Koreas CJ CableNet Selects SCM Microsystems

CJ CableNet is the multi system operator (MSO) arm of the CJ Group, with the goal of spearheading the transition to a digital media infrastructure in Korea where broadcasting and communication businesses fuse with each other. CJ CableNet began as a local system operator and grew to serve key metropolitan areas including Seoul (Yangcheon Broadcasting), Incheon City (Buk-Incheon Broadcasting), Changwon City and Masan City (Kyungnam Broadcasting & Masan Broadcasting), Kimhae City (Kaya Broadcasting) and Pusan City (Jung-Pusan Broadcasting & Haewoondae Broadcasting) and now provides a wide variety of value added services including specialized cable TV channels and high-speed Internet access directly to its subscribers. SCMs CableCARD security modules for CJ CableNet incorporate the NDS VideoGuard broadcast security system. The Digital TV Market in Korea The Korean government is preparing to deploy digital cable television to between six and nine million households in Korea over the next several years. In November 2001, the Korean government selected OpenCable as the technical standard for securing the countrys digital cable TV broadcasts. By adopting this open standards-based broadcast security model, the Korean government hopes to create a digital television industry that is both competitive for consumers and profitable for operators. OpenCable was originally developed by Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. (CableLabs®) for the North American cable TV market and subsequently was adapted for use in Korea. Although the Korean security module is based on the same OpenCable CableCARD interface specification used in the U.S., the Korean security modules will not operate with U.S. OpenCable devices, or vice versa, for regional security purposes.