"4th MEDIA" is a high-quality broadband Video Distribution Service for individual members that utilizes the IPv6 network service that is provided by NTT East and NTT West. Members can enjoy the multi-channel broadcast service "4th MEDIA television service" and VOD service "4th MEDIA video service" by connecting the special "4th MEDIA tuner" to their TV.

4th MEDIA service has already been available since July 8th, 2004 in areas of NTT East, and the service is going to be expanded to areas of NTT West. Assuming that more individual members will join this service in the future, "StreamCruiser®" IP-STB that is developed by Sumitomo Electric Networks and easy to operate and has excellent functions in a compact body as well as a function to apply IPv6 network service easily is adopted as the special terminal for receiving this service.

"StreamCruiser®" IP-STB is an IP Set-top Boxes that is connected to your TV to receive various image distributions in a broadband environment that uses FTTH or ADSL. This product is equipped with the high-speed and low-delay packet loss compensation technology "DFRaptor™" that Sumitomo Electric Networks has jointly developed with Digital Fountain, Inc. to compensate the packet loss that occurs on a best-effort type IP network, so higher quality and more stable Video Distribution Service will be realized from now on.

In addition, "StreamCruiser®" IP-STB is equipped with self-developed middleware, highly versatile browser, and highly reliable firmware remote update technology that has been tested in ADLS and FTTH devices to enable provision of wide variety of contents according to the carriers' needs. This product can provide excellent service quality in the IP broadcast and VOD business that is expected to grow in the future.

Sumitomo Electric Networks is committed to providing high-quality, easy-to-use products and solutions for the expected widespread diffusion of broadband networks.