The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) announced that more of its telco members are signing on to deliver the IPTV programming facilitated by the cooperative’s programming agreements. Among the most recent additions are BTC Communications, in Nahunta, Ga.; FrontGate Networks LLC, in Fort Meyers, Fla.; Mountain Rural Telephone Cooperative Corp., in West Liberty, Ky.; and Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative Inc., in Walterboro, S.C.
NRTC and the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NCTA) partnered in 2007 to offer rural telcos a complete programming selection for IPTV. The offering includes more than 350 video and audio channels, including more than 80 channels of HD programming.
Telcos working with NRTC can customize programming packages for their markets, including two tiers of HD programming and Hispanic programming. Premium services, sports pay-per-view, access to broadband content and video on demand complete the offering.
NRTC’s distribution agreements include rights for telcos to deliver the programming in IP and analog formats over copper, fiber or coaxial cable. In addition to the rights to HD services, NRTC has also acquired rights to these channels’ video-on-demand services, when available.
NRTC represents more than 1,400 rural utilities and affiliates in 48 states. NTCA represents more than 560 locally owned and controlled telecommunications cooperatives and commercial companies throughout rural and small-town America.
