MUMBAI: News Corp's technology solutions provider NDS Group announced today that CJ CableNet had selected NDS as the conditional access provider for the launch of digital cable TV services.
 

CJ CableNet, Korea's largest MSO, is a member of the powerful CJ Group media conglomerate. The company is planning to launch a digital broadcasting service comprising more than 120 digital and interactive TV services, with the first trial services available in October 2004.

CJ CableNet CEO Lee Kwan Hoon was quoted in an official release as saying, "CJ CableNet is spearheading the transition to digital media within the CJ Group, and the company has aggressive plans for new digital services. NDS conditional access technology is the key part of our digital strategy. It will enable CJ CableNet to offer new services in the areas of digital media and entertainment and generate new revenue."

NDS Asia Pacific vice-president and general manager Sue Taylor said, "NDS has committed significant resources to develop OpenCable solutions for Korea, and we are now focusing on deploying the NDS leading technology within the aggressive timeline of CJ CableNet. NDS and CJ CableNet also developed one of the world's first OCAP-compliant electronic programme guides, which will set a new standard for digital broadcasting services in Korea and create a new viewing experience."

This year, leading Korean MSOs and SOs are launching digital broadcasting services. There are 11 million cable TV households in Korea and the number of cable TV households is forecast to increase dramatically as a result of the launch of digital broadcasting operations. Due to the success of NDS in the Korean cable TV market, the NDS Korea operations have expanded rapidly during the past year.

Korea has mandated the OpenCable OCAP standard for digital cable TV broadcasting. NDS was one of the first conditional access providers to be granted certification by the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) of Korea.