E-Vision to deploy the first Thomson hybrid cable / IP MPEG-2 set-top boxes

The set-top box platform is the first to share an improved version of E-Vision's existing user interface and electronic programme guide. Significantly, the new hybrid cable/IP set-top box will support E-Vision's plans to extend the reach of its TV services, beyond its cable network, to customers with ADSL broadband connections. Hybrid set-top boxes support both Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) and Internet Protocol (IP) standards allowing broadcasters and network operators to leverage both traditional one-way broadcast as well as two-way interactive IP delivery. Thomson will begin shipping the new products towards the end of 2006 for E-Vision's deployment to customers at the beginning of 2007.

Humaid Rashid Sahoo, E-Vision Chief Executive Officer, said: "E-Vision remains committed to delivering the very best in entertainment quality and standards to its customers. Capitalizing on our solid relationship with Thomson and its noticeable experience in set-top-box technology demonstrated by their long term global leadership of the market, E-Vision is planning to take the whole industry into a new whole era."

"Moving forward, E-Vision has decided to launch a new, hybrid approach to delivering TV services to customers. The new set-top box platform enables E-Vision to keep its existing user interface and interactive applications while also providing a flexible platform for future content and services. It will ensure that customers, regardless of whether they connect via cable or IP, will find exactly the same high quality combination of programme guide, menu, content and services." added Humaid Rashid Sahoo

With the new hybrid cable/IP set-top boxes E-Vision will be able to extend its TV offering to any home within the UAE with a broadband connection.

"With a single set-top box platform for both cable TV and IP networks customers, E-Vision is taking an inventive approach to extending the reach of its TV services," said Frédéric Kurkjian, Vice President EMEA Satellite and Worldwide Cable at Thomson. "We are very pleased to continue our collaboration on set-top-box technology with E-Vision, this time demonstrating our ability to develop ground-breaking technology to meet E-Vision's innovative business strategy."

The new range of set-top boxes will support E-Vision's innovative, hybrid approach to providing TV services to its customer base. Service delivery is completely transparent enabling E-Vision customers to enjoy exactly the same user experience and applications no matter whether they are connected via cable or IP. The modular set-top box platform is designed to accommodate further developments, such as a cable modem for triple-play services over cable and a hard disk for the roll-out of PVR services, in support of E-Vision's strategy of developing the concept of the networked, multimedia home.

E-Vision is a fully owned subsidiary of Etisalat and the only cable TV provider in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The company was established in 2000 and currently serves over 300,000 homes across the UAE offering TV packages based on over 200 channels in 21 languages, a pay-per-view TV service and an interactive gaming channel.