WE refer to Joe Tan’s comments dated April 24 on the Astro smart card.

The upgrade of our smart cards is to ensure that the security of our system remains uncompromised. It is also to curb piracy.

Customers who have received their smart cards should replace their old smart cards within seven days of receipt.

Customers are advised to follow the steps below when activating the software download for the new smart card:

- Switch on the decoder and go to Channel 880. Remove the old (red) smart card slowly and follow instructions that appear on the TV screen.

Insert the new (gold) smart card slowly and press the “ok” button on the remote control.

- Press the “ok” button on the remote control again when prompted on the TV screen. Your TV screen will go blank as the decoder performs a software update that will take 15 minutes.

- You will see an “auto update” message on your decoder’s front panel and when the time reappears on the panel, you can resume viewing by pressing any channel number on your remote control.

Please pay attention to the following points to ensure successful replacement of the smart cards:

- Make sure that your decoder is on for 15 seconds after you have switched it on from stand-by mode.

- Please do not switch channels using your remote conrol while your decoder is performing the software download.

- Make sure that the new (gold) smart card is inserted into the correct smart card slot (”smart card 1″ slot).

- Depending on your decoder type, take note whether the white arrow on your smart card is facing up or down.

Follow the same direction of the arrow on your old (red) smart card when doing this.

For details, customers can call Astro’s customer service helpline at 1-300-82-3838, visit www.astro.my or email us at wecare@astro.com.my.

AHMAD MUSTAZA ISMAIL, Director, Customer Service, Astro

Source: NST – April 28, 2008