Cork-headquartered Digisoft has struck a deal with an Arizona-based provider of satellite communications systems to jointly deploy end-to-end internet protocol TV services through telecom firms in the US.
The two companies will develop a product set aimed at Tier 2 an d Tier 3 telecoms firms and includes a low cost Java set top box which caters for video on demand and personal video recorder services, including a variety of interactive applications.
“The Digisoft platform will allow us to create custom solutions and applications, deliver targeted relevant advertising to consumers, and create a compelling product offering which will increase ARPU and drive customer satisfaction,” explained Eric Luttermoser of Phoenix-based ATCi.
He said that the resulting product will be packaged and priced aggressively and will enable telecom firms to get services quickly to market and meet the needs of demanding IPTV subscribers now and in the future.
Digisoft’s Fintan McKiernan said that the IPTV industry is at a critical transition point and added that the ATCi partnership is vital to the Cork company’s US channel strategy.
“The first generation of IPTV was all about delivery of MPEG2 standard definition video.
“The new generation of IPTV is much more exciting, marked by the roll out of MPEG4 high definition video, and telcos and broadband operators are now looking much more closely at the additional services that can be layered on top of the video offering, not just to increase ARPU but to differentiate their service offering from that of cable and satellite operators,” McKiernan added.
By John Kennedy
