[Satellite Today 06-10-09] EchoStar Satellite Services signed agreement to deliver its ViP-TV video transport service to KPU Telecommunications, a provider of telecommunications and video services to a city of approximately 14,000 residents in Ketchikan, Alaska, under EchoStar’s IP-Prime Conversion Program, the company announced June 9.
     KPU will receive transport of up to 42 high-definition TV channels to its IP headend. With the addition from EchoStar, Ketchikan will offer a total of 58 HD channels along with a suite of more than 140 standard-definition TV channels.
     Commercial transport provider IP-Prime announced previously it is discontinuing its video transport service to telco facilities by July 31, 2009. EchoStar’s IP-Prime Conversion Program provides qualified customers with EchoStar’s ViP-TV transport service, replacement IDC satellite receivers and a standard professional installation, including a satellite dish re-point, cabling and connectors.
     EchoStar announced in March that it would launch a conversion program designed to provide continued delivery of U.S. video transport services for telco IP headend facilities following SES‘ announcement that it would discontinue its IP-Prime services starting in August.