Entone Technologies said Consolidated Communications decided to launch IPTV service using Entone's Hydra HD IP video gateway.

Consolidated wanted to avoid the expense of populating its subscribers' homes with set-top boxes, which led to the decision to go with Entone. Hydra HD delivers up to three independent video streams - with any combination of SD/HD, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4 (H.264/AVC) signals - over a single DSL or Ethernet connection using existing in-home coax cabling.

Hydra HD's integrated HomePNA 3.0 interface allows for high-speed IP service over existing in-home coax and phone lines. It also has integrated Caller ID features and a built-in ATSC tuner for receiving over-the-air broadcast. Hydra HD also offers full interactivity and a modular personal video recorder (PVR) with up to 1 terabyte of storage.

Consolidated Communications claims approximately 240,000 access lines in parts of  Illinois and Texas.