MEO (Portugal)

MEO
Service of Portugal Telecom
Industry Telecommunication
Founded 2007
Founder Portugal Telecom
Headquarters Av. Álvaro Pais, 2 - Lisboa [1]
Area served
 Portugal
Key people
 Paulo Neves
Products Television
Internet
Telephone
Mobile Phone
Services MEO Fibra
MEO ADSL
MEO Satélite
MEO Go
MEO VideoClube
Owner PT Portugal
(Altice)
Parent MEO - Serviços de Comunicações e Multimédia, S.A.
Subsidiaries Sport TV (25%)
Website www.meo.pt

MEO is a mobile and fixed telecommunications service and brand from Portugal Telecom, managed by MEO - Serviços de Comunicações e Multimédia. The service was piloted in Lisbon in 2006 and was later extended to Porto and Castelo Branco.

History

The commercial launch of the ADSL2+ service took place in June 2007. The satellite service began in April 2008, using the Hispasat satellite, soon followed by the FTTH service. The ADSL2+ and FTTH offers reached across Portugal and included broadband Internet services (at up to 400Mbit/s) as well as a telephone service.

MEO was officially founded after the separation of PT Comunicações and PT Multimédia (later ZON Multimédia). While PT Multimédia employed coaxial cables, after separation, MEO started making use of copper cables. The television service supplied by MEO within the copper cable network is served on the ADSL line.

In May 2009 PT Comunicações announced, after Terrestrial Digital Television (TDT) transmissions had started, that the triple play service was also available with fiber optic speeds can achieve 400 Mbit/s.

Another service relies on TDT, MEO TDT, which is included in the 3G plates service that is captured through the mobile internet signals from TDT. This service included one High Definition (HD) channel and the five main Portuguese channels: RTP 1, RTP 2, SIC, TVI e ARTV. MEO TDT service also allows some of the advantages found on the ADSL and Fiber Optic service (pause, record...).[2]

In July 2010 Portugal Telecom informed that MEO had surpassed 700 thousand clients.[3]

In November 2011, MEO achieved one million subscriptions.[4] In January 2014 MEO and TMN became a single brand, MEO Serviços de Comunicações e Multimédia S.A..

In 2013 MEO launched a quadruple play service called M4O that in addition to the functionalities already referred has added the mobile phone, in a converged strategic logic.[5] In July 2014 MEO launched a bundle which also includes the offering of mobile internet, called M5O.[6]

Marketing

The communication campaign invested in a strong advertising effort, protagonized by Portuguese humoristic characters, the Gato Fedorento.

Service

MEO's technology transmits over fiber optic and ADSL - either television (IPTV), telephone (VOIP) and internet. MEO ADSL integrates a router with a switch, connected to the telephone plug to decode and distribute the signal, and another for the television called MEOBox. The two MEOBox models are built by Motorola and Scientific Atlanta, with a processor, optional hard drive, HDMI slot, two SCART slots, a digital sound slot and an Ethernet slot.

The MEO Fiber Optic service uses an Optical Network Terminal, that decodes the fiber optic signal and passes it to the router.

Television

MEO offers television content transmission through four platforms: the ADSL network (IPTV), fiber optic (IPTV), satellite (DTH) and the 3G/4G network inherited from mobile communications carrier TMN, added to MEO in January 2014.

MEO ADSL television service includes a basic slate of 120 TV channels. Subscribers can access more than 170 channels if purchasing the “MEO Total” bundle, which included HD channels.[7] FTTH MEO offers bundles distinguished by the speed of data transmission. Just like MEO ADSL, the basic package includes 120 channels.[8]

With IPTV channels can be purchased through the MEObox remote control, unlike the satellite and coax services. Another advantage is its speed of 200 milliseconds.

The IPTV network also enables the customer to play games in the MEOBox and to explore content from the internet and dozens of interactive apps. The programming schedule is available along with a “PIP” (Picture In Picture) showing other channels onscreen alongside the current selection. It is also possible to record and pause the show being live transmitted or even watching what was transmitted on the last 7 days (automatic recordings. In geographies where fiber optic or ADSL networks are not available, MEO offers a television service by satellite. The anywhere MEO’s TV solution is called MEO Go.

MEO VideoClube

MEO VideoClube is a vídeo-on-demand service that offers a catalog of thousands of Portuguese and international programs (including movies, documentaries and concerts). Additional features available include trailers, synopses, cast and IMDb rating; a favorites list; 48-hour viewing window; renting HD/3D movies with dolby surround sound; total control and privacy through a security PIN for “rentals and purchases” and a security PIN to access adult content. MEO VideoClube can be used inside or outside home on televisions, tablets; smartphones or personal computers through MEO Go service; and connected TV’s and game consoles.

It is possible to watch movies without an internet connection, using Download & Play, available on a PC through MEO Go. In 2014, the services was refreshed with an improved image, faster navigation and new features with additional content and information, and a more accessible user experience. MEO VideoClube offers multiple payment options including a monthly invoice and the prepaid MEO VideoClube card.

MEO Go

MEO Go allows viewers to watch live TV and video on demand content on Windows, Mac and mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones via any 3G/4G broadband or WiFi internet connection. MEO Go offers over 70 TV live channels; automatic recording,; thousands of movies; and access to a programming guide (Guia TV) that contains detailed program information and allows scheduling alerts and remote recordings. The MEO Go free app is available for the Android, iOS, Windows Phone and Windows 8 operating systems. The service is available at no extra cost to MEO TV customers, via MEO’s home WiFi; or via any 3G/4G and WiFi internet access.

Since MEO Go’s launch, in November 2011,[9] the service added:

In 2013 MEO Go had more than 100.000 monthly active users, and more than 500.000 app downloads.[10] Worldwide, it was recognized as one of the most complete and innovative platforms of its kind, winning international awards, including the CSI Awards 2014 [11] and the Stevie Awards 2014.[12]

Internet

The ADSL Internet service offers 24 Mbit/s downstream and 1 Mbit/s for upstream without traffic limitation, nationally or internationally. The fiber optic network allows downstream speeds up to 400 Mbit/s and 100Mbit/s downsteam for a higher data allocation. In 2015 mobile internet was added, named M5O.

Telephone

The telephone service offers charge free calls without limit to all national fixed networks. Initial costs are integrated in the MEO service subscription.

Mobile phone

Mobile phone service is supplied through the TMN networks. Following the demise of the TMN brand, tariffs remained unchanged and the telephonic support line (1696) remained the same as well. In 2015 telephone service was included in a quadruple play pack, named M4O.

Channels

Sponsorship

MEO sponsored all the "Big Three" from the Primeira Liga (Benfica, Porto and Sporting) from 2005 to 2015. However it started sponsoring Porto again, as well as Rio Ave and Desportivo das Aves. It is also a sponsor of the Portuguese Football Federation.

References

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