SCM Microsystems and Nagravision have announced that they have achieved certification of removable security modules for the Korean digital television market. The security model is based largely on the Cablelabs Opencable Cablecard interface specification, as used in the US.

An official release informs that the SCM security module is the first hardware platform certified against the specification in Korea. The certification of the Nagravision conditional access system (Cas) on the SCM security module opens the door for both companies to begin delivering conditional access modules and systems. The Korean government, which selected the Opencable standard, projects that the DTV market will grow to as many as nine million households over the next several years.

SCM and Nagravision developed and manufactured the security module following the Opencable specifications. Then the parties worked together to implement the Nagravision Cas on it. The Cablecard device is ready for deployment and will be available to cable operators within the next three months. The Cablecard for Korea is based on a proven hardware and software platform that SCM developed, and both companies expect to begin volume deliveries in Korea over the next one to two years.

The Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA), a non-governmental IT standards setting body in Korea, conducted the evaluation and issued the certification, the first such certification awarded outside the US.

Nagravision provides open Cas, advanced management tools and integrated solutions for cable, satellite, terrestrial and MMDS, FTTH and xDSL operators worldwide. Designed for the digital pay TV, pay media over broadcast and broadband networks Nagravision's Cas provide an easy-to-use interface for controlling customer access rights and managing smart card based security in set-top boxes and other devices. Nagravision's solutions provide digital TV and content providers with the tools to operate and manage a range of interactive services that include e-commerce, interactive programme guides and multimedia-on-demand including video on demand.