Focus: Broadcasting

By Peter J. Brown In the Asian Pacific region, there are new opportunities for direct-to-home (DTH) service providers and other entrepreneurs. High-definition television (HDTV) is coming to the region slowly, and cellular phone backhauling, Internet protocol (IP) broadband and enterprise sector activities are picking up. Add it all up and one can see why the...

By Nick Mitsis Terrestrial networks such as Ancillary Terrestrial Components (ATC) can enhance availability, efficiency and economic viability of Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) by reusing at least some of the frequency bands that are allocated to cellular systems. Without ATC, it may be challenging for MSS operators to reliably serve densely populated areas because the...

Such is the case of Atlanta-based Orkin Inc. The 105-year-old pest control company launched Orkin TV, an interactive satellite television communications network that links the company’s 8,000 employees through first-of-its-kind live broadcast technology. Orkin uses the satellite training system to add interactive distance learning to its award-winning employee training programs. The system helps Orkin save...

Communications challenges exist in every company today, ranging from the simple need to share information, to the more complex tasks of interactive communication and content management. To combat these challenges, corporate executives are enhancing their video transmission play to relay important information, ranging from CEO addresses to product launches. In fact, many today are using...

From June through November, residents along the Southeast and Gulf Coast regions of the United States brace for nature’s furry. Government officials already predict that the 2006 hurricane season is on track to be as active as last year’s, creating fear and uncertainty among many that would not want a Katrina devastation repeat that left...

Satellite operators are leading the charge in the Interactive TV Advertising arena, according to top executives from direct-to-home operators BSkyB and Multichoice. The companies are being very progressive, providing strong platforms for advertisers to exploit, the executives said during the Interactive TV Advertising show, held in London May 23. BSkyB Sky Media, which has more...

All eyes will be focused on Germany in the coming weeks as the World Cup gets underway, ushering in advanced high-definition (HD) and Internet Protocol (IP) TV technology for broadcasters. In an effort to capitalize on this event, German satellite pay-TV operator Premiere has struck a deal with Deutsche Telekom to screen Bundesliga soccer via...

Euronews, the pan-European channel provider, is hoping to do deals with satellite pay-TV operators in the United States as it bids to expand the reach of its news services, Philippe Cayla, Euronews CEO told Satellite News. “At the moment, we are considering being in the United States,” he said. “There are two major operators there....

SIRI, XMSR XM Satellite Radio may be losing its grip on the one area where it still holds a formidable edge over rival Sirius Satellite Radio – subscribers. XM reported a change to its subscriber and financial guidance for 2006, projecting that it will end 2006 with 8.5 million subscribers, resulting in subscriber revenues of...

The U.S. wireless carriers generated revenues of $174.7 billion in 2005, according to the Telecommunications Industry Association. With numbers like these, it is no wonder that Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) providers have decided to enter the market by developing hybrid satellite/ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) wireless services. Their goal is to compete with cellular carriers like...