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12 Bad Cruise Habits That Annoy Other Cruise Passengers

Discover 12 habits and things cruisers do on a cruise that annoy other cruise passengers the most. Things I have seen on my many cruises, watch cruise fans discussing on cruising forums and reading complaints about. 12 common practices, habits and things cruise guests do that drive other passengers crazy. Are you guilty of any of these? Do some or all of these drive you crazy? Or, do you not see why they upset other cruise guests?




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Celebrity Edge : What's Good and Bad About This Cruise Ship?

Celebrity Edge is the third class, or type, of ship in the Celebrity Cruises Fleet. The first ship was Celebrity Edge in 2018, followed by Celebrity Apex in 2020. After spending time on the ship, and talking to cruise passengers, I review this new class of ship and discuss what is new and different, and what is good or poor about the ship - and who I think it is best for. This should help you decide if the Celebrity Edge ships are right for your cruising vacation.

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9 Top Cruise Hacks, Tricks And Tips For 2019 / 2020

I reveal my top and best cruise hacks, tips and tricks that will help you make the most of your cruising vacation in 2019 and 2020. These cruising tips are things that I have learnt to help me get better cruise fares, save money on board a cruise ship, pack better and smarter, find the best cabin, find and save money on excursions and lots more. These are all proven and should help you. Enjoy these cruising hacks, tips and tricks.

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** Get great cruise deals via CRUISEDIRECT.COM: http://bit.ly/TFTBookCruise

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers aims to help you make more of your precious travel time and money on land and when cruising the oceans or rivers of the world. To help you, in every video I draw on my first-hand tips and advice from travelling every month for over 20 years and 60+ cruises.

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Saga Cruises Spirit of Discovery Ship : 8 Must-Knows And A Key Watch-Out

Saga Cruises launched Spirit of Discovery in July 2019, the first of two sister cruise ships (Spirit of Adventure in 2020). These are the first new-build ships for cruising ever for Saga, why had previously bought and refurbished existing cruise ships. The Spirit of Discovery holds 999 passengers and in this I discuss the 8 things that I think are best about the ship, and show and explain why. I also talk about one major watch-out and issue that could stop you from cruising.

Note: I travelled as a guest of the cruise line on a pre-naming cruise before making this video. Saga Cruises had no input in the video and content.

** Subscribe to my channel: http://bit.ly/TFT_YouTube2
** Buy one of my unique Cruise T-shirts: http://bit.ly/TFTStore
** Get great cruise deals via CRUISEDIRECT.COM: http://bit.ly/TFTBookCruise

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers aims to help you make more of your precious travel time and money on land and when cruising the oceans or rivers of the world. To help you, in every video I draw on my first-hand tips and advice from travelling every month for over 20 years and 60+ cruises.

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- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/garybembridge
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Paul Gauguin Cruise Ship Tour and Review

Come aboard the Paul Gauguin cruise ship as I discuss the ship and the 7 things I think you need to know, and the 5 important watch-outs you need to consider before cruising on this luxury cruise ship. The Paul Gauguin cruises out of Tahiti on cruise vacations around the French Polynesia islands on cruising vacations from 7 to 14 nights. I show you the facilities on the ship.

Note: I travelled as a guest of Paul Gauguin before making this video. They had no input on the opinions or content of this video.

** Buy my Cruise T-shirts: http://bit.ly/TFTStore
** USA cruisers get great cruise deals CRUISEDIRECT.COM: http://bit.ly/TFTBookCruise
** UK Cruisers get great cruise deals with CRUISE.CO.UK: http://bit.ly/BookCruiseUK

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers aims to help you make more of your precious travel time and money on land and when cruising the oceans or rivers of the world. To help you, in every video I draw on my first-hand tips and advice from travelling every month for over 20 years and 60+ cruises.

Follow Tips For Travellers on:
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/garybembridge
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9 Most Unusual, Surprising (And Some Rude) Cruises Ever

What are the unusual, surprising and even rude theme cruises that you can go on? I look at 9 of the theme cruises on the seas that you could go on (if they appeal!). Many groups and organisations charter entire cruise ships and run themed cruise vacations - some of which you may find very remarkable. Discover the 9 types of theme cruises many travellers may find surprising and unusual.

** Buy my Cruise T-shirts: http://bit.ly/TFTStore
** USA cruisers get great cruise deals CRUISEDIRECT.COM: http://bit.ly/TFTBookCruise
** UK Cruisers get great cruise deals with CRUISE.CO.UK: http://bit.ly/BookCruiseUK

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers aims to help you make more of your precious travel time and money on land and when cruising the oceans or rivers of the world. To help you, in every video I draw on my first-hand tips and advice from travelling every month for over 20 years and 60+ cruises.

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- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/garybembridge
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9 Biggest Pros and Cons Of Cruising To Iceland

Should you cruise to Iceland? If you want to visit Iceland what are the pros and cons of cruising over doing a land-based visit. There are many good things about taking a cruise, and I explore the 6 best pros of cruising to Iceland before looking at the 3 top things you need to consider that may make a land-based trip a better option for you.

Note: I travelled as a guest of Saga Cruises on a round Iceland cruise when making this video. A lot of the footage and tips also draw on my Voyages To Antiquity cruise to Iceland last year too.

** Buy my Cruise T-shirts: http://bit.ly/TFTStore
** USA cruisers get great cruise deals CRUISEDIRECT.COM: http://bit.ly/TFTBookCruise
** UK Cruisers get great cruise deals with CRUISE.CO.UK: http://bit.ly/BookCruiseUK

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers aims to help you make more of your precious travel time and money on land and when cruising the oceans or rivers of the world. To help you, in every video I draw on my first-hand tips and advice from travelling every month for over 20 years and 60+ cruises.

Follow Tips For Travellers on:
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/garybembridge
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6 Best European River Cruise Lines

What are the best European river cruise lines? I discuss the 6, based on my numerous river cruises through Europe that I recommend that you consider for your first or next river cruise in Europe. I review and discuss lines ranging from premium to more value, and those in between. These are the 6 best river cruise lines to consider. Which one sounds right and best for you?

 

** Buy my Cruise T-shirts: http://bit.ly/TFTStore
** USA cruisers get great cruise deals CRUISEDIRECT.COM: http://bit.ly/TFTBookCruise
** UK Cruisers get great cruise deals with CRUISE.CO.UK: http://bit.ly/BookCruiseUK

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers aims to help you make more of your precious travel time and money on land and when cruising the oceans or rivers of the world. To help you, in every video I draw on my first-hand tips and advice from travelling every month for over 20 years and 60+ cruises.

Follow Tips For Travellers on:
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/garybembridge
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tipsfortravellers
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/garybembridge




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6 Things You Can Get Free On A Cruise (By Asking)

How can you get free things on your next cruise, and get much more bang for your cruising bucks? I discuss the 6 main areas of cruise freebies that are available, if you go and ask for them or seek them out. They are not things that cruise brochures and websites usually reveal, or talk about. I tell you the things to focus on and how to get as many free things as you possibly can, including drinks, special food, gifts, spa treatments, better and improved cabins and more.

** Buy my Cruise T-shirts: http://bit.ly/TFTStore
** USA cruisers get great cruise deals CRUISEDIRECT.COM: http://bit.ly/TFTBookCruise
** UK Cruisers get great cruise deals with CRUISE.CO.UK: http://bit.ly/BookCruiseUK

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers aims to help you make more of your precious travel time and money on land and when cruising the oceans or rivers of the world. To help you, in every video I draw on my first-hand tips and advice from travelling every month for over 20 years and 60+ cruises.

Follow Tips For Travellers on:
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/garybembridge
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tipsfortravellers
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/garybembridge




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5 Ways A European Hotel Barge Cruise Is Better Than A River Cruise

Is a hotel barge cruise better than a river cruise in Europe? I explore 5 times, and types of travellers, where a European barge hotel cruise is likely to be the best way to cruise through Europe. River cruising in Europe has become very popular, but less travellers know there is an alternative way to cruise the European Waterways - hotel barges that cruise the canals and rivers of Europe. Discover if they are a better option for your European vacation

Note: I travelled as a guest of CroisiEurope on a 6-night French cruise on their Deborah hotel barge along the Yonne and Seine from Sens to Paris. The cost of the cabin would have been £2043 / $2500 per person sharing. CroisiEurope had no input on the content or opinions expressed in this video.

** Buy my Cruise T-shirts: http://bit.ly/TFTStore
** USA cruisers get great cruise deals CRUISEDIRECT.COM: http://bit.ly/TFTBookCruise
** UK Cruisers get great cruise deals with CRUISE.CO.UK: http://bit.ly/BookCruiseUK

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers aims to help you make more of your precious travel time and money on land and when cruising the oceans or rivers of the world. To help you, in every video I draw on my first-hand tips and advice from travelling every month for over 20 years and 60+ cruises.

Follow Tips For Travellers on:
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/garybembridge
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tipsfortravellers
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/garybembridge




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Differences between European Canal Barge And RIver Cruise

What are the main differences between a European canal hotel barge cruise and a river cruise? I think there are 8 key things you need to know that makes a canal cruise different to a river cruise. By understanding how they differ you can better decide is a river cruise or canal hotel barge cruise is best for your next European river cruising vacation

Note: I travelled as a guest of CroisiEurope on a 6-night hotel barge cruise in France before making this video Croisieurope had no input into the opinions or content of this video.

** Buy my Cruise T-shirts: http://bit.ly/TFTStore
** USA cruisers get great cruise deals CRUISEDIRECT.COM: http://bit.ly/TFTBookCruise
** UK Cruisers get great cruise deals with CRUISE.CO.UK: http://bit.ly/BookCruiseUK

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers aims to help you make more of your precious travel time and money on land and when cruising the oceans or rivers of the world. To help you, in every video I draw on my first-hand tips and advice from travelling every month for over 20 years and 60+ cruises.

Follow Tips For Travellers on:
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/garybembridge
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tipsfortravellers
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/garybembridge




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Seabourn Cruises Must-Knows and Watch-Outs

What are the 4 Things You Really Need To Know Before Cruising with Seabourn Cruises? I explore the ultra-luxury Seabourn Cruise Line and discuss for essential things about them to help you decide if this is the best, or right, cruise line for your cruising vacation, including what Seabourn is, what they do better and the same as other ultra-luxury cruise lines, what your fare really gets (and does not get you) and who the line is best for.

Note: I travelled as a guest of the cruise line before making this video

** Buy my Cruise T-shirts: http://bit.ly/TFTStore
** USA cruisers get great cruise deals CRUISEDIRECT.COM: http://bit.ly/TFTBookCruise
** UK Cruisers get great cruise deals with CRUISE.CO.UK: http://bit.ly/BookCruiseUK

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers aims to help you make more of your precious travel time and money on land and when cruising the oceans or rivers of the world. To help you, in every video I draw on my first-hand tips and advice from travelling every month for over 20 years and 60+ cruises.

Follow Tips For Travellers on:
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/garybembridge
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tipsfortravellers
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/garybembridge

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Cruise Embarkation Day Watch-Outs and Tips

Discover the 9 top tips and tricks to make your cruise embarkation day fast, stress-free and sets you up for the most enjoyable cruise vacation you can have. I explore the watch-outs and things to focus on drawing on my experiences of setting off on 73 cruises to date. I have learnt, sometimes the hard way, on the things to watch out for, to be ready for and how to make cruise embarkation day easy and get you into your cruise as quickly as possible.

Once you have watched this, why not watch one of these popular recent videos:
10 Cabins to Avoid: https://youtu.be/PgTGLma919A
European River Cruise Watch-Outs: https://youtu.be/oqhz54wStyk
5 Cruises To Avoid: https://youtu.be/CNiPzK4IRWA
Alaska Cruise Need-to-Knows: https://youtu.be/Tn7dpNw5kSI
Things Cruise Lines Don’t Want You to Know: https://youtu.be/cs5UKha9ALc
Rules Passengers Break Most: https://youtu.be/djZLZ3XV_f0
Things You Can’t Do On A Cruise Any More: https://youtu.be/zas6F4wMD0Q
Should You Pay Cruise Gratuities: https://youtu.be/QBYzqxXjEXQ

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL BY:
Buying my Cruise T-shirts: http://bit.ly/TFTStore
Booking your next cruise with CRUISEDIRECT.COM: http://bit.ly/TFTBookCruise


Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers aims to help you make more of your precious travel time and money on land and when cruising the oceans or rivers of the world. To help you, in every video I draw on my first-hand tips and advice from travelling every month for over 20 years and 60+ cruises.

Follow Tips For Travellers on:
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/garybembridge
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tipsfortravellers
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/garybembridge




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Princess Cruises Pros and Cons

What are the pros and cons of cruising on a Princess Cruises cruising vacation. I explore the best and worst things about a cruise with Princess. The things you need to watch out for and be aware of, as well as the great things about cruising on Princess Cruises. This luxury / premium cruise line is the Thord most popular line based on number of passengers they carry every year. Only Carnival Cruises and Royal Caribbean lines carry more. So, want are the Princess Cruises Pros and Cons?

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL BY:
*** Buying my Cruise T-shirts: http://bit.ly/TFTStore
*** Booking your next cruise with CRUISEDIRECT.COM: http://bit.ly/TFTBookCruise


Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers aims to help you make more of your precious travel time and money on land and when cruising the oceans or rivers of the world. To help you, in every video I draw on my first-hand tips and advice from travelling every month for over 20 years and 60+ cruises.

Follow Tips For Travellers on:
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/garybembridge
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tipsfortravellers
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/garybembridge




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Things You Can Do Free on Norwegian Encore

What are the 8 best things you can do on Norwegian Encore cruise ship for free, as they are included within your cruise fare? Norwegian Encore launched in November 2019 and, like the rest of the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, has lots of choice and facilities. However, many of these do costs a fee above your cruise fare to use, including some restaurants, activities and facilities. So, I reveal what the very best things you can do on board Norwegian Encore that you do not have to pay extra to do. Some, I hope will surprise and please you!

Note: I travelled as a guest of the cruise line before making this video on a short shakedown cruise before the ship went to fare-paying passenger service

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL BY:
Buying my Cruise T-shirts: http://bit.ly/TFTStore
Booking your next cruise with CRUISEDIRECT.COM: http://bit.ly/TFTBookCruisE


Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers aims to help you make more of your precious travel time and money on land and when cruising the oceans or rivers of the world. To help you, in every video I draw on my first-hand tips and advice from travelling every month for over 20 years and 60+ cruises.

Follow Tips For Travellers on:
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/garybembridge
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tipsfortravellers
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/garybembridge




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8 Offbeat Questions About Cruise Ships Answered

I give the answers to 8 of the more offbeat, unconventional and unusual questions that many passengers, including me at one time, were afraid or embarrassed to ask. I explore everything from what water is in the toilets to how many people die on a cruise and what happens to the body and what waste is (and is not) out into the ocean. Find out the answers to some of the more offbeat questions many cruise passengers have about cruise ships and cruising.

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL BY:
Buying my Cruise T-shirts: http://bit.ly/TFTStoreBooking your next cruise with CRUISEDIRECT.COM: http://bit.ly/TFTBookCruise

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers aims to help you make more of your precious travel time and money on land and when cruising the oceans or rivers of the world. To help you, in every video I draw on my first-hand tips and advice from travelling every month for over 20 years and 74 cruises at time of making this video.

Follow Tips For Travellers on:
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/garybembridge

- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tipsfortravellers

- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/garybembridge




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Who Really Owns and Operates The Well-known Cruise LInes

Who actually owns and operates the most popular and your favourite cruise lines? Be prepared for some surprises as I take a look at who the biggest cruise lines in the world are based on number of passengers carried, and then who owns and controls the lines. Although there are many cruise lines, they are all pretty much owned by three large cruise corporations. Discover who owns and operates the cruise lines you have heard of, love or considering cruising with.

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers aims to help you make more of your precious travel time and money on land and when cruising the oceans or rivers of the world. To help you, in every video I draw on my first-hand tips and advice from travelling every month for over 20 years and 60+ cruises.

Follow Tips For Travellers on:

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/garybembridge

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tipsfortravellers

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/garybembridge

 




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Things Not To Hide From The Cruise LIne, And Why

There are at least 9 things you should never hide from your cruise line when booking, embarking and once on your cruising vacation. Some may seem obvious but some are less well-known but could cause you problems, stress and difficulty on your cruise if you try and hide or withhold these from the cruise line. Find out what I have discovered as being the things not to hide.




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Cruise Services That Could Change The Way You Cruise

You're about to discover eight services that I think could change the way you cruise forever! In this, I talk about eight amazing, innovative and sometimes unusual services that I think could help travellers think about and cruise very differently . Some will help people cruise when they thought they could not.

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL BY: Buying my Cruise T-shirts: http://bit.ly/TFTStore and Booking your next cruise with CRUISEDIRECT.COM: http://bit.ly/TFTBookCruise

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers aims to help you make more of your precious travel time and money on land and when cruising the oceans or rivers of the world. To help you, in every video I draw on my first-hand tips and advice from travelling every month for over 20 years and 60+ cruises.

Follow Tips For Travellers on: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/garybembridge - Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tipsfortravellers - Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/garybembridge




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Princess Cruises Ocean Medallion Review

Princess Cruises were the first cruise line to introduce the Ocean Medallion smart wearable device that is supposed to change the way you cruise. It helps you board the ship faster, find your way around the ship, order food and drink to wherever you are on the ship, gamble and play games , locate your friends and more. But how does it really work? What are the pros and cons? Find out my thoughts, take and review of the Princess Cruises Ocean Medallion.




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Numéricable Selects Calix and Arcadiz for Broadband Business Services Rollout

Numéricable has selected the Calix E7-2 Ethernet Service Access Platform and gigabit passive optical network technology to upgrade its service delivery platform in Belgium and Luxembourg. Calix, along with optical specialist Arcadiz Telecom, will work closely to roll out Numéricable’s new high-speed broadband networks to deliver business services across the region. The new platform will enable Numéricable’s customers to take advantage of advanced voice, video, and data services at symmetrical speeds ranging from 30 megabits per second (30 Mbps) up to 1 gigabit per second (1 Gbps).

Numéricable serves over 150,000 customers in Brussels with triple-play services for residential subscribers. Owned by Coditel and with a close relationship to the French Numéricable organization, with whom it shares a range of resources, Numéricable Belgium is a long-established operator with a highly dispersed coax cable network. The company has traditionally delivered triple-play residential services over its hybrid fiber coax infrastructure, but in recent years has moved increasingly towards using its fiber to connect businesses and has developed a number of specific niche markets. The company is now looking at ways to maximize the potential of its fiber infrastructure in Belgium and Luxembourg and deliver revenue-generating advanced services to its business customers.



  • Service Providers/Europe IPTV

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Dune HD Secures Operator Content And Revenue Using Verimatrix VCAS for IPTV

IPTV operators will now benefit from industry-leading revenue security solutions when using Dune HD media players, thanks to a new partnership between Dune HD and Verimatrix. Verimatrix is the specialist in securing and enhancing revenue for multi-screen digital TV services around the globe, and its Video Content Authority System for IPTV solution and embedded ViewRight security client are now available across Dune HD’s award-winning range of digital media players, enabling operators to better protect content from piracy while enhancing service revenues.

Verimatrix VCAS software-based security solutions are the most widely deployed content protection systems amongst tier-one operators globally, with a growing base of over 600 deployments. These operators and other Verimatrix partners will now be able to install Dune HD’s extensive range of digital media players and set-top boxes, which combine high performance, engineering excellence and customisable features, backed up by the highest levels of content security.



  • IPTV Set-Top Boxes

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Sure Chooses Netgem for its Advanced Hybrid TV Services

Netgem announced that Sure has partnered with Netgem to launch a new hybrid IPTV service for its customers in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

By working with Netgem, Sure has been able to make use of its broadband network to deliver Over the Top live and non-linear content to a hybrid STB. This means the operator can now add premium TV to its bouquet of services and offer its customers triple and quad play packages.

The new service is powered by Netgem's N8200 hybrid PVR integrating its nCloud middleware; subscribers will benefit from a brand-new TV experience that supplements UK DVB-T2 free-to-air channels for popular non-linear entertainment content and a fluid and consistent user interface.



  • IPTV Middleware;Service Providers/Europe IPTV

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Orange Extends Services with Interactive TV and Mobile Apps

Orange Slovensko the leading telco operator on the market uses the nangu.TV Media Platform for IPTV and OTT delivery. "With the growing demand for interactive television and more viewing possibilities, Orange sought a proven solution to bring to the market," says Product Manager at Orange, Martin Hainzl.

Orange offers their customers TV with value added features, which gives them more options and comfort than classic live TV. The VoD selection stores 50 movie titles, accessible on multiple screens: TV, PC, Smartphone or tablet. The TV Archive allows playback of content up to 7 days in the past. Customers can utilize the time shift feature to browse content already aired and watch it at their leisure with pause, play and star t over commands. They have flexibility in watching television on the go with the newly released applications for both iOS and Android devices. The nangu.TV solution allows operators to stay ahead of competition by giving cutomers the chance to be in control of how they watch TV.



  • Interactive TV;Mobile TV

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Dune HD And Beenius Partner To Deliver Best Of Breed IPTV Solution To Operators

Operators looking to deploy IPTV and Video on Demand will benefit from faster, lower-risk implementations that enable them to offer more services to users through a major partnership between Dune HD and Beenius announced today at TelcoTV2012. This will be demonstrated on the Beenius booth (number 105) at TelcoTV.

As part of the partnership, Dune HD’s advanced set-top boxes have been certified by Beenius and are now integrated with Beenius’ Beesmart open, flexible, and feature-rich interactive TV middleware platform. Together this provides an adaptable, integrated and best of breed solution to operators and system integrators, backed by the engineering expertise of both partners.



  • IPTV Events;IPTV Middleware;IPTV Set-Top Boxes

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Octoshape and INVISO Partner Up to Offer Internet-Based TV Contribution Services Across Latin America

Octoshape announced a partnership with INVISO to deliver Internet TV contribution services throughout Latin America.

"At INVISO, we seek the most innovative and high quality products to serve our customers through the brands we represent,” said Jose Luis Reyes, Vice President for Sales and Operations, INVISO. “In the case of Octoshape, we found a company and a product that bring these qualities to our supply chain, sales and service.”

Octoshape offers an innovative cloud-based solution that provides instant infrastructure for the distribution of both linear and video on demand content. The Octoshape Infinite Uplink service provides point-to-point distribution of TV signals over the Internet for source signal acquisition to traditional IPTV and cable headends as an alternative to traditional methods like satellite and video fiber.



  • Internet TV;Service Providers/South America IPTV

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Dune HD Enhances Quality of IPTV Experience with Qarva FastSwitch

Dune HD announces a new partnership with Qarva designed to enhance the IPTV experience. The integration of Qarva’s FastSwitch technology into Dune HD’s digital media players and set-top boxes will give IPTV subscribers improved interaction and higher quality through faster channel changing and the elimination of packet loss. The joint solution will be demonstrated by Dune HD on stand 17 at TV Connect MENA 2012.

An enhanced, high quality experience is proven to increase subscriber loyalty and is central to operators reducing churn and growing revenues. FastSwitch improves the viewing experience by dramatically reducing the lag associated with controlling IPTV services, bringing response times down from 5 seconds to less than half a second - in line with the speeds achieved through traditional TV broadcast channels. Through its integral Packet Loss Recovery technology, FastSwitch also eliminates IPTV issues such as picture freezing and blocking, delivering an improved viewing performance.



  • IPTV Set-Top Boxes

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Qtel Selects Mariner xVu for End-to-End Mozaic TV Quality Assurance

Qatar Telecom has selected Mariner's IP video service oriented monitoring solution, Mariner xVu. The latest version of Mariner xVu is specifically designed for integration with IPTV probes. Qtel will use Mariner xVu for the Mozaic TV service, making this the first Mariner xVu deployment in the Middle East.

Alfalak Electronic Equipment & Supplies Co., partnered with Mariner to deploy xVu. Through easy integration with network probes — at the head-end and/or individual network element — Mariner xVu offers Qtel additional insights into the IPTV network by extending video service monitoring reach to each subscriber, allowing the operator to maintain the highest possible video quality while simultaneously reducing operating expenses. Statistics collected by external data sources such as probes are compiled and configured as status indicators on Mariner NetworkVu to enable a deeper understanding of IPTV traffic and customer experience issues. The probe enhancement is now a configurable option of NetworkVu, rather than a custom development, and was created based on service provider requests for integration with external data sources.



  • End-to-End IPTV Solutions;Service Providers/Middle East IPTV

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Netgem Join the Wireless Broadband Alliance

Netgem has joined the Wireless Broadband Alliance in October 2012. Founded in 2003, one of the aims of the WBA is to enable seamless data Offload for operators. The WBA and its industry leading members are dedicated to delivering high quality user experiences through technology innovation, interoperability and robust security.

Netgem strengthens its commitment to the WBA by announcing the launch of QUATTUOR, the first LTE mobile router with embedded Wi-Fi Offload. Netgem's next generation mobile router will be available in 2013 and has been developed for mobile operators that wish to differentiate their service offering and to maintain full control over their wireless connectivity manager. QUATTUOR will automatically choose the best available connection from 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi networks, placing the device firmly in line with the WBA's objectives. Based on a fully customised platform, QUATTUOR is designed to improve operators' data service profitability.




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Report: MRG Ranks Global IPTV Market Leaders

MRG is excited to release its highly comprehensive annual study IPTV Market Leader Report by Product and Region — Fall 2012.

MRG’s IPTV Market Leader Reports identify which IPTV systems and software companies are leading each of the six IPTV market segments: access systems, video headend systems, video-on-demand server software, set-top boxes, middleware, and content protection/digital rights management. The data is further segmented by geographic region as follows: North America, Latin America/Caribbean, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East/Africa.

“IPTV is continuing its rapid growth worldwide but some of the more exciting opportunities are only just beginning in the Middle East/Africa and Latin America/Caribbean regions,” said Jose Alvear, Senior Research Analyst at MRG. “While the growth in the number of new IPTV service providers has been slowing down because telcos around the world have already deployed IPTV services for a number of years, there are still plenty of new opportunities available to vendors in emerging markets. In addition, vendors are now supplying multi-screen, content delivery and OTT services, as the global pay-TV industry continues to evolve into new screens and devices.”




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TCT Telco Becomes First Kansas Company to Deploy APMAX Middleware

Several factors were key in this northeastern Kansas telephone company's decision to choose APMAX IPTV middleware from Innovative Systems. However, according to Tri-County Telephone Association's General Manager, Dale Jones, putting the customer experience first above everything else was their main goal in making the decision.

Jones stated, "The capabilities that the Innovative solution gives us to reach out and touch the customer from our back office to help them over the phone is critical in the customer experience. Without having to send out a service technician, which takes time and costs more, we are helping our customers in a timely manner and reducing our own operating costs."

Jones likes the fact that Innovative Systems is continually growing their products with new features to help the rural telco market stay on top of a very competitive market. Jones advises other telcos to look to companies that are thinking outside the box especially when it comes to video. Jones says, "Today's business is nothing like it was in the past, if you are going to attract and retain video customers you have to give them the technology that is going to drive that experience."




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A Republican finally reveals the truth about the GOP tax cuts

No, they aren’t going to pay for themselves.




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The struggling iconic American industry you’re not thinking of

This sector has long been battered by forces beyond its control.




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If even France can’t figure out a climate policy, what hope is there for the U.S.?

There are ways to curb the pain of economic and political changes.




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Trump’s proposed tennis ball tariff represents a grand slam of terrible trade policy

His unforced errors would make it hard on a U.S. manufacturer.




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Judy Shelton is a dangerous pick for the Fed board

She has apparently tricked the president into thinking she supports his fiscal ideas. Her actual ideas are worse.




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Trump’s immigration policies speak louder than his racist, xenophobic words

Sadly, the most recent horrors are not an aberration.




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What are Republicans afraid of?

They prey on panic — and spurn attempts to quench it.




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For Trump and his cronies, draining the swamp means ousting experts

The administration is celebrating the brain drain and helping the real swamp.




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Trump has a dream team for mismanaging a recession

If we have an economic downturn, it will be bad.




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Stephen Miller is right about immigration — but not in the way that he means

Immigration does touch on many other policy issues, though maybe not in the manner he suggests.




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Trump’s comments about ‘bad management’ are right, but not in the way he thinks

The president has had some experience with poorly run companies and excuse-making.




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Trump’s plan for the economy: Make Drinking Water Dirty Again

Despite administration claims, the president’s deregulatory agenda, so far, hasn’t spurred the economic growth that was promised.




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The Saudi-Iran crisis could end Trump’s lucky streak on the economy

The attack on Saudi oil facilities comes as the U.S. economy has been showing signs of fragility.




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Trump isn’t the only person responsible for the demise of American democracy

Can you really blame voters, disillusioned and disappointed as they are, for tuning out the onslaught on American democracy?




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What drives Donald Trump? Greed, and greed alone.

Wherever he was, whatever his title, the president has used the powers at his disposal to enrich or otherwise benefit himself.




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There’s another whistleblower complaint. It’s about Trump’s tax returns.

This is a whole different category of alleged impropriety.




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Trump found a way to simultaneously sabotage our health-care and immigration systems

He just took out two birds with one proclamation.




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Perhaps Sanders and Warren are the ones being politically expedient

It’s been frustrating to watch more moderate positions be characterized as solely driven by political calculations.




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I could be a whistleblower. So could anyone with a TV.

We are all direct witnesses to Trump’s public selling out of U.S. democracy.