Tricolor TV’s new service will allow subscribers to stream TV on Wi-Fi in public spaces. Photo: Pexels.

Russian TV operator Tricolor TV is taking a step to expand its audience with a new service called Territoria Tricolor, launched in partnership with Eutelsat Communications.

According to Tricolor TV, the new satellite-based service enables consumers in hotels, airports, rail stations and other public venues to have free Wi-Fi access to TV channels on their mobile devices without consuming their mobile data allowance. Operators of public venues will be able to organize free access to 50 Tricolor TV channels. The service is also available to owners of cafes, medical surgeries, petrol stations and other commercial outlets.

To access Territoria Tricolor, end-users can install the Smotri TV mobile app and connect to a Wi-Fi network signed up for the service and labeling its availability. Territoria Tricolor is available for 1,500 rubles ($24.90) a month for enterprise customers in the footprint of the Eutelsat 36C satellite that covers the European part of the Russian Federation.

Based on Eutelsat’s SmartBeamtechnology, this offer in Russia uses a gateway designed and built by Neotion to broadcast channels by satellite to mobile devices via a local Wi-Fi network.

“The launch of Territoria Tricolor illustrates the increasing role satellites are playing in improving Over-the-Top (OTT) offers and the potential to significantly enhance the viewing experience on mobile devices,” said Michael Azibert, chief commercial and development officer at Eutelsat.