T op expert in the TV business Extensive offering from Anvia.
A
Mats Sandström
nvia TV is the latest business area of Anvia Plc (formerly known as Vaasan Läänin Puhelin). It comprises Anvia TV Oy (formerly Finnsat Oy) and Hibox Systems Oy. Anvia TV covers almost the entire value chain of TV technology services and equipment. It provides broadcasters, operators, consumer electronics chains, antenna installation companies and hotels with services and equipment. “One of our main goals is to expand the provision of services throughout the chain. We already have strong skills in acquiring TV channels and delivering content to cable and IPTV operators. We really hope to grow in this field and also to find new service areas,” explains Marianne Hynninen, CEO of Anvia TV. Digital Signage is one of the newest areas. The core business of Anvia TV is importing and developing TV equipment. Consumers know Finnsat and Humax set-top boxes. For antenna installation companies there is a wide range of products from antennas to optical products. Bigger systems include, for example, satellite systems for broadcasters, SNG and outdoor production cars and headends for operators. HDTV makes headway Satellite, cable and IPTV networks already use HDTV (high-definition TV) in Finland. In terrestrial DVBT2 networks, the UK and Finland are pioneers. “It will affect the whole TV value chain from content management to set-top boxes in homes. This is a trend we strongly believe in. At least two high-definition multiplexes will be set up in Finland in 2010,” explains Hynninen. Growth is seen in all of Anvia TV’s business areas. According to Hynninen, future challenges are linked to the expansion of business fields. “People consider digital video recorders, high-definition televisions and related development to be a natural part of life, and demand in the field is good.” IPTV is growing fast IPTV, a television service delivered over broadband connections, is grow-
ing all over the world. Hibox Systems provides IPTV middleware, which has a big market share in Finland. The middleware covers all basic functions, as well as NPVR and VideoOn-Demand. The middleware is reliable and easy to use, making it well suited for hospitality deployments. “The excellent characteristics of this product will help us launch it in many other European countries as
Anvia TV covers almost the entire value chain of TV services.
well. Now we need to find a partner for that,” says Hynninen. “Additionally, we want to develop our set-top-box business to also include IPTV receivers. Hybrid models, that is, IPTV combined with terrestrial or cable tuners are also a very interesting field, for they bring additional channels and Video-OnDemand to terrestrial and cable households as well.” c
Camilla Ostberg
Anvia TV Tel. +358 207 420 100 Business sector: TV technology and services Turnover 2008: €16.7 million Employees: 37 Major markets: Finland and Estonia. Hibox IPTV middleware targets all of Europe
004111
Anvia Plc Tel. +358 6 411 4111 www.anvia.fi Business sector: Telecom, IT, TV and Security Turnover 2008: €95 million Employees: 710 Major markets: Finland and Estonia
004111
According to CEO Marianne Hynninen, Anvia TV aims to grow.
coastline 2010 81