Recently, Ethio Telecom unveiled its new internet-based video streaming service, named “teleStream,” positioning it as a competitive alternative to traditional satellite television.
At launch, teleStream offers over 60 live TV channels and more than 350 video-on-demand titles. The service is accessible through fixed broadband connections or via SIM-enabled set-top boxes that transform standard TVs into smart devices.
Ethio Telecom highlighted that all broadcasts are hosted on its local cloud infrastructure, ensuring lower latency and efficient delivery to users through its fibre, 4G, and 5G networks.
The company promotes teleStream as a “superior alternative” to satellite dish services, citing its immunity to adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain. This new service also provides advantages for TV stations, allowing them to bypass costly foreign currency leases for satellite services by utilising local infrastructure, thus avoiding forex-related losses.
In addition, Ethio Telecom aims to attract businesses such as hotels and guesthouses with teleStream, offering a way to entertain local and international guests without the need for numerous satellite dishes.
Furthermore, the service is positioned as a valuable resource for remote learning and digital libraries in educational institutions, as well as for delivering important information in hospitals. It also opens up opportunities for content providers to showcase their work on teleStream, whether for free or for a fee, while offering ad agencies a platform for targeted advertising.
In conjunction with the launch of teleStream, Ethio Telecom announced the implementation of a new digital operations support system (OSS) to facilitate “zero-touch” online service delivery. This advancement allows customers to enrol in new services, modify existing packages, or report issues directly through the telco’s telebirr SuperApp, eliminating the need to visit a service centre. Additionally, users can utilise the telebirr mobile money service to make payments conveniently within the app.
