DIRECTV Partners With CURRENT Group to Enable Broadband and VoIP Services to Its Customers
Posted on: Wednesday, 15 August 2007, 09:12 CDT
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., and GERMANTOWN, Md., Aug. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DIRECTV, Inc. and CURRENT Group announced today a wholesale distribution agreement that will enable DIRECTV to offer its customers CURRENT's innovative BPL (Broadband Over Powerline) high-speed Internet service and VoIP services at the end of 2007/beginning of 2008. DIRECTV customers will be able to access the Internet by plugging a BPL modem into virtually any outlet in their home. This easy-to-use symmetrical service can send data faster than the typical cable modem service in use today. The increased upload speed is particularly important as users rely on greater speeds to play interactive games or send significant volumes of digital content through the Internet.
Under the terms of the agreement, DIRECTV will have access to CURRENT's BPL network, initially in the Dallas/Fort Worth BPL network that will cover approximately 1.8 million homes and businesses over the next several years. DIRECTV will be able to market a bundle that includes DIRECTV high-speed Internet and VoIP services to its residential customers. In addition, the agreement provides DIRECTV the ability to add other geographic markets as CURRENT builds out its network. CURRENT's BPL network enables both Broadband services and Smart Grid solutions designed to improve efficiency and reliability while reducing the environmental impact of electric service.
"We are pleased to partner with DIRECTV to offer them the ability to bundle their world-renowned satellite video services together with BPL high- speed Internet and VoIP services," said Tom Casey, CURRENT's chief executive officer. "Consumers in Dallas will have a compelling new choice for their broadband service and, at the same time, feel good about the fact that the same Internet network is helping to improve the efficiency and reliability of the electric grid while reducing its environmental impact."
"Our agreement with CURRENT gives our customers another high-quality, easy-to-use option to pair broadband services with DIRECTV's video offerings," said Evan Grayer, vice president of Broadband for DIRECTV. "By choosing this bundled option, DIRECTV customers will now be able to enjoy fast, reliable and secure high-speed Internet service anywhere they have a power outlet in their homes."
About CURRENT
CURRENT builds an Internet overlay on to existing electric wires allowing electric utilities worldwide to deploy and manage a Smart Grid benefiting utilities, consumers and the environment. CURRENT provides sensing technology, two-way high-speed communications, 24/7 monitoring and analytic software and related services to provide location-specific, real-time actionable data in an integrated Smart Grid solution. CURRENT's solutions also allow consumers and business users to have high-speed Internet access and voice services from virtually any electric outlet.
CURRENT's investors include Duke Energy Corporation, EarthLink, Inc., EnerTech Capital, Google Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., General Electric Company, Hearst Corporation, Liberty Associated Partners (an investment partnership between Liberty Media Corporation and the Berkman family) and TXU Corp, among others. Further information about CURRENT Group, LLC, a privately-held company based in Germantown, MD, is available at http://www.currentgroup.com/.
About DIRECTV
DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to more than 16.3 million customers in the United States, through exclusive content, industry-leading customer satisfaction (which has surpassed cable for seven years running) and superior technologies. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 250 channels of 100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming and the most comprehensive collection of sports programming available anywhere, including NFL SUNDAY TICKET(TM) and MLB EXTRA INNINGS(R). DIRECTV also leads the digital television technology revolution with exclusives such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET SuperFan(TM), US OPEN Interactive and YES Network Interactive and will soon have the capacity to offer over 150 channels in HD. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit directv.com.
DIRECTV, Inc.; CURRENT Group
CONTACT: Darris Gringeri of DIRECTV, +1-212-462-5136; or Melissa Kressefor CURRENT, +1-212-850-5695
Web site: http://www.directv.com/http://www.currentgroup.com/
Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall
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