Cable Europe Labs Launches EU-wide Middleware Initiative

Cable Europe Labs Launches EU-wide Middleware Initiative; Group issues call for expert involvement to boost scale and grow pan-Europeanfootprint for latest interactive connectivity service

BRUSSELS — Cable Europe Labs announces today the launch of its European Middleware Initiative, a project aimed at developing a next generation middleware specification for the European cable market. The move will accelerate the development of an open middleware platform for evolving applications and services. Building scale and while upping the speed of new interactive services will drive the newly announced initiative.

“Our members deliver the latest and greatest services to more than 73 million homes. We will maintain a tight focus on the benefits of scale and stimulate an applications market. If you think of middleware as the layer between the application and hardware, it is clear that emphasizing speed and scale are logical evolution in today’s market. An open platform also makes it possible for developers to get their apps into our customers’ hands faster,” says Malcolm Taylor, Managing Director Cable Europe Labs.

Future requirements such as increased interactivity, enhanced programming, games, advanced advertisement and web entertainment will also be a focus of the initiative which embraces key technologies such as DVB MHP, Java, HTML and Adobe Flash.

Parm Sandhu, Chief Executive Officer of Unitymedia, said, “An open European Middleware platform brings with it speed in being able to best enhance our customer’s experience, and at the same time make it possible to quickly and efficiently offer new services which will key to our continued success. Middleware is like an operating system and being able to get updates constantly is crucial to us. It’s ultimately about cable remaining competitive and building both scale and speed into our offerings in the world’s biggest trading block in the world. It just makes sense.”

“Telenet has been a leader in offering advanced interactive television for many years. We see the great value of open standards and are strong supporters of Cable Europe Labs and this initiative. Middleware is not just another part of the network and this programme will drive up our competitive offering at a time when the customer expects the newest apps. Expanding our net of experts is another good move for us – and Cable Europe Labs,” said Jan Vorstermans, Executive Vice President and CTO at Telenet.

Cable Europe Labs is issuing a call for participation in refining the specification in advance of publication. Experts in the area of interactive TV, DVB MHP, Java, HTML, Flash and other relevant multimedia disciplines are invited to apply.