Cobham SATCOM, LiveU create new satcom broadband solution for broadcasters

Cobham SATCOM and LiveU will offer a robust, high-performance hybrid satellite communications solution that will allow broadcasters to transmit live video from anywhere in the world.

A professional-grade LU70 backpack from LiveU will support the latest members of the SATCOM BGAN Explorer satellite terminal product line. This includes the recently-announced Explorer 710, which is set for a September 2013 launch.

The LU70 interface allows camera operators to control all BGAN interfaces locally. Operators can easily switch between satellite and cellular connectivity. The LiveU Center web interface can also remotely control the BGANs, letting news operators directly view and manage live transmissions from the studio.

The LiveU Total unified management platform incorporates the hybrid Cobham SATCOM/LiveU solution into the LiveU ecosystem. It also lets control rooms manage multiple video feeds from individual LiveU units situated in various locations.

The Explorer product line was designed by Cobham SATCOM to leverage the Inmarsat BGAN satellite network. Explorer satellite terminals are compact, easy to use, and reliable. They are designed to deliver instant access to satellite broadband connectivity no matter the time, place, or extremity of environmental conditions. 

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Norsat International snares satcom research, development fund from SADI

The Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI) has awarded an repayable contribution worth $13.3 million (CAD) to satellite communications company Norsat International Inc.

Norsat will use the contribution to boost its strategic research and development program, allowing the Company to continue developing innovative new or enhanced satcom processes, products, and services for established and new markets. It also gives Norsat the opportunity to collaborate with university researchers and improve channel relationships with the local suppliers of components used in new technologies.

The Company's focus and forte are satellite communications technologies that enable connectivity for commercial, government, and military customers anywhere in the world, even regions that have damaged, insufficient, non-existent, or unreliable communications infrastructure. Norsat satcom solutions can operate in unforgiving environmental or technological conditions.

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Zedi orders new Hughes 9502 BGAN M2M satcom terminals for monitoring solutions

Hughes Network Systems, LLC will be putting its new Hughes 9502 BGAN M2M satellite communications terminal -which has been recently been accredited for operations in hazardous environments with potentially explosive atmospheres- in service with oil and gas technology and services company Zedi Inc.

An Inmarsat partner, Zedi is a leader in the field of oil and gas production operations. The company offers monitoring solutions and utilizes the newest technologies to create reliable connections for remote sites. The company unveiled the first large-scale SCADA network in the world in 2010, which is based on the Inmarsat BGAN network.

Hughes, Inmarsat, and industry customers collaborated in the creation of a new M2M BGAN terminal. The final product was the Hughes 9502 satellite communications terminal. As requested, it is compact, easy-to-use, efficient, cost-effective, and capable of operating in Class 1, Division 2 hazardous locations. It will serve as the cornerstone of Zedi monitoring solutions in terrestrial cellular coverage.

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Maju Nusa Selects Hughes To Supply HX System 4.0

Malaysia's fastest-growing VSAT service provider, Maju Nusa inks a contract with one of the leading broadband satellite solutions provider, Hughes Network Systems to supply an HX System 4.0 Network Operations Center (NOC) and 130 HX broadband satellite terminals. Majunusa will utilize the System to deliver cellular backhaul services for 2G and 3G sites in rural areas without access to cost-effective terrestrial
communications.

HX System, according Hughes, since its launch in 2012, includes a host of technology enhancements namely, low jitter delay and real-time streaming. It also includes HX90 satellite broadband router that features a new optimized encapsulation scheme on the outroute and advanced LDPC coding on the inroute, yielding best-in-class throughtputs and lowest operational costs on satellite links.


“Hughes is one of our alliance partners and provides us with the leading-edge platforms and technology we need to deliver market-winning IP-based solutions over satellite," said Maju Nusa Managing Director, Shahruddin Salehuddin. "The Hughes HX System 4.0 allows us to connect remote parts of the country and offer cost-effective backhaul for cellular mobile services without having to worry about jitter and latency on the satellite network.”

Hughes' Internationa Division Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Ramesh Ramaswamy, said, “For people who live in these rural areas, this will be the first time that they will have cellular services in their communities. Hughes is deeply committed to delivering solutions that meet the challenge of providing cost-effective communications in rural and remote areas worldwide.”

According to Hughes, the company was selected because of its excellent reputation among existing customers in the region and Majunusa’s success in operating their first Hughes HX System ordered at the end of 2011.


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ORBCOMM, Kobelco Construction Machinery create global telematics solution

Satellite data communications company ORBCOMM Inc. has teamed up with Kobelco Construction Machinery Co. Ltd. (KCM) to create a global telematics application that will monitor the location and performance of KCM assets.

KCM is the second biggest Japanese manufacturer of hydraulic excavators, and their products are used in key international markets worldwide. The company's new telematics application will locate and keep an eye on the status, and performance of their construction equipment no matter where they are through the satellite communications network operated by ORBCOMM.

The powerful on-board performance asset monitoring system enables enhanced visibility and improved asset management of machinery for KCM customers, which will save on costs and deliver sizeable operating advantages.

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Inmarsat wins new mobile satcom services contract with FEMA

Inmarsat Government has secured a new satellite communications contract with the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Company's MSS (mobile satellite services.)

The new MSS contract is worth US$3.5 million in total, and will last for up to five years. The initial contract period is for one year. FEMA can choose to extend its agreement by four one-year increments.

Inmarsat Government will tap its entire product and service portfolio to create cost-effective, innovative, and secure end-to-end satcom solutions for FEMA. This includes the Company's Global Xpress service, Inmarsat's new global Ka-band network, which is scheduled to enter service this 2013 and achieve full global service in 2014.

Inmarsat services will allow FEMA support personnel to access reliable, mission-critical communications during disasters. The Company's satellite communications solutions allow first responders to immediately contact other personnel and command and operational centers.

New Ka-band beam lets Galaxy SkyDATA reach Eastern Canada

Canada-based satellite communications company Galaxy Broadband Communications recently announced the addition of a new Ka-band beam to its SkyDATA enterprise class managed service.

The additional beam is a Ka-band spot beam from the Telesat satellite Anik F3. It will cover Central and Eastern Canada, including Northern Ontario, Northern Quebec, and the western regions of Newfoundland and Labrador. Expected launch for the upgraded service is April 15, 2013.

Galaxy launched its SkyDATA enterprise class service back in 2012. The original platform used four Ka-beams and covered the Western half of Northern Canada. Galaxy also included plans to extend SkyDATA's coverage over Eastern Canada.

SkyDATA provides cost-effective and reliable managed services to customers who need more bandwidth for mission critical applications, morale services for work camps, and VoIP communications. The new Ka-band spot beam will allow Galaxy to offer affordable, fast, and predictable managed services to customers in the resource-rich mining havens of Eastern Canada. 

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