Executive interview with Geir Bjørndal from Conax

Introduction

Conax, a leading global provider of security solutions for digital TV and content distribution, is launching its new security platform, Conax Contego, at IBC 2010. Conax Contego benchmarks new security levels for open standards content security solutions. In this indepth interview Joe O'Halloran, editor of Rapid TV News, and Robin Hague, editor of Freeband TV News, talk to Geir Bjørndal, Conax EVP Products and Markets, about content security in a multi-platform, multi-device environment, how Conax Contego addresses these issues and what challenges and new markets he sees emerging in the future.

Company profile

Logo_w_slogan_USE_30sept09 Conax, a leading global provider of security solutions for digital TV and content distribution, provides content protection for premium pay-TV content via all types of networks - cable, satellite, IP, terrestrial, and MMDS. Through its global network of partners, Conax is able to offer state-of-the-art content security to more than 350 digital TV operators in over 80 countries around the globe. Conax is ISO 9001 certified and ISO 27001 security certified. All Conax products are compliant with open standards.

Conax headquarters are located in Oslo, Norway, with subsidiaries in USA, India, Germany, China and Brazil and sales & support offices in Russia, Singapore, South Korea and Canada.

Conax is part of the Telenor Group (www.telenor.com). Telenor Group has telecom operations in 14 countries, 172 million mobile subscriptions worldwide and is among the largest mobile operators in the world.

Interviewee profile

Geir Bjørndal, EVP, Products and Markets, Conax

Mr. Bjørndal's rich career within the pay-TV industry began in 1992 in the development engineering team of Telenor's TV division. In 1994, Mr Bjørndal moved to daughter company, Conax. After gaining extensive experience within the technical aspects of pay-TV operations, Mr. Bjørndal later joined Conax' commercial operations as Product Manager for Pay-TV Systems. From 2003 until 2009, Bjørndal led the Conax Sales & Marketing Division during the period highly significant in establishing Conax as a leading global player within content security. He also held the dual role of COO. Today, Conax's EVP, Products & Markets, Mr. Bjørndal, is responsible for leading the development of Conax' extensive global partner, product strategy, business development and marketing activities.

Chapters
0. Introduction	4. Where will Conax Contago begin its initial roll-out and how has it been future-proofed?
1. Defining the content security landscape	5. With TiVo as a prime example, how has Conax built its marketing partnership structure?
2. What will Conax’s new Contego security platform offer operators?	6. What are the new market frontiers for Conax?
3. How Conax Contego is easier to use	7. What are the key targets for Conax and how does it view the challenge from TV manufacturers walling their own content gardens?