Official press release: SmartTUBE UI deployed in COMSTAR IPTV service

SmartLabs LLC took part in new TV user interface deployment for COMSTAR IPTV service
Fast and rich-animated SmartTUBE UI client applications simplify user access to IPTV interactive services and make them more attractive for subscribers

Moscow, February 18th, 2009 – SmartLabs LLC announced today that it took part in new TV user interface deployment for COMSTAR IPTV service (STREAM trademark). During this project, SmartTUBE service delivery platform has been deployed, and, from now on, «Internet+TV» service subscribers in Moscow can manage the digital television service more quickly and effectively as well as get an access to interactive services.
This new platform is immediately available for all existing and new subscribers. Existing subscribers will migrate to the new platform step-by-step during next two months; new subscribers of COMSTAR IPTV service will use the new interface. SmartTUBE UI client applications with new user interface will be deployed to existing installed base of set-top-boxes – AmiNET110 and AmiNET130, with all current interactive services up and running.
SmartTUBE – newest converged service delivery platform for interactive television services in wired (DVB, IPTV, hybrid) and wireless networks(DVB-H, 3G, Wi-Fi, WiMax) with broadcast TV, PPV, PVR, nPVR, VoD, nVoD, TSTV, and many other services.

New SmartTUBE UI client applications are based on available IPTV industry standards and universal cross-platform graphical engine (Qt for Embedded Linux by Nokia) which supports a wide range of client devices, i.e. STBs, mobile multimedia devices, digital players, communicators, mobile phones, etc. They have a long list of instruments for building user interfaces from prebuilt components with 2D and 3D functionality, and they also have instruments to create new interface elements which immediately become available for all types of client devices where UI application might be installed.
SmartTUBE UI applications support now a wide range of existing chipsets for digital TV set-top-boxes. It means that, once created, the UI applications might be easily moved to any new device within one technology (say, IPTV), and it also allows to build hybrid solutions (IPTV, DVB, satellite, etc.) assuming that subscribers will use the same interface experience regardless ways they have to access services.

About SmartLabs LLC
SmartLabs LLC is a leader in service delivery platform (SDP) for interactive digital television (IPTV, DVB, hybrid, satellite, Internet TV), innovative client applications and user interfaces for STBs. SmartLabs LLC is a part of ITG group of companies.
For additional information, please contact pr@smartlabs.tv.

About COMSTAR-UTS JSC
«Comstar – United Telesystems» is a premier fixed telecom operator in Moscow. Using the backbone and the last mile access network to 97% of Moscow households, COMSTAR-UTS provides voice, data transfer, broadband Internet access, paid television and other additional services to service providers, corporate and retail customers. In addition, the company offers telecommunication services in five federal regions of Russia as well as in Ukraine and Armenia. At the end of 2008 third quarter, COMSTAR-UTS’ active residential lines in Moscow are 3,6 millions and 793 thousands of broadband Internet residential subscribers as well as 61 thousands of broadband Internet residential subscribers in regions of Russia and CIS. Group of companies consolidated revenue for nine months of 2008 was US$ 1,255.8 million, OIBDA – 41,8%. Comstar-UTS’ shares have been listed on LSE (CMST).
Additional information is available in Internet at http://www.comstar-uts.ru/.

Some of the information in this press release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of Comstar UTS. You can identify forward looking statements by terms such as “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “will,” “could,” “may” or “might”, the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Comstar UTS wishes to caution that these statements are only predictions, and that actual events or results may differ materially. Comstar UTS does not intend to update these statements to reflect events and circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Many factors could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained in projections or forward-looking statements of Comstar UTS, including, among others, general economic conditions, the competitive environment, risks associated with operating in Russia, rapid technological and market change in the industries Comstar UTS operates in, as well as many other risks specifically related to Comstar UTS and its operations.

UPD: This news is spreading out...

• IPTV news web site - SmartLabs LLC delivers new UI for Comstar IPTV service.
• IPTV watch news - SmartLabs deploys SmartTUBE for Comstar IPTV