One Horizon Group
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| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Nasdaq: OHGI | |
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Predecessor | Abbey Technology GmbH Satcom Group Holdings Intelligent Communication Enterprise |
| Founded | March 1999 |
| Founder | Brian Collins |
| Headquarters | Baar , Switzerland |
Number of locations | Switzerland, Ireland, UK, Russia, Singapore, Hong Kong, India and China |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Brian Collins-Founder/CEO Martin Ward-CFO |
| Products | Horizon Platform: Smartphone VoIP App, VoIP Server Applications and VoIP Media Gateway hardware. |
| Revenue |  US$9.1 million (2013) ir |
| Website | www |
One Horizon Group develops and licenses its proprietary SmartPacket technology which is ten times more efficient than traditional Session_Initiation_Protocol systems such as Skype, which were initially designed for static Ethernet connections. By approaching and working with carriers directly, One Horizon allows carriers to monetize their data channel and prevent cannibalization. The process, which as mentioned is ten times more efficient than peer VoIP services because it uses fixed-line infrastructure, is a natural fit with mobile operators who have typically purchased the right to operate the fixed-line from the government[1].
One Horizons' international headquarters and R&D facilities are located in Switzerland, with branch offices in Ireland, the United Kingdom, China, Russia, Singapore, India and Hong Kong.
Technology
Limitations of Mobile VoIP
The three fundamental issues with Voice over IP (VoIP) on wireless data networks (also known as packet-based networks) are[2]:
SmartPacket Technology
The core of the Horizon solution is its proprietary SmartPacket[3] technology that address Latency (audio), Jitter and Packet loss. It enables VoIP from only 2 kilobytes/second (kbps) compared to around 8kbit/s from other VoIP platforms available today. This solution was developed in-house by the company.
Products
The Horizon Platform is a bandwidth-efficient Voice Over Internet Protocol ("VoIP") platform for smartphones and tablets, and also provides optimized data applications including multi-media messaging and mobile advertising. Using its SmartPacket software technique, they have been able to significantly improve the efficiency by which voice signals are transmitted by radio over the Internet resulting in a 10X reduction in mobile spectrum required to transmit a VoIP call[4].
Horizon Call[5][6] is a mobile VoIP application for iOS and Android operating systems. The app allows users to call other Horizon Call apps and also enables users to make and take calls to and from landlines and mobile phones. The user has the option to choose between high and low bandwidth data consumption rates. Horizon Call operates reliably over GPRS, EDGE, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi or WiMAX networks due to its proprietary SmartPacket technology[7].
Horizon Global Exchange is the core network of the Horizon system.
Horizon Mobile advertising Engine is a customer advertising portal. This service allows operators to deliver Mobile advertisements to their subscribers based on database profiling or GPS location. Ads can be delivered over the Internet or over SMS.
Horizon VoIP Switch is a Media Gateway that provides connectivity between the Horizon Call App to industry standard telecommunication service infrastructures such as Primary Rate Interface, Session Initiation Protocol, Signalling System No. 7 and Enterpirse IP PBX systems. The server supports up to 240 simultaneous inbound/outbound PSTN calls via 1, 2, 4 or 8 T1/E1 interface and up to 4,096 inbound/outbound app to app calls.
Horizon VoIP PBX is a client terminal with multiple FXS lines routed via an internet connection. The terminal can have up to eight analogue telephones connected to it for simultaneous calling over an Internet connection[8].
Horizon Desktop App is a software suite that provides optimised email, instant messaging, VoIP and internet browsing applications[9].
Corporate History
Mar. 1999 - Nov. 2010: Software Roots in Switzerland
One Horizon Group, Inc. started in the banking software industry operating as Abbey Technology that developed and licensed its software to banks in Switzerland and also licensed its software through banking software distributor Finnova AG.[10]
AbWeb Java Products
The core of the Abbey Technology suite of products was a proprietary Web Application Server with customized add-on components designed and delivered to customers requirements.
Intertwine VoIP and Messaging
Developed a new Windows PC application based on the AbWeb server as a secure text and Voice over IP application. SatCom Group Holdings[11] licensed the Intertwine products and distributed the product branded as Horizon.
Patent Application A patent application number US 2013/0143552 A1 was filed with the USPTO and other patent authoirities around the world for the proprietary Voice over IP methodologies that Intertwine used to enable Voice services over high latency, high jitter wireless networks.
Smartphone R&D In June 2010 the Company commenced the research and development of the Intertwine services for smartphones.
Nov. 2010 - Oct. 2012: SatCom Group Holdings Merger
In November 2010 Abbey Technology merged with Satcom Group Holdings and Brian Collins joined the board of the new company as Chief Technology Officer while continuing as CEO of the wholly owned subsidiary Abbey Technology.[12]
The newly combined company continued to drive software the licensing business in the satellite sector and focused it's R&D efforts for it to offer its optimized Horizon platform to mobile network operators as a technology to combat the revenue erosion driven by Over-the-top content (OTT) smartphone applications.
Name Change Shortly after the merger, on 21 January 2011, the Company changed its name from SatCom Group Holdings to One Horizon Group.[13] In 2012, the Company announced plans for an Initial Public Offering in Hong Kong.[14]
Divestiture of Satellite Businesses In October 2012 the Company sold the Satcom Global business and all the subsidiaries involved in satellite communications to Broadband Satellite Services Limited.
Nov. 2012 - Present: One Horizon Group, Inc.
Reverse Merger In November 2012, the Securities Exchange Agreement was completed between Intelligent Communication Enterprise Corporation and One Horizon Group. Following this, in December 2012 the American company filed to change its name from Intelligent Communication Enterprise Corporation to One Horizon Group, Inc. FINRA approved this change, effective 31 January 2013. Along with the name change, Intelligent Communication Enterprise Corporation also filed with Finra to change its ticker symbol from ICMC to OHGI, this was also approved. These changes ultimately make One Horizon Group Inc., a US company, from January 2013.[15]
R&D Expansion in Ireland On 17 September 2013 the Company opened a new software research and development office in the Nexus Innovation Centre on the campus of the University of Limerick in Ireland.
NASDAQ Uplift On 2 July 2014 the Company received approval by NASDAQ's Listing Qualifications Department to list its common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market. The Companys common stock commenced trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market on 9 July 2014 under the same ticker symbol "OHGI".
Joint Ventures
India One Horizon Group launched Horizon in India through a joint venture agreement with Voicecom Technologies in October 2011. Horizon Globex India Pvt Ltd was formed to target network operators in this region. The high penetration of smartphones in India’s crowded urban areas is ideally suited for Horizon’s business model.[16]
China In May 2013, One Horizon Group launched Horizon Network Technology Co., Ltd in China through a joint venture agreement with ZTEsoft.[17] Horizon Network Technology Co., Ltd was formed to target network operators in Asia region and to contribute to the software development for the Chinese market.
Russia In April 2013, One Horizon Group launched OOO Horizon Globex Rus in Russia through a joint venture agreement. OOO Horizon Globex Rus was formed to target network operators in Russia.
Operator in China In December 2013, One Horizon Group announced that its Ishuo Network Information Co., a limited liability company, organized in China and controlled by One Horizon, has agreed to invest in Chongqing Leixin Network Technology in a joint venture with Leiqiang Telecommunications Co. Ltd. The joint venture will service the country's fast-growing smart phone market by delpoying One Horizon's Internet optimization technology in conjunction with the Leiqiang 95131 area code number range throughout China.
Strategic Partnerships
In September 2011, One Horizon Group announced that it entered into a strategic partnership with SingTel to market Horizon to the maritime industry.[18]
In March 2012, One Horizon Group formed a strategic partnership with IEC Telecom Group to bring Horizon to IEC’s customer base in Asia and Africa.[19]
Accreditations and Certifications
In December 2011, the Group’s wholly owned subsidiary Horizon Globex was awarded certifications for ISO 9001 and 20000-1, the worldwide standards for assuring quality in the products and services that a company offers.[20]
This was followed by the accreditation of the Horizon VoIP PBX for use with the Sailor Fleet Broadband terminals 150/250/500 from Thrane and Thrane in February 2012.[21]
References
- ^ http://seekingalpha.com/article/1991161-one-horizon-group-and-the-digital-voice-revolution, 4 February 2014
- ^ http://www.satmagazine.com/story.php?number=1989189695, 6 November 2014
- ^ http://www.satmagazine.com/story.php?number=1989189695, 6 November 2014
- ^ http://www.satmagazine.com/story.php?number=1989189695, 6 November 2014
- ^ https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/horizon-call/id556336432?mt=8
- ^ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.horizonglobex.android.horizoncall
- ^ http://www.satmagazine.com/story.php?number=1989189695, 6 November 2014
- ^ http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=210621380, 15 May 2012
- ^ http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=210621380, 15 May 2012
- ^ http://www.finnova.ch, 1 June 2008
- ^ http://www.satcomglobal.com, 6 January 2009
- ^ SatCom Group Holdings merges with Abbey Technologies, http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=907346711, 11 November 2010
- ^ SatCom Group Holdings Changes Name to One Horizon Group, http://www.satellitetoday.com/st/headlines/35974.html?hq_e=el&hq_m=2126488&hq_l=17&hq_v=dba404a40a, 21 January 2011
- ^ One Horizon eyes Hong Kong IPO in 2012, EJ Insight, 23 September 2011, http://www.ejinsight.com/template/eng/news/jsp/detail.jsp?dnews_id=311&title_id=21490,
- ^ http://finance.yahoo.com/news/one-horizon-group-inc-name-144554283.html Jan,2013
- ^ One Horizon spreads VoIP technology in India, Satellite Evolution, 10 October 2011, http://www.satellite-evolution.com/group/site/?p=5725
- ^ http://www.ztesoft.com
- ^ Horizon and SingTel in partnership deal, Digital Ship,16 September 2011, http://www.thedigitalship.com/conferences/2006/displaynews.asp?NewsID=1796
- ^ One Horizon Group signs agreement with IEC Telecom Group, Talk Satellite, 6 March 2012 http://www.talksatellite.com/EMEA-A1939.htm
- ^ Horizon Globex achieves top satellite communications certification, Talk Satellite, 6 December 2011, http://www.talksatellite.com/EMEA-A1805.htm
- ^ Horizon gains accreditation from Thrane and Thrane, Maritime Executive, 23 February 2012, http://www.maritime-executive.com/pressrelease/horizon-gains-accreditation-from-thrane-thrane
External links
- Business data for One Horizon Group, Inc.: