SES provides satellite broadband services to ESA for ARTES initiative

Last week, SES announced that its SES Broadband Services will be providing satellite broadband services to the participants of the ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) initiative of the European Space Agency (ESA.)

The ESA has set its sights on boosting the competititveness of the European satellite industry. Its ARTES initiative will promote satellite functions and services in aviation, broadcasting, data relay, multimedia and mobile communications, and search and rescue operations. These promotions will encourage European companies to create new satellite broadband applications.

To support this ESA initiative, SES Broadband Services will provide participating companies with preferential rates for its satellite broadband services on two satellites: The Astra-3B platform, which serves Europe and the Middle East, and the Astra-4A satellite, which covers sub-Saharan Africa.

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Newtec satellite modem honored by Satellite Markets and Research Vision Awards

The Satellite Markets and Research Vision Awards recently gave its Most Innovative Product Award to the new generation Newtec MDM6000 Satellite Modem for setting a new world speed record earlier this 2012 using S2 Extensions-based technologies.

Slava Frayter, VP for Newtec Americas, accepted the award on behalf of the Company at the SMRV Awards reception during SATCON 2012 at New York City on November 14, 2012.

The newest addition to the Newtec modem portfolio, the MDM6000 Satellite Modem debuted back in September 2012. It can handle all IP applications and any speeds, and supports data rates of up to 380Mbps in each direction.

In addition to being compatible with the upcoming S2 Extensions, the MDM6000 modem also fully complies with the DVB-S2 standard. This is because Newtec went ahead and gathered other DVB-members to form a team that defined and updated the DVB-S2 standard.

The Newtec-led team effort created smaller roll-offs, advanced filtering, a wider array of improved MODCODs, FEC upgrades, 72 Mbaud wideband support, and other new DVB-standard satellite transmission technologies that are used by the MDM6000 Satellite Modem. These new efficiency technologies are up to 20% better compared to DVB-S2 when enhancing the satellite link in DTH networks and 64 percent to other professional applications. These gains are greater than the ones achieved by currently-available proprietary systems.


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O3b Networks, Harris CapRock form strategic satellite communications alliance

A strategic marketing alliance will be formed by O3b Networks and Harris CapRock Communications. The two companies will be focusing on an array of ultra high-speed, low latency, exploration, and production capabilities for satellite communications services.

Harris CapRock will also add O3bEnergy to its portfolio of satellite services for the energy market. The O3b solution has the advantages of fiber broadband connectivity without the disadvantages of huge upfront CAPEX investments, outage concerns, immobility, and lengthy ramp-up times. O3bEnergy is also easy to integrated into existing enterprise systems and operational budgets.

With O3bEnergy, oil and gas companies and systems integrators will be able to enjoy latencies under 150 milliseconds, unlimited and affordable bandwidth, and big operational savings. The high capacity, low latency satellite offering can enable real-time seismic surveys of oil reserves beneath the ocean floor thanks to its speedy data transfers of up to 2 Terabytes per day.

Harris CapRock and O3b Networks have teamed up earlier to boost the Internet experience aboard Oasis of the Seas. The flagship of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and the largest cruise ship in the world is one of the many ships in the the maritime service that derives satellite Internet connectivity from O3b’s Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite fleet with equipment integrated by Harris CapRock.

O3bEnergy will enter commercial service in the third quarter of 2013. The newest addition to Harris CapRock's satellite communications portfolio is targeted at oil and gas companies and systems integrators who operate oil and gas rigs and seismic survey ships in the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, Angola, Asia and other key maritime regions.

AfricaCom 2012 will include Australian independent satellite company

The African digital-world’s largest event will be attended by rising Australian independent satellite communications company NewSat Ltd. Now on its 15th year, AfricaCom 2012 brings together key organizations and executives from the ICT, media, and telecom sectors at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa, from November 13 to November 15.

Over 7,000 delegates are expected to attend the summit, which will include over 200 speakers delivering panel discussions, interactive workshops, lectures, and seminars together with an expanded exhibition where companies will showcase their latest technologies and applications.

With the rise of more powerful devices such as tablets and smartphones, the digital ecosystem is changing at a fast pace. AfricaCom 2012 hopes to address the issues facing the digital industry, while focusing on this year’s theme, "Reaching the Next Frontier of Growth". Businessmen are encouraged to join the Entrepreneurs Hub focusing on business development in the continent.

NewSat Ltd is optimistic that the summit will be the perfect platform to showcase its Jabiru Satellite Program: a fleet of high-powered Ka band satellites which will deliver additional bandwidth, as well as flexible payloads to the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Over the last years, demand for satellite capacity has surged especially in Africa, where the technology can meet specific needs like satellite broadband service in remote regions. Jabiru 1, slated for a 2014 launch, will become Australia’s first independently-owned commercial satellite, and will deliver new capacity over Africa crucial for other wireless technologies and digital services to grow.

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Value-added services, new satellite drive revenue growth for Eutelsat

Eutelsat reported that its revenues for the first quarter of 2012-2013 have increased by 6.5 percent. Value-added services grew by 43.7 percent, while video applications and capacity added in 2011 and 2012 increased by 9.1 percent. The European fixed satellite services (FSS) operator has earned 314.4 million euros ($406.3 million) so far.

According to Eutelsat, limited capacity in regions of highest demand caused multi-usage to drop by 5.8 percent. The Company responded by acquiring the GE-23 satellite operated by GE-Satellite. Renamed as Eutelsat 172A, the new satellite will expand Eutelsat's coverage of these high-demand areas.

According to Michel de Rosen, CEO of Eutelsat, the FSS operator is now focusing on the November 2012 launch of the Eutelsat 21B satellite, and the December launch of the Eutelsat 70B satellite. Both satellites will significantly increase capacity for markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, where Data Services and Multi-usage remain in high demand.

In the meantime, Eutelsat adjusted its revenue outlook after acquiring Eutelsat 172A. The FSS operator is aiming to generate top-line growth of between 5 and 6 percent for the current fiscal year. By the time June 2015 arrives, it plans to have achieved a three-year compound annual growth of between 6 and 7 percent.

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ViaSat wins deal with US government for airborne satellite broadband services

ViaSat Inc. will be providing satellite broadband services in support of enroute military aircraft as part of its multi-million dollar contract with the US government. The Company will provide an all-IP service plan that allows NIPR, SIPR, ViaSat's Yonder commercial satellite Internet, and VoIP and VTC sessions during transcontinental and transoceanic flights.

The initial one-year agreement between ViaSat and the US government can be renewed for multiple years. It also provides options for the US government to add other aircraft to the satellite broadband service deal, as well as to request additional missions and supplemental service from ViaSat to supply.

ViaSat will also provide tiered service plans for senior leadership, VIP, and other broadband requirements. Its service plans cover a range of networking and performance levels, and most of them complemented their high-priority regional services with of higher priority.

ViaSat will use its proprietary ArcLight technology for the airborne and terrestrial satellite terminals that it will supply, install, and support on US aircraft. ArcLight terminals have already served more than 500,000 flight hours on over 300 government-operated aircraft.

The first military organization to use ViaSat's patented ArcLight technology was the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM.) Thanks to the advanced ViaSat terminals, the USSOCOM's fleet of C-130 aircraft not only gained a Ku-band communications network, but they also became the first in a line of US military aircraft that could perform advanced ISR missions using ultra-small antennas with apertures smaller than 12 inches in diameter.

There are now more than 1,750 ViaSat mobile broadband installations. The satellite communications terminals accomplish various government missions and accomplish numerous commercial applications for customers in the general aviation, maritime, and high-speed rail industries.

KCET and Link TV merging

One of California’s major community TV networks announced a merger with Link TV, an open broadcast channel operated by Link Media. According to KCET CEO Al Jerome, the development will bring together the two companies to form KCETLink. Al Jerome will become Chief Executive of the new entity while Link President, Paul S. Mason will be the Chief Strategy Officer.

KCET has long been a flagship of PBS Network in the Los Angeles Area. The merger however, will create, according to the press release “a new independent public transmedia company that acquires, produces and distributes provocative global programming targeted to a national audience across multiple media platforms”. It will also increase the reach of the network to almost 33 million homes across the country.

Jerome also expressed his high-expectations for the new media outlet to thrive in a the budding digital ave thanks to the combined resources. Since KCET left PBS, the network had been struggling with declining viewership. Link TV’s technology will help the outlet expand its reach across the nation, and create new business opportunities.

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