Etisalat, with more than 100 million customers one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies, has commissioned the broadcasting system integrator Qvest Media with the construction of a multi-format playout center for the production and transmission of nine playout channels. With this move the telecom operator, which owns a cellular network as well as one of the largest Internet and IPTV networks in the whole Middle East region, is pushing ahead with the organic growth of its triple play strategy in the TV sector. 
Qvest Media FZ LLC, part of the Germany-based Wellen+Nöthen Group, has received the go-ahead from Etisalat for the role of general contractor in planning, construction, commissioning and support for the realization of the entire project. The company particularly impressed Etisalat with its sophisticated technical concept which combines the customer’s requirements in the most effective way possible. One of the particular challenges is to equip the technical environment with a workflow that is as easy and intuitive as possible for alternating operators. Another challenge is to make the platform as compatible as possible for various standards and formats, so that Etisalat can offer an infrastructure that adjusts seamlessly to even the most diverse production and broadcasting requirements. To accomplish this, Qvest Media will specify the system components and processes of the central media asset management system from S4M. The cross-functional control will systematically be pursued in all areas such as ingest, playout, central storage, studio automation as well as video, audio and graphics editing.
In the first stage Qvest Media will set up the environment for nine operating playout channels. The new infrastructure and technology will be all over prepared to go on-air with up to eleven additional playout channels with minimum of set-up time.
Even during the sourcing phase, Qvest Media will begin preparing the on-site premises for the later system integration. Qvest Media has also been commissioned with putting all systems into operation following the integration phase, as well as providing ongoing maintenance support for the playout center.
