Frontier Silicon CEO Anthony Sethill Appointed to Internet Media Device Alliance Steering Committee

Frontier Silicon, a leading provider of digital radio technology, has announced its founding membership of the Internet Media Device Alliance (IMDA), to be launched at next month’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Frontier’s CEO, Anthony Sethill, has been appointed to serve on the steering committee of the new association.

IMDA aims to develop and promote a set of open standards and device profiles to maximise growth of a global consumer market in Internet-connected media devices.

“Being selected to serve on the steering committee is a great honour, and will help ensure that Frontier Silicon’s Internet radio solutions continue to provide receiver manufacturers with class-leading, solutions offering full interoperability with broadcasters and content providers,” stated Anthony Sethill.

The Alliance will concentrate on the definition of a series of end-to-end technical standards, functions and profiles, encouraging development of a range of Internet media devices, and on the promotion of Internet-connected technology to consumers and retailers. Membership is open to consumer electronics OEMs and retailers, radio broadcasters, content aggregators, online music service providers, device manufacturers and technology providers.

“Frontier Silicon is a pioneer in Internet radio and audio streaming solutions, and its active participation in the IMDA is crucially important in enabling us to achieve the authority we need as a voice for the Internet radio industry,” commented Harry Johnson, CEO of vTuner and chair of the IMDA steering committee.

“The market for Internet radio is increasing rapidly, driven by the growing availability of Internet radio and premium content such as Last.fm, Pandora, Rhapsody and Napster,” added Anthony Sethill. “Consumers want assurance that products will integrate easily into their home networks and function effectively with their existing audio equipment. The IMDA certification programme will provide this. Frontier’s role in the formation of the IMDA affirms our position as the leading supplier of Internet radio connected audio products to the global consumer electronics market.”

Frontier Silicon’s latest digital radio module, Venice 6.2, is already designed to ensure seamless interoperability with home network and connected home audio music players. Its associated standards-compliant platform, Jupiter 6.2, is being announced at CES next month. Frontier’s active participation in IMDA will ensure that receiver manufacturers incorporating the company’s technology will also be able to certify their Internet radio products as IMDA compliant – giving consumers, retailers and broadcasters alike the confidence to depend on these certified products.

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Editor’s Notes

The unanimous decision to form the IMDA was taken at the Internet Radio Summit in 2008, hosted by the BBC in London. The IMDA steering committee consists of the following members:

• Harry Johnson – vTuner
• John Ousby – BBC
• Anthony Sethill – Frontier Silicon
• Colin Crawford – Pure Digital
• Nick Piggott – Global Radio
• Ben Terrell – Reciva
• Olivier Carmona – AwoX
• Oliver Depardon – Orange (France Telecom)
• Stephan Noethen – TerraTec
• Todd Beals - Audiovox

The inaugural General Assembly Meeting of the IMDA will be held on 9 January 2009 during CES. The meeting will outline IMDA’s mission, objectives, membership opportunities and structure.

Further information is available at www.IMDAlliance.org

About Frontier Silicon Limited

Frontier Silicon is the world’s leading supplier of integrated circuits and modules for digital audio receiver products and mobile digital TV. Established in 2001 as a privately funded fabless semiconductor company, Frontier Silicon has over 140 employees. The company is based in Watford, England, with design centres in Cambridge, Dublin and Shannon. Frontier also has offices and technical support representation in Hong Kong, China and Japan. Products include complete solutions for digital audio systems including DAB, Internet radio and mobile TV, from silicon through software to production-ready platform designs.

Customers include Bang & Olufsen, Bose, Bush, Cyrus, Denon, Goodmans, Grundig, harman/kardon, Hitachi, JVC, Magic Box, Ministry of Sound, NAD, Onkyo, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Pure, Revo, Roberts, Samsung, Sanyo, Sharp, Sony, TEAC, Tivoli Audio and Yamaha.

Frontier Silicon is a trademark or registered trademark of Frontier Silicon Ltd.