Qrix Communications Selects SCM Microsystems to Provide CableCARDS for Korean Digital TV
June 03 2005 - 3:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
Qrix Communications Selects SCM Microsystems to Provide CableCARDS
for Korean Digital TV FREMONT, Calif., June 3
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SCM Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCMM;
Prime Standard: SMY) today announced that it has signed its fourth
customer for OpenCable(TM)-compliant CableCARD(TM) modules in South
Korea, the cable operator Qrix Communications. The Qrix module
incorporates the Nagravision conditional access (CA) system and
will be used to protect cable pay-TV content from piracy. "SCM's
CableCARD solution is the only one that enables us to immediately
deploy the required OpenCable(TM) technology," said Duke Lee,
managing director of Qrix Communications. "SCM is helping us to
experience the benefits of open technology and to affordably
provide more services to our customers." Qrix Communications boasts
520,000 subscribers and is pushing to be among the first cable
operators in South Korea to launch a full range of interactive
services, including video on demand (VOD), subscription video on
demand (SVOD) and interactive pay-per-view (IPPV). Qrix plans to
begin rolling out these new services in the Seoul metro area in the
first half of 2005. Robert Schneider, chief executive officer of
SCM Microsystems, commented, "As the pioneer of removable security,
SCM developed our CableCARD modules based on years of experience
working with the OpenCable standard. We believe that it will
enhance the profitability of market participants and allow
consumers greater choice as digital TV is rolled out in South
Korea." Pierre Roy, chief operating officer of Nagravision, said,
"We are happy to offer to our existing conditional access system
customer Qrix, in collaboration with SCM, a CableCARD solution
compatible with the requirements of the Korean government." The
Digital TV Market in Korea The South Korean government is deploying
digital cable television to between six and nine million households
in South Korea over the next several years. In November 2001, the
South Korean government selected OpenCable as the technical
standard for securing the country's digital cable TV broadcasts. By
adopting this open standards-based broadcast security model, the
South Korean government hopes to create a digital television
industry that is both competitive for consumers and profitable for
operators. OpenCable was originally developed by Cable Television
Laboratories, Inc. (CableLabs(R)) for the North American cable TV
market and subsequently was adapted for use in South Korea.
Although the Korean security module is based on the same OpenCable
CableCARD interface specification used in the U.S., the Korean
security modules will not operate with U.S. OpenCable devices, or
vice versa, for regional security purposes. About Qrix
Communications Qrix Communications is the one of the largest cable
operators in South Korea that delivers digital broadcasting and
high-speed internet access in Seoul. A recognized leader in the
Korean broadband market, the company is well-known and regarded as
an early adopter of new technologies in order to provide advanced
services to its customers. Qrix Communications introduced digital
broadcasting services in early 2004 with Digital Multimedia Center
(DMC). The company's advanced service will offers customers
additional advantages with interactive services such as VOD, T-game
and T-Government. About Nagravision Nagravision
(http://www.nagra.com/), a Kudelski Group company, is the world's
leading independent supplier of open conditional access and
integrated solutions for digital TV operators and content
providers. Its technologies are currently being used by more than
100 leading operators worldwide serving over 50 million
subscribers. About SCM Microsystems SCM Microsystems is a leading
supplier of solutions that open the Digital World by enabling
people to securely 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: OpenCable
and CableCARD are trademarks and CableLabs is registered trademark
of Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. (CableLabs). All other trade
names are either trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective holders. DATASOURCE: SCM Microsystems, Inc. CONTACT:
Manfred Mueller, +49 89 95 95 5140, or , or Darby Dye,
+1-510-360-2302, or , both of SCM Microsystems, Inc. Web site:
http://www.scmmicro.com/
Copyright