Conax launches cardless solution

Conax has revealed the details of its new Cardless CA solution at a press briefing at IBC.

On a roll, senior executives from the content security provider also introduced a new comprehensive global partner programme, called Conax Connect. According to Conax CEO Morten Solbakken, the company “is continuing to step up the pace of the company’s new direction with an exciting portfolio of new solutions and global initiatives.”

These include deployment of security solutions Conax Xtend Multiscreen, Conax Contego, Conax Secure Clients, and now with the further expansion of the Conax Contego client portfolio with Cardless CA for STBs. Further, with the introduction of the Conax Connect professional partner program, Conax invites partners to connect to the Conax ecosystem.
Introducing Conax Cardless to the global market.

The new Cardless CA solution from Conax is expanding the Conax Contego client portfolio, meaning that smart cards and cardless can seamlessly co-exist in an operator’s ecosystem. Now operators can utilise a mix of clients to easily differentiate between the security demands for various types of content and consumers in diverse and growing business models.

“This is a key market differentiator between Conax and competing security solutions which may require deployment of separate back-ends,” according to the company.

The first chipsets to support the new cardless solution for STBs is a family of chipsets from ALi Corporation. To enable rapid development of Cardless STBs, Conax and ALi offer a reference design where the Conax Cardless security core is embedded. Conax will add support for other chipsets and continuously add functionality on an ongoing basis.

“Why launch Cardless CA now?” said Tom Jahr, EVP products and partners, Conax. “Conax security solutions have always been software-based. We have chosen smart cards as a means to distribute and protect our software. This is the most secure way, and Conax has been and will always be extremely focused on security. Recent development in chipset technology has introduced STB chipsets with increased security to a level where we as Conax are comfortable. This has now enabled us to launch a Cardless solution inside a purpose built secure area of the chipset – and under the Conax brand.”

“Sales of Conax Cardless will in start November 2013. The product will be ready for mass production by Q1 2014 and we also have an exciting pilot planned from January 2014. Stay tuned for more information.”

Durin g IBC, the company also introduced its Conax Connect partner programme, which is is designed to take the Conax open partnering strategy to the next level by providing closer cooperation with a broad range of both local and global strategic partners. “

As a security specialist, we strongly believe that a close cooperation with best of breed partners creates flexible and future proof solutions for tomorrow’s media consumption.

“Conax Connect is targeted at both new and existing strategic Conax partners and will facilitate further expansion of the Conax security ecosystem; providing operators with a continually growing selection of end-to-end, secure solutions for growing their business.”