People

NEW SKIES: Appoints Sales Director

New Skies Satellites N.V. appointed Jurandir Pitsch sales director for the company’s commercial activities in Brazil and the Mercosur region of Latin America.

He is responsible for driving sales of New Skies’ satellite services to broadcasters, cable programmers, telecommunications companies and Internet service providers in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, as well as Chile.

Services

MATV: Joins Asiasat 3S

MATV Movie and Entertainment Channel commenced broadcasting on Asiasat 3S in free to air digital format to audiences in more than 50 countries and regions within the satellite’s C-band footprint.

MATV is operated by MATV Ltd., a subsidiary of Mei Ah Entertainment Group Ltd. This 24-hour-a-day Chinese channel primarily offers movies, as well as other infotainment programs.

 

IDIRECT: Completes Transition

iDirect Inc., a privately held company that develops broadband IP hardware and software, successfully transitioned its strategy to focus exclusively on providing VSAT technology by making the decision to migrate its service business to several iDirect technology enabled partners. These partners include Segovia and IP Access, among others.

INTELSAT: Creates New Business Units

Intelsat created three business units to sharpen its focus on the data/carrier/Internet, video and government customer segments.

As President of the Data, Carrier and Internet business unit, John Stanton will concentrate on the strategic development of these key Intelsat customers, who comprise the largest customer base. The business unit will encompass Intelsat’s regional sales teams and will focus on the changing needs of telecommunications companies around the globe.

Intelsat Video Solutions, headed by President Jon Romm, will identify opportunities to grow Intelsat’s video business across all regions around the world and introduce the latest video products and services to customers.

Intelsat Government Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Intelsat USA Sales Corp., will focus on maintaining and developing government customers located in North America and Europe. Susan Miller will serve as president of this unit.

 

TELENOR: Expands Capacity In Middle East

Telenor Satellite Services increased capacity for high-speed data communication with the addition of Inmarsat’s fifth ocean region designed to meet increased demand for service in the Middle East. Telenor and Inmarsat have implemented spotbeam coverage for the newly designated Indian Ocean Region West to provide additional Global Area Network (GAN) high- speed ISDN capability. Presently, the additional satellite capacity is dedicated to only GAN high-speed data service for land-mobile users, although additional Inmarsat services may be supported in this new ocean region should demand dictate.

Contracts

ATCI: Wins Distance Learning Contract

Antenna Technology Communications Inc. (ATCi) won a $2.8 million contract from the Mexican Ministry of Education to install a distance learning network in Latin America. ATCi will build a fully redundant teleport in Mexico City for dispersing distance learning programming to secondary education institutions throughout Latin America.

The teleport project will be designed and installed by ATCi to cover more than 30,000 remote sites and reach more than five million students in the region. ATCi will handle the entire scope of the project from turnkey design to installation, testing and integration.

 

CRAWFORD: Scores With Sports Network

Crawford Communications Inc. added Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast (CSS) to the Crawford Cable Star platform. Crawford provides complete television network origination services to CSS, broadcasting more than 300 live events per year. These events will originate at outside venues and be transmitted back to Crawford via C-band, Ku-band and fiber feeds.

FIBERSAT: Inks Deal With Hotelevision

Fibersat Global Services signed a deal with Hotelevision to handle its field installation services, technical support and installation base management.

Utilizing Fibersat Global Services’ existing Technical Equipment Testing, Warehousing and Fulfillment Solution, Fibersat Global Services stages, assembles, cables/wires and tests satellite receive hardware components for Hotelevision.

 

GLOBECAST: Adds To Channel Line-up

Globecast was chosen by Romanian broadcaster PRO TV International, Croatian radio channel HR International and Hungarian radio channel Kossuth Radio to broadcast on the Globecast WorldTV Direct-to-Home platform on Telstar 5 for satellite distribution in the United States.

Together with these new channels, the Globecast WorldTV platform broadcasts a total of 66 television and radio channels from Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

 

IRDETO: Secures Turkish Broadcasts

Irdeto Access reported that Direct-From-Home Network Inc. (DFH), a provider and producer of Turkish broadcast programming in North America, is implementing Irdeto Access’ content protection technology to protect exclusive U.S. broadcasts of some of Turkey’s largest national networks.

Utilizing the Irdeto M-Crypt conditional access system, DFH brings eight Turkish channels into its broadcast uplink center, where the programming will be uplinked through three video channels and two radio channels.

 

MTN: Signs Major Agreements

Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN) and the National Broadcasting Co. (NBC) have teamed up to help revolutionize the remote broadcast process.

Under a non-exclusive agreement, MTN delivered to NBC a truck-based mobile satellite transmission platform.

MTN built a special-purpose truck for NBC equipped with a stabilized VSAT antenna designed to provide mobile, in-motion live broadcast capabilities. The truck, which is now traveling with U.S. troops, stays locked on its satellite-based communications transponder even when the truck and camera are moving at high speed over uneven terrain.

MTN also signed an agreement with Carnival Cruise Lines to provide complete wireless technology to its entire fleet of 18 vessels.

As a result of the agreement, MTN will provide wireless Internet capabilities to Carnival’s entire fleet, allowing guests and crew to connect with the World Wide Web and pursue a variety of Internet capabilities, including Web and e-mail access, as well as the ability to send video mail.

 

ONETOUCH SYSTEMS: Teams Up With Globecomm

OneTouch Systems signed a business alliance agreement with Globecomm Systems Inc. Together, the two companies will offer Global 1000 organizations complete distance learning solutions–from infrastructure and integration to content services and support.

As a OneTouch value-added reseller, Globecomm will offer customers the OneTouch 5 solution as part of their end-to-end offering. Combining full-motion video, full-duplex audio and two-way data interaction, OneTouch 5 allows an organization to simultaneously reach students either in a networked classroom or at a desktop PC, all from a single location and server.

 

ORBITAL RECOVERY: Chooses Ariane 5 As Launcher

Orbital Recovery Corp. selected Ariane 5 as the primary launch vehicle for its Geosynch Spacecraft Life Extension System (SLES), signing an agreement with Arianespace to orbit at least four SLES space tugs beginning in 2005.

SLES will be carried as a secondary payload on Ariane 5 launches, with a liftoff mass of 500 kg.-800 kg., depending on the space tug’s specific mission.

 

SCOPUS: Wins Contract From Doordarshan

Scopus Network Technologies reported that Doordarshan, India’s national television service and one of its largest broadcasters, has once again selected Scopus digital broadcast platforms to further upgrade its digital broadcast infrastructure.

Scopus’ digital broadcast platforms are used to expand an existing nationwide terrestrial transmission system and will be used throughout India for the re-distribution of TV signals from digital to analog.

Technology

ANDREW: Introduces Grounding Kits

Andrew Corp. introduced Compact SureGround Grounding Kits to protect communications equipment from lightning strikes. These new one-piece grounding assemblies have the weatherproofing molded directly into the grounding strap. Their self-locking, self-sealing weatherproof boot eliminates the need for loose hardware and taping.

The Compact SureGround Grounding Kit has one of the largest surface contact areas (more than 200 square mm) in the industry to provide better protection against even the most severe lightning strikes. (Andrew Corp., 10500 W. 153rd St., Orland Park, IL 60462; Tel: 708/349-3300; Fax: 708/349-5222; Web: http://www.andrew.com)

 

CHANNEL MASTER: Improves Installation Time

Channel master LLC introduced its new digital satellite meter–the 1009IFD, offering DiSEqC compatibility, positive satellite identification and pinpoint accuracy.

The 1009IFD is a tool for installers to make installation of DBS and VSAT antennas quick and accurate, ensuring cost-effective operations to the installer and satisfied consumers, according to Channel Master. (Channel Master, 1315 Industrial Park Dr., Smithfield, NC 27577; Tel: 919/934-9711; Fax: 919/989-2200; Web: http://www.channelmaster.com)

 

CPI SATCOM: Unveils Ka-band HPA

Communications and Power Industries Satcom Division unveiled an amplifier called the Millitron, which boasts up to 500 watts of power over a full 1000 MHz in the 27.0-31.0 GHz frequency range.

Designed for outdoor use, the Millitron amplifier features a compact, rugged design and has digital serial remote interface capability, variable gain and many options including integral linearizers and an integral 1:1 switch controller. (CPI Satcom Division, 811 Hansen Way, P.O. Box 51625, Palo Alto, CA 94303; Tel: 650/846-3700; Fax: 650/424-1744; Web: http://www.cpii.com/satcom)

 

DNE TECHNOLOGIES: Redesigns Interface Cards

DNE Technologies redesigned most of its interface cards for the AN/FCC-100 Multiplexer. The redesign preserves interoperability with fielded units while bringing newer, more reliable technology to the AN/FCC-100 Multiplexer, now in its ninth variation.

The AN/FCC-100(V)9 supports digital interfaces in both asynchronous and synchronous formats at rates from 50 bps to 768 kbs. Other features of the AN/FCC-100(V)9 include voice compression technology and support for STU-3, CDI and serial applications. It supports both digital and analog user interfaces and a variety of system timing configurations and offers a Crypto Resync capability. (DNE Technologies Inc., 50 Barnes Park North, Wallingford, CT 06492; Tel: 203/265-7151; Fax: 203/284-8414; Web: http://www.dnetech.com)

 

MOBILE SATELLITE VENTURES: Offers New Antenna

Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) reported that the two and three axis Spacecom antennas are approved for use with mobile terminals on the MSV Satellite Network.

The Spacecom tracking system is based on a patented beam-squint technology, which ensures rapid and accurate tracking, according to MSV. The unit is completely self-contained, needing no input from outside sources to acquire and track satellites. (Mobile Satellite Ventures, 10802 Parkridge Blvd., Reston, VA 20191; Tel: 877/678-2920; Fax: 703/390-2770; Web: http://www.msvlp.com)

 

NORSAT: Debuts SNG Terminal

Norsat International Inc. launched its next-generation ultra-portable SNG terminal, the Norsat Newslink, a complete SNG solution capable of broadcast quality MPEG-2 video. The terminal packs into small suitcases and can be checked as airline baggage on international airline carriers.

The latest Norsat Newslink model also includes feature-rich baseband electronics in a compact 1RU enclosure. The new MPEG-2 encoder combines quality with ultra-low latency and the 1RU form factor of the baseband electronics allows it to easily integrate with voice and data communications options, according to Norsat. (Norsat International Inc., 300-4401 Still Creek Dr., Burnaby, BC Canada V5C 6G9; Tel: 604/292-9000; Fax: 604/292-9100; Web: http://www.norsat.com)

 

TANDBERG: Launches Cross-Platform Solution

Tandberg Television launched its integrated control and monitoring system, nCompass. The cross-platform nCompass adds new control features to enable broadcasters and operators to more effectively manage content delivery networks featuring Tandberg Television or third-party compression equipment. According to Tandberg, nCompass offers one of the easiest methods on the market to ensure that customers such as telcos and specialists in content exchange and direct-to-home services can deploy an integrated control and monitoring system to maximize quality of service levels while maintaining operational flexibility. (Tandberg Television Inc., 12633 Challenger Pkwy., Suite 250, Orlando, FL 32826; Tel: 407/380-7055; Fax: 407/380-6691; Web: http://www.tandbergtv.com)

 

TRAK MICROWAVE: Publishes New Catalog

Trak Microwave published a new RF and Microwave Components Catalog covering a broad range of frequencies, 1 MHz to 3600 MHz, for commercial, defense and space applications. The catalog introduces several product types for applications in signal processing for commercial applications including wireless infrastructure, private mobile radio and CATV. The catalog includes voltage variable attenuators, directional couplers, IQ modulators, IQ demodulators, mixers, voltage variable phase shifters, power splitters, combiners, quadratures, junction hybrids and matching transformers. (Trak Microwave, 4726 Eisenhower Blvd., Tampa, FL 33634-6391; Tel: 813/901-7200; Fax: 813/901-7490; Web: http://www.trak.com)