Humax targets residential gateway market
July 9, 2012
By Colin Mann
In a move that reinforces its position in ‘Home Gateway Server’ solutions, set-top box manufacturer Humax has become the largest shareholder of South Korea’s MMC Technology, a residential gateway provider, with a 21.98 per cent stake by acquiring an additional 8.8 per cent stake.
In doing so, Humax will enhance the company’s Home Gateway Server platform, with MMC Technology expertise in Wi-Fi and residential gateway solutions to expand its presence in the residential gateway markets with US service providers.
Humax initially invested in MMC Technology in 2001, and with this additional investment expects to advance its home gateway server technology, develop a next generation set-top box platform, as well as expand the company’s business activities in the residential gateway market.
Humax says its strategy is to become a leader in the market by introducing the advanced technology and expertise of MMC Technology in home gateway server market where the existing broadcasting industry has been turning its attention to broadcasting services on broadband technology. It notes that recently, the home gateway server market has been drawing more interest from the advanced broadcasting in US and EU markets which are expected to take off within one to two years.
Furthermore, Humax, along with MMC Technology, plans to enter the emerging market where the demand of residential gateway products is continuously increasing and as the Internet penetration rate grows. The company then plans to expand its business to the US, Latin America, and EU markets. MMC Technology’s products, which mainly focused on the Korean domestic market, will be able to swiftly enter the global market thanks to the Humax global brand awareness. Humax also has an excellent opportunity to expand its business presence to the residential gateway market.
Dae-Gyu Byun, Humax’s CEO, said that MMC Technology’s advanced know-how in the residential gateway market. would become leverage for Humax to find a new market for its home gateway server, which is the next generation set-top box.
MMC Technology, established in 1997, provides Wi-Fi Access Points (AP) and Wi-Fi Modules to major Korean ISPs and navigation manufacturers. The company recorded KRW 17 billion (€12.1m) of sales last year, and has KT, SK Telecom, SK Broadband, CJ HelloVision and THINKWARE as major clients.