|
 |
|
|
Issue #46 - |
|||
GlobeCast Launches Second Digital HOT BIRD DTH Platform From LondonEutelsat Plans Expansion of Broadband Multimedia ServicesNew Skies to Re-Deploy NSS-8 to Cover Indian OceanTelesat Selects Astrium For Anik F Satellite
|
|||
|
|||
|
|
|
|
GlobeCast Launches Second Digital HOT BIRD DTH Platform From LondonFrance Telecom subsidiary GlobeCast, announced the launch of its new proprietary digital DTH platform on the Eutelsat HOT BIRD satellite via its digital teleport and broadcast center in London. The new platform will add to GlobeCast’s five existing HOT BIRD platforms (one via London and four via Paris), expanding GlobeCast’s direct-to-home broadcast capacity over Europe. GlobeCast manages more than 30 digital platforms throughout the world for DTH, cable headend delivery, IPSat Services, occasional services and contribution. GlobeCast’s digital platforms on HOT BIRD at 13 degrees East offer immediate access to over 95 million television households in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. GlobeCast presently delivers more than 100 television and radio channels via HOT BIRD for DTH or cable headend delivery. Eutelsat Plans Expansion of Broadband Multimedia ServicesEutelsat SA, has awarded contracts to ViaSat for two broadband satellite networking systems and development of a future Ka-band system. The systems will enable Eutelsat to take full advantage of its new high-powered satellites to offer a wider range of services at more attractive prices than with other VSAT systems. Eutelsat has signed an agreement to deploy up to 10,000 ViaSat LinkStar broadband VSATs over the next two years. In addition, to begin consumer broadband service trials, Eutelsat will use ViaSat's new consumer/SOHO broadband system called SurfBeam. The services are all slated to use Eutelsat's new Hot Bird 6 satellite, launched in August 2002, which features 28 Ku-band and four Ka-band transponders, as well as the rest of the Eutelsat fleet. The value of the development contracts is in excess of US$2.5 million, but also included is a two-year ordering agreement for LinkStar. Already the owner of three LinkStar DVB-compatible hubs, Eutelsat will now partner more closely with the Comsat Laboratories division of ViaSat in implementing a true DVB-RCS standard network for enterprise services across Europe. Under this new contract for LinkStar, ViaSat will develop system software in addition to supplying subscriber terminals. LinkStar will enhance current Eutelsat multimedia services targeting enterprise customers using Ku-band satellite bandwidth. LinkStar provides an efficient broadband IP satellite network for corporate Internet access, video conferencing, distance education, and VPNs. Each remote site on the LinkStar network shares a broadband DVB receive channel up to 60Mbit/s and can transmit data back through the hub at speeds of up to 1.1Mbit/s. Eutelsat will implement consumer broadband services with SurfBeam. The system leverages the DOCSIS standard to lower the cost of consumer terminals, enable easy self-installation for customers, and provide mature back office, billing and network control software to network providers. Eutelsat will first integrate the SurfBeam system into its Rombouillet facility, then work with ViaSat on consumer and SOHO service trials during the second quarter of 2003. Eutelsat plans to begin making the service available, primarily to European ISPs, in the second half of 2003. Eutelsat and ViaSat's Comsat Laboratories are also developing a new Ka-band broadband system called Skyplex, aimed at the coming market for high-speed multimedia communications. Higher frequency Ka-band satellites promise smaller, lower-cost terminals and reduced satellite air-time costs. In addition, Skyplex is designed to be the world's first multimedia satellite network to feature multiplexing of digital television, radio, and data on-board the satellite. The system will be able to collect uplink signals from many sources, in many locations, package them on-board the satellite and deliver them to consumer digital receivers on the ground. Customers will avoid long video backhauls to a central location and smaller or regional content providers will find it easier to contribute programming. New Skies to Re-Deploy NSS-8 to Cover Indian OceanNew Skies Satellites will re-deploy its NSS-8 satellite, originally scheduled to be launched to 105 degrees west longitude for Americas coverage, to the company’s 57 east slot to provide expansion capacity in response to demand in the Indian Ocean region. NSS-8 is expected to commence commercial service at 57 east, where New Skies’ NSS-703 satellite is currently operating, on or around January 1, 2005. By deploying its newest, largest, and most powerful satellite to an established orbital location in the Indian Ocean region, New Skies will ensure it can continue to meet the current and future needs of its many customers throughout India, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa as well as capitalize on the region’s strong projected growth. NSS-8 originally had been planned for launch in late 2003 to serve the Americas market from 105 degrees west longitude. NSS-703, launched in 1994, has long been one of New Skies’ most highly utilized satellites. Following its replacement by NSS-8, New Skies will re-deploy NSS-703, which is expected to continue commercial service until 2009, to another orbital location. "This decision underscores New Skies’ operational agility and our commitment to make the most efficient and productive use of our satellite resources and committed capital expenditure programs in a dynamic market environment," said Dan Goldberg, chief executive officer of New Skies Satellites. Telesat Selects Astrium For Anik F SatelliteJust weeks after the successful launch of its latest DBS satellite, Nimiq 2, Telesat announced it as signed a contract with Astrium, Europe's largest space company, for a new satellite targeted for launch in 2005 to replace the Anik F1 satellite and ensure continuity of service for its customers. The new satellite, Anik F1R, will support telecommunications, broadcasting and Internet services. "When Telesat selects a satellite manufacturer, our number one priority is always providing high-quality, reliable service to our customers - as we've been doing for more than thirty years," said Larry Boisvert, Telesat's president and CEO. "Astrium offered Telesat the right blend of experience, innovation and ease of doing business, and we look forward to working with their team." Astrium will design and build the satellite and supply both the payload and the platform. The Canadian industry will supply a significant part of the spacecraft equipment and technology. The satellite will provide for a full range of fixed satellite communications services that include telephony, business communications, Internet-based services and television transmission and will be equipped with 24 transponders in C-band and 32 transponders in Ku-band. The spacecraft, which is based on the E3000 version of the Eurostar family, has a launch mass of 4 tons, a solar array span of 35 meters once deployed in orbit, and a spacecraft power of 10 kW at end of life. The satellite, operating in geostationary orbit, will provide commercial services for a minimum of 15 years. |
|
|||
|
Home | Industry | Internet & Broadband | People | Events Subscribe | Unsubscribe | Browse or Search Archives | Advertise on SKYBroadband Please send Press Releases, Product Releases, Financial News © 2003 by SKYBroadband. All Rights Reserved.
|
|||
Industry