Algerie Telecom launches IPTV service SAFIR

Algerie Telecom has launched ‘SAFIR’, the country’s first IPTV service, equipment supplier Netgem revealed. The service was rolled out across the telco’s fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network in collaboration with Netgem and the telco’s systems integration partner SPEC-COM Algerie. Netgem’s NetgemTV software and set-top boxes will allow the operator to deliver triple-play services and a choice of 60 IP-delivered TV channels. Moussa Benhamadi, CEO of Algerie Telecom, said : ‘SAFIR is a key initiative in the rollout of our FTTH network and evidence of our commitment to offer six million broadband connections by the end of 2013.’ The deployment of SAFIR has received strong backing from the Algerian government which is investing in its national telecoms infrastructure and broadband networks in an effort to accelerate economic development.