Chunghwa Telecom selects ANT Browser for Taiwanese TV Service Expansion

ANT Software (London:ANTP), the provider of software and services for the delivery of digital TV, has announced that Chunghwa Telecom Laboratories, the Research and Development division of Chunghwa Telecom (TAIEX: 2412, NYSE: CHT), has chosen the ANT Galio Browser as the user interface platform upon which to develop a successor to Chunghwa Telecom’s successful Multimedia on Demand (MOD) Service. The existing MOD Service provides Taiwanese consumers with a range of multimedia services such as broadcast TV channels, on-demand movies and interactive services using ANT’s first generation browser, ANT Fresco. To date the service has attracted more than 695,000 subscribers.

The ANT Galio Browser is being used to develop Chunghwa Telecom’s next-generation user interface delivering enhanced presentation and control of future TV applications. As a standards based browser with an advanced dynamic software engine, the ANT Galio Browser will transform the user interface design of the MOD service by enhancing the look and feel of the service offering.

UK television audiences, for example, are rapidly adopting on-demand technology as it moves from the PC to the living room. More than half of Virgin Media’s 3.5m television customers use its on-demand video platform. Usage grew 33 per cent in the first eight months of the year, with 45m views in August. Virgin is the only TV operator to currently offer the BBC iPlayer and its viewers make up about a third of total viewing for the service, which can otherwise be accessed only via PCs or mobile devices. BT expects BBC iPlayer to be available on BT Vision next year.

The decision by Chunghwa Telecom Laboratories to select the ANT Galio Browser for the next generation of its IPTV platform builds on a long standing relationship between ANT and the leading Taiwanese operator. The partnership dates back to 2004 when Chunghwa Telecom first launched its Multimedia on Demand service.

“We’re delighted that Chunghwa Telecom Laboratories has chosen to build on the existing partnership with ANT,” said Sean Kim, VP & General Manager Asia & Russia Markets, ANT.”With constant research and development into IPTV, Chunghwa is a leader in this market and continues to demonstrate a commitment to improving their service and delivering the most advanced end-user experience, something both companies recognise the importance of. The Asian market is of strategic importance to ANT’s growth and we continue to sign major deals with both telecom operators and device manufacturers in the region.”

Yinhwa Huang, Researcher, Chunghwa Telecom Laboratories, said “ANT has consistently shown its dedication to pioneering technology for the IPTV market. The addition of the new ANT Galio Browser will enable Chunghwa Telecom to continue to innovate and provide cutting edge TV services to our customers.”