Bharti Airtel, India’s integrated telecom services provider, has launched Airtel Direct-to-Home (DTH) digital television service based on NDS (News - Alert) end-to-end solution.

 

NDS Group plc, a subsidiary of News Corporation, supplies open end-to-end digital technology and services to digital pay-TV platform operators and content providers. With this collaboration, Bharti Airtel (News - Alert) subscribers are now able to enjoy advanced services.

 

NDS end-to-end solution including VideoGuard conditional access, MediaHighway middleware and customized electronic programmed guide (EPG) would provide protection and enhancement to Bharti Airtel's new digital satellite service.

 

NDS solution would also provide Bharti Airtel a flexibility to introduce future enhancements such as further interactive applications and NDS’ world digital video recorder (DVR) technology.

 

“Over the years we have delighted millions of customers with our telecom services and now with Airtel digital TV, we plan to deliver a magical in-home entertainment experience to TV viewers”, said N. Arjun, executive director, Bharti Telemedia, in a statement.

 

Describing DTH, Arjun said that with Airtel digital TV, the company aims to bring the combination of latest technology and exciting content.

 

“With the support of our technology partner, NDS, we look forward to providing superior, state-of-the-art services to our DTH service customers.”

 

Bharti Airtel Limited, a group company of Bharti Enterprises, is an integrated telecom services provider with around 80 million customers as of end of September 2008, and 77.47 million mobile customers.

 

Bharti Airtel is structured into three strategic business units - Mobile services, Telemedia services and Enterprise services. The mobile business provides mobile & fixed wireless services using GSM technology across 23 telecom circles

 

“Bharti Airtel’s decision to launch their DTH service with a suite of NDS solutions is a validation of the technology leadership of NDS and recognition of the significant investment in NDS’ capabilities in India over the past eight years”, said Sue Taylor, senior VP and general manager of NDS Asia Pacific.