Freeview launches streaming device, video drives data surge

Free TV service offers SmartVU streaming device

Freeview has launched a low-cost streaming device that gives consumers broadcast television without the need for a UHF aerial or satellite dish. The service will offer Freeview's local free-to-air broadcaster partners including TVNZ, MediaWorks and Māori TV.

At first it will deliver live stream TV but next year it will be upgraded to include the Freeview on Demand service.

It uses the Dish TV SmartVU X device which allows customers to stream 4K high-definition material. There are also apps from services such as Netflix, Lightbox and Stuff Pix. The device is available from retail stores and sells for $139.

Not everyone has a TV dish

Freeview CEO Jason Foden says around 10 percent of New Zealand households don't have the aerial or dish needed to receive his company's service. He says the dish gives them this and gives them other options as well.

While users don't need an aerial or dish to use the device, they do need a high-speed broadband connection. The service is not restricted to any ISPs, anyone with a fast broadband connection can use it.

Chorus CEO Kate McKenzie says she is confident New Zealand broadcast TV will increasingly move to IP-based delivery. She says: “It's fantastic to see Freeview making early inroads in this space with their SmartVU device.

Changing broadcasting dynamics

"Changing customer behaviours, rising expectations on the ease of use and disruptive new video streaming services are now available over myriad devices. We’re beginning to see a real change the dynamics of the broadcast industry."

Writing at the New Zealand Herald, Chris Keall says: "Freeview beats Sky in race to deliver live TV without an aerial or dish".

He says it looks like it will be ideal for Spark which plans to launch its own Sports app in the New Year and will use that to deliver the 2019 Rugby World Cup. However, he says Spark says it is too early to say if its app will be available on SmartVu.

Video streaming drives Chorus data surge

New video services like SmartVu are behind big jumps in data consumption on the Chorus network. The company says that in November the average monthly data use for both copper and fibre was 234 GB per month. This compares with 173 GB in November 2017.

Fibre customers used an average of 314 GB in November this year and 257 GB last November. Statistics NZ reports that 71 percent of customers now have unlimited data plans.

Spark launches Pulse Check security tool for small business

Pulse Check is an online tool from Spark Lab that helps small businesses find and fix their security vulnerabilities. Spark says a pulse check takes about five minutes.

Once done it then gives users insights, tools and recommends practical steps. The organisation, which is part of Spark New Zealand says business owners often put their digital security on the back-burner, but that the tool is simple and quick to use.

Unitec partners with SecOps NZ to boost digital skills

Unitec Institute of Technology is working with SecOps NZ, a managed security service provider, to provide hands on training and practical experience for junior technology professionals.

Unitec says the training complements people's existing experience and formal IT qualifications. It deals with practical application and gives real world experience. Dila Beisembayeva, acting head of computer science at Unitec says there's a shortage of qualified security professionals, but often people who might otherwise consider a career change struggle because they don't have practical experience.

Dense Air takes wholesale small cell model to Australia

CommsDay reports that Dense Air, a UK-based small cell wholesale service provider, has set up shop in Australia. Last month the company acquired a slice of 2.5 GHz spectrum in New Zealand and announced it would offer wholesale cell services here. The company is also active in Ireland, Belgium and Portugal. It describes its business as a "carrier of carriers".

Japan plans Huawei and ZTE network equipment ban

Reuters reports the Japanese government plan to ban equipment from Chinese suppliers Huawei and ZTE. The move comes as the government plans to improve defences against intelligence leaks and cyber attacks. Huawei is already excluded from supplying network equipment in the US. Australia and New Zealand have both blocked the company from building 5G mobile networks. Huawei insists the Chinese government does not control its network hardware.