NDS Implements ARM Technology-Based Secure Mobile Environment with SK Planet in Korea

SEOUL, South Korea- — NDS Group today announced the implementation of its VideoGuard Connect DRM for HD pay-TV on mobile devices using ARM (LSE: ARM; Nasdaq: ARMH) TrustZone technology with SK Planet, a subsidiary of SK Telecom (NYSE : SKM), Korea’s leading telecoms provider.

Since 2011, SK Planet has provided a multi-screen service branded “Hoppin” to its two million subscribers throughout Korea and will develop this business to embrace an ever increasing amount of premium video and HD content.

Through this initiative, the three companies have demonstrated a system that meets the requirements of content owners for the delivery of premium HD content to mobile devices. It verifies the hardened security capabilities of NDS’ VideoGuard Connect DRM utilizing ARM TrustZone Technology, used in many popular smartphones and tablet devices.

Hoo-Jong Kim, Chief of SKP Laboratory (CTO), SK Planet commented: “As we look to expand our service, we endeavour to do so in the most secure yet flexible way. The implementation of NDS’ VideoGuard Connect with ARM TrustZone on our platform has shown that there is an effective way to secure high-value content and services on Android devices.”

VideoGuard Connect, the DRM for multiplatform pay-TV, provides end-to-end protection of an operator’s service, utilizing the unique security capabilities of each individual platform. Designed to help TV operators to seamlessly extend their pay-TV services to connected media devices, VideoGuard Connect enables the secure ingestion, delivery and consumption of premium content over both managed and over-the-top (OTT) networks on the most popular devices including smartphones, tablets, PCs, games consoles and Smart TVs.

Demonstrated on the Android platform, this development highlights the security capabilities of the DRM solution in even the most open environment, combining VideoGuard Connect with the built-in ARM TrustZone capabilities of the mobile device.

Sue Taylor, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Asia Pacific NDS added: “SK Planet is taking important steps to ensure that it is able to offer its subscribers the best possible content.” she continued, “NDS’ DRM is already widely deployed on the most popular devices and enables pay-TV operators around the world to deliver their content and services securely to subscribers in the most flexible ways. This development expands that reach to enable additional services that require a higher level of security, such as access to HD content and additional business models. Through our partnership with ARM we are able to provide hardened security solutions to ensure that our customers are able to take advantage of all market opportunities.”

ARM TrustZone technology is a system-wide approach to security on high performance computing platforms for a huge array of applications, including secure payment, digital rights management (DRM), enterprise and web-based services. ARM processors are present in 90% of the world’s tablets and smartphones.

Ben Cade, Vice President and General Manager, secure services division, ARM commented: “As consumers increasingly demand their world at their fingertips, including premium TV content, the industry must ensure that they have high levels of trust when connecting via handheld devices. Working with NDS on digital rights management has resulted in a common solution that enables this, whilst meeting the needs of HD content owners in terms of asset management and distribution of content.” He continued, “ARM TrustZone technology combined with robust DRM solutions, such as those provided by NDS, achieves this by providing increased levels of protection for premium content on these smart connected devices.”