Dutch cloud platform Metrological has deployed a cloud-based TV app store for cable operator UPC Hungary.
The TV app store was launched, in partnership with ActiveVideo, on UPC Hungary’s HD existing mediaboxes. The Metrological cloud solution allowed the deployment to be completed in a short time and has allowed the company to avoid the costly, time-consuming process of replacing all its mediaboxes.
The Metrological cloud-based approach is enabling UPC Hungary to virtualise mediabox functionality, using ActiveVideo’s CloudTV StreamCast platform. In order for UPC TV apps to be accessed, the Metrological platform uses the thin client application running on the UPC mediaboxes. The management and deployment of apps is taken care of centrally, by Metrological.
“The achievement with this deployment is that cloud technology has brought the advantages of the browser-based app store to existing set-top boxes,” said Albert Dahan, CTO Metrological. “It’s a case in point of the opportunities that are opening up to operators who are faced with a similar challenge; how to bring online video services to subscribers, quickly and cost-effectively.”
Árpád Jordán, CTO UPC Central and Eastern Europe said, “The app store now enables us to increase customer satisfaction by offering them high quality innovative products, beyond our Live TV and Video on Demand services. UPC TV Apps offer the customer a wide variety of popular and user-friendly apps on their TV screen. Through the Metrological Application Framework, UPC can deliver apps and features to different mediabox platforms, which helps us with our goal to offer our customers our services whenever and wherever they want.”
