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<<These partnerships reinforce the strategic development and the profitability of the company by providing to the Company
technical, commercial, and industrial resources complementary to the existing strengths of Thomson Multimedia (market share
position, brands, digital products and services). They will position Thomson Multimedia at the heart of the multimedia
technology convergence. These MOU's which will be finalized in the fall of 1998, cover four main areas:
-- With Alcatel, world leader of the telecommunications infrastructure:
the development of technologies for future digital home networks
linking home electronic appliances (heart of convergence between
consumer electronic and telecommunications), and cooperations in
certain areas related to the communication terminals activities of both
companies.
-- With Microsoft, world leader in software: the development and operation
of digital and analog interactive (eTV) television products and
services, covering built-in Electronic Program Guides, as well as the
development and marketing of Internet-television products.
-- With NEC, the world's second largest components supplier: the extension
to DVD-ROM drives and components of the partnership agreement signed in
March 1998 for development, production, and sales of flat-panel plasma
screens.
-- With DIRECTV, world leader in digital television, the development of a
new generation of interactive digital receivers and advanced
interactive services and joint activities designed to accelerate the
transition to terrestrial digital television in the United States.
In order to reinforce the range and the strength of these partnerships, the four partners will have the opportunity, pursuant to
conditions to be approved by the French Minister of Economy, Finances, and Industry, and after submission to the -
Commission des participations et des transferts -, to take each a 7.5% minority share interest in Thomson Multimedia through
an increase of capital, representing a maximum 30 % of the capital.
Welcoming the signature of these memoranda of understanding, Thomson Multimedia Chairman and CEO Thierry Breton
said, "By establishing industrial, technological and commercial partnerships with four of the world's largest telecommunications,
information technology, components, and digital TV companies, we open a new page in Thomson's history. This is a testimony
to the value and quality of Thomson's people. Thanks to their talent and determination, Thomson Multimedia will be able to
catch hold of, for the benefit of his customers, opportunities of development enabled by the convergence of key technologies
and players of the information society." >> |
