Focus: Broadcasting

Post-conflict governments in war-torn areas often make it a priority to rebuild their telecommunications networks. This is because it is difficult to advance other rebuilding efforts, such as restoring order and supporting humanitarian initiatives, without reliable communications. On the other hand, emerging government institutions are usually financially weak or dependent on foreign aid, so these...

LightSquared’s plans to deploy a terrestrial LTE network using L-band satellite frequencies was dealt a serious blow by reports that government testing found that its proposed LTE service caused significant interference with around 75 percent of general-purpose GPS receivers. Furthermore, another set of test results suggests that LightSquared will impair some aircraft safety systems. Research...

While 2011 was characterized by more sober predictions for the take-up of 3-D TV, there are still many believers among broadcasters in the medium. Most ardent among them is High TV 3D, a broadcaster that claims it has the “most widely distributed channel globally.” Eric Klein, CEO, High TV 3D, discusses his 3-D TV outlook...

Comtech EF Data Wins Mobile Backhaul Contract in Latin America Comtech EF Data was awarded a $4.1 million contract to provide satellite communications equipment supporting mobile backhaul network expansion to an unnamed telecommunications operator in Latin America. Comtech EF Data said the contract included a full range of its satellite Earth station equipment, as well...

[Satellite TODAY 01-31-12] STM Group has received and installed a fully redundant SatLink Hub 9400 LE for Telenor Satellite Broadcasting (TSBc) that aims to provide services with two forward links from TSBc’s new location in Cyprus, the company confirmed Jan. 30.    With the new hub, TSBc said it would be able to offer expanded...

[Satellite News 01-31-12] BSkyB is launching a new over-the-top (OTT) broadcast service this summer that does not require a satellite subscription, signaling a break from its space platform in favor of a strictly IP-based architecture, the company confirmed Jan. 31.    Speaking at press conference, BSkyB CEO Jeremy Darroch said the unnamed service would integrate...

[Satellite TODAY Insider 01-27-11] Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) has won another contract for a high-powered communications satellite, the company announced Jan 25. However, SS/L has not named the company that the deal was with. This is the first contract that SS/L has announced in 2012.    The deal is further good news for the company, which...

[Satellite TODAY Insider 01-24-11] TNTSat continues to make steady progress in France, one of the Europe’s biggest markets for digital TV, and one where satellite has a strong presence. TNTSat is the French digital terrestrial offer based on satellite. The company’s satellite offer is broadcast via Astra, and announced Jan 23 that around 3.3 million...

[Satellite TODAY 10-24-11]  Thuraya has signed a new partnership deal in Africa as it looks to boost its market position in the region. The company has signed a service partner agreement with Africell, a GSM operator with a presence across Africa.      Africell will be providing Thuraya’s data and voice services in Gambia, Sierra Leone...

[Satellite TODAY 01-20-12] Satellite operator Eutelsat has decided to suspend the presence of Roj TV on its satellites in order to avoid incurring criminal liability as an accomplice to terrorist activities, Eutelsat said in a Jan. 19 statement.    The operator said the decision follows the instruction of Denmark’s public prosecutor, after the Court of...