Samsung Electronics and Charter Communications have announced a strategic partnership for the joint development and promotion of two-way digital cable TV in the US.

The companies will join hands for developing the technology and marketing the efforts to accelerate the sale of digital TVs embedded with XHT bi-directional digital cable receivers and compliant devices (XHT HDTV and other XHT related devices).

Through this agreement, both companies intend to deploy a low-cost Network Interface Unit (NIU) and XHT HDTV that would enable two-way digital cable services, including Interactive Programme Guide (IPG), impulse Pay Per View (iPPV) and Video on Demand (VOD). This would increase the number of Charter High Definition (HD) digital cable customers. The joint development and promotional efforts regarding the XHT HDTV are expected to accelerate the provision of Charter HD digital cable services, as well as increase the market share of Digital TVs for Samsung Electronics in the US.

XHT is a home networking technology that incorporates the use of a firewire cable that securely transmits multiple HD signals, respects Digital Rights Management and utilises an internet communication protocol in order to easily control and simply access to multiple HDTVs and audio/video devices with a single remote control.

Charter Communications provides a range of advanced broadband services to the home, including cable television on an advanced digital video-programming platform via Charter Digital and Charter High-Speed Internet service. Charter also provides business-to-business video, data and Internet protocol (IP) solutions through Charter Business.