Saskatchewan Telecommunications (SaskTel) has selected Widevine Technologies to provide security for the telco's broadcast video and video-on-demand content.

SaskTel, which launched IP-based video services in 2002, will secure its content via Widevine's software-based "Cypher Virtual SmartCard."

"Widevine's VOD security solution allows full protection of media throughout its distribution; it is transparent and provides persistent encryption," said Bob Turner, SaskTel's director of technology, in a release.

SaskTel has launched video services in nine cities, and expects to offer them to 50,000 subs by 2006. Components of the company's DSL-based video platform include a media manager from Alcatel, VOD servers and backoffice systems from Kasenna Inc. and set-tops from Pace Micro Technology.