EBOX Taps Technicolor to deploy Sapphire Android TV STB in Quebec

Technicolor Connected Home has partnered with EBOX, a leading Canadian Internet service provider (ISP), to deploy Sapphire Android TV set-top box (STB) to its over -the-top (OTT) subscribers in Quebec.

This is the latest development in Technicolor Connected Home’s ongoing commitment to leveraging open and innovative technologies for network service providers (NSPs) around the world.

The ultimate goal is to help NSPs deliver seamless connectivity and premium entertainment experiences to consumers by creating best-in-class CPE and partnering with the most ingenious companies in the connected home ecosystem. The announcement with EBOX also solidifies Technicolor’s undisputed Android TV leadership in Canada.

EBOX offers a broad range of broadband access technologies -- including digital subscriber line (DSL), cable, fiber-to-the-node -- to the growing number of customers who are interested in the variety and cost-benefits of streaming their content services from OTT providers.

“Our customers are among the most sophisticated consumers of digital entertainment in the world. They are interested in having access to the widest variety of broadband-intensive services in a cost-effective manner. So, we selected Technicolor and the Sapphire STB for a best-in-class Android TV customer deployment, leveraging their strong relationships with Google and Broadcom, as well as their in-depth technical knowledge of Android TV to help us achieve our market launch,” says EBOX President and Chief Executive Officer, Jean-Philippe Béïque.

The ‍Sapphire set-top box provides premium 4K Ultra HD 2160p/60 and high dynamic range (HDR) OTT TV services in a small and customizable design. The OTT receiver leverages latest system-on-a chip technologies -- including a powerful quad-core processor -- to support enriched services such as:

Next-generation TV apps for Android;
Bluetooth-enabled applications;
Immersive gaming; and
Interoperability with mobile devices and accessories.

“Sapphire is one of the most robust and feature-rich STBs in the Android TV market today. EBOX joins the growing number of operators around the world who are addressing the increasingly demanding needs of their digital subscribers. Sapphire will ensure that EBOX customers receive the highest quality user-experience across the growing array of entertainment services that are available for streaming,” says Eric Rutter, President of Technicolor Connected Home, Americas.

EBOX will be in a position to benefit from Technicolor’s device management software suite, which enables efficient software updates and provides industry leading diagnostic tools. This effectively future-proofs the Canadian ISP’s investment in the Sapphire STB platform for Android TV.