APSCC Monthly e-Newsletter March 2012
The Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council (APSCC) e-Newsletter is produced on a monthly basis as part of APSCC’s information services for members and professionals in the satellite industry. Subscribe to the APSCC monthly newsletter and be updated with the latest satellite industry news as well as APSCC activities! To renew your subscription, please fill out the attached Subscription Reply form and send it to [email protected]. To unsubscribe, send an email to [email protected] with a title “Unsubscribe.”
News in this issue has been collected from February 1 through February 29.
INSIDE APSCC
CommunicAsia2012 Summit: Satellite Communications and Broadband Driven Trends 19 June 2012, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
APSCC presents the Satellite Communications Summit at CommunicAsia 2012 on June 19 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore in partnership with talk Satellite and Singapore Exhibition Services. The Satellite Communications Summit this year will address hot issues as well as future trends of the Asia-Pacific satellite scene and provide pro-active dialog on how as a satellite industry can best meet the challenges that lie ahead. APSCC members can take a 15 % discount off the summit registration fee. APSCC cordially invites its members and satellite executives to join the satellite summit to share what the distinctive satellite leaders talk! Please visit http://www.communicasia.com/call-papers.html#Satellite for further information
APSCC 2012 Satellite Conference and Exhibition 25 -– 27 September, 2012, COEX, Seoul, Korea This year the annual conference of APSCC is heading towards North East Asia!
An international autumn gathering for the executives in the satellite and the space-related industries, APSCC 2012 Satellite Conference & Exhibition will be held on September 25 – 27, 2012. This 15th annual flagship event of the APSCC is back to Seoul, Korea – one of the hub cities in the Northeast Asian region for your satellite business. At APSCC 2012 you will be able to reach the highly targeted selection of satellite professionals to network and promote your business. The top level satellite executives at APSCC 2012 can make you have an opportunity to discuss strategic partnerships and make new business opportunities. For conference program. sponsorship & exhibition inquiries, contact the APSCC Secretariat at [email protected].
SATELLITE BUSINESS
KVH Introduces Breakthrough Dual-Band Maritime VSAT Solution with Global Coverage February 1, 2012 - KVH Industries, Inc. announced a major upgrade to its mini-VSAT BroadbandSM network with the addition of global C-band satellite coverage overlaying its Ku-band footprint. This first-of-a-kind, unified dual- band maritime satellite communications network will provide multi-megabit service covering 95% of the Earth's surface, including all of the world's major shipping routes, offshore oil fields, and commercial fishing grounds. It will be the first next-generation global VSAT network using a single, relatively small antenna to provide offshore connectivity to vessels almost anywhere they travel. Along with the enhanced satellite coverage, KVH also introduced the TracPhone® V11 satellite communications system, a revolutionary new onboard terminal that uses a single, stabilized antenna with a unique dual-band transmit and receive capability to seamlessly switch between the mini-VSAT Broadband network's global C- and Ku-band satellite coverage.
Eutelsat's Tooway Satellite Service Set to Boost Broadband in France
APSCC Monthly e-Newsletter 1 March 2012 February 1, 2012 - NomoTech and Eutelsat Communications announced the signature of a contract to commercialize the Tooway satellite broadband service in France. NomoTech's choice of Tooway™, delivered by Eutelsat's powerful KA-SAT satellite, will accelerate broadband deployment to users beyond ADSL, contributing to closing France's broadband gap. The service launched today by Ozone, NomoTech's ISP, is immediately available across France. The deal signed between NomoTech and Eutelsat's affiliate Skylogic, follows on from the Tooway™ service offered by SFR, which is now provided by NomoTech and merged in 2011 with the broadband activities of Numéo. The launch of Tooway™ underscores NomoTech's ambition, via Ozone, to raise the bar of wireless broadband services for users beyond ADSL.
Globalstar Customers Reaping Benefits of New Second-Generation Satellites February 1, 2012 - Globalstar, Inc. announced its commercial and recreational customers are experiencing significant improvements in Globalstar's satellite telephone service. The enhancements to Globalstar's service is the result of the company's recently deployed second-generation satellites, designed to support its current voice, Duplex and Simplex data products and services including its SPOT brand of retail consumer products. On December 28, 2011, the company successfully completed its third launch of six second-generation satellites from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Globalstar expects to announce an update regarding the timing of its fourth launch in the next few weeks. Globalstar is on track to be the first Mobile Satellite Services provider to launch, deploy and utilize a second-generation constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites to service new and existing customers around the world.
Inmarsat Selects Metaswitch to Expand Maritime Communications Service February 1, 2012 - Inmarsat has selected Metaswitch to expand and enrich its FleetBroadband maritime communications service, the maritime communications service to provide cost-effective broadband data and voice, simultaneously, through a compact antenna on a global basis. Inmarsat's new 'FB Multi-voice' capability will greatly increase the flexibility of FleetBroadband by adding the ability to deliver simultaneous calls. The company will deploy Metaswitch Universal Media Gateways and the MetaSphere Multimedia Telephony Application Server (MTAS) at network hubs in Western Europe and the Pacific Rim, with control from Inmarsat's global headquarters in London.
Integral Systems Receives CCS-C Contract Extension February 1, 2012 - Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. has announced that its Integral Systems subsidiary has received a US$15.69 million extension to its Command and Control System-Consolidated, or CCS-C, contract from the US Air Force, or USAF, Space and Missile Systems Center, or SMC. Under the terms of the contract extension Integral Systems will continue to provide the USAF and SMC with its EPOCH Integrated Product Suite, or IPS, to simplify operations by consolidating satellite ground systems. The award extends CCS-C system sustainment, hardware maintenance, software maintenance, and operations support through calendar year 2012.
SES and NordNet Expand ASTRA2Connect Offering to 10Mb/s February 2, 2012 - SES and NordNet, the French internet service provider and a subsidiary of France-Télécom- Orange, announced that they have expanded their service offering of SES’ satellite broadband service ASTRA2Connect with higher speeds of up to 10 Mbps. Customers of the long-standing ASTRA2Connect partner in France are thus able to access the internet with increased speeds via the SES orbital position 28.2 degrees East.
Marlink Upgrades Global Maritime VSAT Service with iDirect February 6, 2012 - VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect) announced that Marlink, one of the largest maritime VSAT network operators, has upgraded its global service with the integration of iDirect's Evolution X5 Satellite Router and latest operating software release, iDX 3.0. Vessels operating Marlink's WaveCall services have all received the required onboard equipment, enabling Marlink to increase reliability and bandwidth efficiency for core voice, email, Internet and remote business applications. Marlink's new service upgrade will benefit several maritime customer segments, including leisure, commercial transport, oil and gas, and commercial shipping vessels.
Digi Extends Internet of AnyThing to Iridium Satellite Network February 7, 2012 - Digi International announced that the Iridium satellite network supports the iDigi Device Cloud™. Similar to cellular SMS, Digi devices with an Iridium data transceiver inside can now send and receive data via the iDigi Device Cloud over the Iridium network. This capability extends connectivity to the remote corners of the globe faster and easier than ever before. The iDigi Device Cloud provides the infrastructure required to access and control devices over the Internet. It provides a high degree of scalability, reliability and security. Software developers access the cloud via iDigi Manager Pro and/or iDigi Web services to simplify device integration.
APSCC Monthly e-Newsletter 2 March 2012 Skyware Global Unveils Ka-Band Facility in Philippines February 7, 2012 - Skyware Global has announced the launch of its new Ka-band transceiver production line and testing facility in Cabuyao, Philippines. Exemplifying Skyware Global’s depth and breadth of experience in the industry, the test system was commissioned, designed and built entirely in-house by the company’s RF Electronics group. The production line consists of seven independent test systems; each tester combines state-of- the-art test equipment with hardware and software custom designed by Skyware Global engineers to maximize testing throughput and ensure product quality. Test data from each station is automatically stored to a local database and simultaneously streamed off-site to a remote redundant database located in Skyware Global’s facility in the UK. This approach guarantees data integrity, maximizes up-time and facilitates real-time yield monitoring and statistical process control.
Algérie Télécom Satellite Selects Eutelsat's New Atlantic Bird 7 February 8, 2012 - Algérie Télécom Satellite (ATS) is expanding its relationship with Eutelsat Communications with five-year capacity contracts concluded on the new ATLANTIC BIRD 7 satellite. ATS has chosen the superior coverage of the entire Algerian territory afforded by ATLANTIC BIRD 7, enabling it to further extend mobile telephony penetration and data networks operated by the public administration. The two new leases, covering a total 47 MHz of capacity, join the five 36 MHz transponders already used by ATS on Eutelsat's ATLANTIC BIRD 3 satellite. It further anchors satellite as a core technology for the largest country in Africa, as Algeria's leading telecom operator continues to build out digital networks to rural areas and to serve demand for interconnectivity from the finance and energy sectors.
Globecomm Awarded Equipment Acquisition and Engineering Services February 8, 2012 - Globecomm Systems Inc. announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, ComSource has been awarded a one year Equipment Acquisition and Engineering Services contract from a telecommunications service provider (the customer) valued at up to US$11.0 million. The Company has received funding in the amount of US$8.6 million and the customer has an option to provide additional funding for the remaining amount throughout the contract term. ComSource will provide acquisition services to acquire selected telecommunications hardware and engineering support to provide laboratory independent, verification and validation testing services.
Gilat Selected by O3b for Supply of Ka-Band Ground Infrastructure February 14, 2012 - Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. has signed an agreement with O3b Networks Limited for the development and supply of Ka-band infrastructure for O3b's VSAT services. The agreement between the two parties ensures a range of hub, terminal and network management systems will be available to O3b customers for use on the fleet upon launch. The solution developed by Gilat for O3b is based on Gilat's existing SkyEdge II platform, which includes support for Ka-band and a unified system for SCPC and MF-TDMA on the same terminal. Gilat's solution is further customized for cellular backhaul and high-end enterprise VSAT solutions on the O3b network, supporting upload and download data rates of over 20Mbps. Gilat will also be offering O3b customers deployment and turnkey ground terminal solutions based on 3rd party equipment. Gilat's solution will be available for O3b's service launch in mid-2013, and pre-launch orders for terminals are being accepted.
ViaSat-1 Satellite Begins Commercial Service February 14, 2012 - Telesat announced that ViaSat-1 has begun commercial service. The newest addition to Telesat’s global fleet, ViaSat-1 is designed to provide more than 100 gigabits per second throughput, making it among the highest capacity satellites ever deployed. Manufactured by Space Systems/Loral using their proven 1300 platform, ViaSat-1 operates at 115.1 degrees West longitude using nine Ka-band spot beams over Canada and 63 over the United States. Telesat owns the nine Canadian beams on ViaSat-1 and has entered into a fifteen year service agreement with Xplornet Communications Inc. to make use of this capacity.
SES Relocates AMC-3 Satellite to 67 Degrees West to Serve Latin American Growth Markets February 15, 2012 - SES S.A. announced that the AMC-3 satellite is being relocated from its former location of 87 degrees West to 67 degrees West to optimize coverage of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. The 67 degrees West orbital position offers an extensive Ku-band satellite frequency range and excellent viewing angles for coverage of the Americas and the Caribbean. The drift was initiated in January and the satellite is scheduled to arrive at its new orbital location on February 24. AMC-3 has enough fuel to operate in geostationary orbit until 2017. At 67 degrees West, AMC-3 will be co-located with the AMC-4 satellite, which has been providing services over Latin America and the Caribbean since its deployment at this position in 2010. Together, AMC-3 and AMC-4 will be able to offer 28 commercially available Ku-band transponders (36 MHz equivalents) at 67 degrees West.
NewSat Secures Capacity on MEASAT 3b
APSCC Monthly e-Newsletter 3 March 2012 February 20, 2012 - MEASAT Global Berhad announced the final execution of a long-term lease agreement with NewSat for capacity on the MEASAT-3b satellite. Under the terms of the agreement, NewSat will secure multiple Ku-band transponders on the MEASAT-3b satellite, over the life of the satellite. The capacity will be marketed by NewSat under the “Jabiru-2” satellite name. MEASAT-3b is a high powered geostationary satellite designed to provide at least 48 high powered Ku-band transponders to Malaysia, India, Indonesia and Australia. Operating in tandem with the MEASAT-3 and MEASAT-3a satellites at the key 91.5 degrees East hotslot, MEASAT-3b will provide satellite capacity to support the expansion of MEASAT’s existing customer base and provide in-orbit redundancy services. The satellite, which is being manufactured by Astrium SAS and launched by Arianespace, is planned to be launched end 2013.
SkyVision Chooses Telesat’s Telstar 11N Satellite to Expand Broadband Services in Africa February 20, 2012 - Telesat announced that SkyVision Global Networks Ltd. (SkyVision), a global provider of IP connectivity over satellite, has signed a multiyear contract for Ku-band capacity into Africa on Telesat’s Telstar 11N satellite. SkyVision has established itself in Africa and other emerging markets as a leader in reliable and affordable Internet connectivity services, supported 24/7 through their Multilingual Technical Assistance Center. To meet the rapidly growing demand for satellite broadband in sub-Saharan Africa, SkyVision has chosen to combine Telstar 11N capacity with their iDirect hub, creating an advanced and highly scalable communications platform.
InSat Signs Deal with Newtec for Ka-Band Sat3Play Hub and Terminals February 20, 2012 - Newtec has signed a deal with leading satellite-based Internet provider InSat to supply and install Sat3Play® hub and terminal technology delivering next generation Ka-band communications over Afghanistan. InSat plans to provide three distinct services for Afghan telecom providers based on Newtec’s Sat3Play technology: IP Trunking service for large companies and government agencies, VSAT services for small and medium companies and broadband IP Access services for consumers under its brand name hi-stream®. InSat will be implementing the Newtec technology on Avanti’s Ka-Band satellite HYLAS 2 which is on track for a June 2012 delivery date. HYLAS 2 is a bi-directional Ka-Band satellite with 24 spot beams across the Middle East, Eastern and Southern Africa and Europe.
Comtech EF Data Completes Interoperability Testing with Mitsubishi Electric Corp. February 21, 2012 - Comtech EF Data has completed interoperability testing with Mitsubishi Electric Corporation’s MVA100 Maritime VSAT stabilized antenna system and the ROSS Open Antenna Management (ROAM) protocol. The interoperability enables the MVA100 Maritime VSAT antenna system on vessels to globally roam across multiple satellite beams, maintaining connectivity moving through different satellite footprints. The ROAM protocol offers a common management interface for Comtech EF Data’s Roaming Oceanic Satellite Server (ROSS) and third-party Antenna Control Units (ACUs) by providing a generic set of commands, information, interfaces and status queries. ROSS is an integrated location server that works in conjunction with Comtech EF Data’s Vipersat Management System to facilitate on-the-move satellite communications for oceanic vessels. ROSS enables remote modems to interface with stabilized, auto-tracking antennae, maintaining connectivity as vessels move through footprints of different satellites.
Gilat Selected by JSC NURSAT to Deploy Broadband Satellite Communications Solution February 21, 2012 - Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. was selected by JSC NURSAT, one of Kazakhstan's national satellite service providers, to deploy a broadband satellite IP network based on Gilat's advanced Sky Edge II System. The SkyEdge II VSAT network will provide JSC NURSAT with an end-to-end solution for IP-connectivity and enable broadband communication services designed for advanced corporate users. The network is designed to link several regional centers in a multi-star topology to the two geographically redundant SkyEdge II hubs located in Almaty and Astana, and includes Gilat's NetEdge™ gateway solution which makes it possible to connect remote sites to regional centers with more efficient connectivity than mesh or SCPC solutions.
Global Telesat to Have First European Teleport on RASCOM-QAF1R February 21, 2012 - Global Telesat entered into a joint venture with RascomStar-QAF for the provision of teleport services and high speed IP connectivity to the Internet backbone. Global Telesat will now collaborate with RascomStar-QAF to offer internet services via satellite throughout the whole of Africa, starting in Angola where it has a subsidiary. The new C and Ku band teleport will be installed in Alicante, Spain, and will be used exclusively with the RASCOM-QAF1R satellite. The joint venture will create a new force and will provide growth for African telecommunications, offering an enhanced range of fast, responsive and flexible satellite solutions thanks to RQ1R's pan-African coverage, at the most competitive prices. Comtech Xicom Technology Inc. Awarded $1.0 Million Contract for Medium-Power Tri-Band Amplifiers
APSCC Monthly e-Newsletter 4 March 2012 February 22, 2012 - Comtech Telecommunications Corp. announced that its subsidiary, Comtech Xicom Technology, Inc., has been awarded a US$1.0 million contract to supply medium-power tri-band amplifiers for a vehicle-mounted tactical satellite communications (SATCOM) system. The Comtech Xicom tri-band amplifiers can transmit signals using three different SATCOM bands, giving users the flexibility to operate worldwide on either military or commercial spacecraft, and are ruggedized to cope with the rigorous deployment environments.
SpeedCast Expands Terrestrial Network in Australia to Serve the Growing Oil & Gas Exploration Market February 23, 2012 - SpeedCast announced the launch of a next-generation DVB-S2 satellite service, based on an iDirect hub in Perth, Australia to meet the surging demand for service among gas exploration customers. The new service is part of an overall strategy to invest in regions and infrastructure to support SpeedCast’s service for the natural resource industry. This latest investment marks SpeedCast’s commitment to support the Oil & Gas Industry’s communication needs in Australia. SpeedCast selected Perth, Australia as the optimal location for the new hub due to the proximity to existing natural resource customers in the region and due to the need to meet customers’ requests for service in Australia. The hub will immediately support a number of gas exploration projects throughout Australia.
Intelsat General Awarded Subcontract to Provide Satellite Connectivity to Iraq February 23, 2012 - Intelsat General Corp. has been awarded a subcontract to provide satellite connectivity for the Iraqi Ministry of Defense network of 150 VSAT remote terminals. The contract is part of a larger $80 million IDIQ award to the 3Di Technologies subsidiary of L-3 Communications Corporation by the U.S. Army Communications and Electronics Command, Foreign Military Sales branch. The subcontract with 3Di calls for Intelsat General to provide nearly a full transponder of capacity on Intelsat’s IS-901 satellite, with connectivity through the company’s Mountainside teleport in Maryland to an iDirect network of 150 terminals.
GE Satcom Announces Name Change to Signalhorn February 23, 2012 - GE Satcom announces that the company has formally changed its name to Signalhorn. The change of ownership took place February 2, 2012 and includes the entire GE Satcom or Satlynx group of companies located in Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and other key locations. The rebranding to Signalhorn marks a significant event in the forty year history of the organization and therefore justifies a powerful and substantial brand identity to carry it forward into many more decades of superior service delivery. Adjacent to one of our state-of-the-art teleport and technical centers in Leuk, Switzerland, stands a prevailing, trusted navigation point – Signalhorn Mountain. Like the mountain, Signalhorn represents empowerment, solidarity, and dominance: all built on a foundation around Trusted Networks. Signalhorn is a multi-discipline communications expert group dedicated to delivering sophisticated network services, depth of expertise, and unmatched customer commitment to Government, Defence, Enterprise, Maritime, and Oil & Gas industries. It encompasses essential capabilities and resources to provide robust communications solutions: Satellite, Terrestrial, 3G, 4G, and Wi-Fi.
Belgium Satellite Services Take First Capacity on AFRICASAT-1A February 24, 2012 - MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd. (MEASAT) announced a partnership agreement with Belgium Satellite Services s.a (BSS) for satellite capacity on the soon-to-be launched AFRICASAT-1a satellite. Under the terms of the agreement, BSS has secured C-Band capacity on AFRICASAT-1a with coverage across Africa, the Middle East and southern Europe. BSS provides tailor-made, high-quality satellite networking solutions including hosting and hub services, IP over satellite, and TV and broadcasting solutions. Its teleport infrastructure in Belgium accommodates an array of Class A antennas and remote hubs. The AFRICASAT-1a satellite will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2012. To be located at the 46.0 degrees East orbital slot, the satellite will replace AFRICASAT-1 which has been providing coverage to the region since 2007.
ISS-Reshetnev and MDA Sign Cooperation Agreement February 27, 2012 - Academician M.F. Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems and a Canadian company MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. signed a marketing agreement in Montréal. The agreement covers cooperation between the two companies in business development and promotion of geostationary satellites based on ISS-Reshetnev’s Express-1000K platform with payload contributions by MDA. Spacecraft are to have mass less than 1350 kg and payload power up to 3 kW. The companies also expressed their willingness to work together on designing new subsystems for advanced satellites. The marketing agreement also stipulates using financing instruments of EDC – Export Development Canada, the organization that provides support for Canadian exporters and their international partners.
Yahsat Launches New VSAT Service Based on iDirect Evolution Platform
APSCC Monthly e-Newsletter 5 March 2012 February 27, 2012 - YahService has launched a new VSAT service based on the iDirect Evolution Platform. This VSAT service is based on the iDirect Evolution Platform and Cisco's unified communication system. The introduction of the new managed VSAT service has significantly added to YahService's business proposition by strengthening its turnkey satellite solutions for a wide-range of market segments including government, defence, energy, healthcare and financial sectors. With the launch of the VSAT service from iDirect, YahService will be able to satisfy the growing customer demand to offer "cloud" services, including, but not limited to voice, video and data applications across Africa and the Middle East.
ICCES Expands VSAT Coverage in the Middle East and North Africa with SES February 27, 2012 - SES announced that ICCES has signed a major capacity deal to serve new markets across the Middle East and North Africa. As part of the long-term agreement, ICCES will use 116MHz of Ku-band capacity on the recently launched SES-4 satellite to help its customers extend their VSAT-delivered connectivity services across Saudi Arabia, North Africa, Libya, Tunisia and other key countries. Together with SES, ICCES will provide a wide range of cost-effective solutions, from high-speed broadband to corporate VPN services, linking companies, government agencies, universities and homes within the Middle East and beyond
Etisalat to Expand its Business with Intelsat 22 February 27, 2012 - Intelsat S.A. announced that Etisalat UAE has signed a multi-year agreement for capacity on Intelsat 22, scheduled to launch in late March 2012. As part of the multi-transponder agreement, Abu Dhabi- based Etisalat will utilize the satellite's capacity to expand the reach of its broadband and GSM backhaul services to its customers in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and central Asia. The satellite will carry two Ku-band mobility beams providing coverage of the Indian Ocean region, which will blanket vital maritime and aeronautical routes. In addition, Intelsat 22 will have Ku-band capacity serving the Middle East and eastern Africa. Its C-band hemi beams coverage provides connectivity to and from most of Europe, Africa, the Middle East and eastern Asia. Intelsat 22 will replace Intelsat 709, and will serve the Indian Ocean region from 72 degrees East.
Comtech EF Data Receives US$2.0 Million Order to Support Maritime Fleet Upgrade February 27, 2012 - Comtech EF Data Corp. received a US$2.0 million equipment order for a Vipersat-powered network from a managed network solutions provider. The equipment will support the network upgrade of a global maritime fleet. The order included the supply of a Vipersat-powered network, specifically the CDM-570L Satellite Modems, the CDD-564L IP Demodulators, the Vipersat Management System and the Roaming Oceanic Satellite Server (ROSS). With its innovative architecture and support for advanced capabilities, the IP Module-equipped CDM-570L will allow for efficient networking and transport over satellite. The header and payload compression capabilities significantly reduce bandwidth requirements and the multi-level Quality of Service functionality enables priority treatment of mission-critical applications and the reduction of jitter and latency for real-time applications, such as ship monitoring systems.
Hughes Announces Release of HX System 4.0 February 27, 2012 - Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) announced the planned release of HX System 4.0, bringing a host of technology enhancements to the HX product family which will enable higher performance, higher efficiency, and a number of significant new features. These enhancements further strengthen the HX System’s leadership in specialty markets such as IP trunking, 3G/4G cellular backhaul, Virtual Network Operator (VNO) hosting, and Comms On-The-Move (COTM) for airborne/maritime/land, including defense and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) solutions.
Turksat Upgrades Global Satellite Network with iDirect's iDX 3.0 Software February 28, 2012 - Turksat has upgraded its global satellite network with iDirect's latest operating software, iDX 3.0. With the purchase of a new Series 15100 Universal Satellite Hub, as well as Evolution X5 and X3 routers and Evolution line cards, Turksat has significantly enhanced its existing investment in iDirect's Intelligent Platform™ to pursue new market opportunities. Turksat's upgrade to iDX 3.0 will augment the company's TurksatVSAT offering, which provides support for voice and data transmission, Internet, VPN, and video conferencing. The multi-channel demodulation technology of iDX 3.0 brings significant efficiency improvements to Turksat's VSAT services. By combining up to eight inbound channels on a single satellite line card, Turksat can reduce its hardware and bandwidth costs and maximize hub capacity, which is critical as the company scales to meet greater customer demand and enter new vertical markets.
SES and GlobeCast Sign Capacity Deal for UK Market
APSCC Monthly e-Newsletter 6 March 2012 February 28, 2012 - SES has signed a new long-term multiple transponder contract with GlobeCast. The capacity on ASTRA’s future replacement fleet at the 28.2 degrees East neighbourhood will be used by GlobeCast to serve its wide range of television and radio clients seeking to address the UK and Ireland. With its fleet of ASTRA satellites co-positioned at the orbital slot 28.2 degrees East and a very attractive neighbourhood at that slot, SES served more than 12 million satellite households in the UK and Ireland at year-end 2011, according to the annual SES Satellite Monitor.
Comtech EF Data Infrastructure Products Provide Future Proofing for Use with O3b Satellite Networks February 28, 2012 - Comtech EF Data Corporation announced its partnership agreement with O3b Networks for the provision of modems, Advanced VSAT Solutions and RF products. The Comtech EF Data products that will be compatible with O3b satellite networks are commercially available today, providing customers with the confidence that what they deploy now may be used on O3b networks later. Telecommunications operators and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that currently own or plan to purchase the CDM-625 Advanced Satellite Modem, the CDM-750 Advanced High-Speed Trunking Modem or the Advanced VSAT Solutions to enable mobile backhaul or trunking over Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO) satellites can have confidence that the products will be compatible with O3b satellite networks when available. The modems and Advanced VSAT Solutions feature compression and optimization functionality developed specifically for mobile backhaul and trunking applications.
Intelsat New Dawn MCPC Media Platform Debuts in Africa February 29, 2011 - Intelsat S.A., and GlobeCast, announced the launch of the Intelsat New Dawn Ku-band Multi- Channel Per Carrier (MCPC) media platform for Africa. As part of the IntelsatONE terrestrial network, the platform provides a cost-effective solution for both regional and international programmers wishing to expand their distribution to cable and Direct-to-Home (DTH) services across sub-Saharan Africa. Intelsat is a leading video provider in Africa, offering more than 800 television channels to the continent. GlobeCast will provide ground and uplink services for the platform from its facility in Johannesburg, South Africa. Customers can contribute content to the platform from anywhere in the world, either via Intelsat’s global satellite fleet and the IntelsatONE network, or through the five-continent GlobeCast Backbone Network. The Intelsat New Dawn MCPC media platform is Intelsat’s fourth Ku-band MCPC platform on the IntelsatONE network, bringing to 16 the total number of Intelsat MCPC platforms. The platform is based on DVB-S2 modulation and MPEG-4 compression technology, and can be received with sub-1 meter antennas in much of its coverage area.
Yahsat Launches High Speed Ka-band Service with Newtec February 28, 2012 - Yahsat is to implement Newtec’s FlexACM technology for its high-speed, Ka-band IP trunking service. The new agreement will support Yahsat’s new business service, YahCarrier, which is set to be the region’s first Ka-band IP trunking service. YahCarrier will provide telecommunication carriers, ISPs and corporate network service providers across the Middle East, Africa and South West Asia, with reliable, cost-effective, ‘always on’ solutions for backhauling local internet data from underserved and un-served locations to the Internet. Newtec will support YahCarrier by enabling the highest service availability and speed by installing its hubs and terminals on each side of the satellite link powered by FlexACM. The service combines a range of cutting edge technologies to optimize IP satellite links in the most efficient way; reducing operational costs and increasing business profitability. FlexACM is available on the Elevation family of Newtec’s professional equipment.
Mexico Service Provider Pegaso Expands with Hughes HN Broadband Satellite System February 28, 2012 - Hughes Network Systems, LLC has completed installation of its latest technology HN NOC- XT for Pegaso Banda Ancha (Pegaso Broadband), a leading service provider in Mexico, at Pegaso's new teleport in Toluca. Fulfillment of the contract signed last year also calls for Hughes to deliver Pegaso Broadband over 400 advanced HN broadband satellite terminals. One of the Pegaso Grupo companies, Pegaso Broadband is an existing customer of Hughes with an operation in Atlanta, Georgia, who decided to upgrade to the latest HN System technology in expanding their service platform and seamlessly migrating their customer base from Atlanta to the new Toluca NOC. Their plan is to eventually move the original hub equipment to Mexico and expand its capacity and capabilities.
Thome Ship Management Selects FleetBroadband from AND Group and Inmarsat February 28, 2012 - Inmarsat and its distribution partner AND Group have announced a new deal to provide Inmarsat FleetBroadband and AND's IPSignature2 value-added communications software to the vessels of Singapore-based Thome Ship Management. Thome Ship Management is a world leader in integrated ship management services for the international shipping and offshore industries. Under the new framework agreement, AND Group becomes the exclusive communications provider to Thome for Inmarsat FleetBroadband and will deliver the FleetBroadband service through a combination of pricing packages, including the Very Large
APSCC Monthly e-Newsletter 7 March 2012 Allowance (VLA) package. The terminals will be mostly FB500s, capable of supporting up to 432kbps of standard IP data communications, but also some smaller FB250s.
SpeedCast Acquires New Capacity on Arabsat 5C February 29, 2012 - SpeedCast has signed a multi-year agreement with Arab Satellite Communications Organization for new capacity on the Arabsat 5C satellite. The new service addresses the growing demand from SpeedCast’s natural resource customers, and marks the continuation of SpeedCast’s expansion into the African and Middle East regions. SpeedCast selected Arabsat 5C for the new service due to its strong coverage in the northern and central Africa, as well as strong coverage in the Middle East. This footprint matches the growing demand SpeedCast faces from its natural resources customers for satellite services. SpeedCast selected the C- band spectrum due to the high signal reliability and broad coverage areas, which make the service ideally suited for addressing connectivity requirement among natural resource customers with critical communication needs.
Integrated Telecom Launches Enterprise VSAT Services Based on the iDirect Evolution Platform February 29, 2012 - VT iDirect announced that Integrated Telecom (ITC), one of the fastest-growing telecom operators in Saudi Arabia, has enhanced its enterprise VSAT services with the iDirect Evolution platform. ITC purchased an iDirect Universal 15000 Series satellite hub, which is integrated with iDirect's latest software, iDX 3.0, to support growth in the banking sector and other verticals. By integrating MPLS with VSAT, ITC enables its enterprise customers to manage remote extensions of their corporate network to rural areas on one MPLS network. For the banking sector, that means connecting remote branches and ATMs to corporate headquarters more efficiently, lowering operating costs and increasing productivity.
BROADCASTING
M7 Group Contracts Additional ASTRA Capacity for New Belgium HD Services February 1, 2012 - SES has signed a new capacity and uplink agreement with M7 Group, the Luxembourg-based satellite television provider, for distribution via ASTRA's 19.2 degrees East orbital position. The newly contracted capacity on 19.2 degrees East will be used for the direct-to-home (DTH) distribution of the HD versions of La Une and RTL TVi, the leading French speaking channels for the Belgian market. The channels will be included in the TeleSAT offering, the M7 Group owned satellite television bouquet for French speaking Belgium that started on ASTRA 19.2 degrees East in November last year. In January 2012, M7 Group already added RTBF's third channel "La Trois" to its TeleSAT offering on ASTRA.
SatLink Launches Amos-5 Platforms February 1, 2012 - SatLink Communications, a teleport providing global satellite services, has announced that it has launched operations on the new Amos-5 Satellite across Africa, on 17 degrees East. The service, which is launched on the February 1, 2012, is available on the Pan African C-band coverage in DVB-S and DVBS-2 and additional two Ku-Band MCPC (Multi Channel Per Carrier) platforms to serve Sub Saharan countries. Utilizing the Amos-5 satellite pan-Africa C-band reach, SatLink will provide local African and European, Asian and American broadcasters with a platform for video delivery across the whole continent to reach their local partners.
SES Confirms Satellite Leadership in TV Channel Carriage and High Definition Transmission February 3, 2012 - SES announced that it is confirming its satellite leadership in TV channel carriage and high definition transmission. By year-end 2011, SES broadcasts over 5,200 TV channels, including over 1,200 High Definition (HD) channels. In the second half of 2011 alone, SES added more than 100 HD channels. While North America and Europe contribute the majority of the channels broadcast on SES satellites, an increasing portion of the channel growth is coming from emerging markets such as Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa. SES now carries 44 DTH platforms, more than any other satellite operator in the world. In addition to over 5,200 TV channels, close to 1,000 radio channels are broadcast via the global satellite fleet of SES.
DVB Starts Investigating New Standards for Satellite Contribution and High Speed Links February 9, 2012 - Satellite communications specialist Newtec has taken the lead, teaming up with DVB members Arabsat, Cisco, SES and Thomson Video Networks, to get the discussion for an update to the DVB-S2 standard on the DVB agenda. Last week DVB took up the task and has already started investigating the commercial reasoning behind a specific standard for satellite broadcast contribution and high speed IP trunking and backbone links. As a first step in extending the current DVB-S2 standard, Newtec is launching its Clean Channel Technology™. Clean Channel Technology further improves satellite efficiency for IP trunking and backhauling, but also broadcast contribution by up to 15% compared to the current DVB-S2 standard. Newtec’s customers will be
APSCC Monthly e-Newsletter 8 March 2012 able to immediately benefit from Clean Channel Technology as it is available as a software field upgrade for existing Newtec equipment.
RSCC and CineLab Data Delivery Launch Digital Movie Project to Make Digital Movies Available at Movie Houses in Russia and CIS via Satellite Channels February 9, 2012 - RSCC and CineLab Data Delivery, a member of the CineLab group, are announcing the launch of a project to deliver digital movies to movie theaters across Russia and CIS via satellite channels (except some remote areas of the Far East). RSCC has offered a comprehensive solution that includes technical facilities to access Internet, prepare content and uplink it from the Space Communications Center at Dubna to the Express-АМ2 satellite in the 80 degrees East slot. CineLab Data Delivery is responsible for digital movie content reception directly at movie houses at speeds reaching 45 Mbit/s.
CTC-International Now Available on HOT BIRD February 15, 2012 - CTC Media, Inc. has announced the conclusion of an agreement with GlobeCast envisaging the provision of uplink services to the HOT BIRD 8 satellite and the subsequent broadcasting of the international version of CTC (CTC-International). HOT BIRD 8 currently covers the countries both in Western and Eastern Europe, as well as a number of countries in North Africa, in the Middle East and Central Asia. CTC-International can now be received on the cable networks of any country in the HOT BIRD 8 satellite coverage area. Furthermore, the channel will also be available to all viewers with satellite dishes capable of receiving the signal. Altogether, the channel will be available to cable and satellite TV subscribers in more than 120 million households, or around 65% of all the households in the satellite's coverage area.
Media Networks Latin America Signs DTH Capacity Agreement with SES February 15, 2012 - SES announced that Media Networks Latin America (MNLA) has signed a long-term capacity deal to expand its pay-TV service across Central America and the Caribbean. Under the milestone partnership, MNLA, a unit of Telefonica Digital, has secured multiple transponders on SES’ AMC-4 satellite in order to launch a new DTH wholesale pay-TV service reaching new audiences with a combined lineup of international and regional SD and HD channels. The SES spacecraft AMC-4, strategically located at 67 degrees West, allows MNLA to meet the DTH demand in Central America and the Caribbean as well as other future growth markets with its existing ground infrastructure, including its teleport in Lima, Peru. AMC-4 was deployed at 67 degrees West in 2010 and provides expansion capacity in Latin America for a broad range of applications, such as rural telecommunications, VSAT networks, e-learning, pay-TV and mobile broadband.
Iraq Deploys A MENOS Virtual TV Network February 21, 2012 - Iraq has deployed several Multimedia Exchange Network over Satellite (MENOS) TV interactive terminals from Newtec. The terminals will operate within the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) exchange network. By deploying the technology, broadcasters within Iraq will now have access to their own IP- based and fully automated secure Virtual Network (VN) for contribution and exchange of TV content. Using a VN provides the same services and benefits as owning a dedicated physical network, but one where it is provided as ‘hosted service’ without having to deploy and operate the complete system. Through the VN, MENOS service providers can partition their capacity and allocate such partitions per group of users. Dedicated Service Level Agreements (SLA) are also provided tailored to the users’ specific needs.
RRsat Providing Playout and Uplink Services for Tempo Networks February 22, 2012 - RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd. announced that it is providing its advanced playout and uplink services to Tempo Networks, LLC, the leading Caribbean media and entertainment company. Tempo will be receiving the services from RRsat's state-of-the-art Playout Center, with its automated, high capacity, 24/7 facility and a full range of end-to-end HD, SD and 3D content management and processing services, which serves over 130 channels. Tempo will be transferring its Channels' digital content by FTP to RRsat's Playout Center, where it is encrypted, re-encoded and uplinked to the RRsat MCPC platform on Intelsat 9, a satellite covering the Americas, the Caribbean and Western Europe.
Distribution of Car Channel MOTORVISION TV on ABS's HD Platform February 23, 2012 - Motorvision has selected Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) to distribute its High Definition car and motor channel MOTORVISION TV across the Asian continent. This HD channel launched its broadcast services to Asia via the ABS-1 satellite (at 75 degrees East) HD video platform on C-band. ABS is providing a comprehensive end-to-end broadcast solution including, turn-around, encryption, HD multiplexing and transmission services for MOTORVISION TV from ABS’ uplink facilities in Munich. The HD channel is transmitted in 1080i format at 12 Mbps for optimal quality. MOTORVISION TV covers all aspects of the world of the auto-
APSCC Monthly e-Newsletter 9 March 2012 mobility industry from luxury limousines to powerful super-sport cars, from timeless classics to innovative cars and cutting- edge technology.
Brazil’s Rede Novo Tempo Expands Capacity with SES February 23, 2012 - SES announced that Brazil’s Rede Novo Tempo de Comunicação has renewed and expanded a long-term capacity agreement for the distribution of its video and radio channels to audiences throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, North America and Western Europe. As part of the multi-year, multi- million dollar deal, the global broadcaster will continue to rely on SES’ NSS-806 satellite to reach viewers of the popular full-time religious network. NSS-806 provides high-powered coverage of Latin America and access to North America and Western Europe. Once SES-6 will be launched in early 2013, it will take over the distribution of Rede Novo Tempo channels from the highly coveted orbital position at 319.5 degrees east. SES-6 is one of seven SES satellites to be launched during an extensive fleet investment program primarily aimed at meeting increasing demand for capacity over emerging markets.
Arqiva's New European Playout Centre Supports Compelling HD Distribution Package February 23, 2012 - Arqiva has built a new state-of-the-art European Playout Centre to enhance its provision of media services to broadcasters. The purpose-built, high-tech suite uses industry-proven technology to deliver a range of High Definition television playout services which complements Arqiva's extensive international distribution offering. The European Playout Centre provides broadcasters with fully managed playout in HD and SD, as well as Arqiva's Remote Playout service. In addition Arqiva is offering a full range of services to support channel playout, including advanced graphics, subtitling, SD simulcast and time delay. There are also co-located post-production and live studio broadcast facilities.
YahLive and Turner Broadcasting Systems Launch Cartoon Network Arabic in High Definition February 29, 2012 - YahLive, the UAE based satellite broadcasting company, and Turner Broadcasting Systems (TBS) announced that the Cartoon Network Arabic channel will be available in High definition (HD) only via YahLive’s satellite service, for the duration of the agreement. The new partnership will allow Cartoon Network’s Arabic speaking fans, across the Middle East and North Africa regions to enjoy all of the popular comedy and action-adventure animation series available from the leading commercial kids’ TV network. YahLive has benefited from the shared knowledge and experience of the satellite operator SES, using SES’s extensive knowledge of HD TV, YahLive have developed a high quality, robust and secure HD TV standard for its services in the region.
European Union TV Service, Europe by Satellite, Expands Satellite Reach with Switch to EUTELSAT 9A February 29, 2012 - European Union's TV information services have moved their satellite services to the EUTELSAT 9A satellite (ex. EUROBIRD 9A) operated by Eutelsat Communications. The two channels are uplinked to EUTELSAT 9A by P&TLuxembourg whose services were selected following an open call for tender by the European Commission. EbS and EbS+ are a unique source of EU-related broadcast material for media professionals. Programming comprises live events from the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and other institutions, plus news items and stockshots on EU policies and issues. With the move to 9 degrees East, both services will benefit from the broad footprint of EUTELSAT 9A which sweeps across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and into European parts of the Russian Federation. Signals, broadcast free-to-air, are also upgraded to DVB S2 and MPEG4 with audio channels encoded using AAC-HE. The combination of DVB-S2 and MPEG4 was chosen to take advantage of the most advanced and bandwidth-efficient coding techniques in use on Eutelsat platforms.
LAUNCH / SPACE
SpaceX Test Fires Advanced New Engine February 1, 2012 - Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has successfully test fired SuperDraco, a powerful new engine that will play a critical role in the company's efforts to change the future of human spaceflight. The SuperDraco is an advanced version of the Draco engines currently used by SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft to maneuver on orbit and during reentry. As part of SpaceX's state-of-the-art launch escape system, eight SuperDraco engines built into the side walls of the Dragon spacecraft will produce up to 120,000 pounds of axial thrust to carry astronauts to safety should an emergency occur during launch. NASA's Commercial Crew Program awarded SpaceX US$75 million in April of last year to begin work developing the escape system in order to prepare the Dragon spacecraft to carry astronauts. Less than nine months later, SpaceX engineers have designed, built and tested the engine.
SSTL-OHB System Consortium to Build a Further Eight Galileo FOC Satellites
APSCC Monthly e-Newsletter 10 March 2012 February 2, 2012 - European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani announced that the consortium led by OHB System AG and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) will build a further eight satellites for the European Union’s Galileo satellite navigation program under the supervision of the European Space Agency. The new contract will see SSTL continuing its role as payload prime, assembling, integrating and testing the navigation payloads in the UK, whilst OHB System, as the prime contractor, builds the eight satellite platforms and executes the final integration of all the satellites in Germany. The SSTL-OHB partnership is already building fourteen satellites for the Galileo program and will draw on its heritage and experience to produce the additional satellites to demanding schedules.
Ariane 5 to Launch Galileo Constellation February 3, 2012 - Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace, and Didier Faivre, Director of the Galileo Program and Navigation-related Activities at the European Space Agency (ESA), have signed an agreement to launch satellites in Europe’s Galileo satellite positioning system by Ariane 5 launchers. This agreement provides for the possibility of using Ariane 5 launchers in 2014 and 2015 to complete the deployment of the Galileo constellation. Arianespace will have launched the 26 satellites in this constellation using a combination of Soyuz launch vehicles (two satellites per launch), and Ariane 5 launchers (four satellites per launch). The contract for adapting the Ariane 5 launcher to enable simultaneous launch of four Galileo satellites was also signed by the European Space Agency and EADS-Astrium.
Redu Space Services to Build EDRS Mission Operation Centre February 3, 2012 - Redu Space Services (RSS) announced that Astrium has awarded it a contract for the design, development, testing and delivery of the Mission Operation Centre (MOC) in the framework of the European Data Relay System (EDRS) program. The EDRS will provide bi-directional data transmission between Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellites and the ground almost in real-time and with broadband quality. EDRS is developed and implemented within a Public Private Partnership (PPP) between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Astrium Services. As prime contractor, Astrium will build and operate the system infrastructure and provide the data transmission services. The company holds the exclusive rights to sell EDRS services to customers worldwide.
SpaceX to Launch AsiaSat 6 and AsiaSat 8 in 2014 February 8, 2012 - Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat) announced an agreement to launch two AsiaSat communications satellites using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket in 2014. AsiaSat 6 and AsiaSat 8 are scheduled to launch in the first half of 2014 from SpaceX’s launch complex at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, USA. AsiaSat 6 will have 28 high-powered C- band transponders while AsiaSat 8 will have 24 Ku-band transponders and a Ka-band beam. The high-powered transponders on the satellite will enable the use of small antennas on the ground. The two SS/L 1300 satellites will serve Asia, the Middle East and Australasia.
Space Systems/Loral Awarded Contract to Provide Two Satellites for MBN Co February 8, 2012 - Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) has been awarded a contract to provide two high throughput communications satellites that will be used to deliver high speed broadband service to rural and remote areas of Australia. The satellites will be operated by NBN Co Limited (NBN Co). The two satellites, NBN Co 1A and 1B, are Ka-band, high-throughput broadband satellites that use multiple spot beams in an advanced design that tailors capacity to Australia's distributed population. When launched in 2015, the satellites will provide service to some of the most remote places in Australia, as well as its coastal islands and external territories including Norfolk Island, Cocos Island, Christmas Island and Macquarie Island in the Antarctic. The satellites are based on the SS/L 1300 platform and are designed to provide service for 15 years or more. The contract award also includes satellite control facilities, support for system capacity planning and optimization, systems to manage satellite operations and end-to-end systems integration support.
Rockot to Launch Two Sentinel Satellites February 9, 2012 - ESA and Eurockot signed contracts for launching two ESA satellites: Sentinel-2A and Sentinel- 3A will fly in 2013 on Rockot vehicles from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia for Europe’s GMES programme. The contract signing by Matthias Oehm, Chief Executive Officer of Eurockot Launch Services GmbH, and Volker Liebig, Director of ESA’s Earth Observation Programmes, took place at the historic Chamber of Commerce of Bremen, Germany. Eurockot is based in Bremen, Germany and is a joint venture between Astrium and Khrunichev Space Centre. The company provides low-orbit launches for observation and communication satellites from its dedicated facilities in northern Russia.
ESA’s New Vega Launcher Scores Success on Maiden Flight
APSCC Monthly e-Newsletter 11 March 2012 February 13, 2012 - ESA’s new launch vehicle is ready to operate alongside the Ariane 5 and Soyuz launchers after a successful qualification flight this morning from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. With Vega extending the family of launchers available at the spaceport, Europe now covers the full range of launch needs, from small science and Earth observation satellites to the largest missions like ESA’s supply freighters to the International Space Station. Vega’s light launch capacity accommodates a wide range of satellites – from 300 kg to 2500 kg – into a wide variety of orbits, from equatorial to Sun-synchronous. Its reference mission is 1500 kg into a 700 km-high circular Sun-synchronous orbit. Vega will thus add to Europe’s set of launch services next to the Ariane 5 heavy-lifter and the Soyuz medium-class launcher already in service. The combination of these three systems operating from French Guiana will also improve the efficiency of Europe’s launch infrastructure by sharing its operating costs over a larger number of launches.
ILS Proton Successfully Launches SES-4 February 15, 2012 - International Launch Services (ILS) successfully carried the SES-4 satellite into geostationary transfer orbit on an ILS Proton for SES. This was the 20th SES satellite launched on ILS Proton and the 70th ILS Proton launch overall. SES-4 is the largest satellite in SES’s fleet, weighing 6.18 metric tons to be located at 338 degrees East, the largest neighborhood in the Atlantic. Built on the flight-proven Space Systems/Loral 1300 platform, SES-4 will be a hybrid satellite featuring 52 high powered C-band coverage and incremental global capacity for video distribution, government and VSAT services. The satellite’s 72 Ku-band payload will provide enhanced capacity across three continents, with coverage in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Western Africa and Latin America.
Thales Alenia Space Signs ESA Contract for Third-Generation Meteosat Weather Satellites February 24, 2012 - Thales Alenia Space signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to supply Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) satellites for Eumetsat, the European meteorological satellite organization. Thales Alenia Space is prime contractor for this large-scale program, in partnership with German company OHB. The first phase of this program started in November 2010, and has now been definitively approved by the ESA industrial policy committee. Thales Alenia Space has built Meteosat satellites since the beginning of geostationary weather forecasting systems in Europe, more than 30 years ago. ESA and Eumetsat issued a request for proposals for the development of the third-generation satellites, and Thales Alenia Space was able to propose industrial partnerships meeting ESA's geographical return rule, from both the qualitative and quantitative standpoints. The Thales Alenia Space's proposal not only delivers the performance expected by users, but also underpins the development of innovative solutions and ensures competitive prices.
New Military Communications Satellite Built by Lockheed Martin Launched Successfully February 24, 2012 - The first Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite, built by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Navy, was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. The MUOS constellation will replace the legacy Ultra High Frequency Follow-On (UFO) system and provide significantly improved assured communications, including simultaneous voice, video and data, for mobile warfighters. MUOS satellites feature a wideband code division multiple access payload that incorporates advanced technology to provide a 16-fold increase in transmission throughput over the current UFO satellite system. A single MUOS satellite will provide four times the capacity of the entire legacy UFO constellation of 10 satellites. The satellites also include a hosted legacy UHF payload that will be fully compatible with the current UFO system and legacy terminals.
China Launches 11th Satellite for Beidou Navigation System February 25, 2012 - China successfully launched a satellite into space, the 11th one of its indigenous global navigation and positioning network known as Beidou, or Compass system. The satellite, launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern Sichuan Province, was boosted by a Long March-3C carrier rocket into a geosynchronous orbit. It was also the 158th launch of the Long March carrier rockets. The Beidou system started to provide services on a trial basis on Dec. 27, 2011. The system has been used in transportation, weather forecasting, marine fisheries, hydrological monitoring, and mapping. China began to build the Beidou system in 2000 with a goal of breaking its dependence on the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS) and creating its own global positioning system by 2020. China will launch more satellites for the Beidou network this year to improve the system's coverage and services, according to the launch center. EXECUTIVE MOVES
ITC Global Names Steven Barto as Executive Vice President and CFO February 2, 2012 - ITC Global, a provider of enterprise grade satellite communications on a global basis to mining, energy and maritime businesses, announced the appointment of Steven Barto as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Barto comes to ITC Global from Vocollect, a provider of voice
APSCC Monthly e-Newsletter 12 March 2012 recognition enabled computing systems used to manage mobile workforces, where he joined as Chief Financial Officer and most recently served as Senior Vice President, General Manager. His career spans 25 years of working with both public and privately-held technology companies to accelerate global growth as well as merger and acquisition strategies. Barto previously held senior positions at BPL Global, Ericsson, Marconi, Reltec and Price Waterhouse.
GlobeCast Americas Appoints Randolphe Pike as New Vice President of Broadcast February 6, 2012 - GlobeCast Americas announced that Randolphe “Randy” Pike has been named Vice President of Broadcast Engineering. Reporting to Chief Technology Officer Bart Palmer, Pike will oversee all of GlobeCast’s day-to-day technical operations in the Americas, ensuring high quality of service and expert maintenance of systems and equipment for the company’s broadcast clients. Pike will be based in Culver City, California, and will be responsible for overseeing GlobeCast’s facilities there, as well as the company’s Sunrise, Florida, technical operations center. Prior to joining GlobeCast, Pike was Vice President of Affiliate Engineering and Affiliate Relations for Fox Broadcasting Company, managing Fox’s satellite fleet, VOD encoding, linear product compression, and distribution systems.
NASA Administrator Announces Senior Leadership Changes February 21, 2012 - NASA Administrator Charles Bolden announced changes to his senior leadership team. Associate Administrator Chris Scolese was named director of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., and Robert Lightfoot, director of the agency's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., will serve as acting associate administrator. Both will assume their new responsibilities on March 5. Scolese, who has been with NASA since 1987, succeeds Robert Strain, who announced his decision to return to private industry in January. Lightfoot joined NASA in 1989 as a test engineer and program manager at Marshall. Lightfoot's deputy, Gene Goldman, will serve as Marshall's acting center director. As associate administrator, Lightfoot will be the agency's highest-ranking civil servant, responsible for oversight and integration of NASA's broad efforts in human space flight, science and aeronautics. At Goddard, Scolese will lead a major U.S. laboratory for developing and operating unmanned scientific spacecraft. Goddard manages many of NASA's Earth observation, astronomy and space physics missions.
Orbital Names David Broome Vice President for Defense and Intelligence Programs February 22, 2012 - Orbital Sciences Corporation announced that David V. Broome has joined the company’s Government Relations Department as Vice President of Defense and Intelligence Programs with responsibility for organizations within the federal government involved in national security space programs. Broome comes to Orbital with a diverse background, having served in senior roles in industry and government, as well as his military service to the country. Broome will report to Kate Kronmiller, Orbital’s Senior Vice President of Government Relations. Broome currently serves in the United States Marine Corps Reserve (USMCR) assigned to Marine Forces Pacific. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom having served forward in 2004 in Al Anbar Province.
O3b Networks Assigns Imran Malik as Regional Vice President for the Middle East and Asia-Pacific Regions February 28, 2012 - O3b Networks announced the appointment of Imran Malik, as Regional Vice President for the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions. Prior to joining O3b, Imran was CEO of Supernet Limited, holding this position for seven years. Supernet is the data network services provider in Pakistan with over 200 corporate customers. As CEO of Supernet, Imran was instrumental in growing the company. In the past five years the revenue had increased three-fold while profitability also grew substantially. Supernet has now emerged as a dominant player in the Data Communications market in Pakistan. Imran is based in Singapore and will be leading our efforts in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions to bring low cost, high speed connectivity to areas that are currently underserved by fiber or beholding to expensive GEO solutions.
REPORTS
NSR Releases Industry First Report Assessing Satellite Operator Financial Metrics February 2, 2012 - NSR's Satellite Operator Financial Analysis study is an industry first analysis of key qualitative and quantitative metrics that assess all the prime financial criteria of Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) operators. The metrics analyzed range widely including overall revenues, cash flows, capital expenditure requirements, debt levels, return on their satellite fleets, and many others. While primarily concentrated on the top publicly reporting FSS operators, this study offers analysis on twenty-three of the industry's leading FSS players for select metrics.
APSCC Monthly e-Newsletter 13 March 2012 Satellite Industry Growth to Continue Despite Challenging Environment February 6, 2012 - Euroconsult announced that it expects prospects for the satellite industry to remain favorable over the decade in a variety of areas. The next ten years should see continued growth for commercial markets, while at the same time stagnating growth for government spending should be expected at least through mid- decade. According to Euroconsult’s "Satellite Communications & Broadcasting Markets Survey," the satellite bandwidth used for traditional FSS services will be worth almost US$15 billion in 2020. In the report "Mobile Satellite Communications Markets Survey," Euroconsult forecasts that the MSS market will grow at nearly 13% per year on average, from 2.4 million terminals in service in 2010 to 7.8 million by 2020. Low-data rate machine- to-machine (M2M) devices will have a significant share in this subscriber growth while their contribution to service revenues will remain limited. Euroconsult’s "Satellites to be Built & Launched" estimates that 1,145 satellites will be built for launch from 2011 to 2020, 51% more satellites than the previous decade.
Research and Markets Releases Public Safety Wireless Communication & Municipal Wireless Communication Market Report February 6, 2012 - Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Public Safety Wireless Communication & Municipal Wireless Communication Market: Global Spending Analysis & Forecast (2007-2017)" report to their offering. The future growth in the ongoing process of city-wide and municipal wireless broadband services is the main factor that leads to technology innovation in wireless broadband with the increase in number of new services over the next seven years. This will be an ad on advantage for mobile wireless device, equipment and infrastructure developers. The globe is witnessing the fear from many sides such as terrorist attack are also increasing so there is need to advancement in every direction and simultaneously there are places where natural disasters occurs frequently so there is the need for public safety application segment and municipal wireless to play an unmatched role in wireless broadband technology.
UPCOMING EVENTS
ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium 2012, March 6-9, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, www.abu.org.my/dbsymposium
Satellite 2012, March 12-15, Washington D.C., USA, www.satellitetoday.com/satellite2012/
CASBAA India Forum 2012, March 20, New Delhi, India, www.casbaa.com
Oil and Gas Communications, March 21-22, London, U.K. www.smi-online.co.uk/events/overview.asp?is=5&ref=3775
Convergence India 2012, March 21-23, New Delhi, India, www.convergenceindia.org Serving the industry for 20 years, the Exhibitions India Group is proud to play an integral role in the changing landscape of the Indian information and communications environment. As we move towards a world of connected economies, the milestone 20th edition of Convergence India 2012 expo will focus on new-age technologies and merging business solutions, which will enable inclusion and enrich the lives of people. The forthcoming expo will showcase innovations and leading devices to enhance e-Development at all levels and drive the growth of urban usage. Focused business-matching will provide the perfect opportunity to network with industry executives and establish new partnerships. Attracting global leaders, the expo will serve as an ideal platform for knowledge- experts to share industry insights and successful case studies from across the globe.
MilSpace 2012, March 27-28, Vienna, Austria, www.military-space.com
Australasia Satellite Forum 2012, April 6, Sydney, Australia, www.talksatellite.com
Global Aerospace Summit, April 16-19, Abu Dhabi, UAE, http://aerospacesummit.ae/
Editorials and Inquiries News, comments, and suggestions can be sent to the editor at:
APSCC Monthly e-Newsletter 14 March 2012 Inho Seo, Editor, APSCC Publications Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council Suite T-1602 Poonglim Iwantplus, 255-1 Seohyun-dong, Bundang-gu Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, 463-824 Korea Tel: +82 31 783 6247 Fax: +82 31 783 6249 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.apscc.or.kr
About APSCC APSCC is a non-profit, international organization representing all sectors of satellite and space-related industries. The aim of the organization is to exchange views and ideas on satellite technologies, systems, policies and outer space activities in general along with satellite communications including broadcasting for the betterment of the Asia-Pacific region.
Conferences, forums, workshops, and exhibitions are organized through regional coordination with its members in order to promote new services and businesses via satellite as well as outer space activities. APSCC membership is open to any government body, public or private organization, association, or corporation that is involved in satellite services, risk management or associate fields such as data-casting, informatics, multi-media, telecommunications and other outer-space related activities with interests in the Asia-Pacific region. More information is available at www.apscc.or.kr.
APSCC Monthly e-Newsletter 15 March 2012