a Private
Equity Firm Blackstone Sets Sights on Intelsat
Intelsat CEO David McGlade. NEW YORK, New York-based private
equity firm The Blackstone Group LP, which bought satellite operator
New Skies Satellites N.V. in 2004 for
$956 million in cash, is reported to have triggered what could
become a bidding war for Intelsat, Ltd, offering $6 billion to buy
the world’s largest commercial satellite operator.
Reports are rife in world financial circles and media that the four
private equity firms that took control of Intelsat in 2004 for $3.1
billion are determined to part with their prized
investment for a hefty profit. A Bloomberg report cites two unnamed
sources close to the deal as the source of the Blackstone bid.
Should they accept Blackstone’s offer,
Madison Dearborn Partners Llc, Apax Partners Worldwide LLP, Permira
Advisers LLP and Apollo Management LP, stand to make over 10 times
the $515 million in cash they
paid for Intelsat in 2004.
Each also bought a 25 percent stake in Intelsat, valuing the equity
at some $3.1 billion. They also agreed to refinance Intelsat's $2
billion debt. Currently, Intelsat has a long-term
debt load of $11 billion, which the new owner will absorb. Intelsat
has reportedly hired Credit Suisse to seek other potential buyers,
according to various media reports..
A few months after the change in ownership, Intelsat bought rival
PanAmSat Holding Corporation for $3.2 billion, creating the world's
largest commercial satellite operator with
51 satellites. Luxembourg-based SES Global SA, the second largest
satellite operator, has 43 satellites.
Commercial satellite operators are favorite targets for private
equity firms since they generate long-term cash flows from
broadcasters and governments.
Intelsat issued a statement at the ongoing NAB show in Las Vegas
saying that "our company policy is not to comment on market rumors
and on potential strategic or capital
market activities.” Blackstone and the four equity partners have
refused to confirm or deny the planned sale.
Reporting on the company’s operating results for 2006, CEO David
McGlade reported Intelsat revenues of $1.7 billion, a rise $491.2
million, or 42 percent year-on-year.
Intelsat’s PanAmSat business, acquired in July 2006, contributed
some $456.7 to the revenue increase, including $37.0 million for the
operations of the government business
of G2 Satellite Solutions Corporation.
Intelsat, however, took a net loss of $368.7 million in 2006. The
net loss reflected the impact of an asset impairment charge of $49.0
million to write down the net book value of
one of the company's satellites that experienced an anomaly in
September 2006. It also reflected the impact of restructuring costs
of $26.5 million related to the PanAmSat
acquisition.
"In 2007, we intend to generate incremental, sustainable growth in
our media, network, and government services businesses, which enjoy
leading market positions worldwide
and benefit from the geographic and service diversity available on
the Intelsat global system,” McGlade said in the 2006 financial
report.
Meanwhile, Intelsat today announced a multi-year,
multi-million-dollar contract with Arqiva for satellite capacity to
carry digital programming for the British Broadcasting
Corporation (BBC) following its digital switch over. Intelsat is
providing space segment capacity on its IS-907 satellite at 332.5º E
which Arqiva will use as part of its distribution
solution to around 90 main terrestrial transmitter sites in the
United Kingdom.
“We are happy to entrust Intelsat with this important task which
provides us with cost-effective coverage of the UK as part of the
distribution system for the BBC’s digital
channels,” said Steve Holebrook, Managing Director, Arqiva
Terrestrial Media Solutions. “The capacity on IS-907 provides us
with an excellent technical solution, based on its
high-power UK coverage. Intelsat was also flexible in its approach,
helping us meet the commercial and technical needs of the BBC,” he
added
top
b ViaSat
Awarded Contract for Blue Force Tracking Network Upgrades
ViaSat, Inc. has been selected to develop the satellite ground
equipment for the follow-on Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and
Below - Blue Force Tracking (FBCB2-BFT)
satellite network upgrade.
ViaSat will build a prototype network and terminals that are
designed to increase network capacity and improve accuracy over the
current system under an initial US$ 9.3 million
contract from Northrop Grumman Corporation, the Army's system
integrator for FBCB2. The FBCB2 network is a digital command and
control system that provides battle
command and situational awareness information from brigade down to
the soldier/platform level using GPS navigation signals and
communication satellites. ViaSat and the
RF Communications Division of Harris Corporation have co-operated in
winning this effort. Work under the contract is scheduled to be
complete in one year, and production and
delivery of FBCB2-BFT replacement terminals may begin as early as
2008.
Current military operations require improvements in BFT network
capacity, accuracy, and operating costs along with expanding
coverage world-wide. The ViaSat approach is
based on its ArcLight spread spectrum technology which can
dramatically reduce latency and increase the number of simultaneous
users in high density operational
environments. In addition, the terminal will be designed to operate
in a dual mode that enables it to use commercial communication
satellite resources, on-demand, in less
dense environments.
"ViaSat has a strong track record developing new government and
defense technologies that help solve challenging technology issues,"
said Mark Schwene, director of
Strategic Initiatives for ViaSat Government Satcom Systems. "Our
partnership with Northrop Grumman to upgrade the BFT network is
based on our ability to successfully
demonstrate a waveform that will fulfill new BFT requirements, while
providing the Army with the lowest risk approach to rapidly getting
this next generation capability to the
warfighter."
System improvements to be implemented by ViaSat include providing a
prototype network operations centre, upgrading a satellite ground
station hub, as well as design,
development, test, and delivery of new transceiver prototypes for
aircraft and land vehicles.
The FBCB2 system, built by Northrop Grumman's Mission Systems
sector, relays information to users who can view regularly updated
troop positions on screens in their
vehicles and differentiate between friendly and enemy forces. The
system also provides for the delivery of messages and other types of
information to ground vehicles including
tanks, armored personnel carriers, and infantry fighting vehicles,
as well as U.S. Army rotary wing aircraft.
About Harris Corporation
Harris RF Communications Division is a leading supplier of secure
voice and data communications products, systems, and networks to
military, government, and commercial
organizations world-wide. Harris Corporation is an international
communications and information technology company serving government
and commercial markets in more
than 150 countries.
About ViaSat
ViaSat produces innovative satellite and other communication
products that enable fast, secure, and efficient communications to
any location. The company provides networking
products and managed network services for enterprise IP
applications; is a key supplier of network-centric military
communications and encryption technologies to the U.S.
government; and is the primary technology partner for gateway and
customer-premises equipment for consumer and mobile satellite
broadband services. The company's four
wholly owned subsidiaries, US Monolithics, Efficient Channel Coding,
Enerdyne Technologies, and Intelligent Compression Technologies,
design and produce complementary
products such as monolithic microwave integrated circuits, DVB-S2
satellite communication components, video data link systems, and
data acceleration and compression
products. ViaSat has locations in Carlsbad, CA, and Duluth, GA,
along with its Comsat Laboratories division in Germantown, MD.
Additional field offices are located in Boston,
MA, Baltimore, MD, Washington DC, Australia, China, India, Italy,
and Spain.
(source: ViaSat)
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1 Teal Group
Projects Up Cycle in Satellite Market, Led by Commercial
Communications and US Military Satellites Worth Nearly US$ 150
Billion
Teal Group released highlights of its study "Prospects for Growth in
the Satellite Market" at the Space Foundation's 23rd National Space
Symposium. The overview emphasizes
those segments within the world satellite market that offer the most
significant opportunities for growth during the next 5-10 years.
"The satellite market has been stagnant for five of the first six
years of this decade...We've been launching around 80 satellites per
year," says Marco Caceres, senior space
analyst for Teal. "But something changed in 2006. We launched 107
satellites, or a 32% increase over each of the previous two years.
This represents more satellites than we
have launched since 2000." The total value (US$ 9.39 billion) of the
satellites launched last year was also higher than it has been since
1999.
The study seeks to answer whether the growth was meaningful and
marks the beginning of a consistent trend, or whether it was simply
an anomaly. It notes, for example, the
positive numbers for geostationary (GEO) commercial communications
satellites. "We have now seen two consecutive years of growth in the
number of geostationary (GEO)
commercial communications satellites launched and ordered during
2005-2006, says Caceres. "This is important, given that this segment
of the satellite market is a key
indicator for the overall market."
In order to pay for the construction and launch of these satellites,
operators are attracting increasing levels of investment capital to
their programs. Investor interest in both GEO
and low earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems is on the rise, and this
is good news for the satellite manufacturing and launch services
industries. The GEO satellite market alone
will be worth approximately US$ 25 billion over the next 10 years,
with an estimated 231 satellites built and launched, while the LEO
mobile replacement satellites for in-orbit
systems such as Globalstar, Iridium and Orbcomm will add up to US$ 4
billion in market value through 2016.
The emerging cycle within the commercial satellite market will
coincide with an up cycle in the military satellite market, led by
over 200 new- generation US military satellites
valued at about US$ 120 billion. "Many of these military satellites
have been delayed and are severely over budget, but they will be
built and launched because the requirements
for them exist regardless," says Caceres.
"Prospects for Growth in the Satellite Market" is a part of Teal
Group's 1,450-page World Space Systems Briefing which provides
background, specifications and subsystems
data, analysis, and forecasts of satellite and launch vehicles
programs. The service features an online 20-year World-wide Mission
Model and regular access to the analyst.
Teal Group Corp. is a defense and aerospace consulting firm,
providing market intelligence to government and industry. It is
based in Fairfax, Virginia.
(source: Teal Group)
top
2
Hughes and
TerreStar Sign Contract for 4G Satellite Base Station Subsystem
GERMANTOWN, MD, Hughes Network Systems, LLC has signed a contract
with TerreStar Networks, Inc. under which Hughes will design,
develop and manufacture a turnkey
satellite base station subsystem (S-BSS) and satellite air interface
protocol. The contract includes installation at TerreStar's two
satellite gateway facilities along with related
services.
TerreStar, a subsidiary of Motient Corporation, plans to build, own
and operate North America's first 4G integrated mobile satellite and
terrestrial communications network that
will provide universal access and tailored applications throughout
North America over conventional wireless devices. TerreStar expects
to be the first to offer customer-designed
products and applications over a fully optimized 4G IP network.
The S-BSS will interface with the integrated satellite ground based
beam forming (GBBF) subsystem, which is also being developed by
Hughes under a separate contract, and
will be a key component of the satellite network portion of
TerreStar's integrated satellite and terrestrial network.
The S-BSS design is based on an advanced computing architecture that
will support third-generation mobile satellite networks and
interoperate with IP multimedia mobile
systems. The satellite air interface protocol is based on the Global
Mobile Radio (GMR-1) standard published by the European
Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI),
including enhancements to support high-speed data rates, efficient
operation over satellite and other features.
Robert Brumley, president and CEO of TerreStar said Hughes is
uniquely qualified to meet their requirements for the highest level
of satellite performance and multi-technology
integration, combining satellite technology with TerreStar’s
Ancillary Terrestrial Component network (ATC).
”We are confident that the feature set, capacity, and efficiency of
the system Hughes is developing will serve our customers well. Our
selection of Hughes as the developer of the
final piece of our satellite network completes a highly qualified
team of world-class companies joining TerreStar to deliver a
leading-edge integrated mobile satellite and
terrestrial communications network.”
"We are excited to have been selected by TerreStar as the supplier
of its unique base station subsystem," said Pradman Kaul, chairman
and CEO of Hughes. "The S-BSS
builds on the advanced GBBF subsystem that Hughes is completing for
TerreStar, and will result in a powerful and flexible system that
can provide combined terrestrial and
satellite services compatible with ATC features throughout North
America."
Hughes Network Systems provides broadband satellite networks and
services for large enterprises, governments, small businesses, and
consumers. HughesNet
encompasses all broadband solutions and managed services from
Hughes, bridging satellite and terrestrial technologies. Hughes has
shipped more than 1.2 million systems
to customers in over 100 countries. Its broadband satellite products
are based on the IPoS (IP over Satellite) global standard, approved
by the TIA, ETSI, and ITU standards
organizations.
Motient is the controlling shareholder of TerreStar Networks, Inc.
and TerreStar Global Ltd., and a shareholder of SkyTerra
Communications and Mobile Satellite Ventures LP.
top
3
Wegener to Demonstrate Network Control of HD/SD Video Multicasts for
VSAT Networks at NAB 2007
Wegener Corporation, a leading provider of equipment for television,
audio and data distribution networks world-wide, today announced its
plans to showcase the COMPEL
network control system in a live VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal)
network at the National Association of Broadcasters 2007 Convention.
The end-to-end, bi-directional demonstration will showcase live,
simultaneous streaming of one standard definition (SD) and one high
definition (HD) MPEG-4/h.264 video feed
over an existing VSAT network to the Wegener SMD 515 IPTV set-top
box. The VSAT network operations will be provided by SDN Global.
VSAT networks traditionally use bi-directional satellite
transmissions to pass data back and forth, for applications such as,
credit card transactions between retail outlets and a
central business office. The advent of advanced video compression
technologies, particularly MPEG-4/h.264, means that VSAT networks
can now carry high quality,
compressed video over the same network infrastructure.
"This demonstration is designed to show that using COMPEL within a
VSAT operation is a viable technology for controlling multicast
video over private networks," said Ned L.
Mountain, President of Wegener. "Retail organizations that are using
existing VSAT networks for bi-directional data transmissions can now
dynamically manage high-quality
video for in-store promotions and other digital signage
applications. This also opens the door for gaming networks and
smaller broadcast organizations, including religious
and corporate broadcasters, to use VSAT networks as a transmission
platform for video."
SDN Global, a satellite technology company based in North Carolina,
will provide routing and server equipment as a crucial part of the
demonstration. The SDN Global solution
will stream HD and SD video content over their existing VSAT network
and equipment to the Wegener IPTV set-top. The SMD 515 IPTV set top
box is a high quality IPTV device
designed for receiving television programming over DSL or fiber
networks. In a VSAT network, the set tops are remotely commanded to
change channel by Wegener's COMPEL
network control system. The set top boxes then decode the video for
display at the receiving end, making it ideal for dynamic scheduling
within point-to- multipoint VSAT delivery
networks in retail and gaming environments.
"Today's advanced VSAT technology enables transmission and control
of high-quality, multicast video over standard VSAT equipment," said
Dennis Ewald, Director of Business
Development, SND Global. "We are pleased to be working with Wegener
on this demonstration and look forward to working together in the
future."
About Wegener
Wegener (Wegener Communications, Inc.), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Wegener Corporation, is an international provider of digital
solutions for video, audio, and IP data
networks. Applications include IP data delivery, broadcast
television, cable television, radio networks, business television,
distance education, business music and financial
information distribution. COMPEL, Wegener's patented network control
system, provides networks with unparalleled ability to regionalize
programming and commercials.
COMPEL network control capability is integrated into Wegener digital
satellite receivers.
(source: Wegener)
top
4 Six Northrop
Grumman-Built TDRS System Satellites Set New Standard for Long Life
and Reliability
Six Northrop Grumman Corporation communication satellites in the
Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) have set a new
standard for long life and reliability,
enhancing earth-to-space communications for nearly a quarter of a
century.
Expected to collectively provide service for somewhere between 42 to
60 years, the constellation is approaching 102 years of operation
without a single satellite being retired
from service, based on the 10-year planned life of each satellite.
Pioneered by the company's Space Technology sector, the six TDRSS
satellites number among the 26
successful geosynchronous spacecraft built by Northrop Grumman in
the last 25 years, all of which are still operating.
"TDRSS is an outstanding example of the excellent, long-standing
partnership between Northrop Grumman and NASA, which has moved
science and technology forward to
support the nation," said Alexis Livanos, corporate vice president
and president of Northrop Grumman's Space Technology sector. "The
longevity and reliability of TDRSS has
provided high performance and exceptional value to NASA and other
users."
The oldest satellite in the TDRS system has been in operation for
nearly 24 years. It is still supporting missions, including one that
was never envisioned for TDRSS. The
satellite relays wideband data from National Science Foundation
researchers at the South Pole to their headquarters in the United
States. Against all odds, the satellite
dramatically survived a nearly catastrophic launch vehicle failure
that required several months of thrusting with one-pound thrust
attitude control motors to reach the correct orbit.
When it was launched in 1983, TDRS Flight 1 was the largest and most
sophisticated communications satellite ever built.
A communication signal relay system, TDRSS transmits voice,
television, and digital and analogue data between users' satellites
and control centers on Earth. The system is
capable of transmitting and receiving data from customer satellites
over their entire orbit, greatly enhancing the productivity of space
assets. In total, the six Northrop
Grumman-built TDRSS spacecraft have logged more than 37,000 mission
days on orbit, delivering more than 800,000 hours of service.
In 2004, Northrop Grumman and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
received the prestigious National Space Club's Nelson P. Jackson
Aerospace Award for the TDRSS
program. The award is presented annually to recognize exceptional
teamwork between government and industry in the missile, aircraft
and space fields. The 2004 award
marked the seventh time Northrop Grumman Space Technology has won
and/or shared the Jackson Aerospace Award.
Northrop Grumman designed, fabricated, tested and launched the
original TDRSS spacecraft; performed ground and spacecraft systems
integration; and provided the original
ground terminal software. Goddard Space Flight Center's Mission
Services Program Office is responsible for planning, development and
implementation of NASA's world-wide
near-Earth space communications networks, including the management
of the operations and development of the TDRSS and the rest of the
Space Network. The ground
station complex is located in White Sands, N.M.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a US$ 30 billion global defense and
technology company whose 122,000 employees provide innovative
systems, products, and solutions in
information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to
government and commercial customers world-wide.
(source: Northrop Grumman)
Top
5
Globalstar to Launch Eight Satellites in 2007
MILPITAS, CA, Globalstar, Inc. (Nasdaq: GSAT) said it would launch a
total of eight satellites this year to augment the company's current
first-generation LEO (low earth orbit)
satellite constellation. It is also preparing to begin launching its
second-generation Globalstar II satellites in 2009.
The first of these launches, scheduled for May 21, will orbit four
Globalstar first-generation ground spare satellites. Four more
satellites will be launched later this year.
Globalstar is investing over $110 million in these two launches.
Globalstar plans to use its current constellation plus these
additional eight first-generation satellites as it manages the
transition through to the launch of the Globalstar II
second-generation constellation, which is expected to begin in late
2009. Globalstar will launch 48 satellites to integrate with and
eventually replace its first generation system
that provides satellite voice and data services to more than 120
countries around the world.
Both launch missions this year will be conducted by the
Russian-European launch services company Starsem (Arianespace,
Astrium, Roscosmos, Samara Space Center)
from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Globalstar will once
again be using the Soyuz launch vehicle, which Starsem used to
successfully launch 24 Globalstar
satellites from Baikonur in 1999. A Globalstar launch team is now at
Baikonur to perform the preflight preparations needed prior to
integrating the satellites with the launch
vehicle.
"Now that the launch team has arrived at the Cosmodrome, I would
like to thank Starsem and its contractors as well as Space
Systems/Loral, the prime contractor for the first
generation satellites, and their sub-contractor Thales Alenia Space,
for facilitating the smooth and flawless deliveries of the launch
vehicle and the spacecraft," said Megan
Fitzgerald, Globalstar senior vice president, Strategic Initiatives
and Space Operations.
Jean-Yves Le Gall, Starsem and Arianespace chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, also noted his satisfaction. "With the arrival of
the Globalstar satellites to Baikonur, joining
the Soyuz launch vehicle from TsSKB-Samara, the Fregat upper stage
from NPO-Lavotchkin and the satellites dispenser from Astrium, I am
very pleased to welcome once
again the entire Globalstar team to the Starsem launch facilities.
We are proud to have the chance to perform Soyuz launches 7 and 8
for Globalstar and look forward to our
continued participation in the Globalstar success."
Last February, Thales Alenia Space won an $880 million contract to
provide Globalstar’s second-generation satellite constellation. As
prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space will
design, manufacture and deliver 48 LEO Globalstar satellites, as
well as launch support services prior to and during the launches and
mission operations support.
With a launch mass of some 700 kg and an end-of-life power of 1.7
kW, Globalstar satellites will be fitted with 32 transponders in
C-band, S-band and L-band. Starting in 2009,
six to eight Globalstar satellites will be launched at the same time
and will have a lifetime of 15 years.
The agreement will involve Thales Alenia Space's production sites in
France, Italy, Spain and Belgium. Globalstar's second-generation
satellites will be assembled and
integrated in Thales Alenia’s facility in Rome. The payloads will be
provided by the company's facility in Toulouse, France; the
structures as well as the thermal subsystems
being provided by its facility in Cannes, France.
Also last February, Canadian space hardware maker Com Dev
International, Ltd. (TSX:CDV) received authorization from Thales
Alenia Space to develop advanced electronics
for the Globalstar-2 satellite program in a deal worth $3.5 million.
In December 2006, Globalstar revealed that many of its satellites
were experiencing an anomaly resulting in degraded performance of
the amplifiers for the S-band satellite
communications antenna. Globalstar concluded that the rate of
degradation of the amplifiers had accelerated, and said that unless
remedied by 2008, the problem will have a
significant adverse impact on the company’s ability to provide
uninterrupted two-way voice and data services on a continuous basis
in any given location.
Globalstar said it has managed the degradation of the S-band antenna
amplifiers in various technical ways, as well as by placing into
service spare satellites already in orbit
and moving unimpaired satellites to key orbital positions. It
emphasized, however, the problem does not affect adversely the
company’s Simplex satellite data services.
Top
6 Thuraya
Signs First Agreement in Asia-Pacific with South Korean Company
DUBAI, UAE, UAE-based Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company
has signed its first service-provider agreement in Asia-Pacific with
Asia Pacific Satellite Industries,
Ltd (APSI), a South Korean provider and manufacturer of
satellite-based solutions and products. APSI is partly owned by
Thuraya.
APSI manufactures a variety of satellite-related ground equipment
including handheld terminals, receivers and transmitters. APSI makes
Thuraya's second-generation products,
including the world's smallest and smartest satellite handsets, the
SO-2510 and SG-2520. Thuraya said the deal with APSI lays the
foundation for more strategic partnerships
in the lucrative East Asian markets.
The agreement makes APSI the sole provider and distributor of
Thuraya products and services in South Korea, a leading Asian market
for telecommunications and
broadcasting services. Under the deal, APSI will promote, market,
sell and provide all customer care aspects for Thuraya's users in
South Korea.
Thuraya also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with APSI that
sets the stage for broader future cooperation between the two
companies in the manufacturing and
innovation of Thuraya products and services.
Thuraya CEO Yousuf Al Sayed and APSI president and CEO Dr. Jang Soo
Ryo signed the agreements in Seoul. Other senior executives,
including Thuraya's Chief Commercial
Officer Sultan Al Ghafli, attended the ceremony.
Al Sayed praised the agreements and APSI, saying Thuraya is pleased
to expand its already excellent commercial partnership with APSI to
the commercial and distribution field.
“As the manufacturer of Thuraya's widely acclaimed handheld
terminals, APSI is already well-known in the mobile satellite
industry, producing high-quality and innovative
gadgets," Al Sayed noted.
Dr. Jang said these agreements would take the Thuraya/APSI
partnership to higher levels, enabling it to expand its current
business portfolio to include the provision of satellite
telecom services to Korean businesses and individuals. “We know the
Thuraya business very well and we are already their technology
partners,” Dr. Jang said. "The new
commercial relations will mean a lot of leverage for both
companies”.
Thuraya is a regional satellite phone provider, mainly focused on
Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Thuraya has two in orbit
geostationary communications satellites:
Thuraya-1 and -2. A third satellite is planned for launch this year.
The Thuraya mobile communications system serves a region of 2.3
billion people. The system began commercial operations in mid-2001.
Sea Launch successfully orbited
Thuraya-2 in June 2003. The Thuraya company exercised an option to
order Thuraya-3 as a ground spare.
Top
7
Lockheed Martin to Add Demo Civilian GPS Signal to Modernized
Satellite
BETHESDA, MD, The U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE:
LMT) a $6 million contract to develop and integrate a demonstration
payload that will temporarily
transmit a third civil signal on a modernized Global Positioning
System Block IIR (GPS IIR-M) satellite.
This new contract directs Lockheed Martin and its navigation payload
supplier, ITT, to provide an on-orbit demonstration capability for
the new civil signal. The signal, located on
the L5 frequency (1176MHz) will comply with international radio
frequency spectrum requirements. The Block IIR-M spacecraft with the
demonstration payload is planned for
launch in 2008.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems is the prime contractor for the GPS
IIR program. The company designed and built 21 IIR spacecraft for
the Global Positioning Systems Wing,
Space and Missile Systems Center. The final eight spacecraft,
designated Block IIR-M, were modernized to enhance operations and
navigation signal performance for military
and civilian GPS users around the globe. ITT supplied all 21
navigation payloads for both the IIR and IIR-M spacecraft.
The GPS constellation provides critical situational awareness and
precision weapon guidance for the military. The worldwide system
also supports a wide range of civil,
scientific and commercial functions -- from air traffic control to
the Internet -- with precision location and timing information.
"We are pleased the Air Force has entrusted Lockheed Martin to
provide this important on-orbit demonstration on a Block IIR-M
spacecraft," said Don DeGryse, Lockheed
Martin's vice president of Navigation Systems. "We take great pride
in the programmatic and on-orbit performance of the GPS IIR-M
spacecraft and look forward to helping our
customer with this initiative."
Headquartered in Bethesda, Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000
people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design,
development, manufacture,
integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products
and services. The corporation reported 2006 sales of $39.6 billion.
Top
8
Intelsat Works
With Sri Lankan Authorities to Halt Unauthorized Use of Its
Satellite
Intelsat, the leading provider of global satellite communications,
today issued a statement with regard to the unauthorized use of one
of its satellites by the Liberation Tigers of
Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a Sri Lanka-based terrorist group.
The U.S. State Department lists the LTTE as a foreign terrorist
organization.
Intelsat officials, including its technical experts, met with Sri
Lanka's Ambassador to the United States, Bernard Goonetilleke, on 10
April to discuss the steps Intelsat is taking to
address the unauthorized use of one of its satellites by the LTTE.
During the meeting, Intelsat's General Counsel, Phillip Spector,
said, "Intelsat does not tolerate terrorists or
others operating illegally on its satellites. Since we first learned
of the LTTE's signal piracy, we have been actively pursuing a number
of technical alternatives to halt the
transmissions. We are clear in our resolve to ending this terrorist
organization's unauthorized use of our satellite."
The Sri Lanka Embassy and Intelsat agree that these illegal
transmissions by the LTTE are a violation of Sri Lankan and U.S.
laws.
Following the discussion, Ambassador Goonetilleke said, "I am
satisfied that Intelsat is taking these unauthorized transmissions
very seriously, and believe it would do all that
it can to stop the terrorist transmissions. I am confident that
Intelsat will continue to co-operate with Sri Lankan authorities in
this matter."
About Intelsat
Intelsat is the largest provider of fixed satellite services (FSS)
world-wide and is the leading provider of these services to each of
the media, network services and government
customer sectors, enabling people and businesses everywhere constant
access to information and entertainment. Intelsat offers customers a
greater business potential by
providing them access to unrivalled resources with ease of business
and peace of mind. Our services are utilized by an extensive
customer base, including some of the world's
leading media and communications companies, multinational
corporations, Internet service providers and government/military
organizations. Real-time, constant
communication with people anywhere in the world is closer, by far.
(source: Intelsat)
Top
9
Orbcomm Adds More Than 25,000 Billable Subscriber Communicators in
the First Quarter of 2007
Orbcomm Inc., a global satellite data communications company focused
on two-way Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications, today announced
that it had net additions of
more than 25,000 billable subscriber communicators on its data
communications system for the first quarter of 2007, giving the
company a total subscriber communicator base
of more than 250,000 as of March 31, 2007.
This is an increase of 11.2% over the company's subscriber
communicator base of approximately 225,000 at the end of 2006.
The number of first quarter subscriber communicator additions is
consistent with guidance announced by the company during the fourth
quarter earnings call and puts the
company on pace to come in within the guidance estimate of 150,000
to 170,000 net additions of subscriber communicators for 2007.
About Orbcomm Inc.
Orbcomm is a leading global satellite data communications company,
focused on Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications. Its customers
include General Electric,
Caterpillar Inc., Volvo Group and Komatsu Ltd. among other industry
leaders. By means of a global network of 30 low-earth orbit (LEO)
satellites and accompanying ground
infrastructure, Orbcomm's low-cost and reliable two-way data
communications products and services track, monitor and control
mobile and fixed assets in four core markets:
commercial transportation; heavy equipment; industrial fixed assets;
and marine/homeland security. The company's products are installed
on trucks, containers, marine
vessels, locomotives, backhoes, pipelines, oil wells, utility
meters, storage tanks and other assets. Orbcomm is headquartered in
Fort Lee, New Jersey and has a Network
Control Center in Dulles, Virginia.
(source: Orbcomm)
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10 SES
Americom Launches HD SNG Neighborhood
Positioned to meet the rising demand for HD sports, news, and
special events, SES Americom, an SES company, today announced the
industry's first HD SNG neighborhood.
The new high-def Satellite News Gathering service is delivered over
the high-powered AMC-5 and AMC-6 satellites and offers a bandwidth
home for industry innovators
enhanced by the leading IP-based connectivity platforms for voice
and data communication to the SNG truck.
The HD SNG neighborhood includes the SkySwitch IP platform, which
features both ND SatCom's SkyWAN and iDirect's 7000 series satellite
router-based service that deliver
reliable IP to the SNG truck - enabling remote telephone calling
capabilities, reliable Internet access, and consistent communication
with the broadcaster's home-based LAN
and studio. SkySwitch IP represents a low-cost alternative to
dedicated bandwidth, complete with the security and flexibility that
are so critical in the SNG industry.
Neighborhood expansion is already in the works aboard the AMC-21
satellite, which is scheduled for launch in the second quarter of
2008.
"SES Americom's HD SNG neighborhood is designed for today's news and
events coverage leaders, complete with the SkySwitch IP
communications platform capable of
turning an SNG truck into a rolling news bureau or production
facility," said Bryan McGuirk, president of media and enterprise
services for SES Americom. "We've got the
high-powered satellites, reliable bandwidth, the universal truck
connectivity, and the experience and know-how to meet the needs of
any broadcaster, anywhere."
"The launch of SES Americom's HD SNG neighborhood coincides with our
increasing capital investment in additional HD equipment and new HD
SNG units through 2007,"
said Paul Edwards, vice president of transportables/production
services for Crawford Communications, an innovative full-service
video production and distribution services
provider that has worked with SES Americom for years. "SES
Americom's market vision is HD clear and allows us to respond to the
rapidly increasing demand for HD
production and distribution services with the most advanced
satellites and SNG solutions in the industry."
About AMC-5, AMC-6, and AMC-21 Satellites
AMC-5 is an all Ku-band satellite located at 79 degrees west
longitude. AMC-5 serves the SNG, occasional services, VSAT, business
television and broadband Internet markets.
AMC-6 is a hybrid C/Ku-band satellite located at 72 degrees west
longitude that provides high-powered service to occasional
video/SNG, government, VSAT network and
entertainment customers. AMC-6 has also attracted Internet service
integration platforms, which take advantage of the satellite's wide
coverage and high levels of redundancy.
AMC-21 is a planned all Ku-band satellite, which is being built by
Alcatel Alenia Space incorporating the Orbital Sciences STAR-2
satellite bus. Scheduled to initiate service by
mid 2008 from the 125 degrees W.L. orbital position, AMC-21 will
provide 50-state coverage, as well as coverage over the Gulf of
Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.
About ND SatCom
ND SatCom is a leading global supplier of satellite-based broadband
VSAT, broadcast and defense communication network and ground station
solutions. ND SatCom's
innovative technologies are deployed in broadcast & media,
enterprise, telecom, government and defense environments world-wide.
As a global company with more than 25
years of experience in the satellite networks and systems
businesses, ND SatCom, with offices world-wide, is a reliable source
of comprehensive and secure turnkey and
tailored system engineered solutions.
About iDirect
iDirect Technologies, a subsidiary of VT Systems Inc, designs,
develops, and markets satellite-based broadband access solutions
targeted at the enterprise, government,
carrier and educational sectors that have the need for fast,
flexible, and geographically dispersed two-way internet/intranet
access. The company has developed technology
solutions that combine high performance, world-wide availability,
and ease of installation, high reliability, and low cost to end
customers. iDirect operates its corporate
headquarters in Herndon, Virginia and has regional offices in
Europe, Asia, and covering Latin America.
About SES Americom
The largest supplier of satellite services in the U.S., SES
Americom, is recognized as an innovator of global satellite
communications services. The company today operates a
fleet of 15 spacecraft in orbital positions predominantly providing
service throughout the Americas. As a member of the SES family, SES
Americom is able to provide end-to-end
telecommunications solutions to any region of the world via a fleet
of 36 satellites. In addition, Americom Government Services, a
wholly owned subsidiary, is dedicated to
providing satellite-based communications solutions to both civilian
and defense agencies of the U.S. government. With its combined
operations, SES Americom serves
broadcasters, cable programmers, aeronautical and maritime
communications integrators, Internet service providers, mobile
communications networks, government agencies,
educational institutions, carriers and secure global data networks
with efficient communication and content distribution solutions.
(source: SES Americom)
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11
UDcast at NAB 2007: Open Standard for Statistical Multiplexing to
Optimize Mobile TV Systems
With the introduction of the first products that support an open
standard for statistical multiplexing, UDcast is making it possible
for broadcasters and operators to increase the
efficiency of their DVB-H Mobile TV service, leading to an increase
in revenues and customer satisfaction.
A leading provider of solutions enabling full IP over broadcast and
satellite media, UDcast will hold live demonstrations of its Mobile
TV infrastructure at NAB 2007, taking place
April 16-19 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Visitors to the UDcast booth at NAB will see the live demonstrations
of the company's next generation of DVB-H network infrastructure,
enabling operators to increase the
number of broadcasted mobile TV channels by up to 40 percent and
improve the quality of reception with a set of monitoring tools. The
newest versions of UDcast's mobile TV
enabling products give operators and broadcasters control of their
networks to reduce management costs and ensure quality of reception,
as well as provide satisfaction for the
end user who will ultimately decide the growth of mobile TV.
Additionally UDcast will expose its cutting-edge satellite IP
acceleration UDgateway products range. UDgateway enables enterprises
and governmental organization to use
satellite links for corporate management, back-up, emergency and
other mission critical applications.
Demos will include:
The first DVB-H IP Encapsulator to support the open standard for
statistical multiplexing. It is already available on the market and
is being tested with various partners in Italy,
Germany, France and Finland. Statistical multiplexing is widely used
in the digital broadcasting world as a means to gain 30 to 40
percent efficiency on a given transmission
channel (Terrestrial, Cable or Satellite), and, as a technology, is
widely mastered and accepted by operators. The achieved gain can be
used to transmit more video services of
the same quality on the same available transmission bandwidth or
enhance the video quality of the available services while keeping
their number constant. The entire DVB-H end-to-end network
monitoring and analyzing system, including UDcast's new central
management solution: Broadcast Manager M&A (Monitoring and
Analysis). The Broadcast Manager M&A is the ultimate total control
solution for remote monitoring of Mobile TV and other broadcast
networks. It offers a user-friendly cartographic interface
that can manage alarms, measurement and data from DVB-H Analyzers
Goldeneagle and other monitoring equipment. The flexible
satellite distribution solution enabling usage of satellite for
Mobile TV backhaul networks. The system based on the UDcast's
iSplicer delivers local TV channels and addressable local
advertising while reducing the CAPEX and OPEX for broadcasters and
mobile operators. The UDcast DVB-H solutions and technology
can be found on the stands of several global partners exhibiting at
the NAB:
Audemat-Aztec - Demonstrating the joint Audemat-Aztec and UDcast
DVB-H Network Monitoring and Analyzing solution. Harris Corporation
- Demonstration of the end-to-end mobile TV chain, including
UDcast's IPE-10 IP Encapsulator. Motorola - Demonstration of an
entire DVB-H system, including the head-end and terminal, powered by
UDcast's IP Encapsulators. Newtec America - Presenting the joint
satellite distribution solution for DVB-H, built on Newtec's DVB-S2
and UDcast's iSplicer technologies. Plisch Broadcast - UDcast's
DVB-H solution will be demonstrated as part of an advanced
television transmission system. Roundbox - Demonstration of the
advanced Electronic Service Guide (ESG) platform operating on UDcast
Network Equipment. Tandberg Television - Launch of a head-end
platform for DVB-H, with a multi-channel live demonstration of DVB-H
broadcast to handhelds featuring the UDcast IPE-10 IP
Encapsulator.
"The success of Mobile TV services will be judged whether or not
they can generate sufficient additional revenue for the mobile
operator. This in turn will strongly depend on the
capacity of broadcasters and mobile operators to deliver high
quality services and to ensure the continuity of these services over
time," said Filip Gluszak, vice president of
marketing at UDcast. "Networks that take advantage of the new open
standard for statistical multiplexing as well as our new broadcast
monitoring solution will ensure greater
customer satisfaction and reduce both capital and operating
expenses, providing a high return on investment."
About UDcast
UDcast is a leading provider of IP over broadcast media, focusing on
IPTV to the mobile DVB-H solutions as well as satellite-aware
enterprise networking solutions. UDcast
provides DVB-H standard compliant solutions for the delivery of IPTV
to mobile devices. In addition, UDcast provides satellite aware IP
appliances that bring terrestrial-like
performances and security to broadband satellite links. UDcast's
feature rich solutions enable broadcasters, operators and satellite
service providers to deliver
revenue-generating value added services that meet enterprise and
consumer needs.
The company was recently recognized by Red Herring as one of the top
100 private European companies that are driving the future of
technology in the 2007 Red Herring
Europe list. Founded in 2000, UDcast maintains its global
headquarters in Sophia Antipolis, France.
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12 PBS
Deploys Harmonic's Digital Video Solutions for Next Generation
Satellite Distribution System
Harmonic Inc. today announced that the Public Broadcasting Service
(PBS), the largest digital satellite television distributor in the
United States serving stations that reach more
than 75 million viewers nation-wide, has deployed Harmonic's
market-leading MPEG-2 digital video solutions for its Next
Generation Interconnection System (NGIS).
The Harmonic systems deployed include DiviCom MPEG-2 high definition
(HD) and standard definition (SD) encoders, DiviTrackXE statistical
multiplexing and the versatile NMX
Digital Service Manager.
The ultra-high compression efficiency of Harmonic's DVB-compliant
digital video solutions enables PBS to enhance their satellite-based
video service and reduce costs by
adding more channels per transponder while also providing viewers
with superior picture quality. NGIS is the primary distribution
system for delivering approximately 10,000
hours of SD and HD content per year to all member stations of the
PBS community across all 50 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands and
Puerto Rico.
"In designing the PBS next generation interconnection system, we
were looking to implement technologies that would allow us to
optimize real-time processing and distribution
of our video content," said Jerry Butler, Senior Director,
Interconnection Replacement Office of PBS. "Harmonic's DiviCom HD
and SD encoders and DiviTrack statistical
multiplexing offered the best MPEG compression, performance and
picture quality. This bandwidth efficiency was particularly
important in improving the service carrying capacity
of our satellite transponders, enabling us to cost-effectively
accommodate more high definition and standard definition
programming."
"The extensive PBS distribution network needed a video delivery
solution that is reliable, efficient and of the highest quality,"
said Mark Renfroe, Vice President of Americas Sales
for Harmonic Inc. "Over the years, Harmonic has continuously set the
benchmark in MPEG compression and delivered the highest quality
solutions for customers around the
world. Our market leadership in MPEG-2 HD continues to be
strengthened with the ongoing performance improvements available on
our latest generation systems. The
combination of industry expertise, a sharp focus on providing
best-in-class digital video solutions and outstanding technical
services available from Harmonic enables PBS to
more effectively manage and distribute their content."
Harmonic's market-leading family of DiviCom encoders includes both
MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) systems for standard or high
definition. For MPEG-2 applications,
Harmonic's HD and SD encoders offer unmatched performance and
leverage Harmonic's longstanding record of compression leadership.
The DiviTrack statistical multiplexing
solutions further enhance bandwidth efficiency by adjusting
bit-rates of channels in the pool according to the complexity of the
video. The entire video headend is managed by
Harmonic's NMX Digital Service Manager, a powerful set of tools for
monitoring and managing compressed digital video and audio services
as well as the systems through
which these services flow. Harmonic is also providing professional
services, support and training for the PBS system.
About PBS
PBS is a media enterprise that serves 355 public non-commercial
television stations and reaches over 75 million people each week
through on-air and online content. Bringing
diverse viewpoints to television and the Internet, PBS provides
high-quality documentary and dramatic entertainment, and
consistently dominates the most prestigious award
competitions. PBS is a leading provider of educational materials for
K-12 teachers, and offers a broad array of other educational
services. PBS' premier kids' TV programming
and Web site, PBS Kids Online, continue to be parents' and teachers'
most trusted learning environments for children.
About Harmonic Inc.
Harmonic Inc. is a leading provider of versatile and high
performance video solutions that enable service providers to
efficiently deliver the next generation of broadcast and
on-demand services including high definition, video-on-demand,
network personal video recording and time-shifted TV. Cable,
satellite, broadcast and telecom service
providers can increase revenues and lower operational expenditures
by using Harmonic's digital video, broadband optical access and
software solutions to offer consumers
the compelling and personalized viewing experience that is driving
the business models of the future.
Harmonic is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with R&D, sales
and system integration centers world-wide. The company's customers,
including many of the world's
largest communications providers, deliver services in virtually
every country.
(source: Harmonic)
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13
Intelsat to Test Internet Routing In Space for the US Military
Intelsat General Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Intelsat Ltd,
today announced that it has been selected for an industry-government
collaboration to demonstrate the viability
of conducting military communications through an Internet router in
space.
The Department of Defense project to test Internet routing in space
(IRIS) will be managed by Intelsat General, and the payload will
convert to commercial use once testing has
been completed. The IRIS project is one of seven projects - out of
hundreds of applicants - funded and announced in fiscal 2007 as a
Joint Capability Technology
Demonstration (JCTD) by the Department of Defense.
Intelsat is the first commercial satellite company to be awarded a
JCTD Program. The IRIS JCTD is a three-year program that allows the
DoD to collaborate with Intelsat General
and its industry team to demonstrate and assess the utility of the
IRIS capability.
Cisco, the global networking leader based in San Jose, CA, will
provide commercial IP networking software for the on-board router.
In addition, SEAKR Engineering Inc. of
Denver, CO, will manufacture the space-hardened router and integrate
it into the IRIS payload.
Concerto Advisors, a financial advisory firm based in Iowa City, IA,
is organizing equity financing for a new company to provide the
funds to design, build and operate the
equipment used for the demonstration. Following the JCTD testing
period, Concerto's affiliate will own the equipment, and Intelsat
will operate the equipment on Concerto's
behalf to provide services for government and commercial users.
"IRIS extends the Internet into space, integrating satellite systems
and the ground infrastructure for warfighters, first responders and
others who need seamless and instant
communications," said Bill Shernit, President and CEO of Intelsat
General. "IRIS will enable U.S. and allied military forces with
diverse satellite equipment to seamlessly
communicate over the Internet from the most remote regions of the
world."
Intelsat previously announced that Space Systems/Loral of Palo Alto,
CA, will manufacture the satellite scheduled to carry the IRIS
payload. The satellite, IS-14, is set for launch
in the first quarter of 2009. It will be placed in geostationary
orbit at 45 degrees West longitude with coverage of Europe, Africa
and the Americas.
Representing the next generation of space-based communications, IRIS
will serve as a computer processor in the sky, merging
communications being received on various
frequency bands and transmitting them to multiple users based on
data instructions embedded in the uplink.
The IRIS payload will support network services for voice, video and
data communications, enabling military units or allied forces to
communicate with one another using Internet
protocol and existing ground equipment.
The IRIS payload will interconnect one C-band and two Ku-band
coverage areas. The IRIS architecture and design allow for flexible
IP packet (layer 3) routing or multicast
distribution that can be reconfigured on demand. With the on-board
processor routing the up and down communications links, the IRIS
payload is expected to enhance satellite
performance and reduce signal degradation from atmospheric
conditions.
"The IRIS architecture allows direct IP routing over satellite,
eliminating the need for routing via a ground-based teleport,
thereby dramatically increasing the efficiency and
flexibility of the satellite communications link," said Don Brown,
Vice President of Hosted Payload Programs for Intelsat General.
"IRIS is to the future of satellite-based
communications what ARPANET was to the creation of the Internet in
the 1960s."
The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) will have overall
responsibility for coordinating use of the IRIS technology among the
government user community and for
developing means of leveraging the IRIS capability once the
satellite is in space.
Awarding a JCTD for the IRIS program had the strong support of the
U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), which sees the program as a
path to more efficient
communications between warfighters around the globe. USSTRATCOM is a
joint military command whose responsibilities include space
operations, missile defense,
intelligence, reconnaissance and global command and control.
About Intelsat General Corp.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Intelsat General Corporation
provides leading-edge communications solutions to commercial,
government, and military customers through
fixed and mobile satellite systems and associated terrestrial
communications services. Intelsat General incorporates flexible and
robust ground and space infrastructure and
technical expertise to deliver reliable, quickly deployable and
secure network solutions anywhere around the globe. Intelsat General
is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of
Intelsat, Ltd.
About Concerto Advisors.
Concerto Advisors, Inc. is a venture advisory firm. Currently, it is
working with US Strategic Command and industry partners to create a
transformative paradigm for satellite
communications and related services. Concerto Advisors is an
Industry Management Team Member and the investment manager for the
industry team for the Internet Routing
in Space Joint Capability Technology Demonstration Project. Concerto
Advisors is organizing, and arranging financing for its affiliate
(to be named), who will finance, control,
and operate the equipment that will provide IP routing on IS - 14
commercially after the JCTD testing period has concluded.
About Cisco Systems
Cisco, is the world-wide leader in networking that transforms how
people connect, communicate and collaborate.
About SEAKR Engineering
SEAKR Engineering is a world-leading provider of advanced
state-of-the-art electronic avionics for space and airborne
applications. Since its inception in 1982, SEAKR has
delivered over one hundred flight units. More than sixty of these
units have launched with all having met or exceeded mission
objectives. This 100% success rate establishes a
track record simply unsurpassed in the industry. SEAKR leading edge
space avionics include Cisco IP routers as well as software-defined
radios, high-performance payload
processors, modular command and data handling systems, and solid
state recorders. SEAKR is a small business proud to serve its
customers and country.
About the JCTD
In FY2006 a new business process was initiated which replaced the
successful ACTD (Advanced Concepts Technology Demonstration)
program, updating it to meet the
transformational goal of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to
become capability vice threat-based in its focus. The program is
referred to as the Joint Capability Technology
Demonstration (JCTD) program. The JCTD program includes many
positive aspects of the ACTD program, but was revamped to meet the
defense challenges of the 21st
Century. The new process integrates the ACTD program with the new
Joint Integration and Development System (JCIDS) developed by the
Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The IRIS
JCTD is a three-year program that allows the DoD to collaborate with
Intelsat General and its industry team to demonstrate and assess the
utility of the IRIS capability. IRIS is
designed to support enhanced network services for voice, video and
data communications over a common IP network. Additionally, the IRIS
JCTD serves as an operational test
bed to further examine Network Operations (NetOps), Concept of
Operations (CONOP) and Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs),
and how space-based routing and
processing can serve the Joint Interagency Intergovernmental, and
Multinational (JIIM) user community.
(source: Intelsat General)
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`4
RRSat Partners With
Asia Broadcast Satellite to Expand Three Angel Broadcasting
Network's Coverage (3ABN) Into Asia
RRSat Global Communications Network Ltd., a rapidly growing provider
of comprehensive content management and global distribution services
to the television and radio
broadcasting industries, announced today that it has entered a 3
year partnership to broadcast the Three Angels Broadcasting Network
(3ABN) on the Southern Ku-band beam
of the ABS-1 satellite.
"We are very pleased that the Three Angels Broadcasting Network has
chosen RRSAT to use RRSat's Global distribution network services to
expand its broadcasting into Asia.
3ABN is joining over 365 satisfied television and radio channels
currently broadcast through our network," commented David Rivel, CEO
and Founder of RRSat. "We look
forward to a long-term and fruitful partnership with ABS which
allows us to further increase our penetration into Asia."
"We are excited to welcome 3ABN to our growing neighborhood of
free-to-air TV and radio channels on the ABS-1 direct broadcast
platform," said Tom Choi, CEO of ABS.
"ABS-1 offers the widest, high-power, Ku-band coverage in Asia. We
look forward to working with RRSAT to expand the distribution of
international channels across Asia,
focusing on key regions such as South Asia, East Asia and the Middle
East through direct to home (DTH) reception and cable distribution."
About RRSat Global Communications Network Ltd.
RRSat Global Communications Network Ltd. provides global,
comprehensive, content management and distribution services to the
rapidly expanding television and radio
broadcasting industries. Through its proprietary "RRSat Global
Network," composed of satellite and terrestrial fiber optic
transmission capacity and the public Internet, RRSat is
able to offer high-quality and flexible global distribution services
for content providers. RRSat's comprehensive content management
services include producing and playing out
TV content as well as providing satellite newsgathering services
(SNG). RRSat concurrently provide these services to more than 365
television and radio channels, covering
more than 150 countries.
About Asia Broadcast Satellite
Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) owns and operates the ABS-1 satellite
(formerly known as LMI-1) at the 75E location serving 4/5th of the
world's population and 4 continents.
Headquartered in Hong Kong, ABS serves a global customer base with
representative offices in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North
America. Supported by a team of highly
experienced professionals, ABS offers a wide range of services,
including DTH and CATV distribution as well as IPLC, IP backbone,
GSM backhaul, Maritime and VSAT services.
The ABS-1 satellite is a high-powered Lockheed Martin A2100 AX
spacecraft which was launched from a Proton on September 1999 from
Baikonur. With on-board fuel for more
than 17 remaining years of life, the ABS-1 satellite is located in
the prime Indian Ocean region at 75E connecting Asia, Australia, the
Indian Subcontinent, CIS, Middle East,
Europe and Africa. The satellite has 44 transponders composed of 16
Ku-band and 28 C-band transponders.
(source: RRSat Global Communications Network)
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Space Segment acquisition agreements.