Techstorm, a new media technology company based in the UAE, has partnered with Silicon Valley-based Verismo Networks to launch the first operator-independent Over The Top (OTT) platform service in the Mena region.

In a development that will revolutionize the region’s connected home entertainment industry, Techstorm said it will tie up with Verismo's award-winning Internet TV Platform to introduce the VuMax service and bring HD entertainment directly to TV sets through broadband Internet.

The new service will target a huge market of Internet users who seek compelling entertainment from across the globe through their broadband connection.

The Verismo Platform allows Techstorm to deliver OTT videos, including live TV channels, linear channels and value-added Internet applications. Videos from popular websites, online radio, and movies on demand are delivered seamlessly to television sets through the power of broadband Internet.

Additionally, the new platform brings social networking applications such as Twitter, Facebook and MySpace directly to the TV set for the entire family to enjoy together.

Personal media is easily accessed over the home network or by connecting a USB drive. In addition, the Verismo platform supports Electronic Program Guide (EPG) and Digital Rights Management (DRM) which ensures content can be seen only in the region where rights owners have rights for.

The new service is delivered to consumers through a compact VuMax PoD, which is about the size of a deck of playing cards.

In addition, through agreements with third party content providers, consumers can subscribe to premium live and on-demand video content delivered directly to their TV sets through the Internet.

At the time of launch, the VuMax offering includes pay TV content services from YuppTV, Global Take Off New York, and Big Flix, a Bollywood movie on-demand service offered by India’s Reliance Group. Arabic content such as movies, TV dramas and Live TV will be made available soon.

Verismo Networks’ executive vice president Dhaval Ajmera said, “The Mena region is an important market for the delivery and consumption of Internet media. Techstorm is well-positioned to lead the Internet TV revolution and we are extremely pleased to be their technology partner of choice.”

“After a long search for a viable Internet TV technology, we found the depth of features available on Verismo Networks’ VuNow platform ideally suited to our business,” Techstorm’s executive vice president Nadeem Viqar said.

“Verismo has developed a feature-rich, open and complete Internet TV platform that has no equivalent anywhere in the world. This revolutionary platform allows us to expand our service offering and stay current with the latest technology.” 

VuMax PoD is available at major electronics retail outlets across the UAE and MENA region, Viqar added.

Techstorm deploys complete broadband solutions from assessment to launch, customize and manage a VOD service, Live TV channel streaming and subscription based pay TV models.