Digisoft.tv and Hambisana Launch TV Solutions Venture at Enterprise Ireland Event in South Africa

CORK, Ireland and CENTURION, South Africa, March 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Digisoft.tv, the global provider of set-top box (STB) software for education, home automation and entertainment announce a joint venture. The venture encompasses distribution, systems integration, research and development and support.  Up to 20 new roles are envisaged in South Africa and Ireland.  Projects will be centered around the delivery of hybrid digital television and education to under serviced areas.  Internet connected set top boxes will be supplied with a keyboard and mouse, effectively delivering a low cost PC and education application to be used with a consumer's own television.

Speaking at the launch, Irish Minister for Trade and Development, Joe Costello said:

"I am delighted to be back in South Africa for the launch of this joint venture. This collaboration of Irish research with an African network allows Digisoft and Hambisana to deliver hybrid set-top boxes for less than $50, making digital TV affordable to millions of households in Africa. Digital TV is not just about entertainment; it can also be used as an educational tool so the potential for growth in Africa is enormous."

"I am particularly pleased that this partnership came about as a result of contact made during an Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission I led to South Africa last November. This venture is an example of the great potential in the African market and I hope other companies follow Digisoft in exploring that potential."

Fearghal Kelly CEO of Digisoft.tv explains: "These solutions promise to bring significant benefits to households where access to technology and education has been limited.  Governments can now offer cost-effective education, entertainment and information as part of Digital Switch Over.  These services will no longer be limited to the affluent, helping to eliminate the digital divide for the people of Africa."

Anton Smith CEO Hambisana says: "Many households around the world cannot afford a computer as well as a TV. Digisoft's affordable set-top box technology and management platform, combined with our intuitv components, allow service providers such as fibre optic network operators, telecoms operators and hotels to give their customers the ability to get online directly from the TV."

About Digisoft.tv & Iris

Digisoft.tv, is a leading global provider of set-top box software for the cable, satellite, terrestrial and telecommunications industry. Digisoft`s Iris platform is designed to meet the needs of service providers who are eager to provide multiple services and want to adapt and grow those services in the face of a rapidly-evolving TV landscape. Iris supports all IP and broadcast standards, including DVB, ISDB-T and ATSC. Built on HTML5, Iris provides operators with the control and flexibility to deliver the right content to the right users.

Digisoft.tv provides software and professional services to brands such as TelstraClear (Vodafone New Zealand), and VideoEzy. Digisoft maintains headquarters in Ireland with sales offices around the world. Visit the company at http://www.digisoft.tv or follow us on Linked In.

About Hambisana

Hambisana is a provider of technology and services with a particular focus on digital video over IP. The company offers advisory, design, development and integration services for IPTV service providers through its 'intuitv' service as well as providing broadcasters with premium DVB Quality-of-Service monitoring through its 'Digilant' suite of products. It provides services to some of the world's most renowned broadcasters.

The company was founded in 2005 and has bases in Ireland, South Africa, USA and New Zealand. Visit us on http://www.hambisana.com or follow us on Linked In.

Digisoft.tv Media Contact:
Pam Dorney
Head of Marketing and Communications
E-mail: pdorney@digisoft.tv
Tel. +353-21-491-7272

Hambisana Media Contact:
Eamonn Ryan
Chief Marketing Officer
E-mail: eamonn.ryan@hambisana.com
Tel. +27-12-653-5098