Satellite Pro Middle East

ISSUE 11 | OCTOBER 2012

2012 MENA Satellite Player of the Year Submit your nominations @ www.satelliteprome.com

SATELLITE GOES

MAINSTREAM Operators craft epic changes to extend markets, improve speeds and lower costs

Gateway to Broadband

global conquest

the Shannon Limit

Hughes enables YahClick across 28 markets

Carrier ID to go global after London 2012

The future of IP modem technology

PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ

We’re there for you Newtec technologies allow billions of people to connect to the world, their families and each other.

You can find our innovations and technologies anywhere. Whether we work for government agencies or private companies, we always see innovation as a way to reduce your costs and optimize your efficiency.

Our global experience in multiple markets helps us in achieving our ultimate goal: taking care of your satellite communications while you can focus on your core activities. We’re there for you. Always and everywhere.

www.newtec.eu

Check out our new modem portfolio!

EDITORIAL Publisher Dominic De Sousa

On change and sameness

Group COO Nadeem Hood Managing Director Richard Judd richard@cpidubai.com +9714 440 9126

In this issue, we plot the game-changing moves by three satellite operators and feature other innovations we observed at IBC.

EDITORIAL Group Editor Broadcast Division Vijaya Cherian vijaya@cpidubai.com +97150 768 3435 Editor Supriya Srinivas supriya@cpidubai.com +971 55 105 3776 ADVERTISING Publishing Director Raz Islam raz@cpidubai.com +9714 440 9129 Group Sales Manager Sandip Virk sandip@cpidubai.com +44 7734 442526 Sales Manager Rodi Hennawi rodi@cpidubai.com +971 4 440 9106 PRODUCTION AND DESIGN Design Director Ruth Sheehy ruth@cpidubai.com Graphic Designer Glenn Roxas glenn@cpidubai.com Database Manager Rajeesh M rajeesh@cpidubai.com +9714 440 9147 Production Manager James P. Tharian james@cpidubai.com +9714 440 9146

Change here is the proverbial constant.

And yet for all the sophistication of High Throughput Satellites and antennas on the ground that can literally install themselves, presentations at conferences begin and end with PowerPoint rituals. Not a bad thing – these slides – that capture (or ought to capture) the gist of what you are saying. My gripe is with the manner in which technology is used and how little practice is put into telling a rather expensive story with the added challenge of incorporating a five-minute company pitch.

There is no dearth of powerful stories in the industry.

I’ve had the opportunity to interview operators, technical experts and integrators, and the sheer variety of stories that breed in verticals such as maritime, military and oil and gas, is amazing.

Making a successful leap from expert to scribe is Jorg Rockstroh of WORK Microwave who describes the current state of technology adoption in the area of IP modems on page 30.

Both IBC and VSAT 2012 gave me the opportunity to meet the person behind the email address. It was uniformly engaging. Despite the endless walking at IBC, there is little to complain if you are treated to the soaring voice of a tenor while enjoying an Italian dinner in a restaurant situated by one of Amsterdam’s canals. Thank you Telenor, for that!

Back in Dubai, we are now all set to plunge into the final stages of preparing for the annual BroadcastPro Summit and Awards. This year is all the more exciting with three awards categories for the satellite industry. We invite nominations from operators and solutions providers in the MENA region.

Supriya Srinivas Editor

DIGITAL SERVICES webmaster@cpidubai.com Digital Services Manager Tristan Troy Maagma Web Developers Erik Briones Jefferson de Joya Published by

1013 Centre Road, New Castle County, Wilmington, Delaware, USA Head Office PO Box 13700 Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 (0) 4 440 9100 Fax: +971 (0) 4 447 2409 Printed by Printwell Printing Press LLC

© Copyright 2012 CPI. All rights reserved.

While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.

In this edition: “Typically high throughput platforms, miss the mark in supporting commercial applications due to closed architecture that limits choice and control, [among other factors]” - Jean Philippe Gillet, Intelsat’s regional VP for Europe and ME sales – page 10

“When Hughes kicked-off the programme with Yahsat we realised that virtually every part of our company would be needed to contribute to its successful implementation” - Soheil Mehrabanzad, Asst. VP, MENA, Hughes Network Systems – page 18

“We are looking at new locations or new capacity to buy or lease.

With the right fit, we are also looking at acquiring satellites around the world and expanding the coverage of Arabsat” - Eng. Khalid Balkheyour, president and CEO, Arabsat – page 14

“Ideally, the industry should take care not to confuse users with too many proprietary approaches. To date, satellite communication has always relied upon strong universal standards” - Jörg Rockstroh, senior R&D engineer, WORK Microwave GmbH – page 34

ONLY DTH Interference Free -

Satellite capacity in the Middle East.

Gulfsat Communications is one of the leaders in the communication service industry and pioneers in satellite communications. Gulfsat designs, integrates,Installs, and provides advanced satellite solutions for enterprises, government organizations and home users.

www.gulfsat.com

CONTENTS

Issue 11 | OCTOBER 2012

10

News

4

SatVertical: Maritime

20

The big and small in maritime satcom

GCC operators, MSS...

Es’HailSat’s plans for a NOC, SkyStream’s iDirect hub, Iraq’s first satellite, OnAir, C-Com, Thuraya and more...

Satcomtrader’s Alberto Carpenè explores the overheating in the maritime sector in 2011.

SatVertical: Broadcast Cover Story

24

Satellite goes mainstream

Executed by systems integrator, INC, in conjunction with GD Satcom and Ericsson

10

Qatar TV builds earth station

Game-changing innovations outlined by Thomas Wrede of SES, Jean Philippe Gillet of Intelsat and Jean-François Fremaux of Eutelsat

24

SatVertical: Broadcast

28

The Usain Bolt moment

SatEvents: IBC 2012

14

A look back at the successful implementation of Carrier ID at the Olympics

Drivers of innovation Expansion plans and innovations from Newtec, Arabsat, Inmarsat,Verimatrix, Romantis, Vislink and Harmonic

SatTechnology

30 Approaching the Shannon Limit

SatVertical: Broadband

18

Gateway to Broadband

40

Soheil Mehrabanzad of Hughes on deploying four broadband Gateways for Yahsat’s YahClick service

The future path of IP modem technology explained by Jorg Rockstroh of WORK Microwave

SatTechnology

34 Product review

ISSUE 11 | OCTOBER 2012

Colem, NDSatcom, Avanti, SatService and more 2012 mena satellite Player of the year Submit your nominations @ www.satelliteprome.com

SATELLITE GOES

MAINSTREAM Operators craft epic changes to extend markets, improve speeds and lower costs

gateway to broadband

global conquest

the shannon limit

Hughes enables YahClick across 28 markets

Carrier ID to go global after London 2012

The future of IP modem technology

PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ

On the cover: (L to R) Thomas Wrede of SES, Jean-François Fremaux of Eutelsat and Jean Philippe Gillet of Intelsat

SatEvents

Overheard at VSAT2012 A snapshot of views from the annual event

38 Gulfcomms @ Gitex An overview of exhibitors from the satellite industry

SatNews

Qatar’s Es’hailSat selects Kratos’ Integral Systems to build NOC

(L to R) CEO Ali Ahmed Al-Kuwari and president of Integral Systems Europe, Bruno Dupas, signing the contract

Es’hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, has announced that Integral Systems Europe S.A.S (“ISE”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., has been selected to provide Es’hailSat’s Network Operations and Satellite Payload Monitoring Centre (NOC) in Doha, Qatar.

Under the terms of the contract, ISE will design, build, and test the system in ISE’s integration facility in Labege, near Toulouse, France, prior to shipping to, and installing in Qatar Es’hail 1, Qatar’s first satellite, is scheduled for launch in Q2 2013.

Es’hailSat’s NOC will manage access to the satellite fleet, starting with Es’hail 1.

The NOC agreement was signed in Paris

by Ali Al Kuwari, Es’hailSat’s CEO, and Bruno Dupas, president of ISE. Commenting on the contract, Es’hailSat’s CEO, Ali Ahmed Al Kuwari said, “The establishment of our network operations and satellite payload monitoring centre in Doha is an integral part of our satellite programme and marks another key milestone in our plan to become a leading satellite operator in the Middle East and North Africa region.” www.eshailsat.qa

SkyStream expands coverage with new iDirect satellite hub SkyStream FZ LLZ, a Dubaibased satellite service provider, has purchased an iDirect Series 15100 Universal Satellite Hub to extend the availability of its coverage for luxury yacht owners. The hub will also help SkyStream meet the growing needs of its oil and gas customers who operate on multiple continents.

Through its new iDirect hub, SkyStream will offer Ku- and C-band coverage using different satellites.

With two iDirect hubs and one VNO located in Asia and 4 | SatellitePro | October 2012

Riyadh Al Adely, managing director, SkyStream

Europe, SkyStream is now reportedly able to cover two thirds of the world, giving its oil and gas customers the ability to expand their private networks across multiple continents and giving yacht owners the ability to access next-

generation applications like HD video conferencing, streaming HDTV and corporate VPN access from anywhere in the world without having to change satellite service providers or plans.

“As our customer base continues to grow in size and sophistication, the iDirect platform gives us the ideal technology to support our oil and gas and maritime customers globally,” stated Riyadh Al Adely, managing director, SkyStream. www.sky-stream.com

Emirates offers WiFi to A380 passengers enroute to Australia

Ian Dawkins, CEO, OnAir

Australians travelling on Emirates A380s will have wireless internet access after the airline’s partner OnAir won approval for WiFi within Australian airspace.

The wireless service will reportedly be priced between US $7.50, $15 and $25 for 5MB, 25MB and 100MB of data respectively The WiFi service will be available on Emirates flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Dubai and Auckland from October 2.

OnAir’s customers currently operating WiFi services on flights to Australia, include Emirates, Qantas and Singapore Airlines.

Ian Dawkins, OnAir CEO said, “Our expertise in securing regulatory approvals means we have a network of more than 80 governmental authorities and more than 350 roaming agreements with mobile operators.”

In addition, every seat aboard the Emirates A380 has a satellite telephone along with email and SMS services.

OnAir noted that 52% of users access the service using a smartphone, while 48% use a laptop or tablet. The service typically gets 73% of usage during the day, and an 84% of usage on flights of over three hours. www.onair.aero

Monitoring the Maoists Hughes Communications India is to provide multicast and unicast satellite IP connectivity to 400 police stations in the Maoist-ridden Indian state of Jharkhand

1.6 Real-time broadcast video solution from Thuraya and Quicklink Mobile satellite services operator, Thuraya Telecommunications Company and the UK-based solution provider Quicklink, have launched the Thuraya IP Quicklink solution, that operates by combining the Thuraya IP terminal with the Quicklink broadcast solution. Thuraya IP reportedly features ‘Asymmetric Streaming’, that allows users to adjust, uplink and downlink speeds based on their usage, resulting in cost savings of up to 40% when compared to other solutions available in the market.

Thuraya’s vice-president of marketing, T. Sanford Jewett said, “Thuraya IP is a portable, powerful satellite modem. It is the core for our high-performance media solutions designed with the end-user in mind.”

Thuraya offers, the company claims, enhanced IP services by routing streaming traffic from its earth station in the UAE to one of two strategic Points of Presence (POP) in London or Singapore, which in turn can have

T. Sanford Jewett, vice-president of marketing, Thuraya

dedicated links directly to the production studio. These dedicated circuits reportedly result in faster streaming, optimised upload/download speeds, and consistent performance.”

Richard Rees, chief executive officer of Quicklink says, “By bonding two Thuraya IP terminals over Quicklink, streaming speeds can be significantly increased to 512 Kbps, whereby voice clarity and picture quality are further enhanced.”

KEY APPOINTMENTS Inmarsat appoints Michele Franci to launch Global Xpress

Based in Nyon, Switzerland, Franci will be responsible for the execution of the GX programme, bringing it to its commercial launch. This includes operational practices, regulatory and market access programmes and leading the establishment of distribution agreements across all sectors. He will take the lead on programme management aspects of the project, including oversight of the master schedule for the space segment, ground segment, distribution development and regulatory aspects.

Thuraya appoints John Huddle as head of media services

www.thuraya.com

GlobeCast expands HbbTV trial to the Middle East with Arabsat and Orange GlobeCast and France 24 have announced that they will expand their exploratory Hybrid Broadband Broadcast Television (HbbTV) service to the Middle East in fall 2012 with the support of Orange and Arabsat.

The service, to be offered to satellite viewers of France 24 in the Middle East, follows a European deployment begun earlier this year with SES. The

Estimated number of IPTV subscribers in the MENA region by 2014

project will add a layer of interactivity to satellite TV programming by harnessing the capability of connected TVs, allowing satellite TV viewers in the region to use their connected televisions to interact with France 24’s linear and nonlinear content.

The satellite feed will be delivered via the BADR-4 satellite, Arabsat’s leading orbital position in the Middle East.

GlobeCast will reportedly use its broadcast experience and knowledge of connected TVs to lead this trial. It will also provide ground services and uplink from its Paris technical operations centre.

The satellite feed will be delivered via the BADR-4 satellite, Arabsat’s leading orbital position in the Middle East. www.globecastwtv.com

As the new head of market development for media services, John Huddle will oversee the development and execution of the company’s global market strategies, pricing and operations of its MediaComms suite.

Huddle has more than 12 years of experience in the satellite communications industry. Prior to joining Thuraya, he held a number of commercial roles at Loral Space & Communications and more recently at Intelsat as global accounts director focused on the media sector.

AsiaSat disposes interest in SpeedCast Following the conclusion of the transaction, AsiaSat will continue to be a significant supplier of satellite capacity and technical services for SpeedCast.

October 2012 | SatellitePro | 5

SatNews

Iraq to launch its first satellite before the end of 2013

The Iraqi Ministry of Science and Technology plans to launch the first Iraqi experimental satellite, ‘Dijlah’, before the end of next year, in collaboration with an Italian university as reported by Mawtani.com.

The ministry said the satellite will be used for educational and research purposes.

Sameer al-Attar, senior undersecretary at the Ministry, told Mawtani that this project

Dish TV targets illegal UAE use The owner of India’s Dish TV satellite network has vowed to crack down on the illegal reception of its channels in the UAE as reported by a UAEbased newspaper, The National. Subhash Chandra, the chairman of Dish TV’s parent company Essel Group, was quoted in the report as saying that he was looking to work with the UAE authorities to stop residents tuning in illegally.

Authorities in the Emirates have already launched several initiatives to stamp out illegal viewing of satellite TV stations. Last year, the Dubai Police raided dozens of buildings said to be receiving pirate TV feeds, while the UAE Ministry of Economy said in 6 | SatellitePro | October 2012

“is part of a joint programme for scientific and academic co-operation between our ministry and the Italian side, represented by La Svanza University.”

Al-Attar said that under this programme, specialised engineers from the ministries of science, higher education and transport will participate in a scholarship programme to obtain a Master’s degree in space science from La Svanza.

Al-Attar said the Italian university “has pledged financial support, in addition to providing all the technical and scientific expertise needed for the Iraqi engineers to complete the project and launch the satellite before the end of next year”.

The satellite will reportedly fly at a low space orbit at an altitude ranging between 600 to 800 kilometres, with a lifespan of around two years. www.egov.gov.iq

2009 it would take strict action against those selling illegal satellite receivers.

A reported 60% of the UAE’s south Asian community is illegally subscribing to Dish TV, according to one estimate from 2010. www.dishtv.in

Launched

The official website for Qatar’s Es’hailSat: www.eshailsat.qa

Newtec integrates GVF certification in training portfolio

Sander Boom, vice president of customer services and vice president of production at Newtec

Newtec’s customer services has been expanded worldwide by integrating the Global VSAT Forum’s (GVF) VSAT Installation Certification Programme into its training portfolio. Newtec will teach GVF’s online courses as part of its own product-specific classroom training.

“Taking advantage of the GVF training programme is a natural progression in the maturation of the Newtec training programme.

Integrating the GVF courses will complement our training, and bring the skill-level of all trainees to a solid understanding of the fundamentals of Satcom,” says Sander Boom, vice president of customer services and vice president of production at Newtec.

The training courses are designed, in conjunction with a Hands-on Skills Test (HOST), to prepare installation technicians for the task of installing and commissioning fixed VSAT terminals. Trainees begin with course GVF510 and reportedly learn critical installation skills necessary to reduce uplink interference, including connector attachment, correct antenna assembly, pre-setting polarisation, quickly finding the satellite, and accurately pointing the VSAT antenna to minimise adjacent-satellite interference. Follow-on online courses reportedly cover the range of Satcom fundamentals knowledge and installation techniques that all VSAT installers need. www.newtec.eu

80

Increase in broadband penetration in Africa by satellite broadband by 2020

Hermes awarded OSN launches next generation VSAT licence in Libya internet-enabled DVR, OSN Plus HD OSN, the pay-TV network in the Middle East and North Africa, has launched OSN Plus HD, the region’s first internet-enabled satellite receiver and recorder with full 3D and HD capabilities.

The new service is available in the UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Bahrain and requires a minimum internet download speed of 1MB The set-top box is manufactured by Humax, reportedly one of the world’s leading digital set-top box manufacturers.

The online Video-On-Demand library branded ‘OSN on Demand’ is a key feature of the new DVR and the advanced technology used reportedly enables viewers to start watching programmes in less than a minute. Viewers can also queue multiple downloads and store them on the massive one terabyte internal hard drive.

The OSN Plus HD remote control helps users, the company claims, to navigate and record favourite shows or entire series,

Glynn Wagg, country manager Libya David Butorac, CEO, OSN

watch the best HD content on demand with options of pause, rewind and fast forward.

OSN Plus HD also features a Common Interface (CI) slot that can be used for other services providers.

Viewers reportedly have complete control of their viewing with the parental control functionality providing added security and enabling families to restrict or completely block channels or programmes. www.osn.com

C-Com to supply flyaway antennas for Romantis’ VSAT projects C-Com Satellite Systems Inc., a provider of mobile autodeploying satellite antenna systems, and Romantis Group, a provider of satellite capacity and satellite networking equipment, have agreed to cooperate in boosting the development of self-pointing mobile solutions based on the C-Com manufactured iNetVu antenna products and Romantis UHP VSAT technology.

The joint product of C-COM and Romantis

Dr. Leslie Klein, president and CEO of C-Com Satellite Systems Inc.

will reportedly address both governmental and commercial customer’s needs for quick-deploy communications, supporting various applications including, but not limited to:

videoconferencing, video surveillance, voice and broadband internet “The iNetVu products have been fully integrated with the Romantis satellite router; the combined C-COM and Romantis solution coupled with the GPS Glonass capability is a proven, cost effective and reliable product,” said Dr. Leslie Klein, president and CEO of C-Com Satellite Systems Inc. www.c-comsat.com

The Libyan company, Hermes Communications Technology, has been awarded a VSAT licence, issued by the Libyan government, which allows the company to provide VSAT communications to the oil and gas industry and other sectors in Libya.

Glynn Wagg, country manager Libya, explains: “Our aim is to ensure that all our customers in Libya are provided with direct and extensive support and a more dependable and secure service. This licence will aid our customers in receiving faster installations, clearer costs and the assurance of legal requirements”.

Hermes Communications Technology, a joint venture partner of Hermes Datacommunications International Ltd, has an established presence within the Libyan capital, Tripoli, supplying VSAT communications, onshore and offshore, in city and remote locations. www.hermes.uk.com

Awarded

Pradman Kaul (R) president of Hughes Network Systems LLC, honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award at Comsys VSAT2012 conference. More on page 40

October 2012 | SatellitePro | 7

Our world. Now sharper than ever with the HDTV portal of the Middle East. Your world.

www.arabsat.com

See the difference with the region’s largest satellite operator With the reach, power and unmatched capacity of Arabsat’s state-of-the-art satellite fleet, the largest Arab community in the sky now brings you more power to experience the future in incredible detail. No wonder over 90% of free-to-air HD-TV channels in the MENA region are now exclusively broadcasting on Arabsat satellites. Join our premium community today!

Satellite goes

MAINSTREAM With integrated advanced IP networking functionality, improved network management tools and reduced costs, satellite network users enjoy a near terrestrial experience.

SatellitePro ME outlines three game-changing initiatives by satellite operators that promise to create a larger space for the industry in the mainstream

10 | SatellitePro | October 2012

Linear satellite TV in a connected world When Thomas Wrede, VP reception systems, SES, talks about a quantum leap in the way linear satellite content will be available, he also gives you a compelling visual of a viewer enjoying a live soccer match on the terrace of his house, on his iPad, while the rest of the family watches a movie in the living room.

The concept of a connected world is no longer novel, but to be able to be connected to linear satellite TV and not just internet content, is a game-changer for the average TV viewer. And for the viewers in Germany, it would no longer be a hypothetical concept as SAT>IP servers are being shipped from factories in the Far East as I write this.

Speaking to SatellitePro ME, Wrede underscores quality, the raison d’etre of linear satellite TV and why Sat>IP will strike a chord with the viewers.

“In most markets, due to lower compression, as compared to terrestrial solutions, we enjoy better picture resolution with satellite TV. SAT>IP does not change the resolution of the original signal. More consumers want to watch high quality content on tablet devices and expect better

Thomas Wrede, VP reception systems, SES

“We have discussed with a lot of people in the Middle East and Asia and I believe that this solution [SAT>IP] would be ideal for a communitybased installation, among other possibilities”

30

SAT>IP allows satellite programmes to be distributed, like traditional IPTV, over any IP network.

SAT>IP allows satellite programmes to be received not just on IP capable set-top boxes but also on other modern IP-capable devices: PCs, laptops, tablets, smartphones….

SAT>IP specifies the communication protocol between SAT>IP servers which transform satellite signals to IP and SAT>IP clients which consume satellite content.

performance and screen resolution. The gadgets’ industry, on its part, is making these devices more and more affordable.

“Currently, if consumers take their iPad into the kitchen, they can get linear content from the internet, but they don’t get satellite TV. With our solution, viewers can choose between Netflix, for instance, and the regular bouquet of satellite channels.”

The solution, according to Wrede, has also garnered support from OTT providers, as the latter attempts to serve an insatiable audience.

Wrede explains, “If you want to transmit over the internet to tens of thousands of subscribers, it will cost you a lot of money.

We have had discussions with customers who say OTT is becoming expensive. For every stream, mostly unicast, the operator has to pay a lot of money for internet delivery. An application that allows some of the content to be transmitted via satellite and is made available on other devices, makes for a strong competitive proposition for OTT providers” In the German market, the retail price for the SAT>IP server that would allow the viewer to watch four independent programmes on four IP-connected devices (iPhones, iPads, Androids or Notebooks) is between Euros 200 and 250.

“We don’t ask for any royalty,” reiterates Wrede. “We want to take satellite reception to the next level.”

Industry partners on the ground decided

While Wrede’s team at SES has been coordinating with the industry to make the SAT>IP communications protocol an industry standard, one of the challenges, according to Wrede is to “agree with operators and industry on a suitable DRM solution for transporting securely encrypted content.”

All in all, Wrede believes the satellite industry will benefit, as will linear TV, as all players jostle for pole position in the multiscreen environment.

Transforming emerging economies The title sounds a tad grand, but if Eutelsat’s IP Easy was to become commonplace in Africa, offering voice, data and video over satellite – the classic triple play service – the promise of bringing about a completely new way for people across the continent to do business beyond the reach of terrestrial broadband, will come good.

Traditionally triple play has not taken off on a large scale across the continent owing to regulatory hurdles around VOIP. And till recently, it seemed like a discomfitting alliance considering that the delivery of video, internet and telephony tend to use different technologies for delivery with different standards.

For Eutelsat, IP Easy, that was launched at Satcom Africa in May 2012, was built around the inherent advantages the operator had in Africa, says Jean-François Fremaux, director of

Potential subscribers for low-cost satellite solutions in Western Africa

Source: Newtech,Sea & Space Exploration Eutelsat Communications

What SAT > IP does

on Germany as the launch market, says Wrede, because of the sales potential of targeting a lucrative market of more than 17 million satellite households and the high number of free-to-air channels that are free from encryption – allowing for the launch of the SAT>IP solution with no extra investment on the part of the broadcaster.

Expressing readiness to enter any market through industry partners, Wrede includes markets in the Middle East.

“We have discussed with a lot of people in the Middle East and Asia and I believe that this solution would also be ideal for a community-based installation. If you build a new apartment or condo, it makes sense to deploy technology such as SAT>IP. It ultimately depends on the purchasing power in the respective markets. Having said that, if houses have more than one flat screen – the cost of installing SAT>IP would be much lower than that of one flat screen.”

The industry as a whole will benefit, says Wrede.

“SAT>IP will benefit operators and equipment manufacturers. First products to soon reach the market will be SAT>IP multiswitches (servers) and set-top boxes that accept satellite content also via their Ethernet interface. Moreover, the satellite industry will benefit from the evolution of Ethernet based in-home networking technologies, i.e. higher speed wireless, powerline, etc. The big benefit will be that linear satellite signals can be interfaced easily into IP in-home networking topologies.”

The typical drop in hardware costs every ten years

October 2012 | SatellitePro | 11

SatLead

multimedia product development, Eutelsat.

“We were one of the first of the large satellite operators to enter the emerging markets including Africa. We have been providing broadband services in Africa since 2003, primarily targetting users with high bandwidth requirements such as the oil and gas sector and financial institutions, among others. With IP Easy, we are offering highspeed internet access to residential and home office users as well as small and mediumsized enterprises across sub-Saharan Africa.

The service can also be configured to support VOIP. In addition, users can also bundle their internet access with TV channels’ reception via a single antenna, allowing them to benefit from a triple play mode.”

Combining the strengths of Ku-band capacity on Eutelsat 16A satellite with Newtec’s Sat3Play technology, IP Easy is reportedly available across Africa, from the Gulf of Guinea to Madagascar.

The IP Easy hub is located at Eutelsat’s Skylogic Mediterranean teleport, which provides broadband services for users in Africa owing to its location in the south of Europe and its direct access to the internet backbone via key Points of Presence in Europe.

On the current rollout, Fremaux says, “Many distributors within Eutelsat 16A’s footprint are finalising the intregration of IP Easy into their service portfolio, customising

Jean-François Fremaux, director of multimedia product development, Eutelsat

“With IP Easy, we are offering high-speed internet access to residential and home office users as well as small- and medium-sized enterprises across subSaharan Africa”

International Internet bandwidth (bits/s) per Internet user

Source: ITU - 2009 Eutelsat Communications

12 | SatellitePro | October 2012

the solution to fit into their marketing strategy. Afrique Télécom, for instance, already completes the service with its own features under the “SpaceDSL” brand.

“We are introducing the service in countries with a high density of population and significant revenues per capita, and in countries such as Madagascar where the dearth of telecoms infrastructure creates an opportunity. We are also planning to deploy the service on other Eutelsat satellites in operation or planned to be launched in order to cover the entire African continent.”

Countries that Fremaux believes offer a potential market include Nigeria, Cameroun, Ghana, DRC, Benin and Ivory Coast given their high population density.

The importance of emerging markets for operators such as Eutelsat is borne out by the fact that one of the main engines, as per the company’s 2011 financial report was the video business which grew by 5.8% and in that video business, Fremaux says the prime position belonged to 7 West over north Africa and the Middle East.

“With Eutelsat 16A , we cover 40 SubSahara African countries and we are triple play ready given the advantage we have of existing free-to-air TV channels on the same satellite. Buying a DVB-S2 set-top box will allow IP Easy users to receive around 25 freeto-air French speaking channels.”

Ease of installation was a critical factor, affirms Fremaux.

“We wanted to provide a service that would allow its users to self-install the equipment. Newtec’s Sat3Play platform and its system’s ‘Point & Play’ facility works with a one-metre dish and a PC-connected modem.

No specific qualification or training is needed for installation.

“Significantly, the terminal incorporates features such as DVB-S2 modulation and coding and rain-fade counter measures, to ensure efficient bandwidth usage. Moreover, the service works with local energy sources such as solar energy via solar panels.”

From leveraging the footprint of Eutelsat 16A to sourcing appropriate technology from partners such as Newtec, the launch of IP Easy, despite challenges on the ground, makes for a sound business case. Fremaux adds, “IP Easy responds to the pent-up demand for broadband

10

Number of years throughput increases ten fold

Source: StatCounter Intelsat

Mobile, Internet and Population Statistics - 2011

Jean Philippe Gillet, Intelsat’s regional vice president for Europe and Middle East sales

“Typically high throughput platforms, miss the mark in supporting commercial applications due to closed architecture that limits choice and control and suboptimal network design, among other factors”

from the many users beyond terrestrial networks and adds a new layer of diversity to our portfolio of services for the African continent.”

An epic initiative Typically high throughput platforms, according to Jean Philippe Gillet, Intelsat’s regional vice president for Europe and Middle East sales, miss the mark in supporting commercial applications due to “closed architecture that limits choice and control, sub-optimal network design, more attention paid to Mbps than Bits/Hz, the inability to support carrier grade solutions and platforms that are designed to consumer broadband standards, among other limitations.”

Global IP traffic is expected to more than double between now and 2015 with the global mobile data traffic slated to grow three times faster than fixed IP traffic. The time has come for an epic effort, stated Gillet, speaking to SatellitePro ME on the sidelines of IBC 2012.

“Intelsat announced in June 2012, the Intelsat EpicNG platform, a high performance satellite platform based on an open architecture, designed to deliver carriergrade, dedicated high throughput capacity.

“It will combine our spectral rights with the technical advantages of spot beam technology and provide architecture that gives them [our customers] a greater level of control and freedom of choice over hardware and service attributes.

“Initially comprised of Intelsat 29e and Intelsat 33e, Intelsat EpicNG will use multiple frequency bands, wide beams, spot beams

and frequency reuse technology. The Intelsat EpicNG satellites will provide four to five times more capacity than our traditional satellites.

“The expected throughput of the satellites will vary according to the application served and satellite, but is anticipated to be in the range of 25-60Gbps.

“The two satellites are expected to launch in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

“We believe the EpicNG satellites will bring increased capacity designed to support maritime, aero, enterprise network, cell backhaul, military and DTH applications.”

Speaking specifically about the EMEA region, Gillet believes the impact of the new platform will be profound. “On the video side, demand in the region is mainly driven by the distribution of content both within the region and to other regions such as North America and Africa. We are seeing growth with HD and regional programme distribution. On the network services side, growth of new applications specifically in the Middle East is also driving business development. The cellular backhaul service is popular due to the fact that it is deployed quickly and very often, satellite is used as a complement to an already present terrestrial infrastructure. Likewise with VSAT networks.”

Going forward, Gillet believes that global internet usage through mobile devices including across the Middle East, and overall demand for connectivity, will drive demand for satellite capacity and the company is gearing for the surge with initiatives such as the Intelsat EpicNG platform. PRO October 2012 | SatellitePro | 13

SatEvents: IBC 2012

WORK Microwave

Telenor

C-Com

In search of a value proposition IBC 2012 showcased innovation in the satellite industry while sometimes blurring the lines between operators and solution providers. As more operators offer managed services, solutions providers are redefining their value proposition

14 | SatellitePro | October 2012

I

BC 2012 was marked by a strong showing from the Middle East. Sixtime participant Arabsat shared floospace with first-timer, Es’HailSat from Qatar. Leveraging access to considerable finances, the region’s satellite operators are expanding their sphere of influence.

Mustafa Murad, CEO of Kuwait-based Gulfsat spoke of seeking clients over the American continent whereas Abu Dhabibased operator Yahsat launched costeffective solutions for live broadcast that will offer a level-playing field for smaller broadcasters.

Innovation showcased at the annual event had an understandable broadcast bias and was more incremental than game-changing and reflected the shifting dynamics in the industry. To understand the primary drivers behind such innovation, we stopped by at one of the busiest stands at IBC, Newtec, and spoke to Thomas Van den Driessche - director vertical markets.

“Our customers are service providers in different fields ranging from the broadcast environment to the internet provision sector. The common drivers for

our customers are related to doing more at the same cost or at a reduced cost.

The broadcaster, for instance, wants to provide more quality, move from SD to HD, progress from a 30-channel offering to a 70-channel offering. Similarly, our internet service providers want to offer higher SLAs such as moving from a 10-megabit licencing service to a 15-megabit licencing service for broadband internet access. These initiatives drive innovation.

“The second driver is to be found in the vertical markets, some are doing better than others.

“One of drivers of innovation is looking at the markets to see if we are providing the necessary stimuli to the sectors that are growing. And while we focus on providing services to growing markets, we also offer the slower growing sectors, innovations that will reduce cost of operations by adopting new technology.”

Small cell technology and 3G, for instance, are helping mobile operators reach new customers and bring new value to the backhaul market.

30

Estimated number of visitors at IBC 2012

On seeking new capacity

Eutelsat

Gulfsat

Vislink

Es’HailSat

Architecture of satellites driving innovation The takeaway from IBC 2012, was while Ka-band was still the ‘hottest’ topic, it had moved from the realm of the ‘speculative’.

One Eutelsat spokesman likened the sophisticated architecture in space to a Ferrari. “You need to learn how to drive the car and when you do, it is amazing,” he said.

With satellites like Hughes Jupiter designed to deliver 100+ Gbps of throughput, the architecture of satellites, says Thomas, is another driver of innovation.

“The third driver comes from the satellites themselves. Innovation is spurred by factors ranging from the current design of satellites to the availability of capacity.

“A significant number of satellites being launched now are high throughput satellites. They offer high amount of bandwidth focused on small geographical locations. The architecture is fundmentally changing the way we do business. For instance, with Ka-band, if teleports need to access the beam, the only player that has access to the beam is the operator.

Therefore the existing teleports will need to revisit their operations and this will impact the technology they deploy. Operators still sell naked capacity but the growing trend is in favour of managed services.”

On flexible solutions

Dr. Harald W. Stange, MD and CEO, Romantis “Satellite operators are looking at having more flexible satellite capacity and end users are looking for flexible solutions – for instance they may start by using Ku-band and may want to change to Ka-band. Also clients are looking for region-wise flexibility.

Satellite operators now routinely have different payloads on their satellites to cater to a wide range of market demands.

“We have developed solutions that are capable of handling flexibility between bandwidths. In addition, customers typically want to start with lower Capex costs and we try to cater to that need by offering technology that would require a lower outlay at the start. Related to cost, customers are also looking for efficiency. It is important to implement the latest MODCODs and technology such as ACM. This is what we are bringing into our products to help our customers lower their cost of operation.”

Eng. Khalid Balkheyour, president and CEO, Arabsat “We have been participating at IBC for the past six years.

We are here to showcase our capacity over Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

The company is also moving East in terms of coverage towards Asia.

“We are also talking about our new satellite Arabsat 6B. The contract has been signed and we are in the process of defining the configuration before we commence manufacture by the end of this year. We should launch by the end of 2014 or the beginning of 2015.

The process of designing Arabsat 6A is also under way – part of our 6th generation of satellites. Both satellites will have a major payload for Ka-band spectrum and this is mainly for data and communication. We are looking at making agreements with clients for this payload so we can configure the design according to their needs. For instance, we presold capacity on Arabsat 5C to one of the big customers in Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.

“With the two new satellites, given that the coverage is over the whole Arab region and beyond, we are looking at customers across the region.

“One of the main challenges we are facing is that we are reaching the optimum usage for our orbital location.

We are looking at new locations or new capacity to buy or lease. With the right fit, we are also looking at acquiring satellites around the world and expand the coverage of Arabsat.

“Growing competition in the region encourages us to serve our customers better. Most of our big customers who are leasing complete transponders are in the process of upgrading their content to HD. That requires additional capacity that we can provide. We currently carry around 35 HD channels, both free to air and paid.”

On keeping channels secure

Steve Christian, VP marketing, Verimatrix “We are seeing great uptake and interest in new forms of security not only for IPTV deployments particularly similar to what

October 2012 | SatellitePro | 15

SatEvents: IBC 2012

“Operators are moving towards offering more managed services and our innovations attempt to address this market trend”

APT

Due to the growing complexity in the architecture of the satellite, Thomas believes it is very difficult to sell bits and pieces. Yahsat, for instance, is working with Newtec with regard to YahCarrier, their IP trunking service.

It is an attractive model, given that end consumers will be dealing directly with the operator, leading to lower cost.

“From multi-gateway design and innovations in the area of wideband services because carriers are becoming bigger, to the need to enable Virtual Network Operations, operators are moving towards offering more managed services and our innovations attempt to address this market trend,” says Thomas.

“Given the consolidation in the market and vertical integration down the value chain, solutions providers and operators are offering more managed services. In the past, every service provider would buy their own capacity and do their own thing.

“With operators such as Eutelsat and Yahsat building their own ground stations and introducing managed services in the market, existing service providers need to figure out their position within these emerging models. Where do they fit in?

“While these are external drivers of innovation – we help drive the market as well with our move to improving standards as part of the DVB programme.”

The satellite industry is poised at crucial crossroads and David Bettinger, CTO of iDirect encapsulates the choices the industry has as it tries to crack the enduser’s code of quality, value and ease: “How will satellite operators and service providers fold new advances into wellpackaged services that meet end-user needs?

“How will the ground infrastructure enable the entire value chain to capitalise on opportunities in the most profitable ways with maximum choices, flexibility and value?” PRO 16 | SatellitePro | October 2012

- Thomas Van den Driessche, director vertical markets, Newtec

we have done with Etisalat in Dubai, but we are seeing great interest for integrated security for traditional satellite and cable networks when you combine them with OTT delivery models. There is a strong call for an integrated form of security that covers both the RF and the internet delivery sides of the business because operators want to offer unified service to their customers. This is the trend we are seeing both in Europe and the USA and the trend will be replicated in the Middle East as well.

“The Middle East is a growing business for us. We have worked with Etisalat and their subsidiaries in the region. We see Dubai as being a significant media hub for content origination and distribution using Verimatrix protected streaming and devices.”

On global coverage and live broadcasts

Martin Turner, director of media business, Inmarsat “At IBC this year we are showcasing Global Xpress, a new system for Inmarsat and for the industry as a whole. We are also showcasing the first terminals which will be used to launch the service. What is unique about the system is its truly global Ka-band network. You can take one terminal, one IP address and use it anywhere in the world.

For broadcasters and other organisations wanting connectivity in remote areas, that is a powerful proposition.

“Previously we had the VSAT offering based on Ku-band. Now with Global Xpress, we can have a 60-cm dish with 5 megabits per second up and 50 megabits per second down, and that capability opens up, in a portable form factor, new ways for broadcasters to tell the stories. For a broadcaster, in the end, technology is not important. It is what technology enables, in terms of content, that is critical.

“As a journalist who has used technology

for 20 to 25 years, I wasn’t interested in the workings of a smart phone, but the capability it gave me to reach audiences in new ways.

I think the big difference with Inmarsat next year is the higher data rate streaming, almost double the current availability of bandwidth for guaranteed streaming. Coupled with the new video encoding technology, this will allow Inmarsat to offer seamless service from the low-end VSAT quality to high-end HDenabled broadcasts.”

On portable satellite terminals

Lance Hiley, chief marketing officer, Vislink “We are demonstrating our Mantis MSAT, a portable satellite terminal. We believe it is the smallest, lightest, portable satellite terminal available that operates over three frequency bands - Ka-band, X-band and Kuband. It is small and lightweight. It weighs 12.5 kilograms. It folds up into a small case that a single person can carry on their back and check into an airline. The product is modem agnostic - you can use whatever modem is appropriate for your application.”

On maximising usage of satellite capacity

Peter Alexander, senior vice president, CMO, Harmonic “Here at IBC, Harmonic is talking about high efficiency video coding and the future of television in terms of the efficiency with which it is broadcast over satellite. Today the AVC codecs use more bandwidth than the emerging standards of HEVC that can either halve the per channel bandwidth or provide double the frame rate of today’s standards.

“Harmonic is demonstrating the implementation of HEVC and is showing leadership in how satellite companies, broadcasters and service providers can use video coding technology to maximise the throughput of their satellite capacity.”

SatVertical: Broadband

Gateway to

broadband

Soheil Mehrabanzad, assistant VP, MENA region, Hughes Network Systems LLC, describes an ongoing project with Yahsat that ranges from deploying four broadband Gateways to supplying more than 10,000 VSAT terminals to YahClick service partners in 28 markets across the MENA region What was the client brief for the Gateways, the network control centre and service delivery system?

Yahsat partnered with Hughes to provide a comprehensive satellite network solution with which to operate their new broadband service called “YahClick”.

A critical requirement was that the ground system be “ready for service” or field-proven, as Yahsat wanted to focus its resources on providing service and not trouble-shooting the implementation of a new system. In addition, the ground system needed to be feature-rich with the performance to support broadband internet services and the capability to support the specialised needs of enterprise customers. Beyond the Gateway equipment and the remote terminals, Yahsat wanted a complete service delivery and support system that would enable them to create product catalogues (service offerings), take orders, bill service partners, and support the customer help desk. The Hughes solution provided for all of these capabilities.

What were the unique technical aspects of solutions proposed?

Hughes proposed its flagship HN broadband satellite system, the foundation of a satellite internet consumer service with more than 620,000 HughesNet subscribers in North America. A scalable solution, the HN System will enable Yahsat to grow its Gateway investment as the market demand justifies.

Customer terminals supplied with the HN System are the HN9260 and HN9460, that support dual stack IPv4/IPv6 operation, 18 | SatellitePro | October 2012

ensuring ‘future-proof’ internet access.

Hughes invented the VSAT (very small aperture terminal) around 25 years ago, and to date has delivered more than 2.8 million terminals to customers in over 100 countries; these latest versions represent the state-of-the art in broadband functionality.

In terms of implementation, give us an idea of the team deployed.

This is a significant satellite infrastructure programme, encompassing advanced Kaband satellite networking technology and comprehensive service scope.

In fact, when Hughes kicked-off the programme with Yahsat we realised that virtually every part of our company would

Soheil Mehrabanzad, assistant VP, MENA region, Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes)

“A critical requirement was that the ground system be ready for service or field-proven, as Yahsat wanted to focus its resources on providing service and not troubleshooting the implementation of a new system”

be needed to contribute to its successful implementation.

From design engineering to programme management, Information Technology, operations and customer support, we drew on our thousands of person-years’ experience across our company, and particularly from our North American colleagues who are responsible for operating HughesNet. Were there any challenges during implementation. Did the project change in scope and nature during this phase?

As one might expect of a project of this magnitude, there were many challenges; but the Yahsat-Hughes team always found a solution and stayed on schedule. In hindsight, the biggest challenge overall was the short implementation timeframe.

Yahsat signed the contract with Hughes in early 2011. This gave us only about one and a half years to design and implement the complete solution, including the softwareintensive service delivery system. But everyone knew that failure was not an option.

What is the operations and maintenance portion of the agreement that is currently under way?

With the completion of the initial contract, Hughes is now moving into the operations and maintenance phase of its agreement with Yahsat. In this phase, Hughes is providing outsourced network operations so that Yahsat can focus its resources on the establishment of the YahClick service and its distribution network. PRO

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SatVertical: Maritime

MARITIME OVERHEATING THE DAY AFTER Alberto Carpene, head of London-based Satcomtrader, gives us a snapshot of the maritime industry in the last decade and the challenges ahead

“T

he maritime VSAT service environment has exhibited continuing growth, but looks set to change fundamentally over the next few years,” says Simon Bull, senior consultant at COMSYS and chairman of the VSAT2012 conference.

He adds, “Channel positioning, teleport infrastructure, investment criteria and customer ownership are all possible elements that may be caught in the mix.

Large and small operators are likely to face difficult, but often very different decisions.”

Describing himself, at the recently concluded VSAT2012 conference, as the typical ‘iDirect generation’ Satcom player, with the first IP Uplink in Italy over North Africa and Mediterranean in 2002, and admitting that his reason for entering maritime was because it “appears to be a cool thing”, Alberto Carpene, head of Londonbased Satcomtrader, gives us a snapshot of the maritime industry in the last decade.

What the maritime industry offered, in 2001, surprised him. “We found that there was incredible demand from the end customer. However we found that the ‘Maritime Communications’ guys barely knew what a VSAT was, and they all thought it was a joke.”

Making his maritime Satcom debut by supplying in Ku and C-Bands to two of the major players over the Mediterranean, like other similar solutions providers in the market, Carpene and his team enjoyed the benefits of an expanding market till the period between 2010 and 2011.

“Is the party over?” Carpene asked himself.

Case of maritime overheating?

Describing it as a classic case of overheating in the maritime sector, Carpene says, “The iDirect ‘beam switching’ technology had become widespread. In addition, major

20 | SatellitePro | October 2012

VSAT players had emerged and others had consolidated and this was coupled with factors such as Capex and network dimensioning becoming critical.

“Competition became stiffer as many teleports started offering coverage over the seas. Most importantly, Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband became an important equation in the market in addition to the fact that Xpress Ku and Ka-bands were on the anvil. To make matters more competitive, other major players such as Intelsat were getting interested at this stage and there was an oversupply of Ku-based alternatives on the market.”

To counter the multiple challenges, value-added service (VAS) and “multiband integration” according to Carpene has become key.

2012 – 2015: A critical phase Carpene believe the 2012 - 2015 is a critical timeframe for the maritime communication industry.

“The small players (the teleports) will give up most of their ‘almost global’ VSAT network. A wholesale ‘white label’ Ku- and C-band network will emerge. Ku will be the most widely used capacity globally, and that will remain the biggest market segment.”

About the impact of the Global Xpress network, Carpene says, “Nobody knows,” but hastens to add, “atleast I don’t”.

He adds, “But it will catch on only after 2015. In the meantime, L-band (FleetBroadBand) will remain a key factor; it will remain competitive primarily due to various bundles and hard-to-beat VAS. The most dramatic transformation will come from former and current mid-sized Inmarsat distributors. The small players who, having given up their networks, will concentrate on multi-band and VAS integration and trading.”

On Inmarsat’s dominant position, Carpene

18

Estimated total satellite industry revenues in 2021

Maritine revenues by service (US $ million)

“The iDirect ‘beam switching’ technology had become widespread. In addition, major VSAT players had emerged and others had consolidated and this was coupled with Capex and network dimensioning becoming critical” - Alberto Carpene, head of London-based Satcomtrader

Networks bonding is key

says, that “an assured global access that is incorporated into the global maritime regulatory framework, along with an array of services, has given Inmarsat a bullet-proof positioning in certain applications”.

But there is transformation under way. Of the future, Carpene says, “Expect mergers and all sorts of integration. The small VSAT players – both the ‘teleports at sea’ and the ‘iDirect generation cowboys’ with key end-user knowledge will merge or establish working relationships with strong regional maritime VSAT players including with midsized to large ‘Inmarsat orphans’. PRO October 2012 | SatellitePro | 21

SatVertical: Maritime

NEWS ROUNDUP

Land terminal manufacturing partners signed for Global Xpress

Inmarsat has signed Cobham Satcom, Paradigm Comm and Skyware Global as the initial land satellite terminal manufacturing partners for its forthcoming Global Xpress service.

The companies will manufacture 0.6 to 2.4 metre aperture terminals to deliver up to 50Mbps downlink speeds. The range will cover

fixed, transportable, ‘fly-away’ and ‘manpack’ terminal types.

The terminals have been reportedly designed for operation in the Ka-band and will utilise a new core module developed by VT iDirect to provide state-of-the-art capabilities. Scheduled for service introduction in 2014, Global Xpress will offer, the company claims, high data rate (HDR) bandwidth and global coverage.

“Cobham Satcom, Paradigm Comm and Skyware Global have demonstrated leadership in the VSAT terminal marketplace,” said Leo Mondale, managing director of Global Xpress.

“Their experience and expertise in their key market segments will ensure that customers will quickly benefit from the introduction of new generation, high data rate services.” www.inmarsat.com

MTN, Jetstream partner to launch maritime HD MTN Satellite Communications (MTN) has partnered with maritime media delivery and communications company, Jetstream, to launch Jetstream HD, a high-definition streaming content solution powered by MTN VSAT connections.

MTN said the partnership would enable its yacht customers to view content in HD on their televisions and mobile devices.

Customers can log into the Jetstream platform through computer, smartphone or

IsatPhone Pro helps rescue 82 from stranded vessel Eighty-two people have been rescued from the sea near Java following a distress call using IsatPhone Pro.

22 | SatellitePro | October 2012

tablet devices with an internet connection or through the Jetset, – a set-top box that delivers the Jetstream service directly into the television. Jetstream HD provides access to satellite receivers from international providers including Kartina, Orbit and DirecTV. www.mtnsat.com

Vizada and Marlink to power marine satcom in Astrium Services

Tore Morten Olsen, CEO of Marlink

The newly established Astrium Services Business Communications will consist of Vizada and its affiliate Marlink, following their acquisition by Astrium in December 2011.

Astrium Services Business Communications entity will host all commercial Satcom activities of Astrium Services, serving three main markets: maritime, enterprise and aero.

Vizada CEO, Erik Ceuppens will head the Astrium Services Business Communications, with responsibility for all activities across the maritime, land and aeronautical markets. Tore Morten Olsen, CEO of Marlink will manage the maritime division of the Astrium Services Business Communications entity.

In the maritime market, the company will continue providing services in the same structure as today: indirect through the existing, service provider channel whereas Marlink will remain an independent commercial organisation focusing on maritime end customers. This distribution strategy reportedly ensures that partners and customers in the maritime transport, offshore, oil and gas and passenger/cruise vessel sectors benefit from the multi-technology service portfolio, combining the range of satellite connectivity services in L, C, Ku and Ka-band.

As a consequent step, the Vizada Group will rebrand into Astrium over the next months from October 2012. The Marlink brand will remain unchanged. www.astrium.eads.net

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EARTH STATION FOR QATAR TV

The end user’s main aim was to have an in-house teleport for transmitting its five-channel bouquet — DVB-S2 modulated carrier — on Arabsat and Nilesat satellites.

Qatar TV’s first earth station became operational in June 2012. In an exclusive interview with our sister publication BroadcastPro Middle East, systems integrator INC shares details of the project

24 | SatellitePro | October 2012

Q

atar’s Television Support Development Committee (TVSDC) recently undertook a project that included developing an earth station and enabling the transmission of a new five-channel bouquet on two different transponders, one belonging to Arabsat and the other, to Nilesat. The 3G/HD-SD/ SDI-ready project was undertaken by Dubai-based systems integrator INC in conjunction with General Dynamics (GD Satcom) and Ericsson.

“This is QTV’s first earth station although there are many earth stations in Qatar for other broadcast networks,” says Samer Younes, consultant engineer for TVSDC and Qatar TV projects.

“This will enable Qatar TV to provide high-quality signals and add more channels in the future without any disruption or interference.”

The entire solution features a satellite communication system that presently

supports up to five video and audio services, two consisting of a high definition (HD) package. It can be further expanded in the future to accommodate two additional TV channels. All channels are multiplexed in the same carrier at 22 megabits-per-second (Mbps) and transmitted simultaneously on Arabsat and Nilesat. The compression system for this project was integrated and commissioned by Ericsson while GD Satcom integrated and commissioned the transmission system.

Tariq Qahwaji, operations manager at INC System Integrations, says the project was strategically broken down into three phases to comply with the client’s deadline.

“Two of our teams worked in parallel on site to meet the deadline. The first team included systems engineers while the second team had experienced mechanical engineers. The first phase required building the foundation and the shelter room, prior to the installation of electronics and a

3 The compression system for this project was integrated and commissioned by Ericsson while GD Satcom integrated and commissioned the transmission system

mechanical system for the antennas. In phase two, both systems were installed, configured and commissioned while the second system was completed in phase three,” he says.

The end user’s main aim was to have its own teleport for transmitting its fivechannel bouquet — DVB-S2 modulated carrier — on Arabsat and Nilesat satellites.

The DVB-S2 modulated carrier carries the three SD channels and two HD channels.

The setup can be expanded to add two more channels to the new bouquet in the near future and transmit data packages as well, for home users if the flexibility is required.

“The dynamic nature of projects of this scope and magnitude is best exemplified by the significant modifications made during

“The first phase required building the foundation and shelter room, prior to the installation of electronics and a mechanical system for the antennas. In phase two, both systems were installed, configured and commissioned while system two was completed in phase three” - Tariq Qahwaji, operations manager, INC System Integrations

the design phase of this project.

These changes were made in a collaborative manner while soliciting and obtaining end-user input that was used in crafting the final equipment configurations.

Using a very interactive and collaborative design approach, our team was able to deliver a comprehensive solution to the customer,” adds Qahwaji.

This equipment was chosen because it is state-of-the-art and due to the fast delivery time. As the project included a completely new installation, it was not integrated with

Number of months it took for the earth station to be completed after the contract was awarded

any other systems.

The new earth station, however, has been integrated with the new channels through fibre links between the shelter, which houses the new systems, and the baseband facility.

The aggressive project delivery schedule was perhaps the main and most critical challenge facing the team. The risks associated with being late and missing the contractual delivery requirements were mitigated through a combination of careful and thoughtful planning and close coordination between INC and GD Satcom, says Adeeb Abed, general manager of broadcast, INC System Integrations.

“We had a three-month time frame within which the work had to be completed since the time the contract was awarded.

The first system was commissioned including carrier line-up in March, 2012.

“The second station was commissioned and accepted by the end user in April 2012.

We had only three months to complete and deliver both systems to the end user, so that they could broadcast their services as scheduled. But at the end, we successfully handed over both systems as requested by the end user.”

That was made possible thanks to a bold decision made early in the project life cycle to air cargo all of the project materials, which dramatically reduced the time to get project materials on the job site, according to Abed.

It enabled the project to begin the site activation four to six weeks earlier than would have been possible otherwise.

He says the close coordination between GD Satcom and INC made it possible for the team to execute the project to the end customer on time.

The systems design incorporates auto redundancy at all levels to guarantee its operational integrity in the event of an equipment failure. Using this design approach, a restoration plan is executed automatically in case of failure in order to recover data and maintain service, he adds.

The team was significantly involved in the planning of the project life cycle to mitigate the risks and anticipate delays once the construction phase had been deployed.

“Planning activities were mutually October 2012 | SatellitePro | 25

SatVertical: Broadcast

An experienced field engineer prepared a site layout plan needed to design and accommodate multiple antennas with line of sight to the entire satellite arc without interference

Tariq Qahwaji, operations manager, INC System Integrations

“The team carefully assessed the complexity of the site layout and limited time frame in order to come up with a site activation plan that was based on working efficiently and with... precision, as any mistakes would inevitably cost the project valuable time” - Adeeb Abed, general manager of broadcast, INC System Integrations

26 | SatellitePro | October 2012

Adeeb Abed, general manager, INC System Integrations

developed by INC and GD Satcom to clearly detail all project activities and provide all project participants with a fully integrated project schedule. An extensive virtual design review meeting was conducted early in the project life cycle, enabling necessary changes to be made to the system configuration without delaying the overall project completion date,” adds Abed.

Detailed site survey An early and thorough site survey was performed by an assigned GD Satcom expert.

The engineer surveyed the site location and collaborated extensively with INC and the end user during the visit to the job site.

An experienced field engineer prepared a site layout plan needed to design and accommodate multiple antennas with line of sight to the entire satellite arc without interference. Using information from the site survey, the site activation phase was then planned in greater detail, to accommodate the time required for site prep work, civil works, and a site readiness visit.

As the civil works and site preparation work progressed, the satcom systems supplier organised a second trip to the site for a site readiness visit. The scope of this trip included a verification of the

proper location and placement of the foundation embedded hardware prior to the pouring of the concrete for the two main 7.3M antennas.

“Good engineering practices and necessary checks and balances helped avoid potential delays,” says Qahwaji.

Testing of equipment “Finally, all of the electronics equipment were fully integrated and tested in the factory prior to shipment to the site.

This is a critical and necessary step to ultimately ensure a smooth and timely execution of the field installation, test and commissioning. Any problems or issues that arise during this factory integration and test phase can be fixed quickly and efficiently in the factory setting, consuming significantly less time and effort than if the problems were to be discovered in the field during site activation,” he adds.

Comprehensive customer training was provided to ensure key operational and maintenance personnel were certified to operate and maintain all of the project equipment.

“This training was specifically tailoured to the needs and experience levels of the trainees. The proper level of training ensures that the end customer will be able to properly operate and maintain the equipment. This assures both the protection and long life of the earth station equipment and a high level of customer satisfaction in their capital investment,” adds INC’s Abed.

INC adds that the timely completion of the project was possible owing to careful planning and close cooperation between INC, GD Satcom and the TVSDC staff. PRO

MARINE SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS

The sea has always beckoned man to an unending challenge. The initial theory was that the end of the water body would lead to the worlds end. But thanks to various explorers the notion of worlds end has been changed leading to a burst of activities leading to the new modern world as we know it. But the challenges did not end there.

As maritime activities became an industry on its own new challenges came about and one of the most crucial functionality was that of communication at sea.

With the continuous evolution of satellite based technology catering to areas like maritime navigation, SCADA applications along with voice and data - numerous solutions are currently available from the major satellite operators. The solutions not only cater to the primary requirement of communication by voice and data but also provide solutions for crew welfare.

The various Satellite Networks that are providing such products and services are: 1) Inmarsat 2) Thuraya 3) Iridium 4) Marine VSAT ( multiple Satellite Networks) Inmarsat: Inmarsat, based out of London, UK is the pioneer of satellite communications for the past 32 years on a commercial basis. The Inmarsat Satellites have a global coverage involving several satellites. Their maritime solutions have evolved keeping in tune with the technology and the market requirements: The current offering on maritime from Inmarsat provides broadband data and voice from a single device using two networks respectively.

a) Fleet Broadband 150 / 250 and 500 -Targeted at Fisheries, Leisure and Homeland security segments - Services – Broadband data up to 150 /284 and 432 kbps respectively, voice and SMS b) Fleet Phone – Only voice for smaller vessels or additional voice phone requirements.

Iridium: Iridium, based in Virginia, USA has a constellation of 66 satellites providing coverage on a global scale. The marine products are detailed below: 1) Iridium Pilot – Broadband speeds up to 134 kbps and Voice ( 3 independent phone lines)

Thuraya: Thuraya , based out of Abu Dhabi , UAE is the first mobile satellite operator in the Middle East having a regional coverage in Middle East Europe , Asia , Africa and Australia.

Marine VSAT: The marine VSAT solution comprises of a tracking antenna and the modem for voice (VOIP) and data services.

1) Broadband data on shared or dedicated allocation available from 128 kbps to 2mbps 2) Various operators active depending to region or area of coverage required

The maritime Solutions from Thuraya are: 1) Thuraya IP with Maritime Antenna: - Targeted at small , medium and large vessels for Broadband data up to 444kbps 2) SF- 2500 : Voice and SMS 3) Seagull 5000i : Voice and data

We at Xsat represent the above satellite networks on a global scale. Xsat has offices in UAE, USA, Cyprus , India and Russia.

email: mesales@xsatglobal.com web: www.xsatglobal.com

SatVertical: Broadcast

It was not just the 100-metre final. Martin Coleman of Satellite Interference Reduction Group (IRG) tells us that the Carrier ID experiment at the Olympics was a resounding success spanning more than 2,000 hours of satellite coverage

So you dID not miss the Usain Bolt moment

“Getting the process in place is key. And while doing that for the Olympics was challenging enough, we need to manage that globally. We know that the DVB process is now complete and successful. We should have a Carrier ID standard by the end of this year” - Martin Coleman

I

Martin Coleman, executive director of the Satellite Interference Reduction Group (IRG)

28 | SatellitePro | October 2012

f a process that took the satellite industry just under a year to accomplish, is not remarkable enough, one of the prime movers behind implementing Carrier ID in time for the London 2012 Olympics – Martin Coleman, executive director of the Satellite Interference Reduction Group (IRG) – can give you some compelling bytes highlighting the extraordinary nature of this global exercise.

Carrier ID is a stamp on uplink signals that will enable satellite operators to more efficiently identify transmissions to their satellites and thereby accelerate coordination with earth station operators in the event of signal interference.

Speaking to SatellitePro ME on the sidelines at IBC 2012, Coleman stated, “The opening statement should be ‘nothing happened’.

If you look back at the World Cup in 2010, plenty happened in terms of interference.

“We spent considerable time in the beginning of 2011 preparing to implement Carrier ID. It was probably not the most exciting process, but the aim as announced at IBC 2011 was to bring Carrier ID to the Olympics.”

Satellite operators, led by Eutelsat, Intelsat and SES whose combined orbital assets represent almost 60% of global commercial satellite capacity, completed the process of adapting their earth station information tables to include Carrier ID information to read, extract and interpret data.

Recalling the painstaking process, Coleman said, “From testing carriers and encoders to allowing monitoring companies to test the process of detecting Carrier ID – just this process involved a sizeable number of companies. And then we had to get the three operators to agree upon how they would implement the process.”

Quality assurance of DVB satellite

50

transmissions engaged the satellite community at large, including satellite operators, encoder and modulator manufacturers, broadcasters and uplink providers. The effort was also supported by three international associations: the World Broadcasting Unions-International Satellite Operations Group (WBU-ISOG), the GVF (Global VSAT Forum) and IRG (Satellite Interference Reduction Group).

Modulator and encoder manufacturers, accounting for the vast majority of satellite transmission equipment used by broadcasters and service providers, have developed new models and system upgrades for Carrier ID use. They include Adtec Digital, Comtech EF Data, Ericsson, Fujitsu, Harmonic, IDC, NTT Electronics, Newtec and Vislink. Leading broadcasters, agencies and service providers also updated their systems to be Carrier ID ready.

“By July 2012, we had the tests done and we had covered transmissions not just to Europe but to North America as well. Overall, it was a clean run – we had good results.”

Missing the Usain Bolt moment, Coleman said, would not have been “good for business”. The results of the Carrier ID exercise, happily, exceeded his expectations.

“Statistically around 50% of all transmission from London had Carrier ID. To be honest I was thinking if we get to 20%, it would be good.”

Coleman stresses that Carrier ID at London 2012 was only the beginning of a process to ensure a global standard.

“Getting the process in place is key. And while doing that for the Olympics was challenging enough, we need to manage that globally. We know that the DVB process is now complete and successful. We should have a Carrier ID standard by the end of this year.”

One statistic that Coleman enjoys quoting is that “it has taken 43 people to get Carrier ID done – to make a global difference. The key is that you have got to want to do it. IRG has given the industry a platform to make a difference rather than just talk interminably about it.”

There has been an unexpectedly positive fallout from this process.

Coleman explained, “What is interesting is that, albeit a small change, there is a perception that interference is starting to reduce already.

This is probably because initiatives such as Carrier ID have spurred the industry to keep a keen eye on its own processes. Players across the board are initiating better procedures, better training and more reliable equipment, among other measures.“ The process of taking Carrier ID from talk to action has been personally satisfying, said Coleman. The 43 years of experience that he brings to the satellite industry probably helped him carry the industry along in what observers describe as an unprecedented demonstration of collaboration. He also knows that the process is far from over. Carrier ID, according to Coleman, is only one tool in the tool box and there is a need for more such tools.

“We must keep these initiatives and processes alive and yet aim for quality without increasing cost.” PRO

Estimated volume of all transmission from London that had Carrier ID

ASBU, MENOS and the Olympics Infrastructure upgrades at ASBU’s central and member-based operations allowed the television networks that are members of ASBU, to receive the live Olympic multilateral feeds and news channels in HD and also to turnaround the HD signals to provide SD simultaneous broadcast (simulcast).

The Olympic content was injected into the central archive of the ASBU MENOS, allowing members to access the content at a later time and eliminated the need for each member to individually archive all feeds.

The results • There were 11 HD channels (220 hours per day) with Arabic commentary.

• In addition to the multilaterals, ASBU also fully managed 8 HD + 2 SD unilateral feeds on behalf of their members on Eutelsat capacity.

• ASBU followed all Arabic sport participants and stories • There was more than 3000 hours of live TV coverage, an additional 2000 hours of English (news, interviews, stand-ups, background stories, etc) sent by OBS vans Slaheddine Maaoui, ASBU director general stated: “The Olympic Games has always been a major milestone for us in terms of the introduction of new platforms technologies and services. London 2012 was the first HD Olympics for many of our members, together with comprehensive MENOS simulcast, content archiving and playout. The Olympics HD upgrade is part of an ongoing process of service expansion and improvement, to address the future broadcast transmission needs of our members and regional users.”

Text courtesy Newtec News

October 2012 | SatellitePro | 29

SatTechnology

Approaching

the Shannon limit The performance of DVB-S2 satellite systems is, experts say, very close to the theoretical maximum. Jรถrg Rockstroh, senior R&D engineer, WORK Microwave GmbH, outlines the current status of technology adoption and strongly advocates universal standards over proprietary approaches

Jรถrg Rockstroh, senior R&D engineer, WORK Microwave GmbH

30 | SatellitePro | October 2012

Part 1. Current status of technology adoption When it comes to IP modem technology trends, a wide range of technologies are available. However, this article will focus on DVB-S2 and similar SCPC type modems in particular. The different technology stages of a DVB-S2 IP modem will be used to highlight the approaches for optimisation and predict future technological trends based on those current developments.

DVB-S2 is used in the example because it is the widely adopted state-of-the-art technology, but the functional groups would be the same in a legacy DVB-S or

turbo code SCPC modem.

Establishing a network connection over satellite involves four major steps: an IP stack including IP-based optimisations, encapsulation, forward error correction and finally modulation and signal shaping. First, IP-based optimisations cover a wide range of techniques such as IP header compression, TCP acceleration, prioritisation of different traffic types, reorganisation and repackaging of the packets to optimise packet rate or size, and so on. These methods are not necessarily a part of the IP modem itself, as they

2007

“Given that DVB-S since the 90s and DVB-S2 since 2005 formed stable standards for a decade or even longer, reengineering the signal should not only lead to a significant efficiency improvement, but also provide a new long-term platform for satellite transmissions”

are not satellite specific and may apply to other communication scenarios as well. On the other hand, adaptive coding and modulation (ACM) can change the available bandwidth rapidly. Therefore, on the satellite, IP optimisation has to react very fast to account for changing environmental conditions.

Second, encapsulation is the process of organising IP packets into a stream for transmission over satellite. For many years multi-protocol-encapsulation (MPE) was the method of choice. IP data was packaged into an MPEG transport stream, which was then transmitted over DVB-S or DVB-S2. As this involves a lot of overhead, with DVB-S2, a more effective way for transportation was introduced: generic stream encapsulation (GSE). By adding only a 4-byte header and an optional MAC address to the IP packet, the resulting overhead is negligible and encapsulation is generally considered “optimum”. Interestingly, even though GSE was introduced in 2007, it took three more years until the market began to take advantage of this feature.

Third, forward error correction, modulation and signal spectrum shaping are different, from a technological point of view, but are taken as a common group for the purpose of this feature, as they are part of the DVB-S2 standard. Touching the signal will involve hardware changes, making this a sensitive topic. Operators of equipment want to protect their investments and be interoperable with existing platforms. Optimisations here take place mainly in areas that had not been in the original focus of the standard, especially the new Ka-band transponders of several hundred MHz compared with the former 72 MHz [maximum] Ku-band transponder width. Although the standard itself has not yet been changed, a few additions are already on the move.

The third section is undoubtedly where the most developments take place at the moment and can be used to predict future trends. Given that DVB-S since the 90s and DVB-S2 since 2005 formed stable standards for a decade or even longer, re-engineering the signal should not only lead to a significant efficiency improvement, but also provide a new long-

Year the generic stream encapsulation (GSE) was introduced

term platform for satellite transmissions.

Broadcasters specifically require stability due to DTH deployments, which on the other hand drives cost-effective technologies for professional contribution and network links.

Part 2. Future technological trends based on current developments DVB recently published an extension to DVB-S2, introducing a new physical layer header and a time slicing method for wideband transponders. Focusing on the 200 to 500 MHz bandwidth spectrum, a carrier can now be shared between multiple receivers without each of them having to decode all frames before content selection.

The benefit is that the LDPC decoder does not have to run at full carrier speed, which saves expensive silicon area, given that the full carrier could now be beyond the Gigabit frontier. So the multiple input stream feature of DVB-S2 has been expanded down to the physical layer.

Advanced MODCODs Further, the introduction of the new physical layer header left space for more MODCOD values, generally opening the discussion about new modulation types, mainly 64APSK, and additional FEC rates for providing a better granularity in highly optimised ACM links. Although proprietary solutions have been demonstrated, a common standardised solution is not even close. Should it be backwards compatible to the existing DVB-S2? Or does the improvement justify a revolutionary successor? The answer to that question, both from technological side and commercial acceptance, will determine the future.

New roll-off factors The shape of the signal spectrum is another topic that has been untouched for some time. Back in the days of DVB-S, a roll-off factor of 35% was used, meaning that the carrier occupied a space segment of 135% of its symbol rate. With the DVB-S2 standard smaller roll-off factors of 20% and 25% were introduced, so that a carrier of the same symbol rate would October 2012 | SatellitePro | 31

SatTechnology

“There was a conservative approach towards migration to the new technology (DVB-S2), and it took several years until the 20% roll-off was commonly used for high bandwidth IP links�

occupy less space on the transponder.

Alternatively, a larger carrier can be put into the same space segment. Besides the other advantages of DVB-S2, this meant an immediate gain for network operators.

Nevertheless, there was a conservative approach towards migration to the new technology, and it took several years until the 20% roll-off was commonly used for high bandwidth IP links.

Satellite operators had always been very restrictive with the signals being sent over their satellites. On a 36 MHz transponder, a 30 Msps DVB-S2 carrier with 20% roll-off was typically the maximum allowed. Only during the last year manufacturers were confronted with the demand to reduce the roll-off down to 5% for further bandwidth gain. Suddenly all objections of the satellite operators were gone and they became more flexible in terms of what could be put on a transponder, virtually anything as long as not too much power at the edges is heating the filters.

There was less of an impact on already deployed technology. Standard DVB-S2 receivers were proven to be compatible, even if they are not equipped with an extra filter designed for the smaller roll-off.

With many 5% carriers next to each other, the influence on the signal quality due to neighbours still being seen after the receiver filter is typically about 0.2 to 0.3 dB, what in most cases does not even change the MODCOD. Predistortion The trade-off for the small roll-off technology can much more be seen on the transmission side, leading to another trend: predistortion. With the use of higher modulation types, nonlinearities were severely reducing the Es/N0, especially on the transponder edges.

With 5% roll-off in full transponder operation, even more power is transmitted in these critical parts. Despite linearised transponders on practically all newer satellites, anticipating these effects in the signal is the only way to reliably eliminate that type of degradation. The challenge is not only to implement predistortion, but also to determine accessibility to the user,

32 | SatellitePro | October 2012

who may not be an RF specialist. Dedicated measurements or programming the complete transponder characteristics are initial approaches that are slowly making their way to the mass market.

IP optimisation While signal specific trends are the majority at the moment, there is at least one IP-centric issue. Since ACM became a common feature on IP links, network operators have been challenged to manage bandwidth over a continually changing overall capacity. A recent example showed that to the extreme: a sandstorm caused Es/N0 fluctuations of about 4 dB within seconds, up and down. The bandwidth manager could not deal with these rapid changes and as a consequence the remote monitoring partially broke down.

An identified solution is to configure ACM functionality and bandwidth management in a common system. The encapsulator has to share the information of the ACM MODCOD states with the traffic shaper, which should be able to react individually with regards to changing the bandwidth for a single route or rule. As this typically touches the field IP specialists work in, they have to be aware of the satellite influence on the bandwidth management and consider this environment in their system planning.

Conclusion Considering all of these trends, research and development departments are challenged with how to approach the vast number of development opportunities.

Satellite communication is technology driven, and it will be interesting to see how the final solutions are established in the market. Ideally, the industry should take care not to confuse users with too many proprietary approaches. To date, satellite communication has always relied upon strong universal standards, unlike the technological diversity found in mobile communication or terrestrial broadcast.

The new goal for the industry should be to develop a stable situation for the deployment of these trends to maintain this commercial advantage. PRO

SatTechnology

WORK Microwave launches DVB-S2 IP-Modem

WORK Microwave, has launched the DVB-S2 IP-Modem SK-IP. The reportedly new and improved modem includes several additional features and capabilities that are designed to provide increased convenience for the user.

The enhanced IP-Modem now supports, the company claims, increased data rates of up to 160 Mbit/s. The modem features optional power supplies for direct connection of block upconverters (BUCs), which is reportedly beneficial in applications

such as satellite news gathering (SNG) where teleport support is not available.

The enhanced modem also includes a new, improved single-fan cooling system that provides efficient temperature control with minimal noise.

A new USB port, which can be accessed via the back panel, reportedly enables users to make a copy of the parameter settings and clone selected configurations to another device or save them for reference later. The device also features a multichannel ACM system (OptiACM) to support integration of ACM capabilities in point-to-point and point-to-multipoint satellite network links.

With OptiACM in place, users reportedly benefit from an additional capacity gain of up to 30% over standard DVB-S links and can more than double the available throughput, especially under alternating conditions. www.work-microwave.de

ND SatCom speeds up DSNG The new XRacer DSNG system from ND SatCom allows live video uplinks on the move, at speeds of up to 120kph, and has a moreconventional raised dish for static set ups.

The satellite antenna comes with a Comms-OnThe-Move phase-array antenna from Raysat, which can reportedly transmit at up to 4mbps.

This is hidden under a dome on the back of the main Skyray Compact antenna, and “means you can transmit all the time while you are driving,” which is ideal, the company claims, for 34 | SatellitePro | October 2012

Display at IBC 2012

fast-moving stories. It uses ND SatCom’s own SkyWAN modem, which is fully meshed, so users can transmit directly from one uplink to the other, without going back to a hub first.

The VW Amarok-based unit also comes with

built-in editing station and redundant power systems.

The main antenna system uses automatic pointing and all system parameters can reportedly be up and running at the push of a button. www.ndsatcom.com

Newtec extends Elevation

Within the Elevation product family, new products being introduced include, high speed modulator EL178, high speed demodulator EL978, and EL478, a high speed modem. All are reportedly compatible with the DVBS2 standard and are capable of reaching speeds of 160 Mbit/sec.

Newtec also unveiled its patent pending Noise and Distortion estimator (NoDE), a new software tool that will be available for free on all Newtec demodulation equipment.

NoDE allows the power of the transponder input signal to be tuned to generate maximum output power, performing a continuous and accurate measurement of the noise margin and amount of non-linear distortion on satellite signals. This measurement then allows the optimum operating point of the transponder to be identified, maximising throughput on all satellite transmissions.

Recognising the growing demand for DBS uplinks created by the increasing number of HD channels available, Newtec has extended the range of frequency band available on all upconverter products in the Azimuth product family. The new upconverters offer two new overlapping frequency ranges covering the 17.3 – 18.1 GHz and the 17.6 – 18.4 GHz frequency ranges. To reportedly further simplify the implementation and operation of its redundancy solutions, Newtec has also developed the AZ210 1+1 frequency converter redundancy switch. www.newtec.eu

The VSAT Company

Your Satellite Communications Partner in the Republic of Yemen.

Serving the Oil, Gas & Minerals Industries, We specialize in VSAT Satellite Communications Systems, operating through IntelSat 12 and SES NSS 6, and connecting to the Internet Backbone via world class Teleports in London and Hong Kong.

We have the right recipe to deliver carrier class communication services, as well as the facilities and technical capabilities to provide our customers with one-stop-shopping for VSAT needs. including integrated turnkey systems, and connections on a global basis backed up by 24/7 Network Operations Centers, and Transponders Commitment with IntelSat 12 and SES NSS 6.

Yemen Satcom P.O. Box 11003 Sana’a, Republic of Yemen | P.O. Box 95755 Dubai, UAE Tel: +967 1 472555 | Fax: +967 1 472554 | Email: info@yemensat.com www.yemensat.com

SatTechnology

HMCS satellite-link monitor from Hiltron

The HMCS D-SNG satellite-link monitor and control software is, the company claims, an intuitive and cost-efficient system developed for use in latest-generation high-definition D-SNG vehicles.

Using a modern graphical user interface with colour-coded alarm message handling, the HMCS provides a line-up procedure for professional satellite systems. This includes full control of contribution encoders such as the MPEG-2/MPEG-4 Ericcson Voyager II. It also integrates with the recently introduced HSACU D-SNG controller. An integral database stores specific satellite transponder and

encoding profiles. HMCS can also reportedly control additional customer-specified satellite communications and video equipment.

Drivers available for the HMCS include Newtec NTC22xx, AZ110, M6100 and Ericsson Voyager II modulators, Ericsson Voyager II encoders, Ericsson RX8200, RX1290, TT1260 IRDs, ETL Victor L-Band matrix, Hiltron HCS redundancy controller and the NARDA NRA spectrum analyser. The HMCS is supplied with a driver for the Hiltron HSACU antenna control unit.

36 | SatellitePro | October 2012

The sat-nms ACU-RMU is based on the satnms ACU-ODM core module. It is, as with the other model, reportedly integrated, with the frequency inverters inside – allowing the same functionality to be delivered in a 19-in 6RU equipment drawer which can be integrated in an equipment room or in an antenna shelter.

This, says SatService, is especially advantageous in harsh environmental conditions as all the electronics are protected by the equipment room. The unit provides an integrated web server and an SNMP MIB, meaning, the company claims, that only an Ethernet interface is necessary to operate, monitor and control the antenna control system. For step-track purposes, it is possible to add the sat-nms LBRX beacon receiver which also provides beacon level information via Ethernet UDP frames. www.satservicegmbh.de

www.hiltron.net

Avanti unveils Hylaspowered SNG offering

Advent Mantis from Vislink Vislink featured its Advent Mantis MSAT Portable Data Terminal at IBC 2012. The latest development of the company’s MSAT product is designed to address the emerging Ka-band satellite newsgathering requirements of broadcasters.

Mantis MSAT is reportedly shipping to customers in

Antenna tracking from SatService

X-band. The MSAT is a 12.5kg go-anywhere satellite terminal that can reportedly be set-up and provide data

and video transmission in as little as five minutes from unzipping its ballistic nylon carry-case. It supports the aforementioned X-band, Ku and now Ka-band configurations. Bands can, the company claims, be swapped in the field in under a minute. www.vislink.com

Avanti Communications has launched a new satellite newsgathering (SNG) product that utilises Ka-band capacity from the operator’s Hylas satellites providing coverage across the EMEA region.

Avanti COO Matthew O’Connor said the key to ensuring take-up of the SNG product was to advertise its flexibility to allow broadcasters to buy bandwidth for planned events or immediate usage. www.avantiproducts.com

SatEvents

Gulfcomms @ Gitex 2012 GSMK Cryptophone The company specialises in mobile voice and message encryption. GSMK CryptoPhone cellular phones (IP and CSD), desk phones (IP and fixed-line) and satellite phones reportedly allow communications across network borders. The company is headquartered in Berlin, Germany.

www.cryptophone.de Hall & Stand Number: Sheikh Saeed Hall S1-H4 Foshan Kexun Cable Equipment Co., Ltd. The company located in Foshan, China, is a manufacturer of coaxial cables (cable TV, satellite TV, CCTV), network cables, F connectors, etc.

The annual production capacity is reportedly 310 million metres, and the endproduct is exported to Europe, the Middle East, South America, South East Asia and Africa.

www.kexuncable.com Hall & Stand Number: Zabeel Hall Z-N43 Viewmobile Broadcasting ViewMobile is a satellite mobile TV service provider in the Middle East and North Africa region that provides solutions in mobile satellite live TV programmes in cars, yachts, or airplanes. Currently, ViewMobile is reportedly supplying 12 TV channels including MBC and Al Jazeera over, the company claims, an area of 14,000,000 square kms with a population of over 490 million in about 29 countries.

CET Teleport GmbH CET Teleport GmbH operates teleports in Europe delivering a range of VSAT and broadcast services. The teleport reportedly has disaster recovery facilities, a 24/7 help desk and with more than 50 antennas ranging from 15m in diameter downwards on site that allows access to more than 200 geostationary satellites located from 58°W to 76.5°E. CET’s satellite links reportedly cover Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, the Caribbean and South America and provide SCPC and contended services through the iDirect Evolution and Infinity platforms to support enterprise, government, military and many other customer groups.

www.cetteleport.com Hall & Stand Number: Zabeel Hall Z-51 Emirates Integrated Telecommunications du provides satellite uplink/downlink services to suit the needs of the broadcasting community. The services are reportedly complemented by a 24 X 7 operational support service. The service availability is further enhanced, the company claims, by full redundancy in the deployed equipment and through diverse fibre optic routes operating from customer premises to the teleport site.

www.du.ae Hall & Stand Number: Zabeel Hall Z-F20 Inmarsat

Thuraya Telecommunications Company With a satellite system that reportedly covers more than 140 countries, Thuraya is a mobile satellite operator that provides mobile voice, data, maritime, rural telephony, fleet management and other telecom solutions in remote areas underserved by terrestrial networks. Primary customers and users of the Thuraya system include vertical companies, oil and gas industry, media and newsgathering networks, military and government institutions, NGOs, rural communities, maritime and fishing industries and the aeronautical industry, among other sectors.

www.thuraya.com Hall & Stand Number: Zabeel Hall Z-D10 Wafa Technical Systems Services The company provides satellite internet services worldwide, using Hughes and iDirect, over Ka, Ku and C-band satellites.

The company reportedly has more than 6,000+ two-way internet via satellite terminals with deployed military troops, corporates, SNGs and consumers in Afghanistan, Africa, South America, Libya, Iraq and across the Middle East.

www.wafa.ae Hall & Stand Number: Zabeel Hall Z-C13 Datasat Communications Ltd.

JOA Telecom Co., Ltd is an R&D company that provides CDMA mobile products, Location Tracking System with GPS and map application (JOA Map Service) using Google map

Inmarsat is a mobile satellite services provider for more than 32 years and offers global voice, data and IP communications solutions.

Inmarsat owns and operates a fleet of 10 satellites providing mobile voice and data communications around the world, reportedly enabling users to make phone calls or connect to the internet – on land, at sea or in the air.

Established in 1987, the company provides satellite and wireless networks to government and corporate clients around the globe. It is debuting its new carrier grade “Quadra Flex” indoor/oudoor WiFi router range • Networks for voice, data, audio/video and integrated IP communications • SCPC, DVB and TDMA configurations • C and Ku-band coverage • Point-to-point, point-to-multipoint and fully meshed configurations

www.joatelecom.co.kr Hall & Stand Number: Hall 2 F2-46

www.inmarsat.com Hall & Stand Number: Zabeel Hall Z-C25

www.datasat.com Hall & Stand Number: Zabeel Hall Z-J42

www.viewmobile.com Hall & Stand Number: Zabeel Hall Z-H44 JOA Telecom Co., Ltd

38 | SatellitePro | October 2012

169 2012 MENA Satellite Player: Submit your nominations

BroadcastPro ME and SatellitePro ME invite the satellite industry to submit nominations for ‘2012 MENA Satellite Player’, ‘Best Satcom project’, ‘Best Oil & Gas Project’ – last date for submissions has been extended to October 15, 2012.

2012 MENA Satellite Player A satellite player whose initiative has fundamentally promoted the satellite industry in the MENA region can be nominated for this award.

Who should apply: Satellite operators, satellite solutions providers or any organisation working towards the above goal.

Submission should include complete details/case study of your project/ satellite deployment or what you have done to achieve the above stated goal.

Achievement should also be undertaken after August 2011.

Best Satcom Project Any end user that has completed a Satcom project after August 2011 qualifies for nomination. The only condition is that your installation must be based in the MENA region.

done to achieve the above stated goal.

Achievement should also be undertaken after August 2011.

Best Oil & Gas Project A solutions provider in the MENA-based oil & gas sector that has undertaken a project after August 2011 qualifies for this nomination.

Who should apply: Satellite solutions providers or any organisation working towards the above goal.

Submission should include complete details/case study of your project/ satellite deployment or what you have done to achieve the above stated goal.

Achievement should also be undertaken after August 2011.

Submit your nominations at: www.broadcastprome.com/ summitandawards2012/awards/entry-form.php

Number of visitors at GITEX Shopper in 2011

Satellite IRG to host meet in Dubai The Satellite Interference Reduction Group (IRG) will hold its annual conference in Dubai from November 18 - 20 2012.

The annual IRG conference brings together experts from all areas of the industry, including broadcasters, satellite operators, and equipment manufacturers.

It provides a forum to discuss recent developments, as well as looking forward to the next steps.

At the conference, delegates will reflect on the results of the initiative to roll-out video Carrier Identification in time for the Olympics, as well as using lessons learnt to begin planning action needed ahead of the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.

The conference will also examine the issue of unidentified carriers, as well as looking at innovations and techniques to combat satellite interference and discussing the broadcaster’s perspective.

Martin Coleman, executive director, the Satellite Interference Reduction Group, commented: “The annual IRG conference gives us a chance to communicate our achievements to the industry, but more crucially it allows our members and other interested parties to give us feedback about the issues they are facing and where they need our efforts.”

If you are interested in attending the conference, fill out the registration form at www.satirg.org.

Visit our Facebook page for a photo tour of IBC 2012 and VSAT 2012

Who should apply: End users and satellite solutions providers or any organisation working towards the above goal.

Submission should include complete details/case study of your project/ satellite deployment or what you have October 2012 | SatellitePro | 39

SatEvents

Overheard at VSAT2012 “With no value to ubiquity and capacity at least 10x higher than fibre, the VSAT business has been challenged.

By rights it should be dead by now. But VSAT technology and service is more than bits which are available anywhere…and the technology has prospered with almost three million sites in service” - Simon Bull, COMSYS, senior consultant, UK “Circa 1985 VSATs… a 2,000site [project] was considered a very big network, cost was around US $10,000+, speeds were typically 512 kbps outbound/ 128 kbps inbound” - Pradman Kaul, Hughes, CEO, USA “The challenges in the oil and gas sector: Locations for exploration are often confidential ; the CIO is the last to know drilling needs to start yesterday; the communications budget is a small percentage of the drilling operations budget but underpins production; loss of communications can impact operations up to US $2 million per day” - Bill Green, Hermes Datacomms, global account manager, UK

“Constellation of Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites will virtually eliminate high latency with round-trip data transmission taking approximately 120 milliseconds” - Daniel Enns, Comtech, senior vice president, USA “The VSAT industry is continually changing as new technologies, frequencies, applications and platforms are brought to market with hardware costs dropping 30% every 10 years” - David Gelerman president and CEO, Advantech Wireless 40 | SatellitePro | October 2012

“ VSAT in India : ‘Very Small Appetite for Total-Cost’!

The market is characterised by a perennial scarcity of bandwidth, ever-increasing Ku transponder prices due to DTH demand, constantly appreciating exchange rate, and an end-user spoilt by lowest cost of mobile voice plus broadband data.”

- Shivaji Chatterjee , Hughes India, vice president, enterprise services

“If satellite radio could reach a market size of one million in a country like France or Germany – and the satellite operator gets 10%, [there is a] potential of getting Euros 20 million for two years out of 10% of eight beams” - Yoel Gat. CEO, SatixFy “The VSAT market in the Oil & Gas sector has a five-year projected CAGR of 6.5%.

As more high bandwidth applications are pushed offshore, the urgency to protect pipeline infrastructure and meet safety and environmental reporting requirements is also on the rise” - Dave Bettinger, iDirect, CTO, USA Mining market trends: “Exploration budgets worldwide totalled US $12.1 billion in 2011. The African mining industry is on an upward trend, supported by the increasing price of metals. There are currently 689 mining facilities and 651 ongoing projects in Africa” - Pierre Hayaert, head of strategy, Astrium Services “New opportunities in mobile 3G voice and data…

Ka-band performance and cost structure is aligned to the traffic mix and SLA expectations of each traffic type in a 3G MNO network” - John Finney, CCO, O3b networks Wholesale mobility growth projections: “Wholesale mobility revenues to increase by US $1B over 10 years [till 2020] with US $570 million estimated from the aviation sector and US $ 250 million from the maritime sector” - Jay Yass, vice president, global accounts & strategic sales

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ON LAND AND AT SEA Telenor Satellite Broadcasting delivers fixed and mobile satellite broadband solutions throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa

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