WISI invests in Inca
July 29, 2015
WISI, the German supplier of digital video and audio processing, broadband access and fibre optical solutions, has announced a significant investment in Inca Networks. The Canadian company is a provider of video delivery solutions for the contribution, real-time processing and monitoring of linear and multiscreen TV content. Among its customers are major pay-TV providers and operators of IP and cable networks. With this strategic step WISI extends its global position as one of the leading providers of innovative systems and components for state of the art HFC and next generation broadband networks.
The companies will work together on the global development and delivery of linear IP video and OTT multiscreen solutions, including project focus on HEVC video compression, network DVR, confidence monitoring and personalised ad insertion. In addition both companies will take advantage of their existing sales networks. WISI will become the exclusive distributor for Inca’s video transcoding and multiscreen products in Europe, Asia, South America, Africa and the Middle East while Inca Networks will become the exclusive North American partner for WISI’s award-winning modular RF/IP platforms, CHAMELEON, Tangram, as well as the OPTOPUS FTTH product range. In addition WISI executives will be joining the Inca board of directors.
“As the cable TV business evolves from RF to a more IP-centric model, this investment in Inca solidifies WISI’s position as a leader at the crossroads of next generation video,” said Axel Sihn, CEO of the WISI Group of Companies. “The reception, processing and transmission capabilities of the WISI products, combined with Inca’s powerful VidiOS software and linear and multiscreen hardware, allow video operators to deploy complete systems to meet the demands of today’s highly mobile and technology savvy video consumer.”
“We are very pleased to announce this partnership with WISI,” said Jeff Campbell, CEO of Inca Networks. “With WISI, we have found a partner with the history, scale and worldwide presence, to make Inca a truly global player in intelligent video delivery. This relationship will allow us to accelerate our growth, serve an increasingly diverse international client base and deliver comprehensive and innovative new solutions to our customers across.”
As part of the investment and growth strategy, Inca will be expanding the engineering, development and customer support operations teams at its Vancouver, Canada offices. First contact, multilingual support for international clients outside of North America and the Caribbean will be handled by the WISI support resources around the world. Inca’s co-founders Jeff Campbell, CEO and Mike Bradley, CTO will become members of WISI’s advisory board on future strategy in the field of digital TV technology.
“Inca has built a strong brand in the North American market with innovative technology and it’s powerful and unique VidiOS software,” said WISI CEO, Sihn. “In addition to introducing our global clients to the Inca products, we are equally excited about Inca bringing the extensive WISI product catalog to video operators in the large and dynamic markets of the US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.”
Inca products are now available globally via existing WISI sales channels. WISI products are now in field trials with a number of North American operators and are available via existing Inca sales channels.