SmartLabs helps O2 Czech Republic to deliver a unique migration project, where hundreds of thousands of STBs are being transferred to the Android TV Operator Tier platform. Over 400 000 devices have already been migrated to the new environment.
The Czech Republic’s largest fixed, mobile, and broadband service provider, O2 Czech Republic, launched its bespoke interactive TV service back in 2018. SmartLabs worked side by side with the O2 team to specify, develop and deliver this unique project.
SmartLabs has also created a bespoke next-generation UHD hybrid set-top-box for O2. The STB was based on the high-grade Amlogic 905D3 chipset and initially employed Linux as its operating system.
Following its development strategy, O2 decided at a certain point to create an aggregated Android TV Operator Tier platform. Android TV enables operators to deploy various third-party premium applications and meet the demands of different types of customers. O2 reached the world’s first agreement with Google allowing the migration of existing Linux STBs, that were deployed with O2 customers, to the Android TV Operator Tier platform.
SmartLabs has driven the certification process in cooperation with the third-party certification laboratory and developed migration software for remote migration, excluding engineering staff visits and service interruption. On top of that, SmartLabs provided a brand-new Android TV launcher for all the SmartLabs STBs, as well as for third party devices also used by O2 subscribers.
“SmartLabs has supported O2 at every stage of this world-first Linux to Android TV Operator Tier migration process. We have worked very closely with an excellent O2 team and with Google, to get the project completed. I believe that our 10-year partnership with Google provided a solid framework for this unique endeavor” says Gary Hamer, SVP Sales and Business Development at SmartLabs.
You will be able to learn more about this unique project in an upcoming white paper that will be released soon by O2, Google, and Smartlabs.
About O2 Czech Republic
O2 is the largest integrated telecommunications provider in the Czech market. At present, it operates close to eight million mobile and fixed accesses, which ranks us among the market leaders in fully converged services in Europe. To users of mobile services in the Czech Republic, it offers state-of-the-art HSPA+ and LTE technology. O2 has the most comprehensive proposition of voice and data services in the Czech Republic, and actively exploits the growth potential of the various business lines, especially ICT. Its data centers, with total floor area of 7,300 square meters, rank us among the leaders in hosting, cloud and managed services. O2 data centers belong to the few commercial ones in Central Europe to have TIER III certification. With its O2 TV, we are also the largest IPTV service provider in the Czech Republic.
About SmartLabs
SmartLabs is the leading provider of multi-screen, multi-network solutions for the video streaming sector. SmartLabs’ solutions deliver content services to over 7 million subscribers around the globe on multiple devices from set-top boxes to mobile phones. Smartlabs’ client base includes telcos (fixed and mobile), ISP’s, cable operators, content and app service providers. SmartLabs partners with 25 IPTV market leaders including Widevine, Apple, Microsoft, Google, Samsung and LG. Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, Smartlabs has offices in USA, Canada, UK, Cyprus and has been established for over 15 years, creating innovative solutions for the interactive TV market.
