Norway-based Conax AS has launched a pilot of its new Conax CAS7 modular system with Viacabo in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro state. Viacabo currently operates 15 CATV head-ends in various cities and states in Brazil.
Conax CAS7 will enable Viacabo to convert its subscription and pre-booked PPV modes from analog to digital DVB. Viacabo has also ordered Conax’s Mobile server enabling ordering and payment through SMS text messaging on GSM. In the initial pilot, six channels will be converted.
“Conax CAS7 will enable customers to more easily order PPV entertainment quickly and cost-effectively,” said Antonio Salles, CTO of Viacabo, a unit of Adelphia Communications, of Greenwood Village, Colorado.
“The current alternative is cumbersome in terms of call center wait times for which the customer has to pay network access charges.”
Salles said that customers will pay a fixed fee for mobile ordering, a substantial savings over the current method – incurring network charges during a lengthy call to a call centre.
“Conax’s solution works well for smaller and larger operators alike and provides many benefits for a relatively small investment. The consumers in the pilot project are very excited about Conax’s technology, as it makes ordering service much easier.”
“We call the new Conax CAS7 modular system the best CA system ever,” said Ernst Thue, Conax CEO. “It is open and interoperable and features freedom of choice in technology with a fair and non-discriminating STB licensing policy.
“Conax CAS7 is a highly scalable system, based on Conax’s mature and proven technology, long experience with Smart Cards and very strong anti-piracy record. Its new functionality exceeds most other existing systems ”
Conax will be exhibiting for the fourth time at the National Association of Broadcasters Show in Las Vegas this April (NAB Booth No. SU9646), where it will be demonstrating Conax CAS7 to the digital broadcast industry.
Conax has headquarters in Oslo, Norway, with subsidiaries in San Diego and India and sales and support offices in Toronto, Singapore, China, Korea, Pakistan, Brazil and Germany. Conax maintains a client base in more than 50 countries, being the fastest growing CA-vendor for the past three years.
Conax is a subsidiary of the broadcast operation of Norway’s Telenor. Telenor had Corporate Revenues in 2004 of EUR 7.4 Billion. Telenor Broadcast provides TV/Cable/Satellite services, technology and systems globally.
Telenor Broadcast is the largest provider of TV services to the residential market in the Nordic region, both via cable and satellite.
It operates the Norwegian terrestrial network for radio and TV broadcasting and is the leading provider of satellite transmission to the Nordic region via three geostationary satellites.
Viacabo has been offering information and entertainment in Brazil since 1991. Being one of the pioneers in pay TV services, Viacabo has been gradually enlarging its services, offering broadband access to many of its systems.
Viacabo has been planning the migration to a digital platform as part of its strategic plan to enhance the menu of its services. Viacabo will be bringing the next generation of Conditional Access to Brazil with Conax.
Conax – Conditional Access Technology
www.conax.com
Business Wire
