Consolidated Communications to launch video with Tut headend

Tut Systems said today that it is supplying its Astria digital headend solution to Consolidated Communications, the nation’s 15th largest telco.

Consolidated, which has more than 250,000 access lines in both Illinois and Texas, will deliver its Digital Video Service over both its DSL and fiber-to-the-home networks. DVS initially will be launched in Mattoon, Gays, Charleston and Effingham, Ill. Consolidated plans to offer up to 200 channels including local and premiums. All of its video packages also will include an interactive program guide, 45 digital-audio channels, universal remote controls and digital set top boxes.

The deal marks another validation point for both Tut, which has been selling Astria systems mostly to small, rural telcos, and the entire telco video market.

"As we’re seeing more and more of these bigger guys going into this, it’s providing more credibility to the market," said a Tut spokesman.

Consolidated also is the first U.S. telco to deploy Tut’s redundancy system, which gives carriers a back up for multiple elements within the headend.