Maltese cable and telecom operator Melita is to launch an HD service over a hybrid cable and IPTV network using set-tops and technology supplied by France’s Netgem.

Netgem will supply its Netbox HD DVR box to Melita, which has about 180,000 subscribers. Melita plans to launch its HD service in time for this summer’s World Cup and intends to double its TV offer to 150 channels.

Separately, Netgem has teamed up with application provider Accedo Broadband to make the latter’s applications available via its Netgem TV platform.

The companies will introduce a range of customised IPTV applications over the next year.

Netgem’s customers include leading telecom operators such as SFR in France, Telstra of Australia, Elisa in Finland, Monaco Telecom, Algeria Telecom, FetchTV in the UK and Melita.