Over one million households in the Middle East region will have a television connected to the Internet by 2011, said Netgear, a leading provider of technologically advanced, branded networking and storage products.

With the Middle East having more than 47 million internet users, the majority of whom are below 35 years old, Netgear has identified the prospects in tapping into the younger segment of the consumer market as they prove to be more susceptible to global consumer trends, said a senior official.

In line with this, the company has unveiled its Digital Entertainer Live (EVA2000), a brand-new, easy-to-use router with live Internet-television browsing capabilities to Internet Services Providers (ISPs) in the Middle East.

Designed to be connected directly into the TV, ‘EVA2000’ allows users to watch Internet videos in a big screen, browse for news, sports, and homes videos from popular video-uploading sites; watch music videos, enjoy personal pictures, music and videos on the TV by plugging-in a flash drive; and search the Internet for more video content.

The router also enables bookmarking of the users’ favourite sites, as well as access to free English and Arabic channels, and European and American channels, which are not offered by satellite television.

Users who cannot install their own satellite dish in their buildings can also receive access to an extensive selection of local and international TV shows.

“The Internet has pushed the limitations of conventional media channels, not only because of its real-time features but mainly due to the convenience it offers to users,” said Ahmad Zeidan, channel sales manager, Netgear Middle East.

“We are proud to launch the ‘EVA2000’ router here in the Middle East, which will take the world of online videos and live Internet TV at the regional users’ fingertips. This also underlines our commitment to address all the requirements of our clients while helping them leverage the advantages of modern information and communication technologies,” he added.

In addition to networking and storage solutions, Netgear also offers lifetime warranty and 24/7 technical support on all its products to help its customers maximise their hardware or software to their full potential.

Among its range of high quality offerings are affordable, easy-to-install security and software solutions; switches, adapters, wired and wireless routers, and gateways; and a wide selection of products grouped under the Ethernet networking, broadband and wireless networking segments.

The company also provides solutions that enable users to share Internet access, peripherals, files, digital multimedia content and applications among multiple personal computers and other Internet-enabled devices.-TradeArabia News Service