Apscc monthly e-Newsletter May 2012

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April 4, 2012 - SES and SkyGate, an internet service provider in the Middle East, have signed a five year contract for the distribution of SES’ satellite broadband service SES Broadband, formerly known as ASTRA2Connect, in the Middle East. SkyGate markets SES Broadband to end customers and businesses in the region, offering download speeds of up to 10 Mbps using the ASTRA 3B satellite at the 23.5 degrees East orbital position. SES Broadband is a fast internet solution for SMEs and residential users, especially in remote areas. It is marketed via distribution partners and ideally suited for areas that lack terrestrial broadband access.

April 4, 2012 - Thales Communications, Inc., a provider of defense communications equipment and software, has acquired Tampa Microwave, a manufacturer of satellite communications (SATCOM) terminals and related products for government and commercial customers. Pursuant to the transaction, Tampa Microwave will operate as a subsidiary of Thales Communications, a Thales USA company which operates under a proxy agreement with the US Department of Defense (DoD). The acquisition is conditional upon receiving certain regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2012.

April 4, 2012 - Spacecom, operator of the Amos satellite fleet, announced that a current client on its Amos-5 satellite servicing Africa exercised a contractual clause to extend services on the satellite for a total of five years. This multi-year extension is worth approximately US$ 11 Million. The African communications provider is using Amos-5 for supplying data services over the satellite's pan-African C-band beam. Amos-5 is serving Africa from the 17 degrees East orbital position with C-band and Ku-band beams. It began commercial operations on January 25, 2012 and is becoming a prime carrier of African satellite communications traffic in both broadcast and data services.

April 10, 2012 - Hughes Network Systems, LLC has completed installation and commissioned an HN System comprising a multi-spot beam HN NOC (network operations center) and over 1000 HN9200 Ku-band remote terminals for Numix Engineering Sdn Bhd, a partner with Telekom Malaysia for Ku-band satellite VSAT services. Numix provides telecommunications services to Telekom Malaysia and its customers who are mainly government agencies and small and medium enterprises, supporting a wide range of applications such as broadband Internet, Voice over IP (VoIP), IPTV distribution, and distance education. The HN platform enables Numix to launch broadband service plans with speeds of 4 Mbps and above at cost-effective service pricing, and to provide high throughput broadband links for government agencies and SMEs using small 98 cm antennas.

April 10, 2012 - iDirect, Inc. announced that RigNet, Inc., a global provider of managed remote communications solutions to the oil and gas industry, has deployed a new Series 15100 Universal Satellite hub in Doha, Qatar. The new Evolution hub will extend RigNet's VSAT coverage in the Middle East and enhance the company's satellite service portfolio for current and new customers in the oil and gas sector. As a managed services provider, RigNet delivers turnkey solutions for installing and managing VSAT networks. Using iDirect's Intelligent Platform, RigNet supports a wide range of applications that are critical for the oil and gas industry, such as broadband data, voice and video communications, as well as real-time data management. Through RigNet, oil and gas companies can keep their offshore sites connected with central offices to improve operational efficiencies.

April 10, 2012 - Newtec has demonstrated a 310 Mbps transport over a 36 MHz transponder. Tests and validations were carried out using existing antennae and power infrastructure on Yahsat’s Y1A. The resulting full duplex STM-1 (2 x 155 Mbps) has never before been achieved on a 36 MHz transponder. Newtec will be making its next generation technology, capable of enabling these speeds, commercially available during 2012. The link was established using Newtec's next generation satellite IP modulators and modems in combination with its bandwidth cancellation units (ZN871). The test used Clean Channel Technology™, Bandwidth Cancellation and Wideband (all Newtec Technologies), of which the first two are available and on the market now. As a result of the tests, which were completed under fully operational real-world conditions, Newtec proved to be ready to deliver future services based on these technologies.

April 10, 2012 - Following previous ground testing, successful flight tests by ViaSat Inc. have verified the industry's highest performance for a mobile satellite broadband system using ultra-small aperture antennas. U.S. Special Forces (USSOCOM) and other service representatives witnessed an ISR exercise that streamed full motion, HD video over an airborne Ka-band satellite link, while also providing enough bandwidth for a concurrent video conference and Voice over IP (VOIP) phone calls. After taking off in Carlsbad, the aircraft traveled to an eastern San Diego County test range, exercising the broadband network mission applications during typical ISR aircraft maneuvers. The airborne satcom system featured ArcLight^® 2 mobile broadband terminals and a VR-12 Ka-band 12-inch tracking antenna from ViaSat. Test equipment measured 7 Mbps throughput on the air-to-ground link and 1Mbps on the ground to air link as the applications were streamed back into secure government networks for end-to-end verification.

April 11, 2012 - Gilat Satellite Networks announced that it successfully completed a dedicated project for satellite-based web connectivity to support Russia's national presidential elections held March 4, 2012. Gilat was selected for the project by Russian-based service provider RTComm, the satellite service arm of Rostelecom Group, Russia's national telecommunications operator. Russia's presidential elections were broadcasted online with live video streaming to provide visibility of the election sites, registration tables and ballot boxes. The web based system, for which Gilat provided a significant portion of the satellite based connectivity, was designed to provide Russian citizens, international press and people the world over with real-time access to the election process. The Russian Ministry of Communications reported that on the day of the presidential elections over 3.5 million viewers accessed the online broadcast of the voting process.

April 16, 2012 - SpeedCast announced Saxon Energy Services as the first major customer for its newly launched, next-generation DVB-S2 satellite service operating out of Perth, Australia. SpeedCast partnered with SatComms Australia, an Australia-based provider of mobile and fixed satellite solutions and teleport operator, to deliver the next generation service, specifically targeting the strong demand for Oil & Gas Exploration. SpeedCast and SatComms will support Saxon Energy Services’ communications needs for two major projects in Australia. Saxon Energy Services is a rapidly growing international oilfield services company that operates a contract drilling and well servicing business for oil and gas exploration and production companies throughout the world. Saxon required satellite communications support for two gas exploration projects in the eastern and southern regions of Australia for both drilling rig and accommodation camp infrastructures.

April 16, 2012 - Intelsat S.A. and PCCW Global have agreed to interconnect their MPLS networks. Intelsat and PCCW Global will be able to offer networking solutions and access to the world's premier video neighborhoods to customers in Asia and other regions of the world leveraging Intelsat's fleet of more than 50 satellites and its teleports in North America and Europe. With interconnects in London, New York and Los Angeles, the agreement will also enable Intelsat's customers to expand into new regions via PCCW Global's extensive and robust network. This is the first-ever interconnect between IntelsatONE and a partner network that supports both media and network services, meeting the growing demand from customers for converged delivery solutions in new locations around the globe.

April 17, 2012 - Inmarsat has signed a MoU with GMPCS to appoint the broadcast media solutions specialist as a Value Added Reseller of Global Xpress. Inmarsat’s Global Xpress (GX) will be the world’s first global Ka-band network, providing broadcasters with true broadband speeds of up to 50Mbps to mobile and portable devices. Utilizing iDirect technology and user equipment from the leading manufacturers, Global Xpress will take mobile satellite communications into the next generation. The service is planned to launch in Europe, Africa and Middle East in Q3 2013, with global coverage planned for 2014. The new agreement between Inmarsat and GMPCS is the first MOU for a Global Xpress reseller in the broadcast media and enterprise markets.

April 17, 2012 - Kratos Integral Systems International, Inc. (Kratos ISI) has been selected by Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems to provide the primary and backup satellite command and control systems for the Mexsat satellite system program, including use of Kratos ISI's EPOCH Integrated Product Suite (IPS) Fleet Management System. Under the terms of the Purchase Contract from Boeing, Kratos ISI will provide the primary and backup satellite command & control system to support the Mexsat-1 and Mexsat-2 satellites. When the entire system is operational, Kratos ISI will provide a single EPOCH IPS management system spanning the entire Mexsat fleet, with the ability to control both Boeing 702HP satellites and the Mexsat-3 Orbital Star-2 satellite.

April 17, 2012 - Enhancing its satellite data business offerings, du has launched a new Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) services platform based on iDirect evolution technology. The addition of this new platform to the company's satellite data services portfolio brings even more value to its extensive bouquet of business offerings. Under its VSAT offerings, du provides integrated end-to-end solutions for corporate and enterprise customers, delivered over a redundant backbone infrastructure. du VSAT offerings include: IP VSAT; Managed Data Network services over satellite; Satellite Integration Solutions. Additionally, du will offer a complete line of high quality and high performance internet, intranet and Extranet solutions on VSAT, enabling customers to increase productivity and profitability through IP technology.

April 17, 2012 - SpeedCast Limited announced the expansion of its business in the Pacific and Oceania Regions, with the investment of a new iDirect hub in Papua New Guinea. SpeedCast partnered with Oceanic Broadband Solutions, a leading integrator and solutions provider in the Oceania Region, in order to deliver reliable communications in the two regions. This investment is continuation of SpeedCast’s overall strategy to invest in regions and infrastructure to support SpeedCast’s customers and partners throughout the world. SpeedCast selected Papua New Guinea (PNG) as the ideal location for the new investment based on an immediate opportunity to serve a major customer there. The investment will also enhance SpeedCast’s ability to support customers in PNG and the Pacific Region. The hub will immediately support a number of new and existing customers in PNG and beyond, and provide them with greater performance and efficiency.

April 18, 2012 - SES-4 satellite is now fully operational and ready for service at the orbital location of 338 degrees East. SES-4 was successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on board an ILS Proton Breeze M booster on February 15, 2012. SES-4 replaces the NSS-7 satellite at 338 degrees East longitude and provides replacement as well as incremental capacity at this well-established SES orbital slot over the Atlantic Ocean. SES-4 is a 20-kilowatt satellite manufactured on the flight-proven Space Systems/Loral 1300 platform, with 52 C-band and 72 Ku-band transponders. It has C-band beams serving the eastern hemisphere of Europe and Africa and providing full coverage of the Americas, plus a global C-band beam to support mobile and maritime customers. Four high-power, regional Ku-band beams provide service to Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa, as well as North and South America, with extensive channel switching capability between C- and Ku-band transponders for enhanced connectivity.

April 18, 2012 - Honeywell and Inmarsat have signed an exclusive agreement to provide global in-flight connectivity services to business, commercial, and government aviation customers around the world. Under the terms of the agreement, Honeywell will develop, produce, and distribute the onboard hardware that will enable users to connect to Inmarsat's Global Xpress network. This exclusive agreement is estimated to represent $US2 .8 billion for Honeywell in sales of hardware, customer service, and maintenance to airlines, government entities and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) over the next two decades. Global Xpress is scheduled for launch in 2013, with global service for commercial, business aviation, and government customers available in 2014.

April 18, 2012 - Hughes Network Systems has been successfully supporting the Australian Defence Force (ADF) over the past 18 months through a series of technology trials analyzing the effects of transitioning from legacy Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) systems to an Internet Protocol (IP) Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) architecture. The trials were conducted across ADF satellite payloads in X- and Ku-band utilizing the Hughes HX System of fixed and transportable gateways, the HX280 satellite broadband router, and advanced network management system, HX ExpertNMS. Supporting the rigorous requirements and deployment needs of the ADF, the HX280 is capable of star and mesh operation, mobility, and is certified to Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 Level 2 for physical and Transmission Security (TRANSEC); it is currently finalizing WGS certification in the U.S.

April 18, 2012 - To further meet the requirements of global vertical markets, Thuraya has signed a Service Partner agreement with Telespazio VEGA United Kingdom, a subsidiary of Telespazio SpA, a Finmeccanica/Thales company. Through this partnership, Telespazio VEGA will distribute Thuraya’s integrated portfolio of satellite communications products which includes Thuraya IP, the compact satellite broadband solution supporting 384 streaming, Thuraya’s handheld phones and maritime solutions. Through its global distribution network, Telespazio VEGA will enable consumers from sectors such as government, enterprise, broadcast media, energy and NGOs to enjoy the cutting-edge service offered by Thuraya that provides seamless coverage in more than 140 countries.

April 24, 2012 - NewSat Limited announced the signing of a contract with a leading US based satellite communications company. The commitment is for the purchase of US$ 13 million of Jabiru satellite transmission capacity over the Middle East. The three year contract is with an existing NewSat teleport customer, who is a significant supplier to the US Government and large global enterprises.

April 25, 2012 - SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation will establish a representative office in Jakarta, Indonesia on May 1, 2012. Backed by its rapidly growing economy Indonesia is expected to become a fast-growing market for satellite communication and broadcasting due to expanded utilization in mobile backhaul networks and entry of new satellite broadcasters, etc. The Jakarta Representative Office is created to enhance SKY Perfect JSAT’s ability to capture business opportunities presented by such an attractive business environment in Indonesia. In addition, the JCSAT-13 satellite, slated for launch on May 16, 2012, Japan time and equipped with Southeast Asia beam that covers Indonesia, will complement the new Jakarta Representative Office by offering premium capacity to support the growing demand for satellite communication and broadcasting across the country.

April 25, 2012 - Representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), King Abdul-aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) is leading the transformation of satellite broadband in the KSA. KACST has selected the high-capacity Ka-band satellite system from ViaSat Inc. as the service platform for its National Satellite Data Network based on the system's ability to deliver exceptional broadband speeds and a user experience similar to some of the fastest terrestrial broadband services for most applications. The KACST contract, valued at approximately $70 million, includes gateways, network operation facilities, and end user terminals to implement the services using high-capacity Ka-band capacity hosted on the Arabsat-5C satellite. Arabsat and ViaSat collaborated on the development of Arabsat-5C to add a 10-spot beam, high-capacity Ka-band payload.

April 25, 2012 - Agilent Technologies Inc. announced that Comtech EF Data has selected Advanced Design System (ADS) software for use in developing RF and microwave circuits for high-performance satellite communications systems. Comtech designs and manufactures an assortment of satellite communications equipment that is deployed in commercial and government applications around the world. Satellite communications systems require leading-edge performance and high reliability. ADS is a broad-ranging circuit and system design platform. It provides a comprehensive suite of simulation and analysis tools for the high-frequency designer, including parametric tuning and optimization, and a full set of yield and sensitivity analysis tools. Comtech will leverage these extensive capabilities to ensure its designs meet the performance and reliability criteria demanded by its customers.

April 26, 2012 - GMV announces a contract with THAICOM Plc. to provide the satellite control center for the THAICOM 6 communications satellite. The project builds on GMV's satellite control center experience, THAICOM 6 is a Star 2 platform geostationary telecommunications spacecraft built by Orbital Sciences. Over the years, GMV has established a strong history with Orbital Sciences and supports numerous Star 2 platform spacecraft. THAICOM 6 satellite's payload will offer C-band and Ku-band services to the South and Southeast Asia and Southern Africa regions. The satellite will generate approximately 3.7 kilowatts of payload power and will be located at 78.5 degrees East Longitude.

April 27, 2012 - RSCC specialists together with VizCom colleagues performed a demonstration of a broadband satellite channel being available with a moving vehicle. A live video transmission was provided from a camera located in the car that was moving in the environs of Dubna Space Communications Center. The purpose was to demonstrate the capabilities of the RSCC VSAT network to provide high-speed two-way link with moving objects. The link was arranged via the iDirect HUB of the RSCC VSAT operating from the Express АМ22. This technical solution was developed to support links with the RF President Mobile Offices. RSCC is prepping networks to work with mobile objects using two satellites, Express АМ22 (53 degrees E) and Express А2 (103 degrees E).