I2R inks deal for exploring interactive TV technologies

MOU with local and multinational organisations to bring new experiences for TV viewers using NGNBN technology.

A*STAR’s Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Tuesday with leading global and local industry partners such as Sumitomo Electric Networks, Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Corporation, Network For Electronic Transfers and a few small and medium enterprises to jointly explore and collaborate on a research consortium on Interactive TV technologies, acording to an A*STAR report.

I2R will work with the various parties cited in the MOU by leveraging on the successes built from I2R’s NextGen TV and the current Interactive Social Tele-experience (InSITE) research programmes.

This collaboration aims to bring new user experiences for the TV viewers facilitated by the availability of high bandwidth made possible by the Next Generation National Broadband Network (NGNBN). It will provide better interactivity and personalisation that is integrated into the TV content to more effectively engage viewers beyond what the current terrestrial and cable TV broadcasts are capable of. These result in technology proof-of-concepts which would then be trial-tested at the fiber-based high-speed broadband network at Fusionopolis. Once successful, the trials can then be extended to selected home areas around the One-North area and eventually, be deployed on the NGNBN.

The MOU’s overall objectives would be:

• To form an eco-system across the Interactive Television (ITV) value chain to facilitate collaboration
• To pool R&D resources and leverage on the intellectual property rights among members to develop new products and services
• To develop and train manpower in the new ITV domain and related standards
• To engage companies to generate innovative products, applications and services that meets the new user needs for ITV on the Next Generation National Broadband Network (NGNBN)

The potential users who will benefit most from I2R’s technologies include:

• Member companies as they are able to develop, evaluate and commercially introduce new products and services rapidly based on the technologies developed in the consortium and tapping on the expertise in I2R and other collaborating companies, thereby reducing the time to market and the overall cost and risk
• The application and service providers - who would be able to readily build, prototype and deploy interactive TV applications by incorporating I2R’s technologies; and be able to provide personalized services to their TV viewers based on the viewers’ desired preferences and past consumption patterns. These would enable the application and service providers to be able to effectively monetize their content
• End-consumers or TV viewers – who would be able to engage in a more interactive and personalized experience by accessing their desired content – anytime, anywhere.

Sumitomo Electric Networks, Inc Mr. Hiroaki Nishimoto, Director said: “Based on our network equipment technologies business nurtured over 20 years and rich experience in developing and mass production of a million of high quality stable Full HD IPTV STB, we, Sumitomo Electric Networks would like to contribute to launching world class competitive Interactive TV service with customer satisfaction over NGNBN here in Singapore”

Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Corporation, Jay Kishigami, Vice President, NTT Corporation and Director, NTT Cyber Solutions Lab said, “The timing of this consortium is perfect since it is keenly focused on facilitating the collaborative interworking of several value chains to activate a new market that will provide value added service to the customer.”

Network For Electronic Transfers (S) Pte Ltd, Ms Poh Mui Hoon, Chief Executive Officer said: “NETS is delighted to partner with A*STAR and partners in working together to develop an open video delivery platform with financial payment capabilities that supports the Singapore government's aim of facilitating a vibrant ecosystem for interactive multimedia, applications and services.

This partnership draws together companies recognized globally for their expertise in electronics, electronic payments and Interactive TV industries, and which, we are confident, will produce an innovative range of products/services in time to meet the industry needs.”

ServTouch-Wywy (S) Pte Ltd, Mr. Kelvin Tan, Vice President – New Media said: “With the advent of cloud computing and high definition content creation, we believe the work of this consortium will strengthen our determination to become an important local and then regional player for interactive TV. Our present connections with the key contents players have been very encouraging in blazing the trail for Singapore to become a hub of innovation for New Media success!”

Professor Lye Kin Mun, Acting Executive Director said, “This collaboration marks a great milestone for local research that puts the efforts gleaned from research and development for IPTV with industry players to be implemented into working concepts. I2R is pleased to be part of this consortium that forges alliances with the current industry movers and shakers in this next generation of interactive TV.”