By Stuart Thomson
SITI Networks Limited, an Essel Group Company and one of India’s largest multi-system operators, has chosen Kudelski-owned content security provider Nagra’s cardless content security solution for its forthcoming Android TV set-top box launch.
The deal is Nagra’s first Android TV project in India based on the Google MediaCAS framework for Android TV deployments.
Through its partnership with Nagra, SITI Networks plans to rapidly deploy Android TV services across its three-million strong subscriber base in India including a comprehensive content offering and access to a large library of applications.
The Nagra solution provides support for Android TV through an end-to-end content protection ecosystem that can be extended through additional options such as forensic watermarking and/or anti-piracy services.
Deployed as a service, Nagra says that it enables operators to take advantage of reduced total cost of ownership and regular cloud-driven updates and frameworks for both CAS and DRM integration.
“The launch of SITI PlayTop set-top box and iOS/Android apps is a crucial part of SITI’s expansion strategy in India. I would want to congratulate our infrastructure partner Nagra. They have worked with us step-by-step to seamlessly integrate their comprehensive support for Android TV through an end-to-end content protection ecosystem. The SITI PlayTop set-top box will provide a next-generation, superior entertainment experience for our customers,” said Suresh Sethiya, director of Indian Cable Net Company Limited (ICNCL), a Joint Venture partner of SITI Networks Limited.
“We are excited to bring our Next Gen SITI PlayTop Android set-top box to our customers. SITI has been at the forefront of delighting them with the latest technology. The launch of SITI PlayTop is another step in our commitment to provide them with superior entertainment experience. We are delighted to partner with Nagra, who provide comprehensive support for Android TV through an end-to-end content protection ecosystem. This box will make any TV smart while bringing SITI HD+ digital cable television’s ultimate viewing experience with a DVR facility,” said CEO of SITI Networks Limited, Anil Malhotra.
“We’re proud to partner with SITI Networks on its continued expansion within the Indian market. The strength, level of innovation and unique features of Nagra’s content and service protection services for Android TV provides operators around the world with the tools they need to protect their content and rapidly deploy and protect their next-generation services against piracy” said SVP of sales, APAC, at Nagra, Stephane Le Dreau.
