Eurocrypt, a technical approach

France Telecom´s decision to set up a conditional access service which would make it possible to install pay television services on cable networks is described. The corresponding technical research was entrusted to the CCETT which is competent in both the audiovisual and telecommunications fields. France Telecom´s desire to improve the economics of the systems of teledistribution in offsetting heavy investments led it to propose an open system of conditional access. CCETT´s in-depth knowledge of the satellite, cable and terrestrial networks and corresponding signals has led to a conditional access system that will meet pay television requirements in a single method that will be independent of the type of media used. The system is known as Eurocrypt