Hong Kong – VTech Telecommunications Limited (VTech) today announced a partnership with telecom operator Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited (HKBN) to bring smart home capabilities into the homes of all consumers with the launch of the “3-in-1 Connected Home Solution”, backed by technology expertise from Tilgin AB (Tilgin) of Sweden and Axiom IT Solutions (Axiom) of Singapore.
VTech’s award-winning “3-in-1 Connected Home Solution” puts LAN and Wi-Fi Internet connectivity, DECT voice communication and ULE (Ultra Low Energy) smart home systems into a single Smart Home Gateway.
Combining HKBN’s Internet solutions and VTech’s Connected Home products, including cordless phones and VSmart long-range devices and sensors, the Smart Home Gateway brings the potential of smart home capabilities to all consumers. It integrates HKBN’s reliable fibre-optic broadband service, home high-definition voice telephone service, and various OTT (Over the Top) entertainment boxes and home automated devices into a single Connected Home ecosystem. It is thus an advanced triple-play solution delivering voice, video and data in an integrated way to the home, catering to the vertical market[s] the smart home represents. The 3-in-1 Smart Home Gateway is deployed in a new service bundle rolled out by HKBN today, which offers enhanced household Wi-Fi experience to HKBN broadband customers through remote Wi-Fi service support and maintenance, as well as HD home telephone service to households beyond HKBN fibre network coverage. By using Intel’s connected home technologies, HKBN has been able to integrate multiple functions, including routing, analog voice, cordless phone and IoT hub, into a single box.
The Smart Home Gateway is powered by an Intel® AnyWAN™ GRX SoC (System on a Chip) and the system is supported by Tilgin’s full-feature Smart Home Gateway software Open HGA, which enables the integration and management of DECT/ULE devices, while the Swedish company’s auto configuration server device management software tGem is the software that allows HKBN to control and monitor fully the deployed devices.
Axiom’s IoT cloud applications and mobile apps complete the suite of technologies, covering areas such as a Smart Home software platform, central management system, cloud server solution, client- and customer care portals, operation support mobile system, and smart apps for home users. These permit the full-scale deployment of an end-to-end solution enabling and controlling the connected Smart Home.
C.H. Tong, President of Telecommunication Products at VTech, said, “The Smart Home Gateway System we have developed offers operators a complete, scalable and ready to use all-in-one solution that allows telecoms operators to offer their customers a multitude of new Smart Home services and Home Area Network sensor-based applications. It means a new era for home automation, house and activity monitoring.” He added: “VTech and its technology partners will therefore continue develop new versions of the Smart Home Gateway System, with plans to incorporate technology such as Wi-Fi Mesh and Internet Security by early 2018.”
HKBN Chief Technology Officer and Co-Owner Gary McLaren commented, “We are very pleased to partner with VTech, Intel, Tilgin and Axiom on this technology. With exquisite simplicity, it allows us to greatly enrich our customers’ experience of residential and small office telecom services via professional Wi-Fi services and consultancy, remote service support and maintenance, HD home telephone service, offering the potential of deploying ULE wireless IoT devices.”
Jonny Wetterborn, CEO, Tilgin explained: “We are really proud of our software solutions for the IoT connected home system from HKBN and VTech. The combination of our smart hub software, Open HGA and our device management software solution, tGem, gives HKBN the ability to easily launch new smart home services, enhancing the subscriber experience and creating new revenue streams.” He continued: “Our solution also enhances HKBN’s workflow and processes, and increases network security and control.”
Lam Pang Ngean, MD of Axiom said, “We are excited to deliver a world class solution to HKBN, partnering with VTech and Tilgin. As a provider of end-to-end cloud services with more than 20 years of telco experience, we understand the changing needs of service providers and the changing behaviour of end users. We work closely with HKBN to ensure that our applications are aligned to their product and operational needs while providing a simple interface for their end users. We will continue to innovate, leveraging on IoT, Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence to deliver useful features to the end user. Our smart cloud and mobile applications bring a vital extra dimension to the Smart Home Gateway.”
About VTech
VTech knows that as the world changes, people are looking to technology to provide unprecedented peace of mind. That is why the company has developed a portfolio of wireless monitoring devices to help families stay connected with the most important people and places in their lives. These cost-effective, cutting-edge consumer products are powered by ULE technology, a protocol based on the highly successfully DECT platform used in its cordless phones. As a global leader in cordless phones and a founding member of the ULE Alliance, VTech is in a unique position to bring innovation to the smart home market.
Founded in 1976, VTech is the world’s largest manufacturer of cordless phones and the global leader in electronic learning products from infancy through toddler and preschool. It also provides highly sought-after contract manufacturing services. VTech’s mission is to design, manufacture and supply innovative and high-quality products in a manner that minimises any impact on the environment while creating sustainable value for its stakeholders and the community.
About Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited
Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited is a subsidiary of HKBN Group (“HKBN” or “The Group”). HKBN Group is Hong Kong’s largest provider of residential high speed fibre broadband (symmetrical 100Mbps to 1,000Mbps) services by number of subscriptions, and a fast growing enterprise solutions provider. The Group offers a full range of telecommunications solutions for both the residential and enterprise markets, encompassing broadband and Wi-Fi network services, cloud solutions, data connectivity, data facilities, system integration, mobile services, entertainment and voice communications. HKBN owns an extensive fibre network in Hong Kong, which covers over 2.2 million residential homes passed, representing approximately 81% of Hong Kong’s total residential units, and more than 2,200 commercial buildings. HKBN embraces “Make our Hong Kong a Better Place to Live” as its core purpose, and takes great pride in developing its Talents into a competitive advantage. The Group is managed by over 340 Co-Owners who have invested their own savings to buy HKBN shares, representing the majority of supervisory and management level Talents in the Group. HKBN Group is part of HKBN Ltd (SEHK Stock Code: 1310).
About Tilgin
Tilgin has more than 20 years of experience and expertise within the broadband industry which has generated a strong client base and a broad international reach which has generated that Tilgin’s systems and solutions are deployed at more than 100 operators in more than 30 countries. Tilgin was founded in 1997 with headquarter located in Kista, Sweden.
Since the start, Tilgin has worked with its own gateway software as part of an overall delivery of premium gateway solutions, but has since 2014 a separate and dedicated business unit focusing upon the specific standalone software. Tilgin is now taking the next step forward by launching Open HGA, an open and modular software based platform for IoT and Smart Home solutions and services. For more information around our new Open HGA platform, please visit www.tilgin.com.
About Axiom IT Solutions Pte Ltd
Axiom focuses on delivering cloud based solutions and mobile apps targeting Internet of Things, Hosted Unified Communication, Enterprise Productivity and Vertical apps to Telco and Enterprise customers in Asia. Axiom’s headquarter is in Singapore with offices in Hong Kong and Malaysia. Axiom’s suite of IoT applications is our latest cloud offering for our Telco customers. With more than 20 years of Telco experiences, our R&D team develops carrier grade software application for our telco customers, and our system integration team has won multiple Microsoft Cloud Partner of the year awards in Asia Pacific Region and in Singapore. Our Cloud Based Fixed Mobile Convergence Solution for telco won TECS award administered by Spring Singapore and IDA Singapore, in 2014. For more information, please visit www.axiomitsolns.com.
