French telecom operator SFR is giving up on its Google Android STBs following the acquisition by Numericable-Altice.
SFR launched the Android powered devices in late 2013 in order to quickly expand its hybrid content offering by giving its customers access to the Google Play store. Around a 100,000 customers are believed to have acquired an Android box.
SFR’s new owners do not want to give away too much power to Google and have developed their own proprietary middleware. Instead, SFR now wants to concentrate on its Labox Fibre, which is a copy of the Numericable STB on its FTTH network.
Meanwhile, French incumbent Orange is also betting on its own proprietary software and even launching its own HDMI stick to compete with Google Chromecast.
By contrast both Bouygues Telecom with its Bbox Miami and Free with its new Freebox STB are both relying on Android.
