22 NEWS & VIEWS
April 2016
Satellite operators all out to expand footprint into MENA market
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“ We are really enthusiastic about this additional capacity that will allow us to offer superior TV quality to our viewers . Our plans to move into 4K / UHD reflect our continuous ambition to raise the bar and be at the forefront of the latest TV technology .”
Newtec , the Belgiumheadquartered satellite communications outfit , showcased at CABSAT 2016 the multi-service operation of its Newtec Dialog 1.3 satellite platform , a scalable and flexible satcom platform that allows satellite service providers to build and adapt their networks as their businesses grow .
Bart Van Poucke , Newtec ’ s product manager , said : “ Newtec Dialog secures the future of operators , giving them unparalleled economies of scale as well as the power to offer a variety of mobile and fixed services while making hassle-free decisions on which technology to use .”
He further explained that multiservice networks offered a way to keep service revenues on par when broadband infrastructure changes in a certain region . At first , the network would offer services to individual end-users when no terrestrial infrastructure is available in a certain region . Later , for example , when a terrestrial broadband infrastructure is introduced , the need for backhauling would increase , and the same network would offer backhauling services .
“ Newtec Dialog optimises the usage of infrastructure and satellite capacity for different markets ,” he said . “ It easily adapts to any business need , and goes hand-in-hand with delivering tailored services . End-users can now be served with the optimal SLA ( service level agreement ) for the right price .”
At the booth of US-based Advantech Wireless , which operates in the field of satellite broadband communications solutions , the pride of place went to the new Ka-8000 / Ku-8000 series outdoor VSAT routers , which were being shown off amid the plethora of
Advantech ’ s Jamil Joseph : Advantech Wireless ’ new Ka- 8000 / Ku-8000 series outdoor VSAT router is a “ unique product ” that no one else in the world has at the moment .
VSAT hubs and terminals , SSPAs , transceivers , frequency converters and satcom antennas that the company manufactures .
“ This is a unique product that no one else in the world has , at the moment ,” declared Jamil Joseph , Advantech ’ s director of sales , MEA . “ It is the industry ’ s first entirely integrated Ka- or Ku- band outdoor VSAT terminal , consisting of a modem Ka- or Ku- band transmitter , receiver and antenna system . It is a product that won us the award of VSAT Manufacturer of the Year at the VSAT Global Conference 2015 in London last September .
“ In fact , we are extremely proud that the VSAT market is now adopting our A-SAT-II technology , which switches dynamically between
Singtel Satellite ’ s Amir Hussain ( left ) and Phay Mia
Pin were at CABSAT 2016 to explain to visitors how the company is expanding its satellite footprint — going beyond
South-east Asia and the Middle East , and make a big thrust into Africa . three waveforms to always deliver the best performance at the lowest cost . Ultimately , we help people stay connected and informed by designing and manufacturing the most advanced terrestrial and satellite communication technologies on the planet .”
Singapore ’ s Singtel Satellite underlined its status as a leading provider of satellite and fibreoptical services by offering , both in width and depth , bundled products and services to meet customers ’ most demanding requirements . With a strategic focus on maritime communications , the company provides broadband satellite communications and ICT applications in marine crew welfare , operational efficiency , and monitoring
At the large and extremely busy Intelsat booth , the company stressed the fact that it had nearly 50 satellites covering 99 % of the world ’ s populated regions , offering resilience , flexibility and redundancy for a full range of applications .
and control , bridging missioncritical gaps between ship and shore .
Phay Mia Pin , Singtel Satellite ’ s product marketing manager for Transponder & Teleport Hosting , said : “ We have teleports in Singapore and other locations in the world that give us access to more than 30 satellites , and allow our customers a wide range of satellite coverage .
“ Complementing our satellite solutions are our MPLS networks and Tier-1 Internet backbone , seamlessly connected to our teleports to give our customers endto-end solutions almost anywhere in the world .”
Amir Hussain , Singtel Satellite ’ s business director , Satcom , also revealed his company ’ s decision to go beyond South-east Asia and the Middle East , and make a big thrust into Africa .
“ Our ST-3 delivers high-performance coverage on the African continent and South-east Asian region ,” he said . “ It has the capability to provide cross-continental satellite communications connectivity at competitive rates . You can , in fact , be assured of reliable and high-quality connectivity to the entire African continent .”
At the large and extremely busy Intelsat booth , one of the world ’ s leading providers of satellite services for the past half-century stressed the fact that it had nearly 50 satellites covering 99 % of the world ’ s populated regions , offering resilience , flexibility and redundancy for a full range of applications .
“ Intelsat delivers full-time entertainment and news programming worldwide ,” said Jean Philippe Gillet , the company ’ s vice-president , MEA . “ Whether it is cable , headend or broadcast affiliates distribution , DTH or 4K / UHDTV , we know what it takes to grow a vibrant video community .
“ Intelsat ’ s global mobility solutions meet the most demanding real-time information challenges , providing always-on broadband access for video , data , voice and Internet access . Our global platform provides data and telecommunications infrastructure for wireless , telecom , broadband and value-added networks on every continent , enabling connectivity to virtually any point on earth .”
In an interesting announce-