Bell ExpressVu
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Bell ExpressVu is the division of Bell Canada which sells digital television services in Canada. Launched on September 10th, 1997, ExpressVu has traditionally offered satellite TV services, and as of summer 2004 has begun to offer digital TV via VDSL to select condos and MDUs (Multiple Dwelling Units) in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Bell ExpressVu provides over 300 digital video and audio channels to over 1.5 million subscribers.
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Satellites
ExpressVu broadcasts from three geosynchronous satellites: Nimiq 1, Nimiq 2 and Nimiq 3. All follow an equatorial path, giving coverage to most of North America. "Nimiq" is an Inuit word for "that which unifies", and was chosen from a nationwide naming contest in 1998. The three satellites are owned and operated by Telesat Canada (a BCE corporation), and are based on Lockheed Martin's A2100 model.
Nimiq 1 was launched on May 20, 1999 and contains 32 Ku-band transponders. Nimiq 2, launched in December 29, 2002, also includes 2 K-band transponders. Nimiq 2 provides additional bandwidth for HDTV and interactive television applications.
Nimiq 3 went online on August 23, 2004. Originally called DirecTV3, it is an old DirecTV satellite moved to a new orbital slot to offload some of the transmitting work from Nimiq 1.
Dish Equipment
The standard ExpressVu dish is a circular 20 inches (51cm) in diameter and supports two LNBs. The 20" dish is skew-adjustable and identical to the Dish Network 500. The size was increased from the original 18" in late 2002 to provide better reception to HDTV channels.
ExpressVu also provide a variety of satellite receiver sets, including models with dual-tuner, HDTV and PVR capabilities. The receivers are built by Echostar Corporation.
Canadians living in the Arctic region have the option to purchase larger 60cm and 120cm dishes to compensate for the weaker satellite signal.
VDSL Equipment
VDSL service is delivered to the customer using broadband equipment provided by the "NextLevel Communications" division of Motorola. As of June 2005 ExpressVu will be supporting 10,000 active VDSL subscribers.
Etymology
Bell Canada constructed the name ExpressVu for its universal recognition by both English and French speakers. Anglophones often pronounce the name as "express view", while francophones understand "vu" as from the French verb meaning "to look" or "to watch".
External Link
- Bell ExpressVu Official Website (http://www.expressvu.com)
- Digital Insurrection Expressvu Info (http://satellitetv.digitalinsurrection.com/canadian_digital_satellite.php)
- NextLevel Communications (now part of Motorola Broadband) (http://www.nlc.com)