VCAS content protection deployed at US IPTV providers T2 and Arkwest

June 5th, 2006 - The Verimatrix Content Authority System (VCAS) has been deployed on two more IPTV platforms to protect their programming assets from unauthorised use and copying. In Michigan,  T2TV and T2 Communications have deployed the solution on their FTTH network, while in Arkansas, Arkwest Communications is using the content protection technology to add video services and so offer a full triple-play. In both cases, according to Verimatrix, the service providers turned to them in order to receive premium Hollywood content or broadcast channels.

At T2, VCAS is integrated with the Myrio (Siemens) TotalManage middleware, several of Amino's AmiNET series of set-top boxes, and headend equipment from TUT Systems. The VCAS system was installed within just ten days of purchase and according to Ned Timmer, president of T2 Communications, "We were amazed with Verimatrix's responsiveness and flexibility on delivering a critical part of our IPTV platform. They were able to quickly deploy their solution on our existing platform with no problems."

T2 Communications offers video, voice and Internet services to the greater Holland, Michigan area (USA). Its IPTV service gives subscribers access to more than 200 channels including local news, sports, movies and foreign language programming. Additionally, T2 offers integrated features such as WebTV and on-screen caller ID, and has plans to deploy pay-per-view and VOD services soon.

Arkwest, meanwhile, has completed trials of a new IPTV service with a limited customer base and will officially launch this summer with multi-level service plans. There will be access to more than 200 TV channels and 1,500 hours of movies-on-demand. Residents of Danville, Ola, Plainview, Belleville and Havana will be the first given the chance to subscribe.

"We wanted to offer our community a better TV alternative in terms of price, service, quality and choice," declares P.T. Sanders, vice president of operations for Arkwest. "VCAS proved to be a more compatible and highly integrated solution for our platform. It was a perfect choice for us to quickly deploy both live broadcast and VOD services over our network ahead of our competition. Based on initial feedback, we anticipate an aggressive roll-out to our entire subscriber base."

Arkwest is a long-time customer of Madison Group, a speciality contractor for the communications industry that served as the systems integrator for this deployment. Madison Group has been building IPTV networks since 2004 as well as providing switching, transport and access networks for telco customers since it was formed in 1991.

For Arkwest's IPTV network, Madison Group also selected TotalManage middleware from Myrio (Siemens), MPEG-2 encoding equipment from SkyStream (now part of TANDBERG Television) Occam's IP Broadband Loop Carrier for the transport and access network, Comtrend ADSL2+ modems and Amino set-top boxes for the customer premise. The VOD solution was provided by ViewNow and Entone Technologies. A partnership between Verimatrix and Entone allowed the encryption software to run on Entone's VOD server, saving Arkwest the expense of a second encryption server.

"We were impressed with Verimatrix's ability to get its system up and running for a smooth deployment," says David Yates, director of engineering for Madison Group. "IPTV is new to many of our customers and Verimatrix does an excellent job of educating them on its technology advantages."

VCAS is a software-based content security solution built on the principles of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and X.509 digital certificates, which can be combined with VideoMark forensic digital watermarking technology. VCAS enables devices and systems within media delivery networks to be encrypted and authenticated in order to identify security breaches and unauthorised network users