THOMSON EMPHASIZES COMMITMENT FOR IP DEVICES AND SOLUTIONS
Las Vegas, January 5, 2006 — Reinforcing its Two-Year Plan intentions to lead in IP devices and solutions, Thomson is showcasing a complete range of products at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that provide operators and service providers with the latest technology advances.
“Thomson has made a strategic commitment to focus on IP technologies and solutions across many product groups,” stated Ghislain Lescuyer, Senior Executive Vice President, Systems & Equipment, Thomson. “Our efforts in this area will increase significantly in 2006 as we expand our product and solutions portfolios to meet the needs of the ever-changing broadband services market”, he added.
As telecom operators and service providers evolve to meet the demands of their customer base, one key to success is the availability of flexible and scalable IP service delivery platforms for the seamless bundling of voice, video and data over broadband networks. CES will see Thomson demonstrate its technology leadership with particular emphasis on solutions for IP service delivery, Voice over IP, high-definition IP Video and video-on-demand services and solutions specific to cable operators.
Multiple Play Gateways for IP Service Delivery
Thomson is the leading supplier of DSL customer premises equipment worldwide with a portfolio that extends from devices for single service delivery to sophisticated and customized platforms which enable operators and service providers to offer advanced services to their users. The latest VoIP ADSL 2+Gateway from the telecoms activity of the company, Model DV5213/7213, is the first gateway to integrate DECT technology. It offers a wide range of multiple play services such as secure wireless Internet access, wireless multi-line VoIP, TV over DSL when connected to a set top box, remote management and new advanced features such as wideband audio for an enhanced quality voice connection.
Voice over IP Phones
• Wireless Multiline Voice over IP Phone For Residential Users
The Ethernet VoIP DECT phone, Model EV5203-C, has a multi-handset configuration that facilitates the reception of VoIP service throughout the home, while the high quality color screen display enhances the user experience. Service providers will also be able to offer the user a better experience than traditional PSTN telephony as a result of Thomson’s pioneering integrated wideband audio feature. Thanks to its state-of-the-art Ethernet connectivity, the VoIP DECT phone also allows users to access VoIP services without a PC, unlike USB-based VoIP phones. In addition, the new version of the Ethernet VoIP DECT phone, launched at CES, is ready to embed popular peer-to-peer clients for VoIP and IM (Instant Messaging).
• Advanced Feature VoIP Phone For Enterprise Applications
Rounding out the IP portfolio for Thomson Telephony activities is the ST 2030 Advanced Feature IP Phone that connects to any IP-enabled network. The ST2030 is especially designed to support both IP Centrex applications and for operation with an IP-PBX thus enabling broadband operators to rapidly deploy different flavors of VoIP services. This corded phone has three-way conference capability, accommodates up to 10 lines (with 28 additional speed dials thanks to an extension module) and features a six line graphic LCD display.
IP Video Solutions
• Advanced Compression IP Video
Underscoring its continuing commitment to IP Video, Thomson is showcasing the IP1100 platform series of set-top boxes that supports both high-definition and PVR capability. This set-top boxes offer extensive advanced compression codec support including H.264/AVC, Windows Media 9, VC-1, and MPEG-2, to deliver hundreds of television channels, digital audio, web browsing, gaming and e-mail directly into the home over existing DSL lines. They offer operators the ability to upgrade software and applications from the network as well as remote diagnostic capability. Based on a flexible and powerful PC architecture, they include an Intel Celeron M 600 MHz processor and Intel 854 chipset.
• RCA-Akimbo Player
Leveraging its advanced compression capabilities, Thomson is announcing it will be designing and manufacturing a new set-top box for Akimbo Systems that will deliver Akimbo’s Internet video-on-demand service to television. The new player, scheduled to be available this spring, will be co-branded RCA and Akimbo, will feature component output for higher video quality, upgraded connectivity and a more powerful processor to deliver an improved user experience. Three USB 2.0 input slots as well Ethernet and optional 802.11g adapter compatibility provide consumers with wired and wireless connection options. An 80 GB drive will allow Akimbo subscribers to store up to 150 hours of movies and video for on-demand playback.
New Cable-Specific Solutions
• State-of-the-Art Wireless VoIP Cable Modem
This state-of-the-art VoIP cable modem is designed to help cable operators to expand their offering with new and competitive services. The DWG855 enables an operator to offer simultaneous voice and high-speed data services with integrated wireless functionality over an existing broadband network.
In addition, the DWG855 features the same dual mode architecture found in all current Thomson cable modems that provides support for both North American DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications) and European EuroDOCSIS standards so that products can be deployed across both markets.
• License Agreement with CableLabs for Two-Way Digital Cable Products in US
Thomson is also announcing that it has signed a license agreement with CableLabs, the consortium of North American cable operators, for its CableCARD-Host Interface License Agreement (CHILA) specifications and associated intellectual property. The CableCARD Host Interface specification defines the interface between a digital cable receiver or set-top box and the CableCARD module distributed by the cable operator, thus providing a standard platform for two-way interactive devices. By signing the agreement, Thomson will be able to build products such as set-top boxes and customer premises equipment with a CableCARD removable security interface that may be sold to cable subscribers via retail channels. CHILA is a key component of the effort initiated by North American cable operators to deploy more innovative cable devices in their market.
Glossary of terms used in this release
IP Centrex is a service provider-hosted IP telephony service that typically offers a basic set of voice features for end customers, primarily for small and medium-sized enterprises, that are looking for an outsourced, hosted communications solution. The IP telephony call control and feature applications are owned, hosted, and managed by the service provider in its own network, and that capacity is shared across multiple customers.
IP-PBX is a new category of Private Branch eXchange, that part of enterprise voice networks, which supports local in-company dialing, local calls outside the premises, and long distance calls. IP-PBXs offer easier user administration and an advanced suite of applications.
Some of the statements contained in this press release, including statements by the management in relation to future expectations, represent “forward-looking statements” in the sense of the “Safe Harbor Statement” by the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These types of forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions on the part of the management and are subject to a range of factors and uncertainties which may lead to a considerable deviation of the results actually achieved from the expectations outlined either explicitly or implicitly in the forward-looking statements. This may be due to changes in global economic conditions, industry developments, a shift in the competitive situation or the passing of new legislation. More detailed information on the factors which may influence Thomson’s financial results can be found in the documentation submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
About Thomson – Partner to the Media & Entertainment Industries
Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS) provides services, systems and technology to help its Media & Entertainment clients — content creators, content distributors and users of its technology — realize their business goals and optimize their performance in a rapidly changing technology environment. The Group is the preferred partner to the Media & Entertainment Industries through its Technicolor, Grass Valley, RCA and Thomson brands. For more information: www.thomson.net.
Thomson’s Access Platforms and Gateways (AP&G) activity, part of the company’s systems and equipment division, is a leading supplier of digital entertainment receivers to the world’s major satellite and terrestrial broadcasters, cable operators and telecom service providers. It offers a full range of digital set-top boxes, phones, broadband modems and gateways with modular VoIP, IPTV and wireless (DECT, WiFi, Bluetooth) capabilities. It is also one of the leading suppliers of IP system integration services and softswitch solutions to migrate telecom infrastructures to NGN (Next Generation Networks) and IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem). Products are marketed under the RCA, THOMSON, SpeedTouch and CIRPACK brands. You can find more information on AP&G’s products at www.thomson-broadband.com and on our Chinese site at http://www.thomson.net/CN/Home.
Press Relations
Access Platforms & Gateways
Brenda Clery +33 6 83 30 57 57 brenda.clery@thomson.net
Jasmine Khounnala (Telecoms) +33 6 03 81 48 56 jasmine.khounnala@thomson.net
Guillaume B. Trichard (Telecoms) +33 6 70 48 12 19 guillaume.trichard@thomson.net
US Press Relations
Pam Golden Loder (Golden Loder Associates) Tel: 908-889-8300 x122 pgloder@goldenloder.com
