SCM Ships First 50,000 Digital TV Security Modules to Turkish Operator DIGITURK
November 11 2004 - 2:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
SCM Ships First 50,000 Digital TV Security Modules to Turkish
Operator DIGITURK FREMONT, Calif., Nov. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/
-- SCM Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCMM; Prime Standard: SMY), a
leading provider of solutions that open the Digital World, today
announced that it has shipped the first 50,000 digital TV security
modules to Turkish operator DIGITURK, under its agreement with
Digital Platform A.S. of Istanbul. The modules are used to decrypt
premium sports content for DIGITURK subscribers both in Turkey as
well as across Europe. DIGITURK is the first and the only digital
direct-to-home satellite network in Turkey and, with 850,000
subscribers, the biggest Turkish pay-television operator. DIGITURK
offers subscribers content packages that range from full broadcast
services to specialized standalone content, such as "Lig TV" soccer
league programming. To decrypt Lig TV content, subscribers may
purchase a proprietary set-top box or request a removable security
module that fits into the Common Interface (CI) slot found on many
set-top receivers, which are readily available in electronics
stores throughout Europe. Taylan Ozsipahi, head of Set-Top Box
& Conditional Access Technologies for DIGITURK, commented, "We
selected SCM to provide security modules for our popular Lig TV
service because we saw pent up demand for CI module-based
decryption from our subscriber base both in Turkey and living
throughout Europe. This has proved successful, as the majority of
new Lig TV subscribers have requested the more convenient module
because it enables the subscribers to use the CI STBs which are
already available at their homes." Robert Schneider, chief
executive officer of SCM Microsystems, added, "We are very pleased
by the initial demand for decryption modules among DIGITURK's
subscriber base. DIGITURK is part of a growing trend of European
operators leveraging the expanding base of CI-ready DTVs and
set-top receivers with cost effective, CI-compliant security
modules. Over many years SCM has demonstrated our commitment to the
DVB standards; and our investment in supporting leading DTV
security systems positions us strongly to capitalize on this
growing trend." SCM's security modules for DIGITURK utilize the
Philips Cryptoworks(TM) security system, which DIGITURK is
reselling to existing and new subscribers in Turkey and throughout
its satellite footprint in Europe and the Middle East. The SCM
security modules comply with the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB)
Common Interface (CI) standard. Worldwide about 350 companies have
endorsed the DVB standard for digital TV security. Under the
standard, manufacturers design set top boxes and digital
televisions with a Common Interface (CI) slot that accepts a
security module. The security module works with a smart card issued
by the broadcaster and acts as a "lock" to safeguard broadcast
content. Consumers who already have a CI-ready digital television
or set top box can easily subscribe to premium pay-TV services
without adding an additional set top box. Established in 1997, the
DVB standard was approved by the European Committee for
Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC). SCM is a pioneer in
digital TV security and to date has provided more than seven
million security modules to operators in Europe and Asia.
Implementing security software under official license from the
world's leading conditional access providers, SCM's modules are
also used by operators such as Premiere, Canal Digitaal, ORF,
Multichoice, and TopUpTV in Europe and Broadband Solutions Inc.
(BSI) in Asia. About SCM Microsystems SCM Microsystems is a leading
supplier of solutions that open the Digital World by enabling
people to conveniently access digital content and services. The
company develops, markets and sells its smart card reader
technology for network and physical access and conditional access
modules for secure digital TV decryption to OEM customers in the
government, financial, enterprise and broadcasting markets
worldwide. Global headquarters are in Fremont, California, with
European headquarters in Ismaning, Germany. For additional
information, visit the SCM Microsystems web site at
http://www.scmmicro.com/. NOTE: All trade names are either
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
DATASOURCE: SCM Microsystems, Inc. CONTACT: Manfred Mueller of SCM
Microsystems, Inc., +49 89 95 95 5140, or ; or Deb Montner of
Montner & Associates, +1-203-226-9290, or Web site:
http://www.scmmicro.com/
Copyright