Space Commerce

Eutelsat Shows ‘Smart LNB’ in Action at CabSat Dubai with Delivery of Encrypted Video Content to Mobile Devices in the Home

By Marc Boucher
Press Release
March 10, 2014
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Eutelsat Communications (NYSE Euronext Paris: ETL) is unveiling more of the unique features of its “smart LNB” to the broadcast community at this year’s CabSat Dubai.
Leveraging the ability of the “smart LNB” to provide a satellite return link for Digital
Rights Management, a live demo will show for the first time how encrypted content can be securely viewed in the home on fixed and mobile screens, enabling users beyond terrestrial networks to have a full Connected TV experience by satellite.

The “smart LNB” is a low-cost device that bundles DTH reception of TV channels with a
narrowband satellite return channel for short transmissions of IP packets. As such, it opens the door for broadcasters to operate their own ecosystem of linear television and connected TV services direct by satellite. For end users, it uses the coaxial cabling of existing installations to connect to a home IP network and is compatible with connected TVs, tablets and other IPcompatible devices as well as legacy DVB-S2 receivers.

The demo shows how the “smart LNB” can serve broadcasters for effective rights clearing of protected content. For viewers wanting to access encrypted content stored in their set-top-box or to watch an encrypted channel live, they can use a remote control or IP-enabled mobile device to send a clearance request to a Digital Rights Management server via the “smart LNB”. Once the keys are exchanged users can view the content on any device.

Eutelsat has teamed up with industry experts for the Dubai demo, including ATEME, that
provides video compression solutions to broadcast and telecom industries, Quadrille, the
content delivery specialists providing QuadriFast, a leading Push VOD solution, Dune HD, a global leader in high-performance digital media players, NXP Software that produces secured media players for mobile devices, HDMI dongles and set top boxes, Broadpeak that designs and develops Content Delivery Network solutions; and Verimatrix, a specialist in securing and enhancing revenue for global digital video operators.

Eutelsat is developing the specifications for three versions of the “smart LNB” – Ka/Ku, Ku/Ku, C/Ku to increase options for broadcasters across its satellites. It will be ready to serve large scale pilots later in 2014.

About Eutelsat Communications

Established in 1977, Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is one of the world’s leading and most experienced operators of communications satellites. The company provides capacity on 34 satellites to clients that include broadcasters and broadcasting associations, pay-TV operators, video, data and
Internet service providers, enterprises and government agencies. Eutelsat’s satellites provide ubiquitous coverage of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, enabling video, data, broadband and government communications to be established irrespective of a user’s location. Headquartered in Paris, with offices and teleports around the globe, Eutelsat represents a workforce of 1,000 men and women from 32 countries who are experts in their fields and work with clients to deliver the highest quality of service.

For more about Eutelsat please visit www.eutelsat.com.

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