Over the past month, Endavo showcased, alongside Etisalat, their innovative pure OTT service at GITEX and IP&TV Forum MEA, two of the largest trade shows held during the year in Dubai. During these shows, Etisalat’s eLife OnWeb service was demonstrated on multiple broadband-enabled devices including LG Smart TVs, LG Upgrader boxes, LG Blu-ray players, Etisalat’s own web portal on PC, iPad, Android tablets and smart phones, as well as various OTT set top boxes. What I found most interesting was that while Etisalat was busy exhibiting the only commercially available multi-screen telco OTT service at GITEX, other MENA telcos (e.g. Du) were only talking about presenting their initial OTT service plans “sometime in 2012.”
Also during GITEX, Etisalat announced the launch of “eLife TV”, its new IPTV service, which establishes the brand upon which OTT services will also be marketed. Building on the initial launch of eLife OnWeb on LG Smart TVs over the summer, this was the first time Etisalat fully showcased its multi-screen OTT services to the industry and press, which are being served from the Endavo OTT Video Services Platform.
As we announced in September, Endavo signed a significantly expanded platform agreement with Etisalat, enabling us to pull together multiple technology partners and expanded services being delivered as a unified solution for this large global telco. Our partners, including PHXX, Verimatrix, Harmonic and LG, exhibited together inside Etisalat’s “Entertainment Network Zone” during the IP&TV Forum, thus supporting and validating the power of our unique end-to-end total OTT solution.
Also at IP&TV MEA, in addition to exhibiting and leading OTT syndication training sessions in the Content Theatre, Endavo presented “Strategies to Turn OTT Content and Interactive TV Technology into a Seamless Commercially Available Service” during Etisalat’s OTT Special Focus Day. Endavo’s Head of Content, Peter Contardo, shared perspectives on the “OTT commercial success equation” and featured insights from Blue Pond Media, which has multiple channels on Etisalat’s OnWeb service, to build a strong case for both telcos and content providers to profit from OTT video syndication and services models.
During both GITEX and IPTV Forum, Etisalat and partners showcased more than 25 content providers already being syndicated onto the eLife OnWeb services as provided by Endavo’s content services team. We are consistently adding more content providers to the Etisalat service as OnWeb grows in our quest to “syndicate the planet.”
Our demonstrations in Dubai this past month proves Endavo’s capability to deliver a total OTT video services solution to a major telco, which can be delivered anywhere in the world with Internet access. So while Etisalat continues breaking new ground in offering its consumers pure OTT services, with content that is unique and independent of broadcast TV, Endavo continues to power the total solution upon which its services are managed and delivered.
And speaking of breaking new ground, Endavo officially opened in Dubai our latest office, located in the heart of Media City.
It was certainly another busy month, and an important month, in demonstrating the commercial potential of Endavo’s total OTT video services solution. But we’re not stopping now, as there is much more to come. So, stay tuned.
That’s how I see it. What are your thoughts?
Paul D Hamm
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