The deal calls for Pace to provide a minimum of 40,000 Worldboxes to Gradiente, who will assemble the boxes, as well as market and distribute them to NET SAT’s satellite service consumers.
Currently deployed in New Zealand and Mexico, the Worldbox is a DVB-compliant home gateway box designed for reception of digital satellite services. It features an on-screen electronic program guide (EPG), menus (with language options) and includes an integrated modem. The box is also capable of receiving over-air software downloads to ensure future proofing.
We’re delighted to work with NET SAT and Gradiente – two leading pioneers in the satellite and manufacturing industries – and to further establish Pace in the Brazilian market. We believe this agreement with NET SAT and Gradiente is the continuation of a long-term relationship to offer customers the best digital satellite services available, said Neil Gaydon, president of Pace Americas.
Gradiente has been extremely satisfied working with Pace over the years. Gradiente, Pace, and NET SAT have worked together in the past to introduce the first DTH service in Brazil in 1996, and we’re looking forward to offer the Worldbox in Brazil as well, said Claive Tanganelli, chief executive officer of Gradiente Audio and Video Ltd.
Ricardo Miranda, chief financial officer of NET SAT Servicos, agreed, Pace and Gradiente are valuable and strategic suppliers. Pace was the first technology supplier to NET SAT when it started the Sky satellite service in Brazil. Pace is always bringing innovative products to our customers. This agreement will foster a long-term relationship and a strategic alliance.
About Gradiente
Gradiente is a publicly held company with revenues of over R$ 1.3 billion in the 2000 financial year. Gradiente has 1,700 employees and its three manufacturing plants are located in Manaus, capital of the Amazonian region of northern Brazil. With its administrative headquarters in Sao Paulo, Gradiente operates in the segments of audio and video equipment, telecommunications, entertainment and electronic security systems. The Company combines the characteristics of diversification, excellence and state of the art technology and has a vast range of products that are clearly identified by the Brazilian consumer as synonymous with quality. The Company’s strategy of entering into multiple technological associations includes such partners as Nokia, JVC and Nintendo – world leaders in their fields.
About NET SAT
NET SAT is Latin America’s largest provider of digital Direct-To-Home (DTH) satellite services, with over 650 thousand subscribers as of December 2000. Net Sat operates its service in Brazil under the SKY brand name and is owned by Organizacoes Globo, News Corporation and Liberty Media Corporation. NET SAT has access to several DTH exclusive programming and currently offers 152 channels including 104 video, 40 audio and 8 mosaics channels. The Company is the fastest growing platform in Brazil and currently holds 55% of the national DTH market, which represents 17% of the Brazilian pay TV market.
