Melita Secures DVB-C Hybrid HD TV Services With Verimatrix

VCAS for DVB Hybrid Provides Revenue Security and Flexibility to Increase ARPU Now and in Future

NEW ORLEANS, LA — SCTE Cable-Tec Expo Booth #124 — Verimatrix, the specialist in securing and enhancing revenue for multi-screen digital TV services around the globe, has deployed its Verimatrix Content Authority System (VCAS™) for DVB Hybrid on Melita’s cable and IPTV hybrid network. Melita PLC, a leading quad play telecom provider in Malta, is the first operator to offer high definition (HD) TV to Maltese subscribers over its HFC network. Verimatrix is showcasing its VCAS for DVB capabilities at SCTE Cable-Tec Expo at booth #124.

The Melita HD TV service offers a line-up of 150 SD channels and 10 new HD channels, which included the 2010 FIFA World Cup matches. The Melita netbox HD, developed in partnership with French set-top box provider Netgem, allows its 180,000 subscribers to pause, rewind and record live television channels. The hybrid set-top box with a dual DVB-C Tuner and an IP return path gives Melita the flexibility to easily add interactive services, such as social networking and over-the-top OTT video options. Verimatrix’s software-based solution is able to secure live and interactive content delivery via a single security headend, reducing OPEX and CAPEX as the operator expands its services.

“Verimatrix offers not only a cost-effective solution to enhance security on our hybrid network, but also a solid vision on how we can expand our services as our networks continue to converge,” explained Simon Montanaro, CTO for Melita. “We were impressed with Verimatrix’s breadth of partner ecosystem, which provided a more holistic approach to our network upgrade and reduced our time to market, which was important to be ready for the World Cup.”

VCAS for DVB enables Melita to combine its HFC network using the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) standards-based technology for broadcast distribution with the interactivity of an IP-based network using a single robust security solution. Melita has chosen to implement Verimatrix’s next-generation security platform alongside its legacy conditional access (CA) vendor via DVB Simulcrypt, which allows it to deploy VCAS for DVB where new services are introduced while leaving the legacy CA system in place to serve only those subscribers who chose not to upgrade the new services.

“We are working with many cable operators that need to maximize bandwidth efficiency for MPEG-4 to introduce enhanced services, such as HD. A DVB / IP hybrid network is a beneficial match that leverages existing investments while taking advantage of the interactivity and flexibility of IP,” said Steve Oetegenn, chief sales and marketing officer of Verimatrix. “We are very proud to help enable Melita become the first cable operator to offer HD services in the region.”