[October 18, 2009] Etisalat takes stake in home technology software firm Tweet (ArabianBusiness.com (United Arab Emirates) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Etisalat on Sunday said it has acquired a 16.6 percent stake in SoftAtHome, a software provider of home operating platforms. The acquisition will enable the UAE telco to develop and provide a holistic digital home experience to its customers, the company said in a statement. SoftAtHome enables telecom operators to combine different services such as voice, video, user interface, security, network access, connectivity or management and deploy them across different devices in the home. Etisalat has selected the SoftAtHome Operating Platform (SOP) to deploy their new multiplay solution offering including IPTV, Video on Demand, Personal Video Recording, Internet TV, digital content sharing and broadband access. The solution will be deployed across the UAE first, followed by other countries where they have a presence, in a phased manner, Etisalat added. Humaid Rashid Sahoo Alsuwaidi, CEO, E-vision, Etisalat said: ""Technology and innovation are the two cornerstones of Etisalat's strategy of extending reach to its customers. "By investing in our relationship with SoftAtHome, Etisalat plans to strengthen its technology leadership in the Digital Home services in the Middle East." Etisalat joins existing shareholders Orange, Thomson Telecom and Sagem Communications to the board of SoftAtHome. Among the services offered by the Digital Home, customers can access personal digital content stored in their home from any  mobile phone, PC or TV. They can also locate on a map on their TV the location of the person who is calling them; remotely record TV programming on their PVR when traveling; navigate in 3D through recommended programs on a TV based on their personal profile; purchase and download applications of their choices on their TV; start watching a movie on their mobile and finish it on their TV; manage and monitor home settings or watch their favorite Internet TV channels on their TV. (c) 2009 ITP DIGITAL Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]