Today it’s actually possible to receive high-quality video over a simple telephone line. Gone are the days when a viewer watched television on a computer screen with an image the size of a postage stamp. Now a digitised film can be channelled directly to your home television. This technological prowess is achieved through the combination of the expertise and the digital quality network of Monaco Telecom and the technical expertise and integration experience of Alcatel, the world leader in ADSL network solutions.

This product offering of Monaco Telecom will revolutionise the way people view programmes on TV. With a few clicks of the remote control, the viewer proceeds directly to Monaco Telecom''s «SesameTV» screen and then, from the comfort of his living room, one can select the film of his choice at the time he prefers. All he needs to do is to plug his television into a set top box, which is connected to an ADSL-enabled phone line through a modem. Functionality, interactivity, flexibility and ease of use are the keywords of this new service.

The viewer may choose among three payment options: à la carte (at 5 euros per film), a monthly subscription of 20 euros for five films, or a subscription of 52 euros per month for unlimited number of films. He can then choose from a large catalogue of 400 films: from entertainment to crime dramas, from comedy and adventure to horror and adult films. This package, updated every month, is composed of the latest French and international films recently launched on video, as well as a catalogue of classic films. This pilot service is being offered by MC Cable, a Monaco Telecom subsidiary, to its clients in Monaco.

The diversity of films is provided exclusively by Moviesystem, the leading aggregator of VoD rights in Europe, and the distributor for Pathé and Europa Corp, Luc Besson’s production company. Moviesystem has developed a unique distribution network in France with the objective of releasing its catalogue on broadband networks while guaranteeing to film rights-owners a professional service that respects the film industry''s distribution standards.

VoD on ADSL creates limitless possibilities for enjoying the most recent movie releases: unrestricted volume, total freedom of choice, with every programme available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. VoD is the latest in a long line of technical innovations pioneered by Monaco Telecom for the benefit of the television viewers of Monaco, who are the lucky beneficiaries of this new service, without precedent in Europe.

Alcatel provides end-to-end communications solutions, enabling carriers, service providers and enterprises to deliver content to any type of user, anywhere in the world. Leveraging its long-term leadership in telecommunications network equipment as well as its expertise in applications and network services, Alcatel enables its customers to focus on optimising their service offerings and revenue streams. With sales of euro 16.5 billion in 2002, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.