Colt is ramping up its efforts to become a one-stop-shop of connectivity services for broadcasters and post-production houses.

The network provider is in the early stages of partnership discussions with Forbidden, maker of web-based video editing software Forscene, and is also in talks with an unnamed media switch about gaining access to its network.

Colt media sector consultant Mark Webb said a deal with Forbidden would provide it with a launch pad into the as-yet untapped UK post-production market, as it looks to widen the relationships it has with media firms, including MTV and Associated Press.

“A lot of these broadcasters have been working with us for a few years for carrier and telecommunications services, but they are increasingly relying on us for their fully managed broadcast services as well,” Webb said.

“This first step for us is about broadcast and the next will be about storage, asset management and the use of our cloud computing capabilities. Eventually, we’d like to be a one-stop-shop for broadcasters across live broadcast, video-on-demand and the manipulation of content.”

As well as working with “well known” partners to offer full digital asset management later this year, Colt is looking to develop its London media ring by equipping the network with Nevion encoders, with the aim of providing broadcasters in need of OB facilities with a plug-and-play service in central London locations.

“We will have that ready later in the summer. That will be really important next year with the Olympics and the Queen’s jubilee,” he said, adding that there had been “lots of requests” from US broadcasters, including CNN.

Colt will also be providing a fibre connection to the International Broadcast Centre at the Olympic site, which Webb described as “a significant development”, with broadcasters offered JPEG2000 and MPEG file formats.

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