Alticast Develops End-to-End Solutions To Support OCAP-Based Interactive TV in North America
Alticast has developed an end-to-end interactive television software solution that is compatible with current OCAP (OpenCable Application Platform) specifications developed by CableLabs for the North American cable TV market. Alticast's system is an ideal match for the OCAP market because of its core equivalencies with the DVB-MHP (Digital Video Broadcasting-Multimedia Home Platform) digital broadcasting standard, for which Alticast provides the sole end-to-end solution.
Alticast's OCAP-ready system includes an interactive TV authoring tool, interactive services automation system, and middleware for the digital set-top box or television. Once OCAP software specification version 1.0 is completed in the first quarter of 2002, Alticast will release a prototype OCAP 1.0 solution. Development of Alticast's OCAP 1.0 solution will parallel that of OCAP specifications development to ensure that commercially viable products are available to North American Cable Operators in a timely manner.
The relationship between OCAP and DVB-MHP is significant because of its global implications for equipment manufacturers, content developers and consumers alike. DVB-MHP is the open standard adopted by most European countries, many Asian countries and Australia. The announcement by CableLabs that DVB-MHP is to become the core of OCAP will bring the world another step closer to the convergence of broadcasting, telecommunications, and computing technologies. Alticast's DVB-MHP solutions have already been proven by cable, terrestrial, and satellite operators, with the world's first commercial DVB-MHP deployments scheduled for mid-2002.
"Alticast has committed to deploy its first OCAP-compliant iTV solution with South Korean cable operators in 2002. This will serve as an excellent pilot site for future deployments and the evolution of OCAP for the North American cable industry," commented Mr. Seung Lim Jee, CEO of Alticast. South Korea is an ideal proving ground for OCAP systems because of its wealth of progressive companies that are eager to establish themselves, at home and in the West, and for its commitment with the U.S. to maintain technological cohesion between the two countries.
Alticast, Inc., 3001 Bee Caves Road, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78746. Tel: 512-225-6665; Fax: 512-225-6770.