Tencent selects GIPS technology to improve voice quality for 150 million QQ users in China
Global IP Sound Asian expansion delivers highest levels of support for customers in the region
Hong Kong January 4, 2006 — Tencent, a leading provider of Internet and mobile value-added services in China, has selected Global IP Sound (GIPS) VoiceEngine™ PC Advanced to improve voice quality for the more than 150 million users of its Internet Instant Messaging (IM) service, QQ, in China.
QQ is an IM platform that enables users to communicate in real time across the Internet, and via mobile and fixed line telecommunications networks using various terminal devices to offer a variety of entertainment and community features to more than 150 million users. Tencent was one of the first Internet Instant Messaging (IM) software developers in China, and is a leading provider for Internet and mobile value-added services with a focus on IM and related value-added services. With such a dynamic customer base it is essential that Tencent is able to deliver new services with high quality quickly and cost effectively.
Tencent will be utilising GIPS VoiceEngine PC Advanced to deliver VoIP (Voice-Over-Internet Protocol) calls with better voice quality than cellular or traditional PSTN phones. GIPS VoiceEngine provides comprehensive, packaged VoIP solution that enables superior sound quality. It includes GIPS SoundWare™, a robust suite of sound processing software, developed to improve sound quality for voice over packet applications on any level: chip, board, gateway, VoIP handset or software application. GIPS SoundWare ensures telco-grade voice quality and resilience against packet loss, jitter, delay and clock drift, even under adverse network conditions.
“The selection of GIPS VoiceEngine platform for the latest version of QQ 2005 is ensuring that Tencent is able to provide the highest quality voice support for our customers in China.” said Mr.Lu Shan, General Manager – IM Product Group, Tencent Ltd. “It’s a very competitive market and our users are discerning individuals who demand the highest levels of voice quality. However, it’s not simply a case of selecting a technology platform, as Tencent is also looking for a partner that understands the China market and is as dedicated and as flexible as we are. “
“GIPS has proven time and again to be a company that is willing to go above and beyond to meet the needs of its customers. With the recent opening of the GIPS regional sales office in Hong Kong, Asian customers are guaranteed the highest levels of local-language engineering support, which is vital in such a fast-paced and constantly-evolving market.” said Mr. Lu Shan, Tencent Ltd.
By leveraging Global IP Sound’s patented solutions and expertise, Tencent is able to rapidly deploy voice-enabled products without having to solve the complex issues that affect voice quality. This enables Tencent to improve time-to-market and reduce its development costs.
GIPS VoiceEngine delivers all of the necessary interfaces and components to implement Voice over IP, allowing Tencent to focus on its core competencies and product development rather than the complex integration and tuning of voice processing software.
“Tencent’s implementation of GIPS VoiceEngine is an important milestone for GIPS,” said Mr. John Fargis, General Manager - Asia Pacific, Global IP Sound. “Tencent is probably the largest IM service provider in China and the company has captured more than 70% market share. As such, GIPS is proud to be supporting Tencent and its QQ service, delivering the highest quality voice support to its 150 million users in China. However, it’s not just the implementation of the GIPS VoiceEngine that makes this deal so important; it is also the validation of our decision to open our regional sales office in Hong Kong, confirming that our continued commitment to investing in the region is the right approach.”
GIPS maintained its momentum in the Asian market in 2005 by aggressively focusing on the region and opening a regional sales office in Hong Kong to provide sales, marketing and engineering services to customers in the Asia Pacific region.