MUMBAI: Opentech Inc, a Korean company, that produces high end digital satellite broadcast receivers of DVB-S and MPEG-2 standards, is planning to set up a liaison centre in India.
A senior delegation comprising of Sujun Ha (Opentech Dubai office branch manager) and EW Devdas (marketing manager) are visiting India this week and meeting several multi system operators (MSOs) and consumer durable companies.
The company which has a turnover of $70 million started in 1996 (the digital STB foray happened in February 2001) and is operating through its ISO certified factory located in Ansan, Korea. The visiting delegation members claim that they have received several enquiries for embedded digital set top boxes (STBs). The company plans to tie up with Indian MSOs, cable operators as well as dealers of consumer durables.
The products include FTA (Free To Air) model ODS 2000F and CI(Common Interface) model ODS 2000CI. While speaking to indiantelevision.com, Opentech's Sujun Ha says: "We produce high quality digital satellite broadcast receivers of DVB-S and MPEG-2 standards, which are the current standard of digital satellite broadcasts in Europe. In addition, we attempt to build sales channels and overseas exports with our own brands, Opentel and OEM brand through our bases in Dubai and Frankfurt."
"Besides developing FTA and CI type satellite receivers, we are in the process of developing various products such as a positioner built-in model, CAS built-in model, interactive multimedia built-in model, digital cable and a terrestrial receiver," Ha adds. The company has a licence agreement with CAS companies such as Nagravision, Viaccess, Iredeto. Conax and will soon obtain the same from NDS Systems.
Opentech's marketing manager EW Devdas says that the company has received enquiries from Indian consumer electronics durable companies such as Onida, Videocon and BPL. "As integration, digitalisation and interaction of broadcast and telecommunications tend to be accelerated, the Digital set-top box is expected to face substantial growth to become a platform for household multimedia appliances. Hence, Opentech tends to lead the new digital era as the major market player worldwide in total information appliance through continuous investment on Research & Development and global marketing," says Devdas.
The company plans to tap the opportunities provided by DTH (direct to home) in India. "Besides developing FTA and CI type satellite receivers, we are in the process of developing various products such as a Positioner built-in model, CAS built-in model, interactive multimedia built-in model, digital cable and a terrestrial receiver," Devdas adds.
Opentech officials expects worldwide sales to touch the 10-billion mark and claim that Korea is the No 1 STB player in the world.