Daryl Gray
June 6th, 2005, 04:05 PM
Bell Expressvu, Canada’s leading direct to home satellite broadcaster announced late last week that they are activating a new signal encryption system for their Bell Expressvu satellite service effective July 1, 2005.
Bell Expressvu began distributing new conditional access smartcards to their new and existing subscribers late last summer in a effort to curbing their rampant piracy problem, which they have been publically criticized numerous times as taking a lax approach to piracy prevention.
Bell Expressvu announced that over 92% of their subscribers have received and installed the new upgraded smart cards which will work with the new encryption system. Most new Expressvu systems sold since August 2004 have included the new smart card. Bell Expressvu has called the new smart card the "company's most comprehensive initiative to-date to combat the industry-wide issue of signal theft."
Bell Expressvu utilizes MPEG II DVB satellite decoders manufactured by Echostar which uses the same equipment for the U.S. Dish Network satellite service. The current security system, developed by Nagravision which was breached more than 5 years ago is similar on both systems. Echostar is currently involved in civil litigation in the United States against individuals believed to be responsible for the initial security breach. The U.S. Dish Network system is also currently swapping out their more than 11 million subscribers to a new security smart card, dubbed the “Nagra 2” as well which they expect to fully implement shortly.
Expressvu currently provides more than 400 channels of English and French television programming to its more than 1.5 million subscribers. The programming signal is encrypted for transmission to it subscribers who are authorized to decode upon payment using their Expressvu satellite receiver and smart card which authorized viewing for channels and programming which have been paid for.
The new security system is expected to be fully implemented on July 1, 2005, at which time subscribers still using the older smart cards will no longer be able to access their programming until they upgrade to the new smart card. Bell Expressvu subscribers that have not yet received new smart cards are encouraged to contact Bell Expressvu immediately to receive their smart card upgrade before the swap is complete. Consumer may contact them at 1 888 759-3474 or at the Bell Expressvu card swap website located at http://www.expressvunewcards.ca.
© 1997-2005 Digital Insurrection
Bell Expressvu began distributing new conditional access smartcards to their new and existing subscribers late last summer in a effort to curbing their rampant piracy problem, which they have been publically criticized numerous times as taking a lax approach to piracy prevention.
Bell Expressvu announced that over 92% of their subscribers have received and installed the new upgraded smart cards which will work with the new encryption system. Most new Expressvu systems sold since August 2004 have included the new smart card. Bell Expressvu has called the new smart card the "company's most comprehensive initiative to-date to combat the industry-wide issue of signal theft."
Bell Expressvu utilizes MPEG II DVB satellite decoders manufactured by Echostar which uses the same equipment for the U.S. Dish Network satellite service. The current security system, developed by Nagravision which was breached more than 5 years ago is similar on both systems. Echostar is currently involved in civil litigation in the United States against individuals believed to be responsible for the initial security breach. The U.S. Dish Network system is also currently swapping out their more than 11 million subscribers to a new security smart card, dubbed the “Nagra 2” as well which they expect to fully implement shortly.
Expressvu currently provides more than 400 channels of English and French television programming to its more than 1.5 million subscribers. The programming signal is encrypted for transmission to it subscribers who are authorized to decode upon payment using their Expressvu satellite receiver and smart card which authorized viewing for channels and programming which have been paid for.
The new security system is expected to be fully implemented on July 1, 2005, at which time subscribers still using the older smart cards will no longer be able to access their programming until they upgrade to the new smart card. Bell Expressvu subscribers that have not yet received new smart cards are encouraged to contact Bell Expressvu immediately to receive their smart card upgrade before the swap is complete. Consumer may contact them at 1 888 759-3474 or at the Bell Expressvu card swap website located at http://www.expressvunewcards.ca.
© 1997-2005 Digital Insurrection