Times Broadband signs deal with Amino to manufacture STBs

Mumbai, Jan 29 (UNI) Time Broadband Services Ltd (TBSL), a leading Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service provider in India and UK- based Amino Communications Ltd today announced that they would jointly manufacture high quality interactive Set Top Boxes (STBs) for the Indian market.

Addressing a press conference here, Mrs Sujata Dev, managing director and Chief Executive fficer (CEO) of TBSPL said STBs play the most critical role in the IPTV busines, empowering the customer to choose interactive digital content on demand. The relationship with a leading industry partner like Amino would further strengthen TBSPL in establishing the business matrix in the Indian market, she opined.

She said the landmark deal will allow Time Broadband to target multiple telecom operators with a consumer base of over 60 million.

The objective is to maximise IPTV penetration in consumer homes.

This agreement gives us flexibility when manufacturing our own products, introduce futuristic technology at an economical cost while reducing the lead time to enter all major Indian markets in 2007, she explained.

Within the framework of the same agreement, Amino will receive stipulated royalties on locally manufacturing STBs and software in addition to the initial license fee, she elaborated.

About 10,000 STBs have been imported from Amino and by April this year, manufacturing of 30,000 to 40,000 units STBs would begin, she added.

UNI