Oberhausen, Germany, 06 December 2016 − ACCESS CO., LTD and Inview today announced a partnership to integrate interactive HTML5 functionality via ACCESS’ NetFront™ Browser NX with Inview’s technology platform. The partnership will enable Inview to enhance its ability to rapidly implement custom interactive services and smart applications to its customers. Inview will be deploying the combined platform with customers in the New Year to offer best-in-class performance and functionality on cost-effective hardware.

According to research company IHS Markit, low-cost set-top boxes continue to dominate the 88.6 million shipments in 2016, with high-growth markets leading adoption. China, India and Latin America, where the digital switchover is enabling smart services to emerge, need solutions that facilitate the launch of connected, smart applications whilst keeping costs to a minimum. The partnership between ACCESS and Inview, using standards-based solutions, provide operators with an answer to this conundrum by enabling the easy and effective delivery of smart applications to their complete range of STB platforms.

Julie Austin, CEO at Inview, noted: “ACCESS has been providing best in class browser solutions for a wide range of platforms for years, which made it perfectly suited to Inview’s requirements. Their family of browsers means that we are able to choose the most appropriate solution for our customers’ requirements and platform capabilities, both now and in the future.”

NetFront Browser NX is a high performance WebKit-based HTML5 browser that features efficient memory usage, high stability and high portability. It includes wide support for digital TV standards or specifications including HbbTV 1.5, HbbTV 2.0, UK Freeview Play, YouTube on TV and CE-HTML. NetFront Browser NX is provided to customers as an embedded Software Development Kit (SDK) and therefore a complement to existing platforms that may need to take advantage of enhanced features such as interactive applications. NetFront Browser has been deployed in a wide range of platforms including digital TVs, set-top boxes, game consoles, Blu-ray Disc™ players and automotive infotainment systems.

The solution is part of the ACCESS NetFront Browser family, which uniquely includes both Chromium and WebKit technologies to provide device manufacturers and operators with an open choice for their HTML5 strategies. ACCESS SDKs support the latest developments such as YouTube on TV, HbbTV, 4k video, HDR and content protection (DRM). ACCESS’ NetFront browser solutions have been shipped in over 1.5 billion devices worldwide, enabling ACCESS to provide both a wide product portfolio and in depth experience of the requirements for device deployment.

Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Neale Foster, COO and VP Global Sales at ACCESS Europe, explained: “Consumers want to be able to access high value services in a quick and user-friendly way. By working with Inview, we are offering operators the ability to reach millions of customers with innovative and region specific interactive services using proven technologies.”

About ACCESS
Since 1984, ACCESS CO., LTD. (Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers Index, 4813) has provided advanced IT solutions centered around mobile and network software technologies to telecom carriers, consumer electronics manufacturers, broadcasting and publishing companies, the automotive industry and energy infrastructure providers around the world. The company develops mobile software solutions that have been installed on over 1.5 billion devices, and network software solutions that have been used by over 300 telecommunication equipment manufacturers. Utilizing its network virtualization technology skills and knowledge, the company is currently focusing on the development and commercialization of Internet of Things (IoT) and media solutions that combine embedded and cloud technology. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, the company operates subsidiaries and affiliates in Asia, Europe and the United States to support and expand its business globally. Learn more about ACCESS at www.access-company.com.

About Inview
Inview is a UK based digital technology innovator with over 15 years of technical, commercial and operational expertise in the TV industry. Its lightweight software is globally deployed across Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Inview specialises in analogue switch off and wide scale legacy set-top box upgrades, in addition to new pay TV products.  Its wide range of broadcast and OTT services provides a high end user experience on a cost-effective platform and enables operators to better monetise content.

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ACCESS, the ACCESS logo, and NetFront are registered trademarks or trademarks of ACCESS CO., LTD. in the United States, Japan and/or other countries. DLNA is a registered trademark and DLNA Certified is a trademark of the Digital Living Network Alliance. Digital Living Network Alliance is a service mark of the Digital Living Network Alliance. All other trademarks, logos and trade names mentioned in the document are the property of their respective owners.