Tectris is the Belgacom VOD trial. Tectris is the acronym for TEChnical TRial for Interactive Services. The main objectives of this trial are: to offer interactive services (e.g. video on demand) to 50 friendly users via the Belgacom network and this in the beginning of 1996; to become acquainted with these services in order to build up the essential technical knowhow for delivering broadband multimedia services; to gather relevant technical information in view of further initiatives by Belgacom.

50 users This trial focuses on the technical aspects and therefore its scale is limited: an interactive VOD service will be offered to approx. 50 friendly users: for a first group of 25 users, Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) technology is used to provide the necessary bandwidth between the local exchange and the users' premises using the twisted pair copper lines. a second group of 25 users will be offered the VOD service by means of Passive Optical Network (PON) technology using optical fiber. ATM switch Belgacom opted for ATM as transfer technology, because of its flexibility, guaranteeing the possibility of supporting a wide range of (future) multimedia services. TVOD During this trial, Belgacom is offering a true VOD service: point-to-point connectivity and full user control of the videostream. The content consists of films, documentaries and clips. For the trial, the content providers are : Belgavox, BRTN, CCT, Multichoice, RTBF. Belgavox has been selected as compression factory. Date, duration, site The operational phase of the trial started on the 1st of February 96; it will last 6 weeks. A Brussels suburb (St.-Lambrechts Woluwe) has been chosen as test site. MPEG In order to reduce the bandwidth required to transport audio-visual information, this information is compressed using MPEG. An hybrid MPEG-1/MPEG-2 solution has been chosen (MPEG-1 compression, MPEG-2 TS systems). Diagram set-up Here is a complete diagram (24K GIF file). Equipment used Belgacom has chosen de Tijdelijke Vereniging (Temporary Association) Alcatel Bell/Digital as system integrator.

	The equipment vendors involved are:
	Alcatel Bell :	A1000 ATM cross connect
	Alcatel Bell :	APON
	Apple :	Set-top box
	Digital :	Server
	Westell :	ADSL E1

For any further information, don't hesitate to contact : Geert de Jonghe, Tectris Project Leader, or : Olivier Poncin, New Products & Services / R&D Manager.