Vodafone Germany plans mass market launch of IPTV in 2011

Vodafone Germany will launch its IPTV service for the mass market in 2011 and not before Christmas, as was announced at the IFA, reports teltarif.de citing Vodafone spokesman Alexander Esener. HE said that the operator is currently testing the service with several hundred customers and will offer the service to all customers in the beginning of January 2011. The IPTV service including hybrid set-top box will cost EUR 10 per month and customers can choose from four extra packages (Movie, Documentary, Children, Lounge) for monthly fees starting at EUR 5. Other packages are in preparation; according to the Vodafone TV website they will include four country packages: Turkish Premium, Turkish, Polish, and Russian. The basic package will include the well-known free TV channels as well as JD channels from ARD, ZDF, Arte, Sat.1, ProSieben, kabeleins, Anixe, Servus TV, and Deluxe Lounge.