STAR signs media IP network expansion deal with BT

Hong Kong-based broadcaster looks for increased delivery speed, security and reliability to the United States

BT Media and Broadcast sector has been awarded a multi-million dollar three year managed service IP network solution contract for STAR Group, Asia’s leading media and entertainment company. STAR broadcasts over 60 services in ten languages, reaching more than 300 million viewers in 53 countries across Asia. The service will run across BT's Global Media Network, an MPLS enabled IP network designed specifically for carrying broadcast traffic.

Initially STAR will carry eight channels – STAR Plus, STAR One, STAR News, Vijay, STAR Gold, STAR Chinese Movies, STAR Chinese Channel and [V] Taiwan – from Hong Kong to Los Angeles. Signals will be fed through Direct To Home (DTH) platforms including deploying connectivity to DirecTV, Echostar and cable systems that reach millions of subscribers across the United States. By utilising the BT core IP network, STAR is gaining access to a globally deployed Media IP network that already touches over 300 points of presence in 170 countries.

STAR plans to benefit from an array of features that are provided by BT’s Media IP network technology. Multicast is one such benefit where STAR can realize the cost savings of sending the same feeds to multiple locations across the globe.

Dr. Guo Xiao Yong, chief technology officer, STAR said: “This is our second Media IP contract with BT and we have been extremely pleased with the service. It has proven to be cost effective, flawlessly reliable and resilient. BT’s service has provided us with a giant technology leap, particularly in assisting us to expand the distribution of our channels in North America.”

BT’s video-enabled Global Media Network provides secure and seamless connectivity in a dynamic and complex environment, linking all the different stages of the media ecosystem, from production through to distribution. It is one of the only IP networks which can connect the customer to multiple platforms across many countries without having to move out of the network. This significantly guards against risk, provides resilience, disaster recovery and continuity planning. The network is fully resilient and designed to provide the very high uptimes demanded by STAR.

Mr. Kevin Taylor, Chief Operating Officer of BT Asia Pacific, said: “BT’s global IP network allows media customers like STAR to achieve much more than point to point capability, allowing for the operation of complex workflows that demand high delivery speeds, security and most importantly - reliability. This contract will provide all of these benefits while providing STAR the flexibility to expand their services in the future to meet their growing business needs. We are confident of building this relationship as a benchmark for today’s global broadcast industry.”

BT is expanding its relationship with STAR. In October 2007, BT’s Media and Broadcast sector implemented a state of the art network based managed services deal for STAR. The deal was significant for STAR as it shifted technology platforms from the traditional satellite and leased circuit service to the Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) / Internet Protocol (IP) technology for their contribution link to Europe.

BT’s investment into the Media and Broadcast sector has been extremely well received in Asia Pacific with Media-IP networks rolled-out in five cities through the region connecting each to multiple platforms in US, Europe and now to North America.

ENDS

About STAR
STAR is a leading media and entertainment company in Asia. STAR broadcasts over 60 television services in ten languages to more than 300 million viewers across 53 Asian countries. STAR channels cover all genres including general entertainment (Star Plus, Xing Kong, Star Chinese Channel, Star One, Star Utsav, Star World, Vijay, antv, Phoenix Chinese), sports (ESPN, Star Sports), movies (Star Chinese Movies, Star Gold, Star Movies), music (Channel [V]), and news and current affairs (Star News, Star Ananda, Star Majha, Phoenix InfoNews Channel). STAR controls over 20,000 hours of Indian and Chinese programming and also owns the world's largest contemporary Chinese film library, with more than 600 titles, featuring superstars including Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fat and Bruce Lee. In partnership with leading companies in Asia, STAR businesses extend to filmed entertainment, television production, cable systems, direct-to-home services, terrestrial TV broadcasting, wireless and digital services. STAR is a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corporation.

For more information, visit www.startv.com

About BT
BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; higher-value broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.

In the year ended 31 March 2007, BT Group plc’s revenue was £20,223 million with profit before taxation of £2,484 million.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all
businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.

For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt

For further information, please contact:
Richard Wright, Director, Corporate Communications and PR, Asia Pacific
Tel: +852 2532 3652; Fax: +852 2810 0164
Email: richard.j.wright@bt.com

Chan Chi-Loong, Industry Analyst Program Manager, BT Asia Pacific
Corporate and Media Relations, South East Asia
Tel: +65 6290 7218; Fax: +65 6293 9500
Email: chi-loong.chan@bt.com