Brands
NDS, SES Americom team up to offer secure IPTV solutions for telcos
MUMBAI: Digital pay-TV technology solutions provider NDS has entered an agreement with SES Americom, a leading satellite operator and services provider in North America, to support their IP-Prime IPTV distribution solution with NDS Synamedia.
Synamedia is a secure IP solution for two-way IPTV network operators. IP-Prime is a centralised, satellite-delivered IP television delivery system that permits telcos to bundle traditional standard and HD programming on a single line with their voice and internet services.
The new offering enables telecommunications companies to offer secure, premium TV services to their customers. SES Americom will deliver up to 300 channels encoded into MPEG-4/H.264 via their IP-Prime platform, offering telcos a more efficient and robust transmission path.
The Synamedia solution, integrated with NDS VideoGuard content protection and digital rights management, will offer SES Americom a secure platform for the delivery of multi-channel pay-TV and video on demand (VOD) services to customers using a broadband IP connection.
Based on the proven NDS VideoGuard conditional access solution, NDS Synamedia protects content at all stages of delivery — from the broadband access point through the last mile to the IP consumer device, such as a set-top box or digital video recorder (DVR). Once content is received inside the home, VideoGuard protects the valuable digital content from piracy, whether it is stored locally or routed through a home network.
The solution for SES Americom features VGS, a secure headend-based content protection solution from NDS. The hardware-based solution does not require a smart card in the consumer device. The decryption capability is embedded within the device’s standard video processor chip, which communicates securely with the NDS VGS network servers. NDS has worked closely with major chipset manufacturers to develop these secure video processors that can communicate with secure headend servers, providing strong content protection over two-way networks.
The new technical approach used in the VGS content protection solution is stronger than software-based and hardware-assisted solutions, because the content is decrypted entirely within the secure processing blocks in the processor.
Using NDS VGS technology, two-way networks provide a number of benefits, including safe network environment for authorisations, simplified upgrades to the system for enhanced functionality and security, and reduced set-top box costs. There is no security information stored in the set-top when it is switched off.
SES Americom’s IP-Prime platform offers two delivery solutions; one path delivers the secure video content to the Telcos for their distribution to consumers. Alternately, the IP-Prime content can be passed through directly to subscriber homes via secured set-top boxes. The NDS solution is integrated into both IP-Prime options.
“SES Americom has earned the trust of leading programmers in cable and broadcast, who are now entering the new world of IPTV aboard our reliable, secure distribution platforms. NDS is a recognized system security provider, enabling us to deliver a protected vital link in the long anticipated triple play for Telcos and markets beyond,” said SES Americom chief technology officer Alan Young.
“Telecommunications companies have shown great interest in the delivery of television services to the home, and we are very happy to work with SES Americom to help bring the IP-Prime solution to telcos of all sizes. Security is of primary concern to protect their revenues and to enable them to deliver high value content. This integrated solution provides a turnkey approach for the telecommunications providers, bringing television services to their subscribers – quickly, easily, and securely,” said NDS Group vice president and NDS Americas general manager Dr Dov Rubin.
Brands
KKR sixes to power EV charger rollout under VIDA campaign
Cricket meets clean mobility as big hits spark India’s charging growth
NEW DELHI: VIDA, the electric mobility arm of Hero MotoCorp, has teamed up with Kolkata Knight Riders to launch a campaign that turns cricketing flair into real-world impact.
Titled ‘6 for 6’, the initiative promises to install a 6kW fast EV charger for every six hit by KKR during the ongoing Indian Premier League season. The idea is simple but powerful, as each big hit on the field contributes directly to expanding India’s fast-charging infrastructure.
The campaign builds on VIDA’s growing network, which already spans over 5,300 fast-charging points across more than 430 cities. With EV adoption gaining pace, the brand is using cricket’s mass appeal to accelerate both awareness and infrastructure growth.
Explaining the thinking behind the move, Hero MotoCorp emerging mobility business unit chief business officer Kausalya Nandakumar said, “Cricket has an incredible ability to unite and inspire millions across the country. With the ‘6 for 6’ campaign, we are turning every big hit on the field into a step towards a cleaner and a more accessible mobility future.”
She added that VIDA’s expanding fast-charging network and removable battery technology are designed to make EV ownership more convenient and practical for everyday users.
From the franchise’s side, the campaign is also about giving on-field moments a larger purpose. Kolkata Knight Riders chief executive officer Venky Mysore said, “The ‘6 for 6’ campaign exemplifies the potential of sport as a platform for meaningful, real-world impact. By linking every six to the expansion of EV charging infrastructure, this partnership transforms fan excitement into tangible progress.”
As part of the rollout, VIDA has introduced co-branded charging stations in KKR’s signature colours, with a flagship installation unveiled alongside team players. The chargers are designed for quick top-ups, powering VIDA scooters from zero to 80 percent in about an hour, while also being positioned along key highways to support longer journeys.
The initiative also taps into VIDA’s removable battery system, which allows users to charge using standard household plug points, adding flexibility to the charging ecosystem.
By blending the thrill of cricket with the urgency of clean mobility, VIDA and KKR have found a neat way to make every six count twice, once on the scoreboard and again on India’s road to an electric future.
