Latens Systems announced that it has a suite of Downloadable Conditional Access System (DCAS) security products that uphold the FCC requirement for the US cable market to provision set-top boxes with a 'severable security component.' Furthermore, Latens DCAS can uniquely secure all US cable operators, whatever architecture they deploy both now and in the future.

By uniquely providing its patented technology for dynamic DCAS for both two-way cable networks and for those without a return path (one-way networks secured by Latens BCAS), Latens satisfies the FCC 'severable security component requirement.' Additionally by offering a choice of such systems, Latens ensures that all cable operators can now choose Downloadable Conditional Access System (DCAS) security to both protect revenues and content and comply with the FCC requirement outlined below:

According to section 76.1204(a)(1) of the FCC rules: "commencing on July 1, 2007, no multichannel video programming distributor subject to this section shall place in service new navigation devices for sale, lease, or use that perform both conditional access and other functions in a single operated device."

On 10th January, the FCC announced a clarification on DCAS and separable security which included: "a downloadable security or other similar solution provides for common reliance, as contemplated herein, we would consider the box to have a severable security component."

"I believe that the FCC's clarification on the acceptability of DCAS for the provision of separable security is great news for the cable industry," says Jeremy Thorp, CEO of Latens. "Properly designed DCAS provides cable operators with many advantages, including; greater security and flexibility, lower cost cable set-top boxes, driven by innovation and competition, and the minimizing of CAS deployment and running costs. I believe the FCC endorsement of DCAS as being 'severable' will lead to an increasing number of Cable Operators deploying DCAS in 2007 and once the advantages of DCAS are better understood DCAS will gain accelerating traction in the US cable market. We operate an open licensing policy and the technology is much easier and quicker to integrate than hardware based systems. We have been working with low cost, set top box vendors for some time in other markets and we expect the FCC announcement to spur STB vendors to quickly integrate Latens DCAS for the US cable market and provide the competitive choice that the market needs."

Latens has had the principle of 'severable security' as a cornerstone of its CA architecture since inception, as Thorp explains: "Latens has always supported the principle of 'severable security' from the launch of our first product, Latens CAS, in 2003. The reason for this was not associated with the FCC, but was purely because we believe that this is the best approach to Conditional Access for any Pay TV operator."

Latens has a suite of CAS solutions for cable operators suitable for pure cable or cable/IP implementations, including:

• Latens CAS: scalable DCAS for two-way cable networks
• Latens BCAS: scalable DCAS for one-way cable networks, i.e. without a return path
• Latens IPCAS & FCAS: for IPTV networks

In addition to the generic advantages of s/w CAS, Latens DCAS solutions have been designed to support all relevant open standards and cable industry working practices. Support for open standards combined with Latens expertise and experience of DCAS deployments means that Latens DCAS solutions will comply with future FCC DCAS requirements.