[Satellite TODAY 07-25-13] Eutelsat Communications announced it has successfully completed the first phase of development of a smart LNB for a Direct-to-Home (DTH) antenna that opens the door for broadcasters to operate their own ecosystem of linear television and connected TV services directly by satellite. The smart LNB is now entering the industrialization phase in advance of commercial availability in 2014.

 

     Designed by Eutelsat, the smart LNB is a new-generation electronic feed connected to an antenna with an embedded transmitter for interactive applications such as HbbTV, pay-per-view, social networking, personal subscription management and live show participation. It will transform mass-market DTH satellite services by enabling broadcasters and platform operators to bolt interactive value-added services onto their broadcast platforms, circumventing viewer dependency on terrestrial fixed and mobile networks. This new product meets increasing consumer expectation to manage and interact with content and also prepares the ground for machine-to-machine and home automation applications.

 

     The proof-of-concept and first prototypes have already been tested over Eutelsat satellites and are now ready for validation with platform operators and partners. Eutelsat has launched the industrialization process with the first manufacturers with the objective that this new product will be adopted by further hardware manufacturers and become a pillar of future television infrastructure.