UPC to upgrade its digital TV encryption system

ENTERTAINMENT FIRM UPC is taking another step in its fight against illegal cable boxes by changing its encryption system for its digital TV service.

Channels have already begun to disappear from the unauthorised boxes, according to users, with channels such as MUTV and adult programming among the first to go.

The so-called “dodgy boxes”, which are available for under €100 from numerous websites, decrypt the digital TV signal and display the unscrambled channels.

Users need to subscribe to UPC’s basic analogue cable package, but once they have a box and provided digital TV is available in their area, they can access the full range of UPC’s digital channels free of charge.

Exact figures on how many people have bought the boxes are not available, but it is estimated that in the region of 100,000 of the devices could be in use on the Irish market.

UPC confirmed it has begun implementing a new system, with a card swap for digital customers being rolled out on a phased basis.

“We said it from last year that we would be deploying a new encryption system and introducing it from 2009, which is what we did from January,” said UPC spokeswoman Anna-Maria Barry.

“We’re introducing new measures to prevent those unauthorised digital boxes from receiving Chorus and NTL TV signal. It’s a new level of technical security to our network.”

UPC has tried to stem the tide of the illegal boxes accessing its services, warning that methods were being used to gather intelligence on the use of the boxes.

“It’s an industry-wide concern. The impact of piracy on any legitimate business is obviously considerable,” said Ms Barry.

“Pirates deny artists and performers a just return on their work.”

There has been speculation across numerous message boards as to what type of encryption is being used. However, UPC would not confirm the exact nature of the new encryption system.

Although some appear to have given up on their “dodgy box”, the general feeling online is that there is no system that is unhackable, and that it is only a matter of time before an update for the new boxes is provided that will circumvent UPC’s encryption.

“There are going to be people who will try to hack into a protected system,” said Ms Barry.

However, UPC said it is investing a “significant” figure in employing countermeasures and is confident that it will help discourage use of the boxes in Ireland.

“This is just another measure, another layer of security. We don’t just stop at one particular level, said Ms Barry.

“With companies such as UPC, there will always be countermeasures and investment in that area to counteract illegal means.”