EMS Technologies Inc has completed live, closed-loop, broadband satellite access tests as part of an SES/Astra Broadband Interactive project. The tests used the Digital Video Broadcast – Return Channel via Satellite (DVB-RCS) international open standard.

SES wants to be the first European satellite carrier to commercially exploit the Ka-band frequencies for interactive and multimedia service, via the Astra Broadband Interactive System. EMS said the technology it has developed provides user uplinks at almost 2Mbit/s and downlink speeds of 40Mbit/s, as well as the ability to support multiple subscribers per transponder. This technology will allow more widespread access to Internet backbones via satellite.

The company added that it has agreed to supply SES, with “a full DVB-RCS demonstration system” by the end of June. “This is a precursor to the delivery of a fully operational system by the end of 2000. EMS will supply the critical hub technologies as well as the end-user terminals under the agreement with SES.”

EMS said development of the technologies for the DVB-RCS standard has been a major objective of its broadband strategy and the focus of over a decade of research and development. “The completion of these live satellite tests symbolises the beginning of a new era in high-speed Internet communications via satellites,” said Al Hansen, president and chief operating officer of EMS.

Don Osborne, vice president and general manager of the EMS Space & Technology Group in Montreal, said: “We are pleased to be in a position, following major internal investments in the broadband area, to offer highly advanced satellite broadband access technologies to our customers around the world. Satellites provide instant access to large numbers of subscribers as soon as the system is turned on and can play a major role in meeting growing worldwide demand for Internet bandwidth.”

In a related development, the EMS Space & Technology Group recently demonstrated the DVB – RCS system to a delegation of senior Luxembourg government officials, including HRH. Henri, crown prince of the Duchy. “The technologies that have been developed by EMS are most impressive and, I expect, will provide satellite operators such as Luxembourg’s SES significant market opportunities,” the prince said.