Espial has inked a new agreement with Motorola which will see the electronics giant reselling Espial's set-top box products to operators worldwide.

Ottawa-based Espial said it had signed a software licence and distribution agreement with Motorola for Espial's Evo TV Service Platform, as part of Espial's channel development strategy.

"(Motorola is) well-positioned to capitalize on the increasing demand for IPTV (Internet protocol-based television) and hybrid IP-digital video broadcast systems," said Espial CEO Jaison Dolvane in a statement. "This business relationship expands our global channel present and fulfilment capacity. It further strengthens the foundation we are building to scale our business to intercept emerging opportunities in the Service Provider TV market."

Mr. Dolvane said Espial will be working with Motorola to win new customers, with a current focus on opportunities in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia.

The Evo TV Service Platform includes the customer-facing Evo Client middleware that offers features such as video on demand, electronic TV guides and Internet browsers for television, and the carrier-grade Evo Server, which allows service providers to deliver, manage and sell IPTV services, as well as related applications.

Espial's stock price leapt five cents to $1.55 on Friday morning, although the stock has been somewhat flat or downward-trending since April. The stock has fallen drastically since its 52-week peak of $9.25 in July of last year, shortly after its June 8 debut on the Toronto Stock Exchange.