Innovative solution utilizes an operator's 3G network and video-telephony
capable handsets to offer a visual, interactive 'infotainment' experience
for subscribers
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today from CTIA
Wireless I.T. and Entertainment 2008, RealNetworks(R), Inc. (RNWK) the
digital entertainment services company, announced the upcoming global
availability of Interactive Multimedia Experience (IME), adding video
dimension to Interactive Voice Response (IVR). Utilizing an operator's 3G
network and video-telephony capable handsets, IME combines the reliable
simplicity of a voice call with the vibrant, rich experience of multimedia,
providing subscribers with a dynamically-generated, visual interface for
finding information, content and entertainment using video call minutes on
a per-minute basis rather than using data minutes.
Once IME is deployed in an operator's network, a subscriber with a
video-calling plan would simply dial a phone number (like 411) and be
presented with a menu of dynamic visual options, like movie trailers &
times, traffic, music, shopping and more. Further, because the interaction
takes place via a video call session, it is charged at per-minute fee, vs.
eating into a subscriber's data allowance. Subscribers elect video-calling
plans, an extension of the voice and data minute plans widely used, when a
video-telephony capable phone is purchased.
"Working with mobile operators and their partners, RealNetworks looks
forward to providing subscribers with an easy-to-use, visually rich method
of accessing information and entertainment on their mobile phones," said
Vern Poyner, senior vice president, TPS Americas and Global Operations for
RealNetworks. "Everyone knows how to make a phone call, and by offering
this new feature via video telephony, we believe it will help operators see
a return on the significant investments they've made in deploying 3G
networks."
IME will be available for deployment to Mobile Operators globally in
Q209, enabling them to create compelling new services for subscribers,
attract partners who want new ways to reach consumers, and increase the ROI
on their 3G networks.
Real's services are currently available through 88 different carriers
in 44 countries worldwide, making them available to 884.3 million
subscribers. Real offers wireless providers a comprehensive selection of
mobile services including Music-On-Demand, Video-On-Demand, mobile games,
personalization features such as RTs, RBTs and Multimedia Ringback
Services, and messaging services.
ABOUT REALNETWORKS
RealNetworks, Inc. delivers digital entertainment services to consumers
via PC, portable music player, home entertainment system or mobile phone.
Real created the streaming media category in 1995 and has continued to lead
the market with pioneering products and services, including: RealPlayer(R),
the first mainstream media player to enable one-click downloading and
recording of Internet video; the award-winning Rhapsody(R) digital music
service, which delivers more than 1 billion songs per year; RealArcade(R),
one of the largest casual games destinations on the Web; and a variety of
mobile entertainment services, such as ringback tones, offered to consumers
through leading wireless carriers around the world. RealNetworks' corporate
information is located at http://www.realnetworks.com/company.
RealNetworks, RealArcade, Rhapsody, RealPlayer and the Real logo are
trademarks or registered trademarks of RealNetworks, Inc. or its
subsidiaries. All other trademarks, names of actual companies and products
mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE RealNetworks, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.realnetworks.com
CONTACT:
Jennifer Humiston of SHIFT Communications,
+1-617-779-1812, jhumiston@shiftcomm.com, for RealNetworks, Inc.;
or Tiffany Dunning of RealNetworks, +1-206-892-6733,
tdunning@real.com
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