Sun TV to use Irdeto's Digital TV Security Solution in Launch of Direct-to-Home Satellite Broadcasts Across India

Irdeto expands existing relationship with Sun TV in emerging India market Launch of Direct-to-Home Satellite Broadcasts Across India

Singapore – CommunicAsia — Irdeto, the global expert in content security for digital TV, IPTV and mobile networks, announced today at CommunicAsia that it has signed an agreement with India’s Sun Direct TV to protect Sun TV’s new direct-to-home (DTH) satellite television service.

Sun TV already runs direct-to-operator and cable TV systems in southern India utilizing Irdeto’s state-of-the-art security technology. It has now opted to employ Irdeto’s PIsys conditional access solution to secure the launch of a DTH pay television platform in the second quarter of 2007.

Sun Direct TV is set to introduce the new DTH pay TV network following the launch of a next-generation Insat communications satellite by the Indian Space Research Organization in September 2007. Sun Direct TV will use Irdeto’s world-leading conditional access system to manage content and revenues in the satellite broadcasting venture, and has placed an initial order for 500,000 Irdeto smart cards as part of that system.

“Sun’s expanding partnership with Irdeto has proven to be extremely successful for both sides,” stated Kalanithi Maran, CEO for Sun Direct TV. “Sun is a pioneer and leading force in the introduction of digital pay TV models across southern India, and Irdeto’s content security has helped the company become a market leader.” “Irdeto’s security solutions for Sun’s cable operations have proven to be excellent, so it was natural for us to select Irdeto to protect Sun Direct’s new satellite TV platform,” he added.

“As leading Indian broadcasters like Sun TV expand their operations across digital cable, satellite and other platforms, they will increasingly depend on content protection systems that can be deployed across a spectrum of convergent broadcasting technologies, and Irdeto is the proven global leader in this field,” said Graham Kill, CEO for Irdeto.

“The government’s strengthening support for digital TV, India’s burgeoning middle class, and its vibrant film industry is all adding momentum to the creation of new broadcasting and viewership models that require proven security technology,” said Thierry Raymaekers, Area Sales Director South-Asia for Irdeto. “We provide secure systems worldwide to protect valuable television content and revenues. Irdeto is also building an expert service network across India to facilitate the country’s passage into the digital TV era.”