Oracle Corp’s Network Computer Inc subsidiary will give itself a booster shot today with the announcement of a new software package for the Japanese television set-top box market and the licensing of the software to four of Japan’s largest cable and internet providers offering internet-over-TV services. The four providers have a combined customer base of 13 million at which to aim the boxes using NCI’s software. The companies are DDI Corp, the second largest telco in Japan; Mitsubishi Electric Co’s DTI; Marubeni Corp affiliate ICC; and Sumitomo Corp affiliate and interactive cable company Crossbeam. The hardware will be built by NCI’s hardware partners and will incorporate smart card technology. NCI’s new package, called AnyISP comprises the TV Navigator client software, Enhanced TV applications, such as email, electronic programming guides and a browser. NCI’s Custom Connect Server can be added so that service providers can add their own service sand manage their subscriber base. In particular this package is geared towards affinity marketing programs using smart cards. Organizations or clubs could issue a smart card to its members that when inserted into the box, can set up email and take them to the affiliated organization’s web site. In a separate deal announced yesterday, NCI teamed with Boca Research Inc for Boca to make thin internet access devices based on NCI’s technology. Boca plans to have a product ready using NCI’s TV Navigator software by the fourth quarter and other devices will follow.
