TELUS, Blockbuster, Enron Trial Streamed Video Service

[Burnaby, CANADA] TELUS signed with Blockbuster Inc. and Enron Broadband Services to conduct a trial service of streamed real-time video in early 2001.

The service will deliver feature-length movies from Blockbuster to the televisions of 5,000 TELUS high-speed Internet customers in British Columbia, using TELUS’ ADSL network and a DSL-enabled set top box.

TELUS plans to continue to partner with content providers and to use its ADSL network infrastructure and portal abilities to deliver free and transaction-based content such as video, audio, animation and live events to Internet and ADSL customers, according to Roy Osing, executive vice-president and president, TELUS Advanced Communications.

Following the trial, TELUS will launch a broadband commercial video-on-demand service on its Internet portals for broadband customers. The TELUS portal network currently consists of MyBC.com, Alberta.com and the soon-to-be launched Toronto portal. The commercial service will let customers choose from a library of videos through their televisions.

Blockbuster Inc. is a publicly traded subsidiary of Viacom Inc. Enron Broadband Services provides high bandwidth delivery and application services. Its business model combines the Enron Intelligent Network, Enron’s broadband operating system, bandwidth trading and intermediation services, and high-bandwidth applications to improve Internet experience and functionality. TELUS Advanced Communications, a division of TELUS, offers e-business solutions, Internet access and multimedia services.