S&T Expand Freesat Technology

Strategy & Technology Limited (S&T), specialists in interactive TV playout systems and MHEG-5 middleware, has announced its extended commitment to the Freesat project – the UK’s planned free-to-air satellite platform – with the continued expansion of its supporting technology.
Freesat will use MHEG-5 as its interactive middleware technology. S&T has been at the forefront of the MHEG market both in developing and launching in the UK and in extending its usage internationally.
"We are committed to this key project," said David Cutts, Managing Director, S&T. "We are a long way along the development road to extend our RedKeyTM MHEG-5 engine to make it ready for the Freesat Profile and we are leading the field in this regard."
S&T is also working on the provision of a suite of interactive services that broadcasters whose service will be available via Freesat will be able to deploy. These include new applications that will allow broadcasters to offer interactive services in a cost-effective and yet technologically opportune manner.
"We are excited to be able to extend our global MHEG-5 expertise to this new platform and look forward to continued cooperation and innovation with both existing and new partners," said Cutts.
Emma Scott, Managing Director, Freesat, added: "S&T has been involved in the Freesat project almost since its inception and it has proved to be a tremendous benefit for us to be able to work with a company with such a strong track record in this field."
Freesat, launching in 2008, will offer around 200 channels plus interactive services for a one-off payment, targeting both those with HD-enabled TV sets wanting to receive HD free-to-air broadcasts, and the 27 per cent of the UK population who are currently out of DTT coverage.
(DS)