Bharti Airtel Selects NDS To Protect and Power New Digital Satellite Service

MUMBAI, India & HONG KONG — NDS Group, the leading provider of technology solutions for digital pay-TV, today announced that it has been selected by Bharti Airtel to provide a suite of digital broadcasting solutions for the launch of the company’s digital satellite service. Bharti Airtel announced recently that the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has granted the company a Letter of Intent, licensing the new DTH platform.

NDS will provide Bharti Airtel with world-leading VideoGuard® conditional access, MediaHighway® middleware as well as a customized electronic programme guide (EPG). VideoGuard is currently securing TV content in 78.6 million set-top boxes worldwide, and 69.9 million deployed Mediahighway clients are enabling operators around the world to provide enhanced services to viewers. Through these NDS solutions, Bharti Airtel gains the flexibility to introduce future enhancements including interactive applications and additional advanced services for subscribers.

Announcing the latest development in the company’s DTH strategy, Mr. Arjun, Executive Director, Bharti Airtel, said: “Bharti Airtel has successfully focused its strategy on offering a full range of integrated telecom services, and today is one of the world’s fastest growing telecom companies. The launch of DTH services is part of our ongoing strategy to offer consumers in India the most extensive range of converged services in the market.”

Ms. Sue Taylor, Vice President and General Manager of NDS Asia Pacific said: “Being selected by Bharti Airtel is a validation of the technology leadership of NDS and recognition of the significant investment in NDS’ Indian capabilities over the past six years. We look forward to partnering with Bharti Airtel on their future growth strategies. NDS market-leading technology will enable Bharti Airtel to deliver world-class digital and interactive entertainment services to their subscribers.”

NDS’ R&D facility in Bangalore, which has been operational for six years and now employs over 750 people, will be leading the development of a state-of-the-art electronic program guide for Bharti Airtel. In addition, this development centre will be instrumental in designing interactive TV applications tailored to the Indian audience.