Extending its relationship with AVL Group in Puerto Rico, Group One Ltd – the distributor of the Audiotonix stable of brands across the US – has struck an agreement to bring the full range of Calrec’s audio consoles, networking technologies and AoIP solutions to the US island territory.

With more than 50 years’ combined experience across media technology and service supply, Freddie A Rojas and Alexander Rojas set up AVL Group to fulfil the evolving needs of broadcast media companies across Puerto Rico.

‘AVL Group was born from our passion and drive as two young, but experienced, system designers, technicians and business managers who have dedicated most of our lives to the entertainment business and system contracting,’ says company VP,. ‘With a need to fulfil the evolving needs of the market, understanding the changing requirements of the entertainment technology segment is crucial, bringing ideas and a different approach to the typical equipment and systems provider.’

AVL Group has been working with Group One since 2016, providing DiGiCo equipment to customers across the live sound, broadcast and theatrical markets. It has previously supplied Calrec Summa consoles to select customers and is now representing Calrec’s full range, from the small footprint Brio and IP-native Type R (radio and TV) consoles to full-scale consoles and AoIP networking solutions. AVL Group works with all four major broadcasters in the territory: Telemundo, WAPA TV, Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation and Teleonce.

‘We also cater for smaller broadcasters, religious TV stations and other media outlets and OB Trucks,’ says Alexander Rojas. ‘Our primary customers are the main broadcasters, but with Brio and Type R in particular, we will not only cater to them as this technology is also ideal for smaller companies given the tight budgets customers have to work to here. We are developing this territory, technology wise, and working with leading global brand Calrec and its comprehensive range, is massively beneficial to that process.’

While AoIP is still in the early stages of uptake across the territory, AVL is helping to educate customers to its benefits and is currently working on a radio install.

‘Puerto Rico is an interesting place and is at an exciting point in its technological development,’ says Group One President, Bryan Bradley. ‘It’s fantastic to be partnering with a company with such enthusiasm and market experience. As AVL recognizes, Calrec’s range is very wide in its reach and is designed to satisfy the needs of broadcast media companies of all shapes and sizes, with an eye always firmly on the future.’