Archive notice: This article was originally published on September 15, 2008. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Nagravision, a Kudelski Group company (SWX: KUD.VX), announced today that Iraqi satellite network Alsumaria TV has selected Nagravision’s Conditional Access System (CAS) for its DVB-H services. Alsumaria TV, one of Iraq’s most dynamic and widely distributed television stations, broadcasts on both Nilesat and Arabsat. Alsumaria TV’s Mobision, now available throughout Iraq, is the Middle East’s first mobile-TV DVB-H package based on a Nagravision microSD card with an integrated security system.
Using the Nagravision card, Alsumaria TV can offer its Mobision mobile-TV services to viewers in Iraq on both connected and unconnected devices such as mobile phones, media players, and GPS systems. In Iraq, anyone with a certified DVB-H mobile phone can subscribe to Mobision by inserting the Nagravision microSD card into the device and activating the service through an interactive voice response (IVR) system. Mobision will be available from all mobile-phone retailers.
By introducing such advanced technology in Iraq’s fast-moving market, Alsumaria TV has positioned itself as the most technologically advanced television station in the Arab world, with leading services. It is also a technology trendsetter offering distinctive audiovisual solutions to a broad audience. As part of this positioning, Mobision supplies Nagravision microSD cards with substantial flash memory. Consumers can use it to store personal data such as photos and music. Mobision subscribers can also record DVB-H programming and watch it later, adding a PVR (personal video recorder) function to mobile TV.
Mobision includes a package of up to 20 television channels. These include Alsumaria TV and the recently launched “Shakomo” channel, also developed by Alsumaria, as well as many other established stations. Several specialized channels carry only sports, news, business news, cartoons, weather, or music.
“Alsumaria TV chose Nagravision because of its extensive experience in successfully deploying mobile-TV systems in mass markets. In addition, its unique ecosystem supports the widest selection of integrated broadcast equipment and mobile devices. With our many years of pay-TV experience, we provide the most widely deployed CAS in the mobile-TV industry. This enables us to understand Alsumaria TV’s needs extremely well. Alsumaria TV offers Iraqi consumers an exceptional and innovative range of services, and we are honored to have been selected,” said Ahmed Bouna, Nagravision’s Sales Director for MENA (Middle East and North Africa).
Alsumaria TV aims both to connect Iraqis with one another and to build a bridge between the Iraqi population and the world. DVB-H is an excellent and practical way for Iraqi residents affected by power outages to receive news on their mobile phones and remain informed around the clock about the latest developments in Iraq and across the world.
Further Links:
- Alsumaria
Kudelski Group/Nagravision
Nagravision
