Japan's First Commercial Deployment of Video On Demand Made Possible Through Tomen Mediacom and nCUBE
SAN FRANCISCO & TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 23, 2001--Tomen Mediacom (Mediatti) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with nCUBE Corporation of the United States that allows it to deploy the first large-scale video-on-demand (VOD) service in Japan.
This is the second phase in the expansion of Mediatti into Japan's premier multi-system operator, following the earlier announcement of a partnership with Scientific-Atlanta. Together the companies bring Japan its first interactive digital cable TV system.
Under the agreement, nCUBE will provide its nABLE Interactive Management Platform software as well as its n4 Steaming Media Appliance for deployment at networks under Mediatti's umbrella throughout Japan. The nABLE Interactive Management Platform manages all of the systems and operations that comprise the nCUBE VOD system. nABLE manages stream control, bandwidth allocation, asset management and content distribution. The n4 offers a highly scalable and cost effective solution for storing and streaming video content from an operator's headend to the viewer.
Initial deployment of the nCUBE technology will be in interactive digital cable TV trials being held in Tokorozawa for a six month period from Spring of 2002.
nCUBE will also offer assistance to Mediatti in acquiring Hollywood content for its service.
"Japanese viewers of networks under our umbrella will now be able to view their favorite movies when they want to. They will no longer have to take the trip to the video rental store. They can enjoy a movie from the comfort of their armchair together with the other interactive services that Mediatti will be providing," said Hiroshi Morimoto, president of Mediatti.
"We are very proud to be part of Mediatti's work to provide their customers with the best interactive television experience possible," said Michael J. Pohl, president, nCUBE. "We are grateful that they have chosen nCUBE to assist in the design and delivery of this VOD system.
Initial deployment will be on a trial basis for six months beginning in the spring of 2002. Upon successful completion of the trials, the technology will be extended to a broader coverage of Mediatti's subscriber network.
Additional Information
About Tomen Mediacom (Mediatti)
Tomen Mediacom, one of Japan's largest cable TV operators, was originally established by Tomen Corporation in 1997. Following the sale of 58% of the company to Olympus Capital Holdings Asia and Pacific Century CyberWorks Japan K.K.(PCCW Japan) in 2000 the company is now undertaking a transformation into a multi system operator (MSO). Under the Mediatti brand name the company is seeking to take strategic investments into under performing cable operators and transform them into cable TV powerhouses through the injection of efficiency generating technical and management skills and innovative consumer services that will implement operational changes that will lower costs and allow operators to acquire and retain subscribers. The company presently has stakes in 5 operators in Japan and is seeking to expand this through the acquisition of further stakes in existing operators and through the building of new networks.
About nCUBE
nCUBE (www.nCUBE.com) provides scalable streaming media solutions to all broadband networks. Broadband operators worldwide count on nCUBE to provide solutions for broadband video-on-demand, IP streaming media and advertising insertion.
The company's core product line, the n4 streaming media appliance, can scale from 100 megabits per second to 128 gigabits per second of streaming media from a single system. nCUBE systems are used by today's leading interactive television companies. nCUBE's distinguished customer and partner list includes: Alcatel, AT&T, Bertelsmann, Enron Broadband Services, Cisco Systems, Charter Communications, Gemstar-TV Guide, Liberate, Motorola, Scientific-Atlanta, RealNetworks, Telewest Communications and Time Warner. nCUBE is a contributing member of numerous industry forums and standards bodies including the ISO/IEC MPEG committee, Digital Video Broadcasting, Society of Cable Television Engineers and Internet Engineering Task Force. The company is based in Foster City, Calif., with sales and customer support offices in Colorado, Oregon, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and China.
CONTACT: JLM Partners for nCUBE
Mike Krilich, 206/381-3600
206/915-4919 mobile
mike@jlmpartners.com |
