December 2010: APSCC Monthly e-Newsletter
The Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council (APSCC) aims to keep its members and subscribers updated with the latest satellite industry news as well as APSCC activities, thus produces a e-newsletter on a monthly basis as part of its information services for its members and professionals in the satellite industry. To renew your subscription, please fill out the Subscription Reply form and send it to at least every six months. To unsubscribe, send an email to with a title “Unsubscribe.”
News in this issue has been collected from November 1 through November 30.
SATELLITE BUSINESS NEWS
Hughes Successfully Demonstrates High Throughput Broadband Capabilities of HN9400 in Australia
November 2, 2010 - Hughes Network Systems, successfully demonstrated 16 Mbps of TCP throughput and over 20 Mbps of UDP streaming throughput to a single HN9400 Ka-/Ku-band broadband satellite terminal. This allowed the terminal to support Web browsing, streaming video, voice, and video conferencing applications simultaneously. The demonstrations were conducted in Australia using broadband satellite capacity provided by IPSTAR and SES WORLD SKIES. The live demonstrations featured aggregate satellite Internet usage of 16 Mbps and in addition, included simultaneous downloading from the Web of video clips, photos, software updates, and music; downloading streaming movies; VoIP; and point-to-point video conferencing - all delivered over the HN9400. The HN9400 is fully compliant with the IPoS/DVB-S2/ACM industry standard, supporting up to 60 Mbps of throughput on the forward channel. Incorporating advanced adaptive LDPC coding on the return channel provides up to 20% improvement in link performance, thereby enabling very efficient use of satellite capacity.
ITU Deploys 100 Satellite Terminals in Flood-Affected Pakistan
November 2, 2010 - ITU has deployed 100 broadband satellite terminals in the flood-affected districts of Pakistan. In the aftermath of the disaster, ITU's emergency telecommunications team has been working closely with the Pakistan administration to restore vital communication links. The satellite terminals are being deployed to restore communications and provide a platform from which telemedicine applications/services will be provided in remote areas that remain difficult to access and where medical attention is a priority in the aftermath of the disaster. The floods that ravaged Pakistan were the worst ever in living memory. Nearly 20 million were affected and vast tracts of fertile agricultural land had been inundated.
Intelsat Network Expands NewWave Broadband Maritime Communications Offering
November 3, 2010 - NewWave Broadband Ltd has signed a multi-transponder, multi-year contract for Ku-band capacity on two future Intelsat satellites. The Intelsat 19 (IS-19) and Intelsat 22 (IS-22) satellites are slated for launch in 2012 and will offer Ku-band beams optimized for maritime mobile communications and provide ocean coverage from the Middle East to the Asia-Pacific region. NewWave Broadband will take advantage of these mobility beams to enhance the delivery of its maritime broadband services. In addition to IS-19 and IS-22, Intelsat has designed mobility beams on two additional satellites that will be in service by 2013. These satellites, along with its IntelsatONESM terrestrial platform, will enhance Intelsat’s global Ku-band fabric that is designed to address broadband requirements with total downstream carrier throughput of over 60Mbps.
Eutelsat Announces 10-Year Contract with Nilesat
November 8, 2010 - Eutelsat Communications announced that Nilesat has inked a 10-year contract for five transponders at the 7° West orbital position. The capacity will be activated in the first phase on Eutelsat's ATLANTIC BIRD™ 4A satellite, and subsequently transferred to ATLANTIC BIRD™ 7 which is scheduled for launch and deployment at 7° West in 2011.This contract forms part of the strategic agreement signed in March 2009 between Eutelsat and Nilesat to collaborate on a long-term basis on optimizing resources at the 7° West position, which is used by both companies for satellite broadcasting across North Africa, and the Middle East.
Newpoint Technologies Awarded Multiple Government and Commercial Contracts Valued at $2.1 Million
November 8, 2010 - Newpoint Technologies, has been awarded $2.1M through multiple contracts from the U.S. Government, international military, commercial satellite operators and service providers. Under the terms of the contracts, Newpoint Technologies will provide its COMPASS Network Management System (NMS) for critical network assets and services. The automation and configuration management functionality in COMPASS NMS helps ensure consistent service and the satisfaction of Service Level Agreements (SLA). Customers can reduce costs by automating manual tasks and recovering from network failures or other conditions. In addition, COMPASS NMS reduces downtime and eliminates failures commonly associated with human error when attempting to reconfigure backup equipment.
Thuraya to Launch Post-Paid Mobile Satellite Services in Libya
November 8, 2010 - Customers in Libya will now be able to enjoy Thuraya’s post-paid mobile satellite handheld services. This comes after the signing of a commercial agreement between the mobile satellite operator and Al Jeel Al Jadeed, a firm specialized in satellite communications. Al Jeel Al Jadeed, which is a subsidiary to Libya Post Telecom and Information Technology Company, has also been assigned as a distributor of Thuraya IP and Marine services which will be promoted to vertical markets in Libya. Thuraya IP is the world’s smallest satellite broadband solution and capable of achieving streaming speeds of 384 Kbps. With Standard IP speeds of up to 444 Kbps, Thuraya IP requires no additional software for installation as it is based on a user-friendly plug and play system. Thuraya Marine is a multi-communication device offering voice, data, SMS and fax services onboard ships. The solution also provides distress calling services to organizations selected by the customer.
SES WORLD SKIES Inks Capacity Deal with Vizada Networks
November 9, 2010 - SES WORLD SKIES has signed a capacity agreement with Vizada Networks for reliable telecommunications network backup across Africa's Sub Saharan region. A full 36 MHz transponder aboard SES WORLD SKIES' NSS-5 satellite is delivering GSM backhaul restoration service, supporting an African telecom provider's voice network in the event of a terrestrial outage. It is the latest in a series of strategic deals between Vizada Networks and SES WORLD SKIES that now tap a dozen transponders on five satellites to enable everything from mobile communications, corporate networks and internet access across Africa and the Middle East. The 16.4 meter satellite antenna at Vizada Networks' Nittedal teleport in Norway is delivering the African telecom restoration solution based on NSS-5.
iDirect Evolution Network to Provide VNO Services in EMEA and ASIA
November 11, 2010 - VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect) announced that SatLink Communications, a provider of transmission solutions for video, audio and data over satellite platforms, fiber and IP, has launched an iDirect Evolution network to enhance its data services. By purchasing a new Evolution satellite hub, SatLink is offering complete service coverage across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. By deploying an Evolution network, SatLink is enhancing its service portfolio, including hub hosting and VNO operations, along with its core data, video and IP transmission businesses, while expanding its capacity for new customers.
Iridium Awarded Contracts by US DoD to Upgrade Satellite Communications Gateway in Hawaii
November 11, 2010 - Iridium Communications Inc. has won three Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) contracts to upgrade the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Enhanced Mobile Satellite Service (EMSS) Gateway in Hawaii. This effort, which is part of the DoD’s EMSS Gateway Modernization Effort, is driven by three predominantly firm fixed-price contracts totaling $12,215,576. The DoD’s Iridium EMSS Gateway serves as a dedicated portal for the uplink and downlink of voice and data traffic through Iridium satellites for DoD and other U.S. government users throughout the world. The scope of work covered under the DISA contracts includes replacement of key switching systems, upgrades to critical components of the Message Origination Center (MOC) and replacement of antenna radomes at the EMSS Gateway.
Hughes Announces New M2M Broadband Service
November 15, 2010 - Hughes Network Systems announced the launch of its new machine-to-machine (M2M) broadband service that enables the utility, energy, and other industries with remote unmanned equipment to extend faster network intelligence to their entire infrastructure, regardless of hard-to-reach locations or environmental conditions. The new Hughes offering is ideally suited for electric, gas, and water utilities, oil and gas pipelines, compressors and well sites, railways, energy producers, and similar companies that rely on a growing flood of data from remote devices to keep their operations ready and on high alert. The Hughes M2M service will also help companies to better meet new regulatory requirements for monitoring and control of their infrastructure, providing ubiquitous, reliable network coverage to even the most isolated or challenging locations.
Permira Funds Complete Acquisition of Asia Broadcast Satellite.
November 15, 2010 - Ace Investments 1 Limited, a company advised by the Permira funds, along with the Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) have successfully completed the acquisition of Kingsbridge Limited, the holding company for ABS. The acquisition represents a full exit for Citigroup Venture Capital International Proprietary Investment Partnership, L.P. and Citigroup Venture Capital International Co-Investment, L.P., which have been the majority shareholders of ABS since 2006, along with ADM Capital and certain other shareholders.
Globecomm Awarded Pre-Engineered Systems Contract from a US Government Agency Valued
November 18, 2010 - Globecomm Systems Inc. has been awarded a pre-engineered systems contract from a US Government Agency valued at $3.3M. Under the terms set forth in the contract, Globecomm will supply multiple Summit(TM) and Auto-Explorer(TM) Pre-Engineered Terminals. Globecomm anticipates the completion of this contract in the Company's fiscal year 2011 fourth quarter ending June 30, 2011.
Gilat Completes Acquisition of Wavestream Corporation
November 29, 2010 - Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. has completed its acquisition of Wavestream Corporation. Wavestream, a provider of high power solid state amplifiers, was acquired for approximately $130M and an earn-out over the next 12 months of up to $6.8M. Wavestream's family of Ka, Ku, X and C-band Solid State Power Amplifiers (SSPA) and Block Upconverters (BUC) provide systems integrators with field-proven, high performance solutions designed for mobile and fixed satellite communication systems worldwide. Wavestream is expected to generate revenues of approximately $70M in 2010 and have a positive EBITDA of between 15 and 20%.
Inmarsat introduces IsatPhone Pro and BGAN 176kbps in Vietnam
November 30, 2010 - Inmarsat strengthened its presence in the rapidly growing Vietnam market with the introduction of IsatPhone Pro, its new global handheld satellite phone, and the new 176kbps streaming rate for its award-winning Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) service. Globally launched earlier this year IsatPhone offers the longest battery life, the most robust handset, clear voice quality, supported by the global Inmarsat-4 satellite network. Meanwhile, the 176kbps streaming service is the newest addition to the BGAN streaming portfolio comprising of BGAN X-Stream™, the world’s fastest on-demand streaming service which delivers a minimum of 384kbps, and the BGAN 256kbps.
Pactel International Participates in the MEDINET Project
November 11, 2010 - Pactel International was appointed to assist the MEDINET Project (funded by The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and Commonwealth Secretariat) in Vanuatu by providing Internet connectivity to medical facilities in the remote regions of the country. The aim of the project was to provide reliable, real-time electronic communications for administrative and clinical staff in Vanuatu Ministry of Health’s selected locations due to an immediate need for the communications infrastructure upgrade. Pactel International partnered up with the international health consulting company, JTA International to design, procure and provision solar-powered VSAT data services to provide seamless communication between five key locations and the capital city of Vanuatu, Port Villa. The Global Fund funded the equipment, the Commonwealth Secretariat supported the training and SPC managed the project. The VSAT system itself is based on Pactel’s Rural Internet Connectivity Scheme, running on a Ku-Band platform. It is directly connected to their fully redundant backbone via GE-23 in Hawaii to provide dynamic allocation of internet bandwidth between all five locations.
BROADCASTING NEWS
Intelsat Extends Contract with Viewsat
November 17, 2010 - Intelsat S.A. announced that Viewsat, a major provider of global broadcast and transmission services for television and radio channels, extended its commitment to Intelsat’s video neighborhood at 68.5 degrees East. The multi-transponder agreement extends Viewsat’s current contract on the Intelsat 10 satellite onto the Intelsat 20 satellite (IS-20) following its launch and entry into service in 2012. Viewsat distributes free-to-air programming bouquets reaching all the Sub-Saharan countries. Viewsat carries religious and general entertainment programming that currently includes the following networks: Press TV, KICC TV, and Supreme Master TV. Viewsat is among 36 DTH platforms carried on the global Intelsat network.
Solar Boosts Platform with Three New Channels with MEASAT
November 26, 2010 - Solar Entertainment Corporation (Solar) has expanded its platform with three new channels; NBA Premium HD, DIVA Universal and NBC Universal. The new channels are distributed through the MCPC network in the Philippines via the MEASAT-3 and MEASAT-3a satellites. Solar is a Philippine-based media company with cable channels, Free-TV Channels (Solar TV/RPN, ETC/SBN and 2nd Avenue/RJTV) and also in the film distribution business. The film distribution unit is the local affiliate for United International Pictures.
GlobeCast Successfully Brings the Asian Games to Billions of TV Viewers
November 29, 2010 - At the Asian Games, GlobeCast has delivered over 2,500 hours of broadcast to unilateral clients as well as to the membership of the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) meaning a potential television audience of billions. From November 12-27, the GlobeCast team was on site in full force at the Asian Games in Guangzhou to serve its broadcast clientele, managing end-to-end SD/HD content delivery and unilateral feeds for major broadcasters including i-Cable, Al Jazeera and Al Kass Sport among others. Additionally, from the International Broadcast Center (IBC), GlobeCast ensured the smooth worldwide delivery of the games for ABU/TVNZ’s World Feed to broadcasters. The delivery of the games was powered by the company’s fiber optic network - the GlobeCast Backbone Network - and via GlobeCast’s capacity on AsiaSat5 and MEASAT-3.
In recent months, the GlobeCast team was also kept busy servicing broadcasters with deployments at events such as the G20 Summit in Seoul and the ASEAN Summit in Hanoi, in partnership with Associated Press Global Media Services.