Viaccess, Orca and Alpha Networks partner for launch of Billi, a new Belgian Triple Play Operator

PARIS — Viaccess, a France Telecom (Paris & NYSE: FTE) company and Orca Interactive its subsidiary company, an innovation leader in IPTV middleware and applications have been selected to provide Conditional Access and DRM solutions including Orca’s IP native TV-middleware “RiGHTV” to Alpha Networks who have recently launched Billi, an innovative new Belgian triple play operator. Alpha Networks, a Belgian systems integrator and provider of white label IPTV solutions, has developed a pre-integrated platform as part of a turnkey solution which it will market to alternative international service providers under the branding of turnKeyTV. Billi is the first operator to deploy Alpha Networks’ new turnkey solution, which includes components from a range of leading IPTV companies including Viaccess, Orca, Harmonic Inc. and Ericsson.

Using the new turnkey platform, Billi is the first converged operator to launch its new ‘Unlimited’ triple play service in the Belgian market. The triple play service has been designed to challenge traditional operators by offering IPTV plus unlimited telephony and Internet access at an affordable price. The pre-integrated IPTV service developed by Alpha Networks for Billi is powered by Viaccess’ Conditional Access/DRM solution, combined with RiGHTV Orca’s middleware. The IPTV service features 60 channels and offers live pause and PVR facilities and three-screen user experience leveraging Viaccess and Orca’s fully integrated IPTV suite.

Alpha Networks plan to internationally market its turnkey triple play platform to other next generation operators and white label solution providers looking for a high performance solution that can be quickly brought to market with minimal risk. The turnKeyTV solution that will power the recently launched Billi service will be on display at the IBC 2010 exhibition in Amsterdam.

François Moreau de Saint Martin, CEO of Viaccess, comments: “Our unique and powerful IPTV suite combined with our robust and feature rich conditional access system/DRM with the IP native TV middleware technology from Orca Interactive will provide telecom operators with key technologies that will enable them to rapidlydeploy IPTV services. We are delighted that Alpha Newtorks chose Viaccesssolutions to rely on for its Billi services. We also see a great international potential in the pre-integrated triple play solution developed by Alpha Networks.”

Haggai Barel, CEO of Orca Interactive, added: “Orca fully believes that its RiGHTv middleware platform will empower Billi to fully offer an array of dynamic IPTV services to its customers, that include broadcast TV over IP, video on demand (VOD), personal video recording (PVR), home media, gaming, personalised services and much more in the future. We look forward to working closely with both Alpha Networks and Billi to provide them with the right tools to deliver first-class IPTV services that will drive growth and generate revenues.”

Tristan Dumont de Chassart, CEO of Alpha Networks/Billi added: “Both Viaccess and Orca have been great partners to work with. Their involvement, flexibility and knowledge of the IPTV market has enabled Alpha Networks to quickly bring to market a comprehensive IPTV solution for major Belgian and international players. This winning spirit combined with the quality of the products looks set to deliver a superior customer experience for the future.”