ExpressVu swaps Smartcards to stop satellite piracy

In the second step of the update process, ExpressVu sent a letterin the mail to affected subscribers which included a new upgradedConditional Access (CA) SmartCard, which looks similar to a creditcard, and instructions on how to swap their cards.

Swapping the SmartCard on ExpressVu receivers is usually a simpleprocess. On most ExpressVu receivers, the SmartCard is located atthe front on the left hand side. The card fits into a small slotand, depending on the model, is either exposed or behind aprotective panel.

The subscriber just removes the old card and slides in the new one.Some ExpressVu receivers may not have a SmartCard in the slot sothe subscriber simply slides the new card in the free slot.

Once the new card is in place, customers activate the new cardonline or via a toll free phone number. Bell says it will then takeapproximately 15 minutes to 2 hours for programming to return tonormal.

The company is encouraging subscribers to replace and activate thenew Smartcard in the given time limit or they'll see a messagetelling them that it's critical to replace and activate theirSmartCards. Failure to do so will eventually result in theirprogramming be turned off.
Backgrounder on Encryption Simply speaking, Encryption is the digital process of modifyingdata to to prevent unauthorized access or viewing of theinformation. The process of transforming the data back into aformat that is readable is called decryption.

To defeat pirates from stealing their broadcasts, digital cable andsatellite television providers, such as ExpressVu, encrypt thesignals prior to transmission. Once the signals reach thesubscribers homes, the encrypted signals can only be decrypted byan authorized digital set top box or satellite receiver.

With ExpressVu, the SmartCard essentially holds the magic key thatallows your satellite receiver to decode the encrypted signal.Without a properly authorized SmartCard, subscribers won't be ableto watch television.
Why is Bell introducing a new Encryption scheme Since the last encryption scheme update in 2005, the ExpressVu andDish Network systems in the United States, have been seriouslycompromised by satellite pirates who are using inexpensiveFree-to-Air (FTA) receivers to illegally watch ExpressVu and Dishprogramming.

Last year, the Carmel Group estimated that more than 2 millionhomes in North America were pirating Bell ExpressVu and DishNetwork Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite television signals.

The new encryption scheme is an attempt by ExpressVu and DishNetwork to shut down the satellite pirates.
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