Excellent article.

In your analysis at point 1- Security, you said “ The operator also manages secure transmission of content from the network to the hardware device used to display the content, such as a set-top box.” I will add CAM (Conditional Access Modules” as a Technical solution ideally tailored for offering a secure access to DVB Pay TV bouquet (Satellite, Terrestrial and Cable) and already use by more than 100 major European TV Operators ; but CAMs are also perfectly designed for OTT perspectives, allowing premium content protection thanks to CI Plus 1.4.

While some DRM systems are currently being embedded in TV sets, the extensions provided by the CI Plus 1.4 enable the DRM function to be included within the CAM. These will allow OTT service providers to use their own security technology into the CAM and with a higher level of security than the TV set (DRM protection are provided by almost CAS vendors).

It is expected that new television sets and CAM supporting the new specification 1.4 will appear on the market around 2015/16.

Moreover, the migration from the current PCMCIA form factor is under consideration and the new form factor USB has been selected. Such a move would help CI Plus move into non-EU markets with no legacy. The new version of CI Plus based on the USB interface will be 2.0.