Cambridge, 6 April 2004 - CreditCall, the UK leader in cashless payment solutions, today announced that it has entered a technology partnership with interactive TV software development specialists ANT Limited, to develop a payment system that will allow consumers to purchase services using their credit or debit card, directly from an on-screen menu from their satellite, cable or broadband decoder box.
The payment system employs CreditCall's CardEase transaction technology, which securely processes payment from the user's card. ANT's Fresco browser for TV is being integrated with CardEase to render an intuitive user interface, enabling the consumer to operate the payment system via their TV screen and remote control. Communications with the payment host will be via the back channel fitted to the cable or broadband decoder box, or by normal telephone line in the case of satellite.
The system will open up limitless possibilities for the next generation of home entertainment digital media centres, with the initial applications likely to be the direct payment of viewing subscriptions, instant payment for premium movies, sports events, special premium content, digital jukebox services, home shopping and charity donations.
The Creditcall and ANT technology partnership will also allow satellite, cable and IPTV companies to reduce the number of failed subscriptions through the convenience of an "on-box" payment method, and at the same time reduce the costs of call centres and traditional payment methods. The technology is being designed to work alongside, and complement, existing conditional access systems.
"ANT Limited's market-leading reputation in interactive TV software made them the clear partner of choice for CreditCall", said Nick McGarvey, Managing Director of CreditCall Communications Ltd. "Together, we are confident that we can extend the convenience of direct credit and debit card payment from the high street right into people's living rooms."
"Consumers and service operators need to know that they can depend upon their cashless payment mechanism", said Stephen Reeder, Executive Director of Sales & Marketing at ANT Limited. "CreditCall is a recognised force in providing reliable security to retail payment systems on a global scale. With the integration of ANT technology, the company is able to add a new dimension to the rapidly growing interactive TV marketplace."
Currently in prototype development, there are plans for this new CreditCall payment system to be deployed by several leading set top box manufacturers by the end of the year. Based upon the global growth of secure card payments, this is expected to become a standard feature on all set top boxes and home entertainment systems in the years to come.
About ANT Limited
ANT Limited (www.antlimited.com) is a leading provider of native browsers and content-rendering solutions for TVs, set-top boxes, multimedia handhelds and other consumer electronic devices. ANT's solution includes a browser, media viewer and manager, software architecture, and user interface toolkit that enable OEMs, service providers and network operators to provide highly compelling interactive content and services to consumers. ANT's software can be integrated quickly into any platform and operating system, and has been implemented into a wide range of interactive TV and digital entertainment devices around the world. Current customers include Thomson multimedia, Pace Micro Technology, Philips Semiconductors, HUMAX and Sagem.
About CreditCall Communications Ltd.
CreditCall is a specialist cashless payment solutions provider, with recognition in the UK, The Americas, Mainland Europe and the Far East. CreditCall develops payment systems for diverse applications including card-based telephony, Pay & Display car parking, Vending, Ticketing and Pay TV.
CreditCall invests heavily in research and development and provides payment services facilities, which will allow any virtually any machine, device or terminal to be enabled to accept credit or debit card, as well as certified EMV software licenses and consultancy for the emerging chip-based EMV cards.
For more information about CreditCall products and services visit the company's website at: www.creditcall.com.
Trademarks
ANT, the ANT logo, Galio, Fresco and PurePlay are all trademarks or registered trademarks of ANT Limited. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
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