Verimatrix announces three significant Russian IPTV operators that have deployed the Verimatrix Content Authority System for IPTV in conjunction with regional systems integrator and reseller CTI. The integrated IPTV platform now powers pay-TV services for Iskratelecom, Tattelecom and Bashinformsvyaz and extends Verimatrix's customer base throughout Russia.

According to SNL Kagan, the pay-TV market in Russia had 14.5 million cable, satellite and IPTV subscribers at the end of 2008, yet there is still huge potential for growth in the region if pay-TV operators can demand higher prices for higher quality content and services. Operators need to ensure content owners' rights are robustly and seamlessly protected across all access platforms -- the traditional television and other Internet-connected media devices. Without this level of protection, operators are unlikely to secure content distribution deals and ultimately attract and retain customers.

Iskratelecom is an alternative operator in Moscow delivering IPTV over its own fiber-optic distribution network. Tattelecom, the largest fixed-line operator in the Republic of Tatarstan, is bringing broader access to digital content to its subscribers. Russian telco Bashinformsvyaz has recently announced its comprehensive IPTV service that will target 2,000 customers initially, with a goal of increasing its subscriber base to at least 6,000 by the end of the year.

Through their reseller partnership, CTI has integrated VCAS for IPTV with its own middleware, TV engine, and acts as a systems integrator to deploy its solutions for IPTV operators. With the power of the combined solution, Russian operators are able to offer their customers a full pay-TV solution that includes set-top boxes, content protection, VOD, and broadcast IPTV channels with PVR functionality coming soon.