DirecTV, Thomson Roll Out New Technology to Draw Apartment Dwellers

By Stephanie Robbins

DirecTV and Thomson, a technology service provider, are rolling out new technology meant to help the U.S.’ No. 1 satellite TV supplier win more clients in apartment buildings.

Residents of multi-dwelling units often are not allowed to put up satellite dishes because landlords fear they'll damage or clutter the building. That has given cable television providers an edge in those settings.

The new system, called DirecTV Multi-Family Housing Version 3 (MFH3), could help alleviate that problem for DirecTV.

MFH3 uses Internet Protocol TV technology to solve distribution problems in densely populated places such as apartments and condominiums, DirecTV said Tuesday.

The MFH3 functions by using the IP technology as a platform to deliver the content from a private on-property dish to each customer’s unit. Each head-end dish can support up to 500 devices, DirecTV said.

Customers will receive all DirecTV content in both standard and high definition TV, plus the company’s digital video recorder service.

“By leveraging our new MFH3 platform, we will have the ability to deliver the full DirecTV television experience to our multi-dwelling unit customers, including our industry-leading HD programming, exclusive sports, DVR, DirecTV Interactive and our soon-to-launch DirecTV on Demand service,” said Daren Benzi, VP of sales development and strategy for DirecTV, in a statement.

By using existing in-building and distribution wiring, the new system can lower the cost of installation as well, making DirecTV a more attractive option than cable.

Service providers who offer communication services to multi-dwelling units can integrate the MFH3 service with their existing voice and Internet services over one infrastructure using the IP distribution platform.

DirecTV currently has more than 16.3 million customers in the United States.