Hitachi is among the list of four Asian technology vendors who have just joined the Home Gateway Initiative, the organization promoting standards for hardware and software in the digital home that connect consumers and services.
Also on board are Sumitomo Electric, Shenzhen GongJin and Ralink. These companies all manufacture home gateways, software infrastructure, applications and home network devices.
The Initiative is attracting some large companies. Japan-based Sumitomo Electric, for example, has more than 150,000 employees.
“The variety of home network services is becoming greater and greater and we think it’s important for vendors to follow the latest requirements ... HGI’s presence is growing and becoming more important in Asia and I believe Sumitomo can contribute to this by sharing our experience and technology, said Minoru Kuramoto, general manager, Network Systems Department, Sumitomo Electric.
HGI is looking for members; just about any organization, government body, corporation or individual firm can apply if it supports HGI’s mission.
“We already have many Asian companies in HGI and membership in this region continues to grow strongly," said Duncan Bees, chief business and technology officer, HGI. “Companies actively participating in the HGI are able to share ideas with other industry members in an open forum. This has benefits for the industry as a whole as well as the members themselves and ultimately for users throughout the world."
