MUMBAI: Singapore's largest pay TV operator StarHub and a provider of enabling technologies for advanced digital television services OpenTV Corp announced that StarHub has become the first network operator to fully-deploy OpenTV Core 2.0 software in connection with its recent launch of Smart TV. The two companies are working closely to bring more market-leading applications to StarHub's subscribers.
Leveraging the OpenTV platform, StarHub anticipates the introduction of various Smart TV remote access applications through mobile and internet devices. It is expected that Smart TV users will be able to schedule recordings, through a mobile phone or the internet, on their digital video recorder set-top boxes while they are away from home. StarHub and OpenTV are also exploring the introduction of internet access services through a Smart TV television portal.
StarHub's Smart TV service allows users to record and playback their favorite TV programs so that they can watch them at their convenience. Among the features Smart TV users are presently enjoying are the ability to pause or replay 'live' TV, one-touch recording, TV SMS, and access to their i.Mail email accounts. StarHub also intends to introduce more features to Smart TV service in the near future, such as video-on-demand (VOD) and chat.
StarHub head of integrated products and marketing Mike Reynolds said, "Hubbing is much more than a way to play off our name 'StarHub.' It represents our passion to better serve the needs of our customers through the interaction and value creating applications across our payTV, broadband, and mobile platforms. Cable TV, Mobile, and Online are three important pillars of StarHub's business, and we are constantly exploring ways to drive more value and direct benefits of Hubbing to our customers, beyond the value of traditional discounts and rewards. That is why we came up with the idea of extending the access of Smart TV beyond the remote control, to mobile and online platforms as well."
"With its cable, wireless and mobile network, StarHub is perfectly positioned to leverage OpenTV's advanced digital television technologies and solutions. With the recent commercial launch of Smart TV, StarHub became the first operator to fully deploy OpenTV Core 2.0. And it is easy to see where StarHub intends to take this technology -- giving its customers a converged experience through Smart TV with mobile, online, and television applications working seamlessly together. We very much look forward to working with StarHub on these initiatives and helping it develop tomorrow's television experience for the Singapore market," said OpenTV senior vice president and managing director (Asia Pacific) Mike Ivanchenko.
StarHub and OpenTV share a longstanding working relationship. OpenTV is also one of StarHub's technology partners for its digital cable services launched in 2004, providing the middleware to support an open multi-vendor set-top deployment.
Reynolds added, "StarHub's partnership with OpenTV comes naturally. We have a proven track record of offering innovative products and services, while OpenTV is well-known for integrating innovative technology. We are thankful for OpenTV's support and commitment, despite the relatively small size of the Singapore market. Events like BroadcastAsia is a good occasion for all industry players to facilitate the exchange of ideas and share experiences, and we are confident that we will have more to share regarding our new Hubbing applications in the near future, well before the next regional event."
