Well, new TV chatters will have something to look forward to this summer. An updated platform version of the countrys first interactive chat TV channel, Link TV, was launched last Wednesday at the Philippine Cable TV Associations (PCTA) International Convention held at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. Called ChikkaTV, it is a "do-it-yourself," customizable and upgradeable TV chat and entertainment platform installable merely by a CD. It was designed precisely for any cable system operator (CSO) anywhere in the country, no matter how large or small its base of subscribers is. CSOs may even decide to merge their communities so that they can chat with each other on ChikkaTV. This now also makes it possible for easy strategic apportioning of communities that share the same dialect.
A number of big provincial cable operators have now signed up for ChikkaTV to enjoy the advantages of its unified access code (the number people "text" to post their messages on a TV screen) for all major GSM networks. The cable system operators also possess the ability to control local advertisements together with any ticker and text sections that scroll through the TV screen. ChikkaTV can even filter any foul and offensive expressions, in any language or dialect.
The platform being employed uses patented technologies and processes that have allowed Chikka and its affiliates unsurpassed creativity with plain SMS (making it highly interactive). For ChikkaTV, these patented processes translate into the simplicity of mobile registration and actual posting of messages. "Suffixing," or the attachment of dynamic alphanumeric indices to the access codes, is key to these processes.
In 2002, Chikka Asia Inc. received ISO 9001:2000 certification for its quality management systems from SGS (Societe Generale de Surveillance), becoming the first mobile data enabler in the country and possibly in the world, to achieve certification in ISOs latest series.
Congratulations Chikka for your many firsts and happy TV chatting to all cable viewers all over the country.