Russian TV Picks Irdeto

A leading expert in content and business model protection solutions and services Irdeto, has just announced that Russian TV Time (RTVT) has selected and begun deployment of the Irdeto DVB SmartStart solution for its direct-to-home (DTH) service for Russian-speakers across the globe. RTVT plans to target Russian speakers in Western Europe, Russia and surrounding CIS countries as well as in the United States in a phased approach.
RTVT deployed the first phase of its service with Irdeto DVB Conditional Access (CA) in May 2008 on Intelsat 12 (which covers the whole of Europe), and will enter the next stage of their expansion with the deployment of Irdeto's middleware solution before the end of 2008. RTVT will deploy Irdeto Customer Care & Billing in a later phase as well.
By implementing the Irdeto set-top box (STB) Software Solution, every RTVT-approved STB will have a common look and feel to the user interface and electronic program guide (EPG), making documentation and customer service simple. In addition to the Irdeto DVB CA system, RTVT will also deploy Irdeto's advanced Secure Chipset solution in all future STBs to protect their content and revenue from new and emerging forms of piracy.
RTVT chose the Irdeto DVB SmartStart suite of pay-TV solutions because of Irdeto's seven-year track record with no smart card swaps due to piracy along with the modularity and flexibility of the company’s solutions. Irdeto's Russian-speaking support centers in Moscow and Kiev were also an important factor in the decision.
"We selected Irdeto due to their stellar industry security record, their flexibility to assist us in achieving our goal to reach Russian speakers worldwide and for being a one-stop-shop to provide a full technical solution for conditional access, middleware and full customer care and billing," said Alexey Zigilov, General Director of RTVT.
(BMcC)