Communications Alliance Establishes Satellite Services Working Group

March 13, 2012 - The relentless growth of the Australian satellite industry has earned it a new unified voice on the policy, regulatory and promotional front, with a new Communications Alliance satellite service working group founded to bring together key stakeholders to tackle critical issues. But the new group also reflects the imperative for Comms Alliance itself to evolve and keep pace with the needs of its constituents, while the telco sector undergoes a profound transition – and while many other industry bodies are collapsing or downsizing. The group’s roster of foundation members runs the gamut of key players in the Australian satellite space, including Optus Satellite, Telstra, NewSat, NBN Co, Indigo Telecom, SES New Skies, Intelsat, Thales, APN and Coutts Communications.

March 13, 2012 - Cobham Antenna Systems, in collaboration with Seasat of Denmark, have successfully demonstrated its L band interference resistant Sea Tel 9797B and Sea Tel 4009M marine stabilized antenna systems operating in the X band and Ku band radio frequency spectrum, respectively. The antenna systems are purchased by the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO). These systems are designed such that spurious signals are attenuated by a minimum of - 60dBc and in this way complying with the applicable NATO Standard. The L band frequencies have become standard for communication between the indoor equipment and antenna systems on board. Many navies have also installed radars operating in the same frequency range. This creates the potential for significant interference for both navies and commercial ships operating in the arena. The interference can manifest itself as rebroadcast, swamping the satellite and interfering with other users, and as direct interference to the onboard communications system.

March 13, 2012 - Kratos Defense & Security Solutions announced that Intelsat has exercised an option to have Kratos Integral Systems International, Inc. (Kratos ISI) extend its EPOCH Integrated Product Suite (IPS)-based Fleet Control System to operate the Intelsat 27 satellite, which is currently under construction. Intelsat 27 is the third of the Boeing 702MP series of 702 satellites and the 26th Boeing 702 to be supported by EPOCH. This option was exercised based on Kratos ISI's outstanding performance in delivering the required EPOCH IPS capability for Intelsat to operate its other two 702MP satellites, Intelsat 21 and Intelsat 22, on a short schedule. EPOCH IPS is the market leading all-in-one satellite Command & Control and fleet management system operable from a user's desktop, making it a more efficient alternative to costly command and monitoring practices.

March 14, 2012 - TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) has completed production integration testing and roll-out of a software upgrade to its TCS OS-IRIS offering, which is hosted on Intelsat 14. TCS OS-IRIS is the world's first commercial service offering of a Cisco-enabled IRIS (Internet Routing in Space) managed satellite service. This upgrade adds enhanced encryption and additional IPv6 support to the platform, which already supports seamless, end-to-end Layer 3 Internet protocol (IP). By leveraging the upgrades and the benefits of Layer 3 IP routing via satellite, secure, end-to-end IP virtual private network services can be offered with new levels of security, flexibility and network control. TCS is the exclusive commercial services operator of IRIS-enabled satellite services on Intelsat 14, allowing organizations to reach multiple continents from a single connection to TCS' network infrastructure.

March 15, 2012 - News Corporation and funds advised by Permira Advisers LLP announced that they have signed an agreement to sell NDS Group Limited to Cisco Systems Inc. for approximately US$ 5 billion, including the assumption of debt. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory review in the U.S. and elsewhere, and is expected to close during the second half of calendar year 2012.

March 19, 2012 - NewSat Limited announces the signing of a five year contract with a leading GCC (The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf) company. The commitment is for the purchase of US$ 32.4 million of Jabiru satellite transmission capacity and covers the entire GCC region and parts of the Middle East. Jabiru has now accumulated US$ 558 million in pre-launch customer contracts and is scheduled for launch with Arianespace in 2014.

March 19, 2012 - ViaSat has successfully fielded Satellite Access Manager (SAM), a new broadband satcom service manager for military airborne ISR (Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance) operations. SAM is providing U.S. forces throughout the Middle East with dramatically higher bandwidth utilization and efficiency, as well as higher data rates and increased signal-to-noise performance. SAM is a real-time network monitoring system for ViaSat ArcLight 2 mobile satellite broadband terminals. The system enables network managers to provision multiple remote users on an airborne network within a common bandwidth pool, and provides dynamic assignment of bandwidth and communications priority to high-value platforms as they begin missions. SAM is primarily for DoD missions, which have very different requirements compared to commercial network customers who share capacity while using the ViaSat Yonder global mobile service.

March 22, 2012 - Comtech EF Data Corporation announced the successful integration of its LPOD Block Up Converter with C2SAT's 2.4m C Stabilized VSAT Antenna. The integration of the innovative products will provide maritime users with a premier satellite-based broadband communication solution for oceanic vessels in motion. The LPOD Block Up Converters were engineered with efficient thermal and mechanical packaging based on Comtech EF Data's extensive experience in outdoor RF transceivers. The LPOD eliminates the traditional requirement for the modem to supply a DC power source and a 10 MHz reference to the BUCs and LNBs. The optional internal reference and LNB bias T greatly simplify multi-carrier operation and provides cost-effective redundancy. The LPOD's compact size and weight make it ideally suited for installations with limited mounting space.

March 22, 2012 - The Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) and Romantis Group, a global provider of satellite capacity and networking equipment, announced that they will further develop the existing collaboration based on RSCC satellite capacity and Romantis VSAT products and value-added services to spread to North and South America as well as the transatlantic area. Romantis satellite bandwidth management services are enriched by the customer-centric service model that includes network planning, link budgeting, optimization of capacity utilization, online monitoring and troubleshooting systems as well as web-based booking tools for planning occasional-use transmissions. Express-AM8 satellite is scheduled to be launched to 14 degrees West in the third quarter of 2013. The satellite will be equipped with six high-power Ku-band and two C-band spot beams providing superior coverage of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, North and South America.

March 23, 2012 - Avanti Communications Group announces the sale of capacity on Hylas 1 to satellite broadband provider, Ethnet in a three year deal worth a minimum of £660k. The capacity will be used to deliver satellite connectivity for a variety of applications in use by Ethnet’s fast growing UK enterprise and consumer customer base. Ethnet specializes in supplying communications services and equipment to remote locations as well as short-term hire for events, exhibitions, road shows and film production companies. With the rollout of its new motorized self acquiring solution, the SAMS-M1, it is looking to establish itself at the forefront of motorized satellite solutions.

March 26, 2012 - Hughes Network Systems, LLC announced that Skyband of Saudi Arabia is expanding its broadband satellite services business with an order for over 2,000 additional HX satellite terminals. In 2009, Skyband purchased a multi-satellite HX Gateway which is designed to unlock the maximum value from high-quality, IP broadband networking, including specialized applications such as mobility. It makes it easy for operators to expand broadband services across virtually all multi-satellite coverage situations, while maintaining the powerful network management, extensive diagnostics and scalability of the proven HX System. Skyband is one of the first VSAT service providers in Saudi Arabia. Skyband offers a wide range of communications solutions including managed network services, ATM and banking connectivity, GSM networks and backhaul, video conferencing, and broadband IP applications to a variety of enterprise and government sectors.

March 26, 2012 - iDirect Government Technologies is releasing its newest satellite router, which meets strict airborne communications requirements for operation on military aircraft. The new airborne router delivers broadband capabilities for voice, video and data applications that provide support for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), Customs and Border Protection operations and emergency response missions. Compliant with the highest military security requirements, the airborne rack-mount router, e8000 AR, provides fast, reliable and secure network connections for high-speed Communications on the Move (COTM) versatility. The router enables constant connectivity between manned and unmanned aircraft for uninterrupted command and control communications between theaters, ISR applications and the transmission of high-definition imagery from the aircraft to soldiers on the ground.

March 26, 2012 - The Boeing Company has finalized a firm-fixed-price contract with Al Yah Satellite Company (Yahsat), the United Arab Emirates-based multipurpose satellite operator, to design and build active electronically steered phased array antenna systems for aircraft. The value of the contract is not being disclosed. The small, state-of-the-art Ka-band phased-array SATCOM antenna system allows customers to take advantage of the significant increase in bandwidth offered by next-generation Ka-band satellites to transport data from aircraft in flight to the ground network, and vice versa. Boeing developed these communications antenna technologies to improve the capability of platforms to remain networked while mobile.

March 27, 2012 - Panasonic Avionics has leased additional satellite capacity over Europe, the Mediterranean and Africa from Intelsat and over the Pacific from Australian Satellite Communications. Panasonic Avionics announced that is has added additional coverage and capacity for its Global Communications Service via the Intelsat-14 satellite which is operated by Intelsat. Panasonic Avionics also announced an agreement with Australian Satellite Communications for additional capacity on the GE23 satellite. Under terms of the agreement, Panasonic will lease additional capacity on the satellite’s South Pacific beam and add new capacity on the GE23 South West Pacific beam. Prior to this announcement, Panasonic had leased capacity from Australian Satellite Communications for airline routes over Australia and New Zealand, and for trans-Tasman flights with teleporting from ASC’s facility in Adelaide. Panasonic’s Global Communications Suite provides two-way broadband connectivity to an aircraft. It supports a wide range of passenger and crew applications including in-flight broadband Internet access over Wi-Fi to passengers, and mobile phone service offered in collaboration with AeroMobile.

March 1, 2012 - Al Jazeera is further consolidating its longstanding relationship with Eutelsat Communications with a new contract for capacity on the EUTELSAT 7 West A satellite (ex. ATLANTIC BIRD 7) located at 7 degrees West. Al Jazeera has chosen the new service area on EUTELSAT 7 West A that enables the media corporation to extend coverage across North West Africa to Morocco and as far as Nigeria. Broadcasts have already begun, with nine channels operational, including the flagship Al Jazeera news channels in Arabic and English, as well as documentary, children's and sports channels. In service since October 2011, the EUTELSAT 7 West A satellite has strengthened Eutelsat's commercial response to broadcasters operating across the Middle East and North Africa. The satellite's widebeam delivers unmatched performance and coverage into over 30 million homes, while the new North-West Africa footprint opens the opportunity for channels to further consolidate their reach.

March 1, 2012 - Hughes Network Systems, LLC announced a new, video-driven solution for enterprises to improve employee performance, satisfaction, and expertise. Hughes Breakroom TV is an integrated video communications and employee information system delivered as a turnkey service by Hughes. Through a centrally managed network of flat-screen televisions in employee breakrooms and other areas, enterprises can deliver customized company content and "infotainment", including live TV, keeping their employees more informed, loyal, and satisfied at work. As a result, Hughes Breakroom TV leads to improved employee morale and retention, and contributes directly to a company's bottom line through higher sales and better customer experiences.

March 6, 2012 - Sky Deutschland has contracted an additional transponder on the ASTRA satellite system at 19.2 degrees East, effective from 1st June. The pay-TV operator will use the transponder for the transmission of additional HD programming. Including the new capacity, Sky Deutschland will be using 11 transponders on the ASTRA satellites.

March 13, 2012 - Nairobi-based Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) has signed a multi-year agreement with Intelsat to distribute broadcast programming from production facilities to terrestrial base stations around the country to service its newly launched DTT network. The signals will then be transmitted over the terrestrial airwaves to homes around Kenya. KBC will use capacity on the Intelsat 709 satellite and transition to the new Intelsat 22 satellite once it enters service. KBC will join Addis Ababa-based ETHIO Telecom, which signed a multi-year, multi-transponder deal for new capacity on Intelsat 709, with follow-on service on Intelsat 22. As previously announced, ETHIO Telecom plans to use the capacity for a new government voice and data network, and for the expansion of a distance learning network that supports high school education in Ethiopia.

March 14, 2012 - Ireland's national broadcaster has chosen Eutelsat's for its unique satellite based approach to ensure that all homes in the Irish Republic will be able to benefit from free digital reception of the RTÉ public service television and radio channels. In March of this year, and to complement its SAORVIEW terrestrial service, RTÉ is switching on a new digital satellite service which will provide service cover to the 1 to 2 percent of households which are beyond range of terrestrial DTT reception. Working closely with Eutelsat, RTÉNL has selected the service area of KA-SAT which is dedicated exclusively to the island of Ireland. The service will broadcast RTÉ's five television channels RTÉ One, RTÉ Two HD, RTÉ News Now, RTÉ junior and RTÉ One +1 and ten radio stations. Eutelsat and RTÉNL have ensured that should any other broadcaster wish carriage provision, additional capacity on SAORSAT will be available for this future expansion.

March 14, 2012 - The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is consolidating its longstanding relationship with Eutelsat Communications with a multiple-transponder contract on two satellites. The renewal of four transponders on EUTELSAT 7A (ex W3A) up to 2016 and the further renewal of four more transponders on EUTELSAT 10A (ex W2A) will support the association's network that serves 85 national media organizations in 56 countries in and around Europe. With the stage set for 2012 to be an exceptional news and sports year, including elections in major countries and iconic sports events, the EBU is focused on delivering unique program material that will give Members a competitive edge in a changing media environment. Satellites remain the bedrock technology used by the EBU for "conveying" content between permanent and temporary locations worldwide. The EBU is also validating the new-generation satellite newsgathering solution that Eutelsat has launched on its KA-SAT High Throughput Satellite. Called NewsSpotter, this IP service is designed to enable broadcasters to deliver more from the field at low cost, further diversifying live news reporting.

March 15, 2012 - MTN Government Services (MTNGS), a subsidiary of MTN Satellite Communications (MTN), a global provider of communications, connectivity and content services to remote locations around the world, announced the availability of MTN Worldwide TV for government vessels. Taking advantage of the MTN global satellite network and technology, seafarers can now enjoy watching diverse news and entertainment programming from international television networks without interruption. In addition, customers can integrate their internal networks to MTN Worldwide TV for customizable news and information.

March 21, 2012 - Intelsat S.A. and Jain TV Group’s Noida Software Technology Park Limited (NSTPL), an Indian provider of satellite broadcast infrastructure services, announced the selection of Intelsat to provide satellite capacity for a new digital cable television distribution platform for India. NSTPL’s planned ‘Headend in the Sky’, or HITS platform, supports India’s national goal of completing the transition to digital broadcast television signals by 2014. NSTPL has signed a multi-year, multi-transponder agreement for C-band capacity on Intelsat 902 at 62 degrees East. NSTPL will use the capacity to create a white label, turnkey channel package that can be received and distributed by multiple system and local cable operators throughout the region.

March 21, 2012 - Eutelsat Communications launched its innovative newsgathering service called 'NewsSpotter'. The service expands the range of professional services provided through Eutelsat's high-performance KA-SAT satellite and is provided by its Skylogic affiliate. Using a new generation of lightweight equipment, NewsSpotter broadens opportunities for newsgathering by offering broadcasters and service providers the ability to transmit High Definition and/or Standard Definition live video from the field in a fast and highly cost efficient manner. NewsSpotter uses professional-grade KA-SAT terminals for video contribution from crews in the field to a broadcaster's master control room. Using standard IP routing, the service is capable of transmitting at speeds of up to 20Mbps via KA-SAT and its dedicated ground network fiber infrastructure.

March 23, 2012 - SES is collaborating with Samsung to drive digital broadcasting via satellite in sub-Saharan Africa. Samsung will introduce an LED television with an integrated free-to-air satellite receiver, the Samsung LED TV Free Satellite that will be distributed in Nigeria, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon in August 2012. Distribution in additional countries will follow. The integrated satellite receiver will allow consumers to receive free-to-air television channels without the need for an additional set top box as the LED TV will be directly connected with the satellite dish. In preparation for the launch, SES and Samsung will jointly arrange training sessions with distribution partners and installers to ensure the proper connection of the TV device to the satellite dish. Both partners will also run a joint marketing campaign in June 2012. As a leader in the free-to-air TV market, SES delivers more than 60 free-to-air channels in more than 40 African countries. The launch of the new Samsung LED TV Free Satellite coincides with more channels becoming available in Africa.

March 28, 2012 - MEDIA BROADCAST, Europe's full service provider for the broadcast and media sector, launched a DVB-S2 transmission platform on Astra 23.5 degrees East (Astra 3B) at the beginning of March 2012. The platform enables the efficient use of available transponder capacities for the transmission of HDTV programs. MEDIA BROADCAST is targeting markets in Central and Eastern Europe, with a focus on the Czech Republic and Slovakia, via the satellite's Europe Wide Beam. The first programs on the new DVB-S2 platform will include the Czech TV HD channel as well as media services from the Federal Parliament. The signal will enable the feed-in of Czech TV HD into regional cable networks as well as supplying DTH broadcasting to 1.5 million Czech households.

March 29, 2012 - The blending of traditional TV channels with Internet content is now possible for cable homes in Germany using the 'KabelKiosk choice' service based on the HbbTV standard developed by the German subsidiary of Eutelsat Communications. With 'KabelKiosk choice', Eutelsat's KabelKiosk platform is evolving beyond its first phase as a program delivery solution for independent cable operators. The launch of an interactive portal is fully in step with how viewers are progressively enhancing linear channels with on-demand information. For broadcasters, network operators and content providers it offers new opportunities to extend the reach of linear and non-linear content, and to generate new revenues.

March 30, 2012 - MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd. announced an agreement with Encompass Digital Media (“Encompass”) for the distribution of the EDGEsport HD channel via the MEASAT-3 satellite. EDGEsport is the first 24-hour premium action sports channel launched to the Asian market by IMG Media, part of IMG Worldwide. The channel is aimed at the active and athletic urban young adults, featuring key sports disciplines such as surfing, snowboarding, BMX, mountain biking, skateboarding, supercross, skiing, base jumping, freestyle motocross and wakeboarding. The channel features films, documentaries, athletic profiles and biographies, lifestyle programming and magazine shows, all in High Definition.