Eighteen new members for the Open IPTV Forum in six months as ABox42, Axonista, BluFocus, DCC Labs, Digital TV Labs and mistserver.org join.
Following a successful IBC, the Open IPTV Forum (OIPF) is pleased to welcome set top box vendor ABox42, application developer Axonista, testing businesses BluFocus and Digital TV Labs, and technology companies DCC Labs and mistserver.org as new members. These new important contributors increase the breadth of industry support and give OIPF’s open specifications for Connected TV wider relevance within the IPTV eco-system.
All intend to participate in the Forum’s on-going work to shape the future of a global mass-market for Internet Connected TV through development of the Forum’s free-to-use, open, interoperable specifications for Connected TV services and devices. Specifications written by the OIPF have already been incorporated into the work of the HbbTV Consortium.
Dr Nilo Mitra, OIPF President, announced the new members in advance of the forthcoming OIPF Plenary, to be hosted by Sony Corporation in Tokyo, Japan.
Welcoming the new members, he notes “We believe these new members, who are choosing to join and participate in the go-to-market work of the Forum now, as well as those companies and regional standards bodies like HbbTV who are adopting the OIPF specifications, are the most significant and visible sign of increased industry confidence in OIPF as the single body to organize and standardize Connected TV technologies. We all agree that open standards and interoperability are key to the future of a viable, successful, mass-market Connected TV Industry that meets long term consumer expectations.”
Matthias Greve CEO of ABox 42 says “ABox42 feel it is really important that STB vendors and the whole IPTV value chain embrace open specifications. The Open IPTV Forum is in the best position to organize and standardize technologies for the TV industry of the future”
Founder and CTO of Axonista Daragh Ward said “Axonista operates in what we think is the most exciting confluence of industries on the planet today. As app developers, OIPF membership gives us opportunity to collaborate with other leaders in disciplines from hardware manufacturing to content creation with a view to genuinely shaping the future of what connected TV can deliver. Mass adoption of Connected TV will require a build up of trust and familiarity among users through reliable, robust and intuitive interfaces and it is in this area that we most look forward to applying our experience.”
Paulette E. Pantoja, CEO and Founder of BluFocus says “BluFocus is excited to join the OIPF, having been involved in certification testing for various entertainment technologies, content, software and hardware for many years. Additionally, BluFocus is an active participant in many technical committees providing assistance for the development of new technologies and standards. We look forward to the opportunity to bring our knowledge and experience and assist the OIPF and its members in working together to achieve the goal of a ‘plug and play’ interoperability experience for consumers”.
Marek Kielczewski, CEO, DCC Labs comments “In creating a global mass market for IPTV through open specifications, the work of the OIPF is vitally important to enabling business success for all players in all regions and across the Connected TV ecosystem. DCC Labs is pleased to participate and support the OIPF in successfully organizing and enabling common industry standards on a global basis”.
Keith Potter, CEO of Digital TV Labs says, “We strongly believe that Open Standards such as OIPF, and conformance to such standards, are fundamental to ensuring interoperability and cost effective IPTV implementation.”
Alfred Dijs, Founder and President, mistserver.org commented “Open standards and cross-platform compatibility are essential for a successful global media business. We’re delighted to be part of the OIPF and helping in the development of open standards. We look forward to sharing our own innovations with fellow forum members”.
These latest OIPF new members join over 50 leading IPTV industry companies currently contributing to the work of the Forum, including JT Global (Jersey Telecom), STC (Saudi Telecom) and one of the worlds largest Set Top Box Vendors, Humax, who were previously welcomed as new members in June 2012.
The OIPF has been successful in attracting smaller enterprises throughout 2012, with other new members including 3 Screen Solutions, Broadpeak, Digisoft.tv, dotscreen, Espial, and Zenterio as well as content and broadcast specialists including The Weather Network and Stingray Digital Group. OIPF President Dr. Mitra says “This ensures the needs and market requirements of all players in the IP and Connected TV value chain continue to be reflected in the work of the Forum as our specifications are deployed globally.”
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