ASI

ASI a part of 3B ICT Cluster Network

asimk — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 15:32:05 +0000

ASI, as a member of MASIT and MACES, is proud to have its portfolio published on the new web page of 3B ICT Cluster Network. The network has been re-branded from BBS (Balkan and Black Sea) ICT Cluster Network to 3B ICT Cluster Network, including members from the Baltic countries, as well as from the Balkan and Black Sea region.

Based on this, MACES (Macedonian cluster for export of software and ICT services) as an affiliate of the 3B ICT Cluster Network, published the profiles of its members, available here. You can find our profile, along with our contact information here.

We are looking forward to a fruitful collaboration with our fellow members!

Blockchain in the world of television content security. How it all started?

asimk — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 09:18:05 +0000

Blockchain technology is the newest trend in the IT world. Everyone is talking about it, trying to find its application in different industries and gather the benefits.

But, what is blockchain? How it all started?

Blockchain is a database that is securely stored and updated by members of P2P network.

Blockchain is a method of implementing a decentralized database which can be continually updated but never directly edited by any sole participant or user. It has been securely used as the foundation of cryptocurrency. So, the first example of blockchain is the Bitcoin blockchain which was described by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008. The purpose of the Bitcoin blockchain is to manage Bitcoin cryptocurrency, which is a digital currency that used cryptography for security. The Bitcoin peer network is an unstructured P2P network run by all nodes.

Blockchain and content delivery

When companies deal with content delivery, usually security is managed by using tokens and DRM tools. They depend on centralized database, which relies on viewers that are being subscribed to the bouquets. This is opposite of the Blockchain technology, which uses, as mentioned above, decentralized database in a private network. In fact this leads, to a situation where tokens and DRM could be the first to disappear.

Blockchain leads to disintermediation of some stakeholders in the relationship between the Content owners and the viewers. Frictionless monetization of content will be enabled, to better compete with pirates. There will be a seamless match between the legal users with the legally purchased content. So even, if piracy exist (which is true), blockchain protects the whole network, because the hackers can only affect one node and not affect the functionality of the whole network. The system is entirely self – sustained, thanks to the decentralized hosting and encryption.

The use of “smart contracts”

Blockchain can play an important role in expanding the role of such services in the future, especially in the field of VoD, through the use of “smart contracts”. These are enabled by etherium, two parties agree to the terms which is then recorded as code on the blockchain. When a triggering event occurs, such as an expiration date or licensing request, the contract automatically executes the obligations according to the coded terms. Operators, content creators and copyrighters can be paid near instantaneously when their license work is used.

Does this mean that you will not be able to BitTorent the new Star Wars?

Someone, somewhere will find a copy of the movie without any DRM or blockchain security; even if they need to copy it with videocamera. It takes only one copy to be on the torrent network, so the whole world can watch it freely.

But softwares, can be made not to work at all without containing security (DRM, key, token…), so the future is ours to see in which direction we will all be going…

Stay tuned.

Digital Transformation in Macedonia: Challenge or Reality?

asimk — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 11:44:07 +0000

ASI will be sponsoring the MASIT conference on September 27th, taking place in the hotel Aleksandar Palace. The event, traditionally organized by the ICT chamber of conference is aiming to prompt a discussion under the title “Digital transformation in Macedonia: challenge of reality?“, including topics and issues in the areas of Internet of things, Security and Cloud Computing.

Expecting around 200 participants from all industries and fields that use IT solutions, there is no doubt that this year’s gathering will be another successful story, covering important subjects and inciting new and exciting arguments and solutions.

Don’t forget to register at the following link and save the date!

You can find the full agenda here.

ASI’s team on ANGA COM 2018

asimk — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 11:48:54 +0000

ASI participated in one of the biggest events in the broadband industry – ANGA COM 2018. The Exhibition and Congress for Broadband, Cable & Satellite, ANGA COM was held from the 12th to the 14th of June, in Cologne, Germany. This year’s event hosted over 19.000 visitors and 460 exhibitors, among which we got to showcase our products, solutions and services, supported by the Agency of Foreign Investments and Export Promotion. Our promotion was focused around our Content Security System, the Set Top Boxes we offer and our FTTH solution.

With the traditional slogan in mind – Where Broadband meets Content – both the conference and the exhibition initiated constructive discussions regarding the trends in the industry: 5G, FTTX, Internet of Things, IPTV, Consumer Devices, OTT Solutions – among many.

Meeting with all parties involved in the industry and sharing fresh thoughts and ideas, was an inspiring moment for us and one that will definitely push us forward. We are proud to have been a part of this amazing event and are looking forward to ANGA COM 2019!

ASI @ZKOS Conference

asimk — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 09:53:24 +0000

From the 6th to the 8th of June, ASI’s team attended the program conference of the Slovene Association of Cable Operators in Portoroz, Slovenia. Among the leading trends and technologies in the broadband industry, we offered a look into the brand new solution for protecting the operator’s content and revenue,the Content Security System. We also promoted our highly demanded set top boxes, powerful and customizable.

It was a great opportunity to meet with clients and partners, both from the region and world wide, as well as a chance to share ideas and introduce innovations.

ASI at the Western Balkans Digital Summit

asimk — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 10:13:55 +0000

Under the slogan “Building the future of Digital” the first Western Balkans Digital Summit was held in Skopje, from 18^th to 19^th April. Creating a platform for exchanging and forming ideas, the Summit was an amazing meeting point for the business community, representatives of the governments, regional organizations and academia. A side event of the Summit, the first Digital EXPO was an amazing opportunity for regional and international companies to showcase their innovative products, solutions and services, offering also the chance for meeting and networking with potential partners and clients.

Alternative System Integration-ASI was a part of this unique event, presenting to the public our brand new Content Security Solution, as well as our various customized set top boxes. We are glad for the opportunity to have access to potential business partners, both regional and international, in addition to being able to inspire others and get inspired by the latest developments in the digital industry.

GPON: A fast and reliable way to optics!

asimk — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 09:11:39 +0000

The use of the fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) form of delivering communication signals has already been spread through millions of households around the world, thanks to its benefits and the advantages it has over other technologies. One of the most popular ways of providing FTTH is through a Gigabit Passive Optical Network, also known as GPON.

The main characteristic of the GPON technology is its use of passive splitters in the fiber distribution network. This makes GPON a point-to-multipoint access network, in the sense that it enables a single feeding fiber from the provider to serve multiple premises.

GPON is in a significantly favored position over traditional networks, based on its features and performances. Compared to traditional networks the Gigabit Passive Optical Network provides a much higher amount of data transmission (i.e. a higher bandwidth capacity). The high bandwidth capacity supports all forms of IP based services from Security Systems, Video on Demand to High and Ultra High Definition IPTV and many more.

Aside from its speed, the GPON technology is also cost saving and reliable. Using 80% less copper and 60% less power than traditional networks, makes it a network infrastructure with the lowest cost on the market. The cabling used has a longer life, a longer reach, and a greater network security. Powerful safety measures are incorporated at the physical level, data level and the end user port, preventing risks of Denial of Service (DoSS), redirects and other malicious attacks. The GPON infrastructure is often characterized as “future-proof”. What this refers to is GPON’s ability to support the advances of the end user technology without the need to upgrade the GPON’s infrastructure.

At ASI – Alternative System Integration we offer a complete GPON solution, as well as GPON equipment consisting of OLT (Optical Line Terminal) and ONT (Optical Network Terminal). ASI provides rapid deployment of pre-terminated solutions, accelerating the process, and reducing costs and errors.

For GPON, the network infrastructure with the highest speed, longest life and lowest cost, do not hesitate to contact us! Our team of experts is at your disposal 24/7.

EURO / US DOCSIS 2.0 Modems

asimk — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 11:59:04 +0000

Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) 2.0 modems are high-performance house gateways that mix a cable modem, two-line digital voice adapter, router and Wi-Fi entry level in a single system.

DOCSIS 2.0 modems are characterised by:

high-performance;
enhanced upstream data;
economical voice and networking answer.

Because of these characteristics, the DOCSIS 2.0 modems are employed by many cable TV operators in the industry.

Take a look at the features of the models of DOCSIS 2.0 modems that we offer at ASI.

EPC2203 model

Ethernet ports: 1
Ethernet speed: 10/100
VoIP protocol: SIP + MGCP
VoIP/Phone ports: 2
US/Euro: Hybrid
Embedded MTA (provides two lines of voice services)
2200 mAh Li-Ion battery cartridge

Touchstone TM501A model

WAN ports: 1 (Coax F-connector)
LAN ports: 1
LAN ports type: 10/100 Base-TX (RJ-45)
VoIP protocols: SIP v2 (RFC 3261)/ T.38 (Fax over IP)
VoIP Voice Features: 3-way conferencing, caller ID, call waiting

Feel free to contact us for more details and prices.

Santa Claus’ visit to ASI

asimk — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 08:34:27 +0000

Along with the holiday spirit, Santa Claus payed a visit to ASI’s offices to surprise the little ones. Our colleague’s children were very excited to spend time and play with Spiderman and were rewarded with presents from Santa Claus for being good all year.

We hope this holiday period fills your hearts with peace, joy and love! Happy Holidays and a New Year full of prosperity and success!

Conditional Access Systems (CAS)

asimk — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 12:59:00 +0000

In order to protect the content and rights, digital TV operators turn to the technology known as conditional access or CA. Conditional access, as the name itself suggests, provides the service of controlling the access to digital television to people who are or are not subscribers. Their end goal is simple and clear – encrypting the channel signal and decrypting it only for the viewers who meet the required conditions. Besides the most common use by digital TV operators, conditional access can also be applied to digital radio and data broadcasts, non-broadcast information and interactive services. The equipment and software required for the system is supplied by the CAS provider, so that the broadcasters can incorporate it in their own equipment.

Every CA system is made up of the following fundamental components: a Subscriber Management System, a Subscriber Authorization System, a security module and a set-top box.

Even though securing the content is of outmost importance to pay TV operators, the development and maintenance of a conditional access system can be extremely time consuming and ineffective. That is why operators entrust the safety of their content to companies specializing in pay TV protection technology.

We, ASI, offer the extensive set of features which make up Conax Contego’s sophisticated platform as well as the set top box itself.

Conax Contego unifies all DVB, IPTV and OTT clients in one security management system. Keeping up with the wide array of content offered, as well as ways and devices to access it by, presents an ongoing challenge of securing the whole of the pay TV eco-system. Conax Contego provides solutions for secure eco-systems through support for linear, time shifting and on demand content viewed on every available consumer device, from smart TVs to smart phones, laptops and tablets. The service presents high flexibility to the size and settings of any business model and operation requirement, allowing remote activation of new features and increasing of capacity and performance.

The subscription to Conax Contego comes with constant maintenance and upgrades of software patches, preserving its efficiency and cost effectiveness. ASI offers you support through the whole process and the team of experts can be at your disposal 24/7.