Press Releases

Miniweb and ACCESS Systems Europe Collaborate to Provide a Next Generation, Converged TV & Internet Video Experience

London, UK, and Amsterdam, The Netherlands, – September 10, 2009 – Miniweb, the Interactive Service Provider that is enabling Internet video, interactivity and relevant, web-style advertising on TV, and ACCESS Systems Europe Holdings B.V., a subsidiary of ACCESS CO., LTD., a global provider of advanced software technologies to the mobile and beyond-PC markets, today announced a collaboration agreement comprising technology integration and joint business development for hybrid TV deployments. The integration will combine ACCESS NetFront^™ Browser and DLNA software with the Miniweb interactive services platform and menuing system to provide a converged Internet and broadcast video entertainment experience to consumers, and new revenue streams to content owners and device manufacturers.

ACCESS NetFront^™ Browser is the most advanced, versatile and powerful full internet browser for beyond- PC devices, including broadband connected TVs, surpassing 800 million deployments worldwide at the end of July 2009. , Miniweb utilises the broadband connection to TV devices to enable search, delivery and recommendations for Internet content, payments and transactions, relevant advertising and community networking functions, all on the TV. This provides an enhanced TV experience for viewers and new revenue opportunities for TV network operators and content owners. The combined Miniweb and ACCESS technologies will allow converged broadcast and broadband entertainment services to be provided to over a million existing connected-TV devices and to any new devices incorporating the integrated Miniweb and ACCESS solution.

Miniweb’s open, standards-based platform gives viewers a new level of flexibility and control over their viewing experience whether the broadcast service is satellite, cable, terrestrial or IPTV. Miniweb will integrate its video search and recommendations capability into the ACCESS software stack within TV devices allowing TV viewers to seamlessly search, discover and play appropriate Internet video from multiple sources. Miniweb will also provide a payment service allowing a single point of billing for the consumption of premium Internet video content.

“This exciting new partnership will enable TV device manufacturers to offer a more appealing consumer proposition, as well as bring new revenue streams and web-style business models to the industry,” said Andrew Carver, CEO, Miniweb. “It will make the benefits of the Miniweb services available to anyone who has, or is deploying ACCESS NetFront Browser or DLNA solutions in a broadband connected TV device.”

ACCESS will provide NetFront Browser v3.5, the latest version for mobile handsets and internet-enabled devices, bringing superior user-friendliness and browsing capabilities. ACCESS will also provide NetFront^™ Living Connect, its DLNA solution for multimedia home networks, and its advanced video aggregation and management technologies.

“We’re very pleased that ACCESS technologies are integrating the Miniweb solution into the NetFront product offering for the European market,” said Yusuke Kanda, CEO, ACCESS Systems Europe. “Through this agreement, we contribute to fulfil European consumers’ expectation for a rich, connected digital lifestyle.”

Miniweb will be demonstrating the latest version of their interactive services platform at IBC, Amsterdam on the 11th -15th September, on stand IP512. This will show the functionality that, through this agreement, is available to devices embedded with ACCESS’ NetFront Browser with minimal additional cost or integration effort.

About Miniweb Interactive
Miniweb is an Interactive Service Provider operating a managed services platform that enables internet video and interactive media on broadband connected TV devices. Our open, standards-based platform addresses business and consumer needs for converged broadcast and broadband entertainment delivering internet video, recommendations, search, and personalised web-style interactivity for TV viewers. The platform enables network, media and TV device companies to benefit from the global growth in broadband enabled TV services allowing monetisation of viewer interaction with linear and internet delivered media. This provides consumers with a wide choice of broadband video content to complement their broadcast viewing and allows video content owners and aggregators to gain new distribution channels and revenue streams. Miniweb’s contribution to broadcast and broadband convergence has been recognised through recent award wins including: Best Interactive Service / Application at the IPTV World Series Awards 2009, Pick Hit Award for Innovation at IBC 2008, and Red Herring Europe 100 Winner 2008. For more information please visit: www.miniweb.tv.

About ACCESS and ACCESS Systems Europe
ACCESS CO., LTD. is a global company providing leading technology, software products and platforms for Web browsing, mobile phones, wireless handhelds and other networked devices. ACCESS’ product portfolio, including its NetFront^™ Browser, ACCESS Linux Platform^™ and Garnet^™ OS, provides customers with solutions that enable faster time to market, flexibility and customizability. The company, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, operates subsidiaries and affiliates in Asia, Europe and the United States. ACCESS is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers’ Index under the number 4813. ACCESS Systems Europe Holdings B.V. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ACCESS CO., LTD., with its principal place of business in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and offices located in Paris, France and Oberhausen, Germany. ACCESS was first established in Europe in July 2001 as a total solution provider for mobile Internet and beyond PC markets. ACCESS maintains research and development centers in Montpellier, France and in Oberhausen, Germany. For more information about ACCESS, please visit www.accesscompany.com/.

©2009 ACCESS CO., LTD. All rights reserved.
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