The SECA encryption system was originally deployed in Italy in 1997 by Telepiu, which then was a subsidiary of Canal Plus, whose subsidiary, Canal Plus Technologies, supplied the system. The initial version deployed by SECA was known as SECA I and in May 2002 this was replaced by SECA II. In July 2003 Canal Plus Technologies was acquired by Thomson and in turn in January 2004 the business was acquired by Nagra.
SKY Italia was formed on 1 May 2003 by the merger of Telepiu and Stream. At that time Stream operated with the encryption systems Irdeto, SECA and NDS. SKY ceased operating the Irdeto encryption system in February 2004.
Presently, SKY has more than 2.5m digital customers. Of these, 1.9m utilise SECA decoders and the remainder use NDS decoders. SKY anticipates it will replace approximately three-quarters of the 1.9m SECA decoders currently deployed, with the remainder requiring only a new smart card.
Existing SKY SECA subscribers will be progressively converted to NDS transmission, commencing from may 2004. In some cases this will be done by SKY providing a new NDS smart card which will operate in existing SECA decoders, but for many subscribers SKY will be delivering an NDS decoder and smart card to the subscriber's home at no additional cost.
At this time SKY subscribers using a SECA enabled decoder need to take no action: SKY will contact each subscriber directly during the next six months to advise if it will supply them with a new decoder or a new smart-card.
SKY's CEO Tom Mockridge said: "To ensure ongoing security of transmission and to achieve the efficiency and stability of a common software platform it is necessary to use only a single encryption system and SKY has chosen NDS to be its single encryption system in the future".
This decision means from 13 June SKY will stop selling subscriptions that use the SECA card. To provide an opportunity for potential subscribers currently owning or wishing to purchase a SECA enabled decoder, SKY is making a special offer for "smart card only" subscriptions from April 28 until 13 June. For subscribers using credit card or RID payment method the special offer will include the first month's subscription free of charge (on all packages). The usual activation fee of EUR 59 will continue to apply and all smart cards sold will need to be activated prior to 30 June. SKY accepts the obligation to provide an NDS decoder and smart card to all customers accepting this offer at the time SECA transmission is terminated.
From 14 June, after this special offer finishes, SKY will no longer sell subscriptions which use SECA enabled decoders. All new customers will be supplied with a NDS enabled decoder.
Media Background
The SECA encryption system was originally deployed in Italy in 1997 by Telepiu, which then was a subsidiary of Canal Plus, whose subsidiary, Canal Plus Technologies, supplied the system. The initial version deployed by SECA was known as SECA I and in May 2002 this was replaced by SECA II. In July 2003 Canal Plus Technologies was acquired by Thomson and in turn in January 2004 the business was acquired by Nagra.
SKY Italia was formed on 1 May 2003 by the merger of Telepiu and Stream. At that time Stream operated with the encryption systems Irdeto, SECA and NDS. SKY ceased operating the Irdeto encryption system in February 2004.
Presently, SKY has more than 2.5m digital customers. Of these, 1.9m utilise SECA decoders and the remainder use NDS decoders. SKY anticipates it will replace approximately three-quarters of the 1.9m SECA decoders currently deployed, with the remainder requiring only a new smart card.