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.
SCM Microsystems, Inc.
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.
SCM Microsystems, Inc.
© 2004 PR Newswire
