Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN), a non-profit statewide cable television network with 10 million viewers, uses direct fiber connections to distribute live programming from its main HQ site in Camp Hill to the Comcast and Verizon cable systems and previously used satellite links to distribute to an additional 30 headends across the state.

According to Dean Vaccher, PCN Engineer, a key driver for replacing the satellite-based transmission with distribution over IP was the addition of high definition (HD) channels to PCN’s channel lineup. Previously, it only distributed standard definition (SD) NTSC 525 channels over C-band satellite links, with a yearly cost consuming a large chunk of its network operations budget. By replacing its satellite-based transmission with distribution over IP, PCN would be able to add HD channel distribution at a significantly lower cost than satellite.

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We spoke to IABM Global Engaged Partner, Carlos Miranda Matzumoto, Chief Technology Officer, DISH Mexico, about the business and technology trends he foresees for 2020 and beyond, and how IABM members can help him stay ahead. In a market where not everyone can take a fast internet connection for granted (or even just a connection in many cases), the gallop towards OTT we are seeing in other territories has scarcely entered walking pace yet. In this scenario, Carlos sees the role of Pay-TV players remaining dominant – but only if they embrace the new digital age by transforming from aggregators to integrators. He has valuable insights for how technology vendors can support DISH in this, and how he wants to partner in the coming years.

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