Alcatel and Oracle Launch Joint Venture for Interactive Television

Alcatel, a French tele-communications equipment maker, and Oracle, a US internet software company, are joining forces to create a new technology platform called Thirdspace. This innovative platform will enable telecommunications companies to offer interactive television services, including home shopping, video-on-demand, and internet access through existing telephone lines. The joint venture is expected to invest £100m (approximately $145m) and has already initiated talks with media companies to provide content. With a majority stake, Alcatel and Oracle plan to expand the service to consumers in the UK, US, Germany, and Japan, leveraging Alcatel's relationships with the industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Alcatel and Oracle are investing £100m (approximately $145m) in the joint venture, Thirdspace, to create a technology platform for interactive television services.
• Thirdspace will offer home shopping, video-on-demand, and internet access through existing telephone lines, allowing telecommunications companies to compete with satellite and cable operators.
• The joint venture plans to seek alliances with leading telecoms companies and content providers to take the service to consumers in multiple regions.
• Brian Keating, CEO of Thirdspace, forecasts a "full-blown commercial roll-out" within a year and plans to float the company within two years.
• The technology is already under trial in some households, but Thirdspace's success depends on the liberalisation of local telephone networks in Europe.

Statistics:

• £100m (approximately $145m) investment in the joint venture, Thirdspace.
• Alcatel and Oracle hold a majority stake in Thirdspace.
• Thirdspace plans to expand the service to consumers in the UK, US, Germany, and Japan.
• The technology is already under trial in some households.
• The company forecasts a "full-blown commercial roll-out" within a year.

Sources:

• [Source 1] Reuters, "Alcatel, Oracle form joint venture for interactive TV", [no date].
• [Source 2] [Not explicitly provided in the original text].