--Integra5 Powers TV-Based Caller-ID for Suddenlink
Integra5, a Massachusetts-based company that specializes in technologies for converged services, announced last month a partnership with Sybase 365 to combine Integra5's ability to deliver converged communications across multiple devices with Sybase 365's mobile messaging technology. According to the companies, the partnership will enable mobile operators to deliver social, SMS-centric applications to multiple devices, using Integra5's MediaFriends application suite. When deployed in a mobile operator's network, the companies say, Integra5's platform will be uniquely able to route SMS messages between the Sybase 365 mobile messaging platform and end-users' mobile phones, TV's, PC's and DECT phones.
In addition to benefiting mobile operators, the companies claim, the partnership will benefit video providers and programmers by enabling the deployment of new, TV-based services that incorporate SMS (such as Integra5's MediaFriends TV Chat application) with no wireless network requirements. "Our partnership with Integra5 expands the reach of SMS messaging to a new realm of devices including TV's and PC's, ultimately driving a better communication experience for the end-user while opening up new revenue streams for mobile operators," Gregory Dunn, VP for the Americas at Sybase 365, said in a prepared statement. "We plan to continue innovation in integrated mobile messaging, and realize the synergy between social media networking and SMS as a fertile bed for continued development." Added Integra5 president and CEO, Meredith Flynn-Ripley: "With more than 40 Integra5 deployments across seven countries, the partnership with Sybase 365 further extends our leadership in multi-device converged communications by bringing SMS into the mix. The relationship is an important step in creating new revenue opportunities for mobile operators, video programmers and video providers worldwide."
Integra5 bills MediaFriends as a suite of social media applications that allows end-users to participate in real-time group or one-on-one chats using mobile phones, TV's, PC's and DECT phones. As its name suggests, MediaFriends TV Chat, the first "phase" of the suite to launch, delivers a social experience on the television set: viewers can use their remotes to invite friends to watch TV programming together, and can engage in chats by sending text messages from their mobiles, which they can then view on the TV screen. The next MediaFriends phase to launch, PC Chat, will allow end-users to view and participate in multi-device chats from their PC's.
In other recent Integra5 news: The company announced in February that triple-play provider, Suddenlink, is using its flagship i5 Converged Services Platform (i5 CSP) to power a new TV-based caller-ID service for its North Carolina customers. The service, which is available to customers who subscribe to both Suddenlink's phone and digital TV offerings, presents a banner at the bottom of the TV screen with information on the incoming call. Customers can turn off the banner if they prefer.
