PrimeTel to launch IPTV service in Cyprus next month protected by Irdeto SoftClient, the secure software client of the Irdeto IPTV solution

SEPTEMBER 8, 2006 – PrimeTel Ltd., a telecommunications and information technology company, will protect its IPTV platform in Cyprus with the software-based IPTV content security solution from Irdeto. After a very successful pilot program, PrimeTel plans to launch its new IPTV service for commercial purposes in October 2006 and thus completes its offering as a triple-play service provider.

PrimeTel’s IPTV offerings will include free-to-air, pay TV and video on demand (VOD) services including an electronic program guide and proprietary middleware. The smart cardless Irdeto IPTV content security solution was chosen because it, during the evaluation phase of various suppliers, met the company’s technical and commercial requirements better than any other. To complete its IPTV architecture, PrimeTel chose set-top boxes from Kreatel and Kasenna’s VOD solution. The company expects to connect up to 30,000 subscribers in the next two years.

”When we started our evaluation, we searched for a robust security solution to protect our valuable content in a cost-efficient way,” said Hermes Stephanou, Managing Director at PrimeTel. “Irdeto was chosen as it is reliable, economical and user friendly. We can therefore avoid piracy and make sure that our great selection of digital TV entertainment is protected.”

“Though the IPTV market and accordingly the piracy in this area are still at their early stages, operators who broadcast over IP networks risk their networks being compromised if they don’t use proven content security. It is very important to choose the right security partner in order to prevent loss of revenue,” said Graham Kill, CEO of Irdeto. “Irdeto’s more than 300 satisfied customers worldwide prove that Irdeto provides such a solution.”

Irdeto, a subsidiary of multinational media group Naspers (NASDAQ: NPSN and JSE: NPN), works with world-class partners to help operators develop best-of-breed IPTV infrastructures, giving operators a choice of which IPTV solution works best for their business. Irdeto IPTV uses patented technologies to achieve smart card-level security in a software-based set-top box security client.

About PrimeTel

PrimeTel Ltd is a telecommunication and information technology company, incorporated in Cyprus. Current shareholder is TeleDev East Ltd, a holding company of Thunderworx, Stelcom, Telecet, Formula Plus and TimeOnline.

PrimeTel owns and operates a truly regional network, spanning across Greece, Cyprus, Russia and the United Kingdom, providing city-to-city connectivity, data communications and IP-based services between key European and Middle East markets. PrimeTel is one of the few telecommunications operators in the region that can provide a full spectrum of connectivity and services.

Through its strategic partnership with the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) in the field of Telecommunications, PrimeTel owns and operates a nationwide fiber optic network. This fiber network platform allows PrimeTel to offer unlimited Broadband capabilities and services to users across the country thus covering all sectors of the business, residential, corporate and carrier.

About Irdeto

Irdeto, headquartered near Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is a subsidiary of multinational media group Naspers (NASDAQ: NPSN and JSE: NPN), is a world leader in content security, and provides comprehensive solutions for digital content protection in digital TV, IPTV and mobile environments. The company’s support, sales and R&D offices are located worldwide with corporate headquarters near Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Irdeto offers both hardware- and software-based solutions. The company works with an impressive list of leading industry partners to create end-to-end solutions for any pay-media business. Irdeto’s goal is to help operators increase content revenue by offering best-of-class security solutions supporting a wide range of revenue models. With the acquisition of Philips CryptoTec, Irdeto now has more than 300 customers around the world. To contact your regional office or retrieve further information on the company, please visit www.irdeto.com.

For further information please contact:
Madelon Kaspers
Corporate PR & Media Manager Irdeto
Tel: +31 23 556 2218
Email: [email protected]