Nozzer, the specs you saw, you say they were basic NDS access cards so not sure how they translate to UK cards, but can't we assume that because they are basic NDS specs the would have the same basic building blocks of all NDS cards? Bit too simplistic a view maybe!?!
NDS have a habit of inventing and patenting things which may never actually be used commercially. The fact that they have systems able to handle certain situations doesn't necessarily mean that they will ever be implemented by NDS. Partly, its about being able to claim ownership of certain technology and thus either licence or deny access to competitors.