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11/03/2017
Altice officially unveils ‘Altice One,’ U.S. version of ‘Le Box’
Altice has finally unveiled an advanced video platform for its U.S. market which combines X1-ish features like voice-activated remote, 4K capability, a next-generation user interface and cloud DVR.
Nicknamed “Le Box” in its European incarnation and based on Arris hardware, the so-called “Altice One” combines pay TV set-top, modem and Wi-Fi router. It is designed as a compact whole-home entertainment hub that will replace CPE for new and existing subscribers of the erstwhile Cablevision and Suddenlink cable systems, acquired last year by Altice.
Altice One, which has been in customer trials, will be available in select areas of Long Island beginning next week and will roll out across the Altice USA footprint in the coming months. It is based on a configuration Altice has already successfully deployed in France.
“We live in a world where content and technology are converging at a fast pace, and Altice One provides the experience, entertainment and connectivity that consumers are looking for today,” said Dexter Goei, Altice USA chairman and CEO, in a statement.
RELATED: Altice set to roll out ‘The Box’ in the U.S., Goei says
“Altice One is just the beginning of a new, better and simple experience for Altice’s Optimum and Suddenlink customers as we look to become the connected home provider of choice now and into the future. Less than two years after acquiring Cablevision and Suddenlink, we’re thrilled to bring this new service to market for our customers and reinforce our ongoing commitment to continuous innovation in the U.S,” he added.
Taking a page from Comcast’s advanced X1 platform, Altice One will include a new user interface with integrated OTT services, including YouTube and Pandora. The all-in-one gateway will combine Wi-Fi with advanced pay TV features, such as picture-in-picture capabilities. The cloud DVR will allow users to record up to 15 shows at once.
Users of the system can extend functionality to other parts of the home beyond the living room with Altice One Mini client boxes.
Like Comcast, which has deployed its X1 video platform across 57% of its footprint to date, and widely credits the technology for greatly reducing subscriber churn, Altice is looking to stem competition from OTT service providers by offering a better user experience.
