es Emcali, one of Colombia’s most important public service institutions, has partnered with Setplex to modernize its legacy IPTV service and offer multi-screen experiences leveraging a next-generation TV platform. In this Q&A, executives from Emcali and Setplex explain what makes their approach unique and why it redefines how regional operators approach OTT transformation.
Why is this business model uniquely suited for operators who are transitioning to OTT?
Nelson Hulett, Regional Vice President for the Americas at Setplex: We identified that one of the main challenges Emcali – and many other operators – face is the significant upfront investment typically required for an OTT transformation. To address this, we structured a pay-as-you-grow, per-subscriber model that aligns costs with subscriber growth rather than requiring heavy initial Capex. Depreciating costs over a four-year commitment allowed Emcali to modernize infrastructure — including transcoders, CDN, and middleware — with a shorter time to market and without upfront expenses.
What challenges are solved with a pay-as-you-grow, platform-as-a-service model?
Hulett: It removes the financial barrier to entry. An Opex mindset lets operators focus on growth and enables rapid scaling. We’re invested in our customer’s success and growth, and there is no better illustration of that than this model.
What competitive advantages does this model provide Emcali?
Julio Cesar Ordoñez Trochez, Deputy Commercial Manager, GUENTIC at Emcali : The primary benefits are zero entry cost and faster time to market. In an industry driven by rapidly changing video consumption habits, launching OTT services quickly is essential to stay competitive.
Why is a pure per-subscriber pricing model well-suited to LATAM markets?
Hulett: Pay TV is a cash-flow business. Operators have reliable monthly revenue but may lack the high upfront costs required for an OTT transformation. This model aligns expenses with revenue, allowing them to amortize modernization costs monthly.
How does Setplex’s Zapflex platform enable collaboration within the ISP ecosystem?
Ordoñez Trochez: Setplex’s multi-tenant platform allows us to act as a regional hub and offer other ISPs the opportunity to launch branded TV services to their subscribers. This technical capability, combined with premium content and flexible pricing, makes the entire ecosystem more agile.
Could this approach to OTT transformation become a blueprint for other LATAM operators?
Hulett: Yes. It is highly attractive for mid-sized players with solid subscriber bases but limited capital. Success requires shifting from a Capex to an Opex mindset and, in 2026, it will depend more on the speed of transformation than on infrastructure ownership.
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About Setplex
Setplex is a pioneering online video delivery technology company serving service and media providers worldwide with simple, powerful and scalable online video solutions. Through its powerful portfolio of software products, Setplex enables service operators and media owners to offer comprehensive online video services with integrated content and subscriber management.
Delivering Video Value
www.setplex.com
About Emcali
Emcali (Empresas Municipales de Cali) is the municipal utility company serving the Cali region, Colombia. As the region’s sole provider of water, electricity, telecommunications, and internet services, Emcali plays a central role in the city’s infrastructure and digital transformation. Emcali is committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable, and innovative services that improve the lives of Cali’s residents. Learn more at www.emcali.com.co.
For further information, please contact:
Jack Scarr
SVP Marketing
Setplex
+44 (0) 7763 497171
[email protected]
