Telefonica selects Arris for next-gen ‘Proteus’ set-top boxes

Telefonica has selected Arris to develop a range of new, next-generation set-top boxes to power HD and UHD video services in Europe and Latin America.

The new set-top line, dubbed ‘Proteus’, is designed to simplify Telefonica’s deployment of next generation video services around the world, and the deal builds on previous collaborations between Telefonica and Arris in Brazil and Spain.

The Proteus set-top portfolio is due to start rolling out in 2017 and will include set-tops supporting both wired and wireless, HD and UHD services, to be deployed with Telefónica’s satellite DTH, cable, and IPTV technologies.

This new product family will give Telefonica the flexibility to bring new services to market, quickly and efficiently, through its scalable service architecture and low-maintenance design, according to Arris.

“Our growing partnership with Telefónica speaks to Arris’ unique combination of technical expertise and global scale,” said Steve McCaffery, managing director of international sales and business operations for Arris’ international business operations group.

“We’re strategically positioned to help service providers transform entertainment through the evolution of the set-top. Telefónica’s choice to have Arris develop its new platform represents the progression of a successful partnership that will bring next-generation services to millions of subscribers across Europe and Latin America.”

Separately Arris also announced that Altice-owned Portugal Telecom has selected the Arris VIP5662EW Ultra-HD set-top for its recently launched MEO 4K service in Portugal.
The ARRIS VIP5662EW, known as the MEOBox4k for MEO customers, is a next-generation wireless HEVC IP set-top box. The new set-top allows MEO to subscribers access MEO’s 4K content via on-demand content and a 4K TV app, and also includes time-shift and DVR capabilities.