Al-Falak, a leading pan-Gulf IT and communications solution provider based in Saudi Arabia, is preparing for the next revolution in the telecom industry — video over Internet Protocol (IP). Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) has become a common denominator for systems where television and video signals are distributed to subscribers using Internet protocols. Often this is in parallel with the subscriber’s Internet connection, supplied by a broadband operator using the same infrastructure and possibly bandwidth.
Al-Falak has extended support to the region’s telecom operators in building their IPTV networks, as the requirements of video over IP are different from those for traditional voice and high-speed Internet services. This offers new opportunities for equipment vendors, as service providers increase spending on IPTV networks.
Al-Falak’s expertise in providing IP solutions to the telecom industry in the Middle East has been endorsed through new contracts from major telecommunications companies. Q-tel has awarded a 30-million Qatari Riyal project to Al-Falak for building its IPTV infrastructure network as an end-to-end solution across Qatar. Etisalat has awarded Al-Falak with a 12 million dirhams project for the supply of 20,000 IP Set-Top boxes as part of the initial phase of a new project.
“Globally, there is a strong push toward IP-based video among telecom companies. We believe at the regional level, IPTV has become one of the most talked about new services in telecommunications,” said Ahmad Ashadawi, president and CEO, Al-Falak. “We expect that IPTV will create huge opportunities for vendors and service providers in the coming five years.”
