The9 Ltd. (NCTY)

[Blue Sky Basin]

News : New set-top box aims to tap demand
By Zhu Shenshen | February 28, 2014, Friday | PRINT EDITION
A set-top box developed by a joint venture of Shenzhen-based ZTE Corp and Shanghai-based game firm The9 Ltd will debut next month, said ZTE, China’s biggest listed telecommunications equipment maker.

The set-top box will boast the highest Internet access speed in China as it rides on ZTE network equipment. Guangdong Cable, which has injected 12.5 million yuan (US$2.05 million) into the joint venture, will provide video content while The9 offers latest online games on TV.

China’s set-top box sales hit 260 million units by the end of September, up 20 percent annually, according to Beijing-based Guideline Research.

The set-top box — connecting the Internet, TV and home entertainment — is regarded as the next big prospect in the information technology industry after smartphones and tablets.

China’s set-top box market also hosts BesTV of SMG, LeTV, iQiyi of Baidu and Xiaomi.

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/business/it/New-settop-box-aims-to-tap-demand/shdaily.shtml