • DNA expands 5G to Ylivieska, total pops coverage <1.5m
  • Telenor SE launches 5G in Stockholm, nationwide by 2023l unlimited data 570 SEK/mo
  • Hrvatski Telekom launches 5G in parts of Zagreb, Rijeka, Split, Osijek, Samobor, Sveta Nedelj, based on DSS

Services

Video

Other

  • Music: Google: YouTube Music & Music Premium reach 30m paying subs at 200930 (35m incl free trials)
  • Gaming: Facebook: Launches Facebook Gaming (beta; cloud gaming, no downloads), free, first on Android & web (not on iOS over Apple's App Store policy [see Apple 200911]), 6 games (mobile-first), users can chose Player Name
  • Television
    • T-Mobile US relaunches TVision, with dongle (Android-based, $50, with Bluetooth for casting from devices, Google Play), remote (with Google Assistant; dedicated buttons for Netflix, YouTube, EPG, nDVR); tiers: TVision Live 40 $/mo (3 simultaneously streams, 100 hr storage), Live TV+ 50 $/mo (10 more channels), Live Zone 60 $/mo (20 more channels); access to 3rd-party services via TVision Channels (Showtime 11 $/mo, Starz 9 $/mo, Epix 6 $/mo), TVision Vibe 10 $/mo (30 entertainment channels); promo for Live TV+ and Live Zone subs: 1 yr free Apple TV+; to be available for non-subs 2021
    • Canal+ Polski launches hybrid DTT/OTT box (based on Android TV'4K, HDR), PLZ 300 (EUR 65); with 4 tiers
  • Broadband: Orange BE launches Home Internet (BB-only): 100 Mb/s for 40 EUR/mo (TV add-on 15 EUR/mo, voice 10 EUR/mo, Internet Boost to 400 Mb/s 15 EUR/mo); with FUP (max 750 GB/mo)
  • Chat: Facebook: WhatsApp reaches 100m messages/day
  • Apple
    • FT: plans search engine competitor as part of iOS 14L shows own results, links directly to sites
    • Launches Apple One: bundle of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, iCloud; 3 tiers: Individual 15 $/mo (50 GB), Family 20 (200 GB, max 6 users), Premier 30 (2 TB; max 6 users; also has News+, Fitness+)

Regulatory

  • Google
    • Search engine alliance of DuckDuckGo (US), Ecosia (DE), Lilo (FR), Qwant (FR), Seznam (CZ) ask EC for trilateral meeting to establish a more effective preference menu in Android to more easily choose a default search engine
    • AGCM (Italian Competition Authority) starts investigation into digital ads market for p[ossible abuse of dominant position
  • Facebook: Sued in England/Wales in CALS (Facebook You Owe Us) over failing to protect users' personal data in the Cambridge Analytica breach
  • Platforms
    • ACCC Digital Platform Services inquiry interim report: Google 58% and Facebook 23% of digital ad spend (2018: 49 resp 24%)
    • Marrgethe Vestager (EC VP for Digital Affairs) opposes company break-up for internet platforms (but doable)
    • Hearing US Senate Commerce Committee with CEOs of Facebook (Mark Zuckerberg), Twitter (Jack Dorsey), Google (Sundar Pichai) over content moderation and Section 230


at 12:23 am 0 comments
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Sunday, August 30, 2020

Week 35 in Telecoms, Internet, Media

FTTH

  • Vodafone: Vodafone UK expands Gigafast Broadband coverage by 360k premises in 3 cities (Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool) on BT Openreach
  • Liberty Global: UPC PL partners with Operacyjnego Polska Cyfrowa (Digital Poland, led by Fiberhost (= INEA)), extends reach to Wielkopolska, Lublin, Lower Silesia; max 1 Gb/s (80 PLZ/mo)
  • Comcast: Sky Italia expands BB reach to 149 cities, on Open Fiber
  • Sunrise: Salt may sue over UPC Schweiz merger: infringes contractual rights established as part of Swiss Open Fibre joint venture [see 200519] - Sale of majority stake in Swiss Open Fiber on hold due to planned Sunrise/UPC CH merger


5G


M&A

  • Liberty Global: Publishes offer prospectus for Sunrise offer; tender to launch 200911 until 201008 followed by 10 trading days acceptance period (201015-201028)
  • Eurofiber: Reuters (resurfaced): Antin to sell minority stake (or majority if demand high enough), valuation EUR 2b (~20x 2019 EBITDA of EUR 109m), Allianz, Ardian, Macquarie, First State Investments, APG, PGGM interested    
  • MasMovil: Polygon Global Partners (1.02%) to vote against, claims offer (22.50 EUR/share) undervalues by 7-8 EUR/share    
  • Telefonica: ElevenPaths (= Telefonica Tech) acquires Govertis (cybersecurity)
  • TIM: Tiscali to participate in FiberCop
  • Intelsat: Rumor: to acquire the commercial aviation portion of in-flight connectivity specialist Gogo, $500m
  • RealNetworks sells Rhapsody (Napster) to MelodyVR, $26m + $44m in content obligations
  • Bytedance

    • TikTok sues US gvt over Exec Order from 200806 (banning business with Bytedance) suspending the company’s right to due process (under Fifth Amendment), no evidence to support accusations national-security risk - General Atlantic and Sequioa Capital support bid from Oracle - Voting rights groups (Rock the Vote, Voto Latino, Common Cause, Free Press, Maplight) also sue
    • TikTok has 100m MAU, 50m DAU in US
    • WSJ: approached Netflix to buy TikTok US, Netflix declined
    • TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer exits, Vanessa Pappas interim CEO
    • Walmart joins Microsoft in bid for TikTok US/Canada/Australia/NZ, rumored value $20-30b; rumor: originally Walmart partnered with Alphabet & SoftBank
    • Rumor: Oracle to offer $20b (50/50 in cash & stock), profit sharing with TikTok/Bytedance (50/50)
    • Bloomberg: Triller and Centricus to bid $20b for TikTok US/Australia/NZ/India in ccash, stock & shared profits; Triller confirms offer, Bytedance denies, Centricus no comment


EARNINGS


VIDEO/TV

  • Comcast
    • Rumor: to sell X1 platform wholesale to smart TV manufacturers, based on Metrological tech
    • Sky DE distr deal for Sky Ticket (free OTT service; sports, films, series, docus, kids) with Sony for Bravia Android TVs
  • Liberty Global launches 4K Mini TV Box (environmental friendly: 35% recycled plastic, 77% reduced energy consumption), powered by Horizon 4 tech, first All-IP device, first for UPC PL; designed by Liberty, manufactured by Commscope
  • Vectra (MSO, PL) launches IP-based STB (Android TV based, Google certified)
  • Apple: Bloomberg: to add AR content to Apple TV+ 2021, plans 2 AR devices (headset 2022, glasses 2023)
  • Philo: Distr deal with Google Fiber: >60 channels for 20 $/mo (joins YouTube TV and fuboTV)
  • Walt Disney: Distr deal for Disney+ Hotstar with Telkomsel from 200905; 39k IDR/mo or 200k IDR/yr
  • WarnerMedia (AT&T): Crunchyroll Adds tiers (Free, Fan, Mega Fan, Ultimate Fan) and features (downloads for offline)
  • Google: Google Discover tests Short Videos [a la TikTok]


OTHER

  • MUSIC
    • Spotify
    • Tidal: Acquires tokens (SENSO Tokens: in-world currency of Sensorium Galaxy: VR social metaspace in which users can attend alternate-world concerts, nightclubs, festivals; public launch planned early 2021) from Sensorium Corp, $7m
  • TEXT/PRINT: Amazon: Audible launches Audible Plus, 8 $/mo for unlimited access (68k hr from 11k items (originals, audiobooks, podcasts))
  • GAMING: DT: Launches MagentaGaming, 7 EUR/mo: cloud gaming platform, 100 games at launch, no downloads
  • INSURANCE:
  • E-HEALTH: Amazon: Launches
    • Amazon Halo: service to improve health & wellness (AI-powered health features, Amazon Halo app; focus on Activity, Sleep, Body (3D model based om smartphone camera picture, calculates body fat), Tone (voice analysis te determine mood), Labs; Halo profile separate from Amazon account), 4 $/mo
    • Amazon Halo Band (accelerometer, temperature sensor, heart rate monitor, 2 microphones, LED indicator, button to turn the microphones on or off; no display; communicates with smartphone over Bluetooth) in US, $100 (separate band $16 or $20); promo: $65 incl 6 mo service, auto-renews at 4 $/mo + tax on early access basis; partnerships with WW, John Hancock Vitality, Cerner, Mayo Clinic, Exhale, Aaptiv, Lifesum, Headspace etc


    REGULATORY

    • Spectrum
    • Platforms
      • Google
        • YouTube Increased removals in 20Q2
        • Bloomberg: US DoJ antitrust ivestigation focuses on bundling services (Google Network, Google Search, Google Ads) in such a way to block out competition (tying); making the sale of one product conditional on purchasing another isn't illegal per se - but it can be when combined with market power
      • Amazon: CALS by All India Online Vendors Assocition (>2000 sellers in India) over unfair business practices (Amazon discounts drive indie vendors out of business; Amazon buys wholesale, sells at a loss to 3rd-party sellers)
      • Apple
        • Facebook prepares advertisers for Apple iOS 14 (brings changes to Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA) user tracking feature: becomes opt-in): will disproportionately affect Facebook's Audience Network of publishers (could reduce rev 50%); expects less impact on its own advertising revenue than on the ad-supported businesses that rely on its audience network to promote their apps; may shift demand toward Facebook’s own targeting system    
        • Microsoft supports Epic Games; Epic files response to Apple threatening to cut developers off
      • Facebook: Sues MobiBurn (UK, ad tools for developers) over malicious code that illegally collected personal data of Facebook users


    at 10:09 pm 0 comments
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    Monday, January 20, 2020

    Comcast / NBCUniversal Investor Day for Peacock: all specs on launch dates, business model, tiers and content

    Investor Day for Peacock

    Launch dates
    • 200415 for Comcast Xfinity X1 (video) & Flex (BB-only) subs
    • 200715 generally in the US
    • International launch later
    Business model
    • Focus on ads, ad load 5 min/hr
    • Focus on HH (all genres)
    • Tiers
      • Peacock Free: limited programming, 7500 hr; with ads
        • free for all
      • Peacock Premium With Ads: complete programming 15k hr incl. live sports and early access to late-night shows; with limited ads
        • free for Comcast and Cox subs (24m)
        • 5 $/mo for non-subs
      • Peacock Premium: incl. non-televised Premier League soccer games; ad-free
        • 5 $/mo for Comcast and Cox subs
        • 10 $/mo for non-subs
    Content
    • With originals (series and films)
    • Live sports
    • Platform based on Sky tech
    Targets
    • 30-35m subs YE 2024
    • Cumulative EBITDA investment 2020-'21 $2b
    • Outlook 2024: 30-35m active subs, ARPU $6-7, revenue $2.5b, adjusted EBITDA break-even

    at 3:19 pm 0 comments
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    Monday, January 07, 2008

    Sprint Nextel: no inflection point nor WiMAX success just yet


    Sprint Nextel is a tricky investment case. On the one hand, there is a meltdown of sorts. On the other hand, WiMAX holds a promise as a 4G solution. For those wanting to catch up, read these two articles: Light Reading summarizes all the big disasters (management, churn & customer service, joint ventures & technology choices), while IEEE focuses on the biggest issue going forward: WiMAX.
    All will depend on the company reaching an inflection point and the take-up of the Xohm WiMAX-service. Success is inevitable, but timing is everything.
    I believe it is still to early to jump in.
    As to the former, it is very hard to make a trustworthy valuation in a case like this one. Market target prices range from $12 to $28, but personally I believe the share is still overvalued (based on takeover speculation, I suppose, related to Comcast which may find it harder to grow its basic subscriber base when capped at a 30% penetration rate).

    As to the latter, I am a big believer in mobile broadband, but one has to be realistic. Mobile data so far is a big disappointment.
    WiMAX may have a headstart over LTE, but there are several challenges: (1) LTE is the technology of choice for most entrenched players (all GSM and possibly some or most CDMA operators, including Verizon Wireless), (2) how does it scale?, (3) will there be enough of a choice of handsets and devices?, (4) will Xohm be open enough, and last but not least (5) demand as related to pricing.
    What Sprint needs to do most, I believe, is to make Xohm really open to all internet-based services and it should come at a reasonable price.
    Look out for usage numbers at Vodafone, which may have finally understood that currently data tariffs border on the insane. Vodafone NL is reducing data tariffs by up to 85%.
    at 10:04 am 0 comments
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    Thursday, September 20, 2007

    Tiered service and the broadband incentive problem

    The 'Broadband Incentive Problem' must be among the most vexing for operators. Obviously, usage-based payment is a way out of it, but not easily implemented. People like flat fees and have no clue how much an MB is. Mark Desautels of CTIA recently rephrased the problem and highlighted that the flat-fee business model implies that light users (email and browsing) are in fact subsidising heavy users (downloaders).

    This is why I like Comcast's recent plan for a low-tier (sub 1 Mbps) service. At a low price point it will attract even 'nonline' persons - and at the same time provide them with a simple upgrade path, once they start living on the net.
    Contrary to this is Hong Kong Broadband Network's plan to end its 'entry-level' 10 Mbps service (on its new FTTH network). HKBN will focus of speeds of 100, 200 and even 1000 Mbps.

    Are there no nonliners or light users left in Hong Kong?
    at 12:40 pm 0 comments
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    Monday, May 14, 2007

    Buying Joost would fit Comcast's strategy

    Comcast is looking at all possible means to enhance its high-speed data offering, but so far P2P technology apparently hasn't come into play. Hence, Joost (as well as Bablegum) could be a takeover target.

    Let's first step back a little bit. Cablecos and telcos are trying to leapfrog each other in the broadband game. Telcos have xDSL technology to upgrade copper, cablecos have DOCSIS. Almost as old is the DOCSIS 3.0 conundrum; Comcast gave a demo and Giga Om justly reminds us of the barriers yet to be taken: certification, commercial availability, freeing up bandwidth. Meanwhile, let's not forget that FTTH is still the ultimate solution - i.e. Verizon's FiOS. As Comcast is reluctant to go the FTTH way, it has not only DOCSIS 3.0, but other technologies at its disposal: further plan upgrades (toward 1 GHz), node splitting, switched digital video, Vyyo.

    Now how does Joost fit in here?

    The Wall Street Journal recently devoted a fine article to Comcast, highlighting its efforts toward gearing up its broadband offering. Video is increasingly brought to us over the internet, so making Comcast.net a viable player is a good (defensive) strategy, complementary to the regular TV/VoD offering. The most recent Comcast.net related deals include:
    • Acquisition of thePlatform: video delivery technology
    • Acquisition of Fandango.com: movie info (and tickets)
    • Acquisition of a stake in Revver: video sharing
    • Launch of Ziddio.com: user-generated content
    • Planned launch of Fancast.com: TV/movie portal
    • Deal with Yahoo! (replacing Google): display and video ads
    • Deal the News Corp/NBC Universal company: distribution to Comcast.net and Fancast.com

    Acquiring Joost would round out the Comcast.net efforts (as long as FTTH is deemed unnecessary) and gives Comcast another tool in building a more or less robust delivery platform, based on the open internet (v. Comcast's still superior and proprietary cable network).


    at 2:15 pm 0 comments
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    Wednesday, January 17, 2007

    M&A://Will Comcast by CLECs?

    The Wall Street Journal picks up cablecos' interest in the SME market. It is suggested that organic growth is coming down. I would add that buying cable assets (Cablevision, Insight, RCN) includes the risk of clashing with regulators over reaching more than 30% of US households.

    My take on this:
    • Reaching the desired 20% share of the SME market will not be that easy to get at. Competing on price is the way to go, and telcos are not going to let this happen hands down.
    • No end to pricing pressure. Another lucrative market (after SMS and international roaming in the wireless segment) is under attack: business services. Prices could converge to consumer-service levels.
    • Why not expand by buying assets? Comcast could target CLECs that focus on the SME market (Cbeyond, Deltacom, NuVox, One Communications, PAETEC/US LEC, Tele-Pacific), including resellers (Granite Telecomms). It would be about their customer bases, that can be transfered to the Comcast network. Add a topping of fiber backhaul and metro assets.

    at 10:59 am 0 comments
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