The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) announced four new strategic alliances with international and regional content and technology companies to deploy and provide interactive broadband multimedia applications and services on Singapore ONE. The announcement was made...
Singapore, 14 June 2000 | For Immediate ReleaseThe Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) announced four new strategic alliances with international and regional content and technology companies to deploy and provide interactive broadband multimedia applications and services on Singapore ONE. The announcement was made at Streaming Media East 2000 in New York. The new partners on Singapore ONE include AsiaCableTV, Microsoft Corporation, RealNetworks, Inc. and Korea Thrunet Co. Ltd.
The partnerships announced show IDA's continual efforts and commitment in forging alliances with international and regional companies. These collaborations on Singapore ONE are part of a series of agreements signed with international and regional partners since April 2000. The last agreement was signed with GigaMedia, a leading broadband Internet access service and content provider in Taiwan, to cross-distribute online broadband content on 24 May 2000. These alliances seek to develop Singapore into a dynamic infocomm hub and promote the growth of interactive broadband multimedia in Singapore. The projects that these international players will develop for Singapore ONE include high quality on-demand digital media streaming content, ranging from entertainment, education, lifestyle to business news.
The new strategic partners are:
i. AsiaCableTV (ACTV) will bring interactive broadband multimedia content from Singapore ONE to two key eastern seaboard provinces in China. This will enrich the offering to more than 10 million households in the two provinces. As part of the agreement, ACTV will also deliver broadband multimedia content developed in China on Singapore ONE. These content include education and lifestyle.
ii. Microsoft Corporation has picked Singapore as one of the first international markets for localised versions of their Media Guide, incorporating broadband content from Singapore ONE and its partners. The Media Guide, a feature of Windows Media Player 7, offers direct access from the player to featured audio and video content. This partnership will allow broadband users around the world to access Singapore ONE applications and services.
iii. RealNetworks, Inc. will deliver high quality live and on-demand broadband streaming media experiences to users on Singapore ONE, using RealSystem 8. Users will receive the highest quality broadband programming, with the opportunity to immerse themselves in interactive video, music, animation and other data types. The combination of Singapore ONE's broadband network and RealNetwork's Internet delivery architecture will also enable Asia-Pacific content publishers to create new, highly interactive broadband experiences using the breakthrough video quality of RealSystem 8 on Singapore ONE. In addition, Singapore ONE partners can also utilise the optimised network to deliver the highest quality experience to their users.
iv. Korea Thrunet Co. Ltd, a leading broadband Internet access service and leased line provider in Korea will distribute localised broadband content, ranging from entertainment, business news to network games on Singapore ONE. This partnership will enable users from both countries to enjoy greater range of broadband content. As part of the agreement, IDA will also place Singapore ONE content on Korea Thrunet's network to be accessed by Korean users.
"IDA is pleased to work with these international and regional partners. Such strategic partnerships and overseas alliances will not only offer Singapore ONE users a wide range and diversity of high quality streaming media content but also affirms Singapore's position as a leading infocomm hub in the Asia-Pacific region," said Mr Khoong Hock Yun, Assistant Chief Executive, Infocomm Development, IDA.
Mr Peter Grant, Director of ACTV said, "Our alliance with IDA will enable us to leverage on Singapore ONE's interactive broadband multimedia content and offer an excellent suite of content to users in China. We will continue to seek other content partners to further broaden our online broadband content offering. We believe the rich content offering will enable us to attract more cable TV households' subscription to our broadband access services."
Referring to the partnership, Mr Dave Fester, General Manager of marketing for Digital Media Division at Microsoft Corporation said, "Microsoft has included Singapore as one of the locations for the international Media Guide because of its ready broadband infrastructure and regional connectivity. With a combination of content from Singapore ONE and 260 other featured international content providers, it will enable Windows Media Player 7 to offer users worldwide with the most compelling localised content available in a player."
Added Mr Jeff Pancottine, Senior Vice President, Media Systems, RealNetworks, Inc., "RealNetworks is excited to have chosen Singapore to deploy RealSystem 8, the leading broadband streaming media platform, and we look forward to enabling content providers to create the most compelling high bit rate content on the Internet. The relationship with Singapore ONE builds upon our global broadband strategy of enabling a compelling interactive broadband experience to any user, across any network, anywhere in the world."
"We are pleased to exchange localised interactive broadband multimedia content with IDA. Through this partnership, both parties will share broadband technologies and experiences to attract and sustain broadband users in both countries, said Mr Jong-Kil Kim, Chief Executive Officer of Korea Thrunet. Highlighted Mr Khoong, "The tie-ups has further recognised Singapore as the ideal test bed and regional hub for new broadband technologies exploitation and content exchange within the international and regional broadband market. With more similar international and regional players continually leveraging on Singapore's strategic position in Asia's broadband market, IDA expects to see more entrants and partnerships to be established in the broadband arena for the months ahead." Today's strategic collaboration is part of the initiatives to develop the infocomm industry under Infocomm 21 - to jumpstart development and growth of the IBBMM industry, as well as to help local companies expand into regional and global markets through fostering strategic partnerships and alliances overseas.
ISSUED BY CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
About AsiaCableTV
AsiaCableTV is a broadband Internet access and multimedia content provider, which is launching high-speed Internet access and multimedia content delivery over the existing cable infrastructure in the PRC. With 2 cable system partners located in 2 key eastern seaboard provinces, the company has access to more than 10 million Chinese cable TV households or 35% of the total households, and more than 300,000 small and medium-sized businesses. In addition to broadband access services, the Company also develops and distributes interactive Chinese language multimedia content. The company focus is mainly on three categories of multimedia content delivery, namely edutainment, lifestyle, and education.
About Microsoft Corporation
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device. Microsoft and Windows Media are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
About RealNetworks, Inc.
RealNetworks, Inc., based in Seattle, is the recognized leader in media delivery on the Internet. It develops and markets software products and services designed to enable users of personal computers and other consumer electronic devices to send and receive audio, video and other multimedia services using the Web. Consumers can access and experience audio/video programming and download RealNetworks consumer software on the Internet at http://www.real.com. RealNetworks' systems and corporate information is located on the Internet at http://www.realnetworks.com.
About Korea Thrunet Co. Ltd
Korea Thrunet Co. Ltd. is the leading provider of broadband Internet access services and a major provider of facilities-based data communications services in Korea. The first to offer broadband Internet services in Korea, with over 348,253 paying end users at May 30, 2000, Korea Thrunet currently passes over 6.2 million homes. As for content, Korea Thrunet offers compelling multimedia contents such as on-demand movies and music videos, Internet telephony, unified messaging services as well as multimedia bulletin board and chatting services. On the data communication side, Korea Thrunet services more than 180 customers, with major Korean telecommunications companies such as SK Telecom and Shinsegi Telecomm.
About Singapore ONE
Singapore ONE was commercially launched in 1998. It comprises a broadband infrastructure that provides high-speed, interactive, and multimedia applications and services for users. Developed by both MNCs and innovative Singaporean companies, Singapore ONE' services are designed to appeal to users of all ages and occupations, as well as businesses.
Singapore ONE has the full support of the Singapore government, and is driven by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, the National Science & Technology Board, the Economic Development Board and the Singapore Broadcasting Authority. More information can be found at http://www.s-one.gov.sg.
About Streaming Media East 2000
Streaming Media East 2000, held in New York from 12 to 14 June 2000, is the world's largest conference and exhibition for Internet content providers and businesses pioneering in the Internet and broadband multimedia exploitation. Showcasing about 125 exhibitors and 200 world-class speakers, the event is expected to attract approximately 10,000 visitors worldwide. IDA is one of the exhibitors at Streaming Media East 2000. The IDA booth will host Singapore ONE partners, such as Double Click Pte Ltd, Mediacorp Interactive Pte Ltd and Vivamusic.com. These companies will be exhibiting their leading edge broadband applications and services. More information can be found at http://streamingmedia.com/east.
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is a dynamic organisation with an integrated perspective to developing, promoting and regulating info-communications in Singapore. In the fast-changing and converging spheres of telecommunications, information and media technologies, IDA will be the catalyst for change and growth in Singapore's evolution into a vibrant global info-communications technology centre. For more information, please visit www.imda.gov.sg.
For media clarification, please contact:
Ms Jennifer Toh
Assistant Manager, Corporate Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: (65) 6211-0508
Fax: (65) 6211-2227
Email: jennifer_toh@imda.gov.sg
Press Contact for AsiaCableTV:
Mr Daniel Ong
Tel: (65) 6324-5788
Email: daniel.ong@asiacabletv.com
Press Contact for Microsoft Corporation:
Ms Felicia Soh
Text 100 Pte Ltd
Tel: (65) 6557-2717
Email: felicias@text100.com.sg
Press Contact for RealNetworks, Inc.:
Ms Erika Shaffer
Tel: (206) 892-6191
Email: eshaffer@real.com
Press Contact for Thrunet Co. Ltd:
Ms Barbara Barry
Tel: (212) 701-1998
Email: barbara.barry@thomsonir.com
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