Streaming21, the world's leader in broadcast-quality streaming solutions, today announced that it has successfully rolled-out Japan's most popular residential Video-On-Demand (VOD) & IP Broadcasting services for GEO@Channel, operated by Enterwave. GEO@Channel will be the first IP broadcasting service in Japan that offers full-screen TV playback with delivery through open networks. In contrast to traditional live video channels over the Internet that users often see on the PC, the GEO@Channel uses Set-top Box (STB) with high-quality, full-motion video playback on TV. Also, unlike traditional IPTV services, which rely on expensive managed network, GEO@Channel service works over the Internet and is available to any broadband users in Japan, regardless of domestic ISP to which users subscribe. This unique home entertainment service targets to capture millions of new users by the end of this year on a national scale.
Shinichi Asano, President of Enterwave said, "Thanks to Streaming21's groundbreaking technology, GEO@channel can now offer appealing VOD and live broadcast services to subscribers from any ISP. Streaming21's innovative IPTV technologies break the boundaries and limitations that telcos and broadband service operators have been suffering from closed IP environment. By adapting Streaming21's solutions, we will continue to enjoy tremendous increases in subscribers and ARPU."
GEO@Channel offers more than 5 channels with expansion capability to 40 channels, including America's hottest Nickelodeon channels for Children (Japanese and English), e-weather.net, Bloomberg Television, Paradise TV and Reality TV, etc. It also allows members to rent Hollywood movies, Japanese movies, animations, and TV drama titles without having to visit a video shop (through NEO Index's Nextensive VOD service) and access various other broadband-based services in the comfort of their home by simply hooking up a special tuner (Set-Top Box or STB) to the TV set.
Dr. Joe Lin, President and CEO of Streaming21 said, "Enterwave's GEO@Channel represents one of the most exciting successful stories in Japan's IPTV history. This milestone project further strengthens Streaming21's unwavering commitment to working with Enterwave, Japan's leading VOD service provider, to create compelling new TV experiences that will attract customers and add tremendous values to service providers." He added, "Streaming21 is the world's only interactive IPTV solutions provider over fixed, mobile and open networks. The company's innovative "adaptive jitter management" technology enables jitter-free stream delivery over open network compared to a managed network to operate IPTV services. Not only Tier 1 Telco could offer IPTV service, but also any xSP could easily provide IPTV without dedicated networks. This breakthrough technology is running successfully in Japan. We expect to replicate our successes to our customers in Asia Pacific, Europe and then to the US soon."