[Satellite TODAY 08-26-10] The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Culture and Information has contracted Newtec and its integration partner First Gulf Co. to implement a satellite-based television and radio exchange network for the Saudi government’s nationwide media transformation program, Newtec announced Aug. 25.
    The exchange network program contract will see Newtec and First Gulf deploy a solution supporting contribution between Saudi studios and broadcast facilities and the exchange of radio and TV content between locations. The network’s first stage of deployment will include HD-capable terminals and a central earth station pointed to Arabsat’s 5A satellite, launched in June. The initial deployment will use Ku-band satellite bandwidth with the future option of Ka-band when extra satellite capability becomes available.
    The equipment that Newtec will contribute under the contract also will contribute to the expansion of Saudi Arabia’s capacity for digital terrestrial TV (DTT) broadcasting, with the extra capacity being used both for migration to HD of the current channels, and to accommodate the first private broadcasters now appearing in the country. The DTT network will migrate from one single MFN bouquet to different SFN bouquets and will be entirely based on Newtec Horizon technology, with up to 80 DTT towers being added throughout the Kingdom. In addition, Newtec will add SFN gap fillers to expand indoor coverage.
    In a statement, Assistant Deputy Minister for Engineering at the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Culture and Information Riyadh Najm said the provision of media and information infrastructure is a key priority for the Saudi government. “Our program is now progressing well, and this radio and TV exchange implementation is a cornerstone of the infrastructure project, where we are pleased to work together with professional and experienced parties — an essential base.”
    Financial details of the contract were not disclosed.

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