News

27/8/2003

Philips Adds BT, Belgacom, T-Com and Telecom Italia to its European Broadband Partners

Companies Will Seek Joint Commercialization of Home-Networked Entertainment Devices and Broadband Service

Royal Philips Electronics today announces that it has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with BT, Belgacom, T-Com and Telecom Italia to jointly develop the use of broadband and complementary enabled technologies in the UK, Belgian, German and Italian markets. This follows earlier announcements from Philips about its alliances with KPN and Telefonica and is one of a series of alliance announcements that Philips will be making with broadband operators around Europe. The alliances will ensure that Philips' connected entertainment products will work effectively with the key European telcos broadband and value-added services.

As part of the MoUs, the companies have agreed to share strategy on multimedia, entertainment and consumer electronics technologies, especially on new business based on broadband.

Gottfried Dutiné, CEO Philips Consumer Electronics and member of the Board of Management said, "Widespread adoption of broadband will only occur as consumers are presented with real ongoing value propositions beyond the limits of the PC. We realize that in the Connected Home environment, consumers want easy to install, easy to use, and easy to upgrade products and services that allow them to enjoy their favorite entertainment content. To accomplish this, it is essential that we work closely in step with broadband providers such as BT, Belgacom, T-Com and Telecom Italia. Together with our existing alliances with KPN and Telefonica, these agreements are a big step in our broadband strategy to cover Europe. We believe that such alliances are the beginning of a new service and product dynamic for the home environment that will spur the development of next generation applications such as home automation and interactive video communications."

BT Retail Director of Home Communications, David Sales said, "This alliance is about the power of broadband and what it can do for the customer in the home. Together, BT and Philips will offer consumers in the UK more compelling and easier to use solutions that will really enable them to tap in to the great benefits of broadband."

Building Blocks for the Connected Home

The products Philips plans to offer UK, Belgian, German and Italian customers are built on Philips' core strengths in display, storage, connectivity and video processing, as well as standard WiFi technology and open protocols. Under the Streamium brand of connected audio and visual devices, Philips will be aiming to offer customers products that enable them to enjoy their favorite entertainment and content whenever, wherever and however they choose.

The Philips-BT Alliance will focus on a full range of broadband-enabled multimedia and entertainment products and services for the UK market. In order to create consumer awareness of the possibilities of broadband beyond the PC, the two companies plan to create joint product demonstrations and entertainment displays in key retail partner outlets. These demos will showcase a complete portfolio of Philips' connected devices enabled by the BT Broadband service in order to educate consumers on the profound impact broadband will have on home entertainment, personal expression and productivity applications.

Additionally, the companies will cooperate on product research and development, driving the adoption and wider use of digital home applications using broadband. Philips and BT have agreed to share product and service roadmaps, as well as actively collaborate on product/service planning. New products will be showcased through the alliance as and when they reach the market. The first announcement is expected in October.

www.philips.com
www.bt.com