Expway´s FastESG(TM) Solution Selected by ICO Global Communications for Mobile TV Services
Expway, the leading provider of content-rich Electronic Service
Guide (ESG) solutions delivered over cellular, broadband and broadcast
networks, today announced that ICO Global Communications (Holdings)
Limited (NASDAQ:ICOG) has selected Expway FastESG(TM) for the alpha
trial of its ICO mim(TM) service, which will use the DVB-SH standard.
ICO mim(TM) (mobile interactive media) is a converged service
capable of delivering a wide range of consumer entertainment and
communication services, including television, interactive navigation
and roadside assistance. ICO mim will be delivered through ICO´s
next-generation geostationary satellite (ICO G1) and an ancillary
terrestrial component (ATC) to the ICO network. ICO G1 is scheduled
for launch in March, 2008. The ICO mim alpha trial will take place in
Las Vegas, Nevada and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.
The Expway FastESG(TM) solution enables end-users to select,
access and watch mobile TV content on portable devices, and delivers
other advanced services such as advertising, interactive services,
podcasting and location-based services. Combined with Expway´s recent
trial with Hiwire in the US, this deployment confirms the company´s
leadership in standard-based ESG and advanced mobile TV services.
"We are proud that ICO has selected Expway for the first DVB-SH
deployment in North America. It confirms our global leadership in
advanced mobile TV services for both telecom and broadcast providers.
We believe that the combined features of the FastESG(TM) service layer
and the DVB-SH standard will deliver a richer experience for end-users
of the ICO mim service," said Antoine Weil, chief executive officer of
Expway.
ICO has chosen both the Expway client and server products,
allowing it to deploy a compelling and personalized mobile TV
experience as part of the ICO mim service.
"Expway is a leader in mobile TV ESG, and FastESG(TM) represents a
proven solution that will help enable the unique set of interactive
services that ICO mim will deliver to our customers," said David
Zufall, senior vice president, network systems for ICO.
About Expway
Expway is a leading provider of end-to-end content & service
management solutions over mobile broadcast, mobile telecom and
Broadband IP networks. Expway standard-based software solutions
include FastESG(TM), the ESG solution dedicated to Mobile TV and based
on DVB IPDC specifications for DVB-H, FastEPG(TM), EPG solution
dedicated to IPTV and based on DVB-IPTV and TV-Anytime specifications,
and interactive Services such as betting, voting and advertising.
FastESG(TM) was the first DVB IPDC compliant solution ever
deployed commercially. Expway solutions interface with multiple CAS
and DRM systems and are already deployed or market-tested by Telecom
and Broadcast Operators in Italy, France, Germany, Sweden, Japan, as
well as integrated by handset, STB and TV set manufacturers worldwide.
Founded in 2000, the privately-held company is headquartered in Paris,
France. For more information, visit www.expway.com
About ICO
ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Limited (NASDAQ: ICOG) is a
satellite communications company developing an advanced
next-generation hybrid system, combining both satellite and
terrestrial communications capabilities. ICO is deploying a mobile
interactive media service, to be known as ICO mim(TM). ICO mim will
combine ICO´s unique interactive satellite capability with nationwide
coverage to deliver a new level of interactive navigation, enhanced
roadside assistance and the ultimate mobile video experience,
including 8-15 channels of premium television content. ICO is based in
Reston, Virginia. For more information, visit www.ico.com.