LONDON -- NDS Group plc, the leading provider of technology solutions for digital pay-TV has announced that NDS Synamedia(TM), the NDS IPTV and VOD solution, will complete a second phase of a commercial software roll out to SOFTBANK Group's BBTV customers. This large-scale commercial launch of a secure pay-TV service using IP secures NDS's reputation for security, delivery and integration of IPTV systems.

BBTV use NDS's Synamedia(TM) software suite at the head-end and NDS smart cards for use in subscriber set-top boxes (STB). BBTV will initially be offered across 47 prefectures in Japan and will give customers IPTV plus more than 5200 video titles on demand.

SOFTBANK BB Corporation and Yahoo Japan Corporation's ADSL service, Yahoo! BB, launched in September 2001 is the broadband network in Japan. BBTV will deliver more than 40 channels through STBs and also offer a sophisticated electronic program guide.

Ken Miyauchi, president of BB Cable Corporation said: "We have been working with NDS for a number of years and we know that we have a service that is going to change the way that people view television. NDS is the world leader in the provision of content protection and protection of platform revenues. NDS is a partner in the development for our content delivery strategy and this launch is another step ensuring SOFTBANK Group's domination of the broadband multi-service mix of broadband Internet, IP telephony and IPTV."

NDS Ltd.