Africasat 1a C-band footprint. Photo: Measat.

[Via Satellite 1-13-2014] Measat and satellite transmission technology specialist NovelSat have successfully tested 64APSK modulation on Africasat 1a. The test used Novelsat’s NS3000 professional high-data rate satellite modem with the company’s NS3 technology on Africasat 1a’s high-powered pan-African beam. The companies reported an increase in spectral efficiency levels of 20 to 50 percent.

Measat anticipates cost savings for Africasat 1a customers due to an increase in bits per Hertz, resulting in higher bandwidth. The satellite, launched in February 2013, provides coverage over Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The advanced modulation has the most benefit for multiplexed IP trunking and voice backhauls for mobile operators, and point-to-point IP transit for Internet Service Providers (ISPs).