Abertis Telecom showcases some of its pioneering connectivity, telecommunications and audiovisual solutions

Mobile World Congress 2015

• Abertis Telecom presents the deployment of Spain’s first IoT network, specifically designed to offer connectivity solutions dedicated to the “Internet of Things”.
• The first 4K broadcast through Hybrid DTT in Spain will be presented at Abertis Telecom’s stand. Hybrid TV in 4K is one of the features offered by the new HbbTV 2.0 interactivity specification.

Barcelona, 2 March 2015.- Abertis Telecom is once again participating in the Mobile World Congress (MWC), which runs from 2 to 5 March in Barcelona. At its exhibition area in the section of Congress Square dedicated to Spanish companies, the Abertis Group telecommunications infrastructure operator will showcase various technological solutions related to mobile device connectivity, the latest advances in the field of DTT and the possibilities offered by the connectivity of the “Internet of Things”.

At this year’s MWC, Abertis Telecom is continuing to show its commitment to what has already become known as the next wave of connected devices, the “Internet of Things” (IoT). This edition will give Abertis Telecom the opportunity to showcase the ambitious deployment of the first IoT network launched in Spain, specifically designed to offer connectivity solutions dedicated to the “Internet of Things”. The Ultra Narrow Band cellular system which has been deployed is based on SIGFOX technology and it’s adapted to optimally and efficiently accommodate long-range and low-energy communications. The network deployed by Abertis Telecom has more than 1,300 base stations, to provide coverage for connected devices and objects throughout the whole of Spain. Urban areas with populations of over 50,000 have been subject to specific planning to ensure indoor coverage.

Within the framework of collaboration between device manufacturers and technology partners, the application of this technology encompasses different markets and sectors. The implementation of this Ultra Narrow Band (UNB) network will allow for the use of geolocation solutions for asset tracking; remote temperature monitoring systems for cold chain maintenance in logistics applications; efficient waste collection; the management of regulated car parks in cities; and the remote reading of smart meters for the residential distribution of drinking water.

In the area of the “Internet of Things”, it is estimated that in 2015, 10 billion devices will be connected to the internet, a number which will reach an estimated 50 billion by 2020, with the global population standing at just 7 billion in 2015 and estimated to reach 8 billion by 2020. In light of this imbalance, the possibilities this technology offers provide decisive and useful solutions for this information build-up in a secure and private environment.

A firm commitment to 4K hybrid TV

The company constantly works in cooperation with the European organisations of which it is part to develop standards and implement advanced audiovisual solutions, such as the HbbTV 2.0 specification, which includes the use of High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) for 4K interactive TV. For this reason, one of Abertis Telecom’s strategic commitments at this edition of the Mobile World Congress is to the broadcast of DTT with the HbbTV specification in 4K resolution.

The documentary used for these broadcasts, co-produced by Radio Televisión Española (RTVE), was the first in Spain to use 4K technology at 50 images per second. In fact, it was one of the first times this system was used in Europe. The coding of this content in the HEVC standard, for both the DTT signal and over the internet through HbbTV, was possible thanks to collaboration with the companies SAPEC and CIRES21.

PLEASE, an advanced audiovisual project for improved user experience

At this edition of the MWC, Abertis Telecom will also present the PLEASE project (PLataforma de Alta Eficiencia Avanzada para DiStribución de ContEnidos – Advanced High Efficiency Content Distribution Platform). The project’s aim is to develop a content distribution platform with high efficiency video coding and dynamic content distribution through applied cloud techniques. The video coding is based on the new H.265/HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) standard, which will soon replace the H.264/AVC system, currently the most widely used standard.

The main advantages of this project include its efficiency in terms of spectrum use, given that the new standard allows video to be coded to the same quality, but using half the amount of bandwidth. Furthermore, content distribution in the MPEG-DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) standard means users can be offered the same content in different qualities. The content is automatically and transparently adapted to ensure the best user experience based on the connection quality available at any given time.

Abertis Telecom is leading the PLEASE project, with the participation of CIRES21, SAPEC and the G@TV group from the Technical University of Madrid. The project will last for 18 months and has the support and financing of the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism, within the framework of the Economy and Digital Society Strategic Action.

Abertis Telecom

Abertis Telecom is one of Europe’s leading independent operators of wireless telecommunication and broadcasting infrastructure.

It offers a site-leasing service for telecommunications operators and provides cutting-edge audiovisual services to broadcasters at local, regional and national level.

Abertis Telecom is firmly committed to developing its network of almost 8,000 sites through the acquisition of mobile telephony towers from other operators, positioning the company as a leading European player in the development of next-generation networks.

It also develops solutions that optimise municipal services for citizens by implementing networks and services that facilitate municipal management and actively contributing to the creation of a solid IoT ecosystem in Spain.