Verimatrix, developer of the most widely deployed IPTV content protection system with tier one operators, today announced that it is working with Russian systems integrator CTI to secure the content of Central Telegraph's IPTV service for Moscow and the Moscow region. The Verimatrix Content Authority System (VCAS), a software-based content protection system, enables Central Telegraph to satisfy all the security demands of content owners when obtaining rights to early-release movies, popular series and other premium content, such as sports coverage.

The service roll-out, which will be made available to Central Telegraph's 60,000 broadband Internet subscribers, will be completed by October 2006. The IPTV service will offer interactive television services such as Video-on-Demand (VOD), premium channels, information and interactive services, as well as traditional broadcast and multicast TV and radio channels.

Konstantin Kravchenko, first deputy general director for Central Telegraph, commented, "IPTV is the next step in delivering the most advanced, value-added services to our sophisticated residential customer base. Our advanced infrastructure of fibre optic cable and Ethernet to the home has given us ample bandwidth to provide a really compelling offering." He continued, "However, if we can't provide our customers with the content they wish to view, the technological foundation of the service is wasted. We selected Verimatrix as VCAS has set the standard for the content protection industry and we wanted to use the best possible system to secure our revenue stream."

VCAS is a software-based system that is built on the principles of public key infrastructure (PKI) and X.509 digital certificates to provide the most stable and robust solution to prevent unauthorised access to IPTV services. "In the IPTV industry today, access to compelling content is the lynchpin on which services thrive or fail," noted Steve Oetegenn, EVP of Global Sales and Marketing, Verimatrix. "We provide IPTV operators with the tools to protect their revenue streams, prevent unauthorised access and forensically trace pirated content back to the perpetrators. By employing the most advanced content security, release windows for VOD materials will ultimately move closer to the theatre release date, making the content even more attractive to subscribers."