ACCESS and OKI ACCESS Technologies Bring High-Quality Video Calling to Android™ OS

NetFront™ VideoTalk Solution Enables Seamless User-to-User Video Calls

Mobile World Congress 2011, Barcelona -- ACCESS CO., LTD. a global provider of advanced software technologies to the mobile, beyond-PC and digital TV markets, and OKI ACCESS Technologies Co., Ltd. (OKI ACCESS Technologies), a joint venture company established by OKI and ACCESS, today announced NetFront™ VideoTalk, a software solution developed by both companies that brings high-quality video calling to Android™ OS. The two companies developed NetFront VideoTalk with the goal of promoting the expansion of the Long Term Evolution (LTE) high-speed, high-capacity commercial services launched in 2010. NetFront VideoTalk is available to operators and device manufacturers through the ACCESS global sales network as of today.

NetFront VideoTalk is based on NetFront™ IP-Phone a low-cost, high-quality VoIP solution for smartphones, which the two companies developed and announced on May 27, 2010. The new solution includes an additional function that makes it possible to directly transmit video images between terminals, enabling high-quality, real-time video calling services. NetFront VideoTalk is an ideal solution for operators and device manufacturers seeking to differentiate their telecommunications services and Android device offerings while also leveraging the growth of LTE services into opportunities to win new customers.

NetFront VideoTalk includes a complete support package that ranges from the provision of the basic standard software to customized installations. Installations of individualized services are available as an option. The range of offerings makes it possible to quickly bring to market high-quality, video calling services for Android devices while also reducing development and installation costs.
High-quality real-time video calling

NetFront VideoTalk leverages NetFront™ IMS Client Package, an advanced IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) solution designed to support multimedia services including voice, video, messaging and browsing, jointly developed by ACCESS and OKI ACCESS Technologies. NetFront VideoTalk also leverages NetFront™ Media Player, a media player, developed by OKI ACCESS Technologies, that ensures the stable transmission of high-fidelity video images between devices on an IP network. Together, these technologies enable high-quality, real-time video performance that gives users a strong sense of immediacy when making video calls, which enhances the video calling experience.
Offering a wide range of video services

NetFront VideoTalk includes a media encoder module that converts images to IP format and a separate media player module that combines images that have been converted to IP format. The two modules can be operated separately as required. This means that NetFront VideoTalk can support video-sharing services, in which images are transmitted between devices in one direction only, as well as video calling services, in which images are transmitted in both directions. So, by installing, for instance, a media encoder module controllable by IMS in a camera mechanism, the camera can function as a network camera, while installing a media player module controllable by IMS in a TV monitor enables the TV to function as a network monitor. The availability of the two modules allows NetFront VideoTalk so to support a wide range of video services.
High scalability for unique VoIP services

NetFront VideoTalk is designed with a flexible modular architecture, enabling providers to implement unique VoIP applications and to combine VoIP services with other applications. Applications are also available with APIs, allowing operators to customize their own user interfaces.
Interoperability

The NetFront VideoTalk interface is compliant with 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), OMA (Open Mobile Alliance) and IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) industry standards. NetFront IP-Phone is not bundled with specific services, so ISPs and MVNOs can customize it to offer differentiated IP telephony services.

“The introduction of LTE services is expected to further stimulate smartphone demand worldwide. In partnership with OKI ACCESS Technologies, ACCESS is committed to providing advanced solutions like NetFront VideoTalk to mobile operators and device manufacturers as they move to deliver leading-edge products and services on this new mobile network standard,” said Tomihisa Kamada, president and CEO of ACCESS.

“Through our partnership with ACCESS, we have now succeeded in developing, a full-scale smartphone-based video calling solution ahead of our global competitors. Moving forward, we are committed to promoting this solution to support the spread of smartphone-based video calling services,” said Osamu Nakazawa, president of OKI ACCESS Technologies.

NetFront VideoTalk can also be used on tablet devices, set-top boxes (STBs), digital televisions, cameras and other Android OS device that include a camera and or monitor. With the collaboration of OKI ACCESS Technologies, ACCESS envisages expanding the market applications for NetFront VideoTalk to Android devices other than smartphones and to offer these solutions to the global market.

Demonstrations of ACCESS’ NetFront VideoTalk solution will be held in ACCESS’ booth (CY23, Hall 3) at Mobile World Congress 2011, to be held in Barcelona, Spain from February 14th to 17th. For additional information visit the ACCESS Mobile World Congress page at www.access-company.com/news/events/mwc_2011/mwc2011.html.
About ACCESS

ACCESS CO., LTD. is a global company providing leading technology, software products and platforms for web browsing, mobile phones, wireless handhelds, digital TVs and other networked devices. ACCESS’ product portfolio including its NetFront™ series provides customers with solutions that enable faster time to market, flexibility and customizability. Recently, ACCESS has launched NetFront™ Life as a global brand with applications and services for end users. Additional information about NetFront Life is available at www.netfrontlife.com. The company, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, operates subsidiaries and affiliates in Asia, Europe and the United States. ACCESS is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers’ Index under the number 4813. For more information about ACCESS, please visit www.access-company.com.
About OKI ACCESS Technologies

OKI ACCESS was established in November 2005 as a joint venture between Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd, and ACCESS CO., LTD. OKI ACCESS is focused on developing voice and video media products for Next Generation mobile devices. http://www.oki-access.com/