Dish TV considering multi-layer security conditional access system

The company is also mulling deployment of Set Top Boxes supporting card-less technology simultaneously

Direct-to-home service provider Dish TV India is actively considering adoption of multi-layer conditional access system (CAS) to ward off potential security threats as well as to enhance system efficiency going forward. The company is also mulling deployment of Set Top Boxes (STB’s) supporting card-less technology simultaneously.

The company looks forward to deploy around 15-20 million STBs incorporating multi-layer CAS solutions over a period of 5 years and is hopeful of completing the selection process by December 2015.

In view of expanding business and service requirements, Dish TV recently issued a CAS request for proposal (RFP) to leading CAS vendors across the globe. Currently, the DTH operator uses Conax card-based CAS from Nagra and will adopt simulcrypting technology going ahead.

Companies that expressed interest include some of the world’s leading CAS providers including Irdeto, Viaccess, Pace, Verimatrix, Cisco, Nagra, Nstv, Conax, Civolution-Nexguard, CRI and SMI. The company is currently evaluating all proposals received on a strict core security benchmark and shall select multiple partners keeping its business interests in mind.

Dish TV has more than 13 million subscribers and is part of the Essel Group, which also provides digital cable television services through its cable distribution arm, Siti Cable (approx. 4 million subscribers). Zee Entertainment Enterprise Limited, is the flagship company of the group, and beams more than 100 channels across the globe, through its direct to operator (DTO) arm.