Top Three UK Network Operators Standardize on NCI Software
LONDON, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Telewest Communications, the largest cable television provider in the United Kingdom, announced plans to deploy enhanced television services using software from Network Computer, Inc. (NCI). Telewest becomes the third major network operator in the UK to license NCI software, establishing NCI technology as the number one interactive services platform for cable companies in the UK.
''In less than one year, NCI has demonstrated technology and market leadership in the world's most advanced digital television market,'' said Mitchell Kertzman, president and CEO of Network Computer, Inc. ''With this agreement, NCI will be the interactive platform in a majority of UK homes receiving digital cable.''
Today's announcement solidifies NCI's position in the burgeoning enhanced television market. The company provides enhanced television software to the top three network operators in the United Kingdom: Telewest Communications and Cable & Wireless Communications for broadband digital services and NTL Communications for dial-up service. With a combined subscriber base of over 11 million homes passed, the three companies have standardized on NCI's open Internet software platform.
Telewest plans to license NCI's TV Navigator(TM) for DTV and NCI Connect(TM) DTV Suite to enable its new enhanced television system. TV Navigator for DTV provides an Internet-based software platform for broadband environments and delivers television services and applications to digital set-top boxes. NCI Connect DTV Suite manages the set-top boxes, provides security and administers the Internet-based services over a digital PayTV network. Together, TV Navigator and NCI Connect create a complete enhanced television solution for network operators.
Enhanced television enables cable operators to offer new Internet-based services that integrate with the television experience while generating additional revenue. Enhanced television services and applications can include electronic mail, programming guides, home shopping and news.
Telewest Communications plc is Britain's largest broadband cable operator, delivering multi-channel television, telephone and Internet services to more than 1.4 million UK households and voice and data telecommunications services to more than 40,000 businesses.
The company's local broadband networks currently provide access to approximately 4.4 million UK homes. As of December 31, 1998 Telewest had an equity interest in 999,162 cable television customers, 1,260,922 residential telephone customers and 43,980 business customers. Over half of Telewest's 1.4 million residential customers subscribe to two or more of its services.
Network Computer, Inc. is a privately held company founded in 1996. Oracle Corporation [Nasdaq:ORCL - news], Netscape Communications Corporation [Nasdaq:NSCP - news], Acer America Corporation, NEC Corporation [Nasdaq:NIPNY - news], Nintendo, Sega Enterprises, Ltd., Sony Corporation [NYSE:SNE - news] and NCI employees are its primary investors. NCI builds Internet software for information appliances, including appliances for the corporate desktop. NCI sells its software technology worldwide through partners in North America, Europe and Asia. Corporate headquarters are in Redwood Shores, California. For more information visit NCI's Web site at nc.com.
Trademarks
NCI TV Navigator, NCI Connect, and NCI are trademarks of Network Computer, Inc. All other trademarks are used for identification purposes and may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE: Network Computer, Inc.
|
