Technology

ICG

Introduces Cabin Telecommunications Unit For Business Jets

International Communications Group (ICG) introduced its Aerocom 1100 cabin telecommunications unit, which provides an automated integrated package of telephone, fax and data services for small- to medium-sized business jets.

The unit, which is compatible with Iridium and Inmarsat satellites, supports up to eight separate extensions, providing a range of switched telephone services. (International

Communications Group, 230 Pickett’s Line, Newport News, VA 23603; Tel: 757/947-1030; Fax: 757/947-1035; Web: http://www.intcomgrp.com)

Radyne

New DVB-S2 Modulators Available

Radyne has begun shipping it’s open standard DVB-S2 ACM and VCM modulators to a variety of new customers. With data rates reaching 250 Mbps, fully compliant DVB-S and DVB-S2 including DVB-S2 CM, VCM and ACM mode support, the DM240XR models can be purchased with a minimal configuration and are now available with PRO-MPEG Gigabit Ethernet interface. Other interfaces include ASI, DVB Parallel, HSSI, G.703. (Radyne Comstream, 3138 East Elwood Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034; Tel: 602\437-9620; Fax: 602\437-4811; Web: http://www.radynecomstream.com)

SatService GmbH

Introduces New Sat-nms Frontend Processor

SatService Gesellschaft fur Kommunikationssysteme announced its new sat-nms IO-FEP M&C Frontend Processor for monitoring and control applications in satellite ground stations.

The sat-nms IO-FEP M&C processor provides opto-coupled in- and outputs and potential free relay output contacts. This data is monitored and controlled locally in the sat- nms IO-FEP. The IO-FEP can also perform automatic RF-inhibit of high power amplifiers. It can be used as stand-alone equipment via its Web-based user interface or with the Sat-nms M&C and Network Management System either via ethernet or serial interface for remote control. (SatService GmbH, Hardstrasse 9, D-78256 Steisslingen, Germany, Tel: +49 7738 97003, Fax: +49-7738-97005; Web: http://www.satservicegmbh.de)

Services

Brunei

Extends Services to More Viewers in Asia, Middle East and Australasia

Radio Television Brunei (RTB) signed a lease agreement for the use of C-band capacity on the Asiasat 2 satellite.

RTB will use the capacity for free-to-air distribution of the RTB International channel throughout Asia, Australasia and the Middle East. Broadcasting has begun in September, with programming provided in both English and Malay.

Globecomm

Rolls Out New Video Services

Globecomm introduced a range of new satellite-based broadcast, cable, direct-to-home and Internet Protocol (IP) TV services for program contribution and distribution.

Globecomm provides content acquisition and encoding, content storage, network scheduling and playout, encryption and conditional access, uplinking and downlinking, satellite and fiber capacity, and master control and network monitoring.

Globecomm offers lifecycle support services to deploy and maintain traditional and IPTV headends and broadcast facilities. Services include constant networking monitoring, a help desk, and installation and field service.

Harmonic

Enables Interactive Programming

Harmonic Inc. announced that Boom TV’s recent satellite direct-to-home (DTH) service in Romania is powered by a Harmonic IP-based headend including Divicom encoders, Divitrack IP-distributed statistical multiplexing and NMX digital service manager.

A new operator in Romania, Boom TV offers the country’s 7.1 million households television services through several packages including various local and international channels, premium news plus children’s, sports and movie programming. Pay-per-view capabilities are also available.

Spacenet

Introduces New SOHO Satellite Broadband Services

Spacenet Inc. introduced StarBand Nova satellite broadband Internet services for small-office and residential users.

StarBand Nova services include two options: Nova Ultimate, for small office users, providing broadband Internet access; and Nova Pro, for residential users, offers speeds up to 1 Mbps download and 128 kbps upload. Both use the Gilat SkyEdge VSAT platform, and are available for an equipment purchase price of $299 plus dealer installation where applicable.

Contracts

Comtech

Receives U.S. Government Order

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. announced that its subsidiary, Comtech EF Data Corp., received a $1.9 million satellite communications equipment order from a U.S. government agency to expand a satellite communications network. The order encompasses satellite modems, redundancy switches, amplifiers and terminals. The high-speed modem offers flexible interfaces including gigabit Ethernet, advanced forward error correction and higher order modulation.

Raytheon

Wins Integration Contract

Raytheon Co. will provide equipment designed to improve voice and data communications for the U.S. Army. Raytheon will deliver 15 multiplexer integration and digital communication satellite subsystem automation systems (MIDAS) to the army. The $12 million award is part of a of a five-year, $48 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract awarded to Raytheon in 2004.

Executive Moves

International Datacasting

Names New VP Sales And Marketing

Ottawa-based International Datacasting Corp. (IDC) named Edward DiCarlo vice president of sales and marketing, overseeing IDC’s sales, marketing and new product/service development worldwide.

DiCarlo is a senior-level sales and marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience in the satellite and telecommunications industry. He previously worked for Loral Skynet and Loral Cyberstar.

Iridium

Appoints Chairman, CEO

Matthew Desch has been named chairman and CEO of Bethesda, Md.-based Iridium Satellite LLC.

Desch will replace Dan Colussy as CEO of Iridium Satellite and become CEO of Iridium Holdings, its parent company. Colussy will remain chairman of Iridium Holdings.

Desch most recently served as CEO of New Jersey-based Telcordia Technologies, a supplier of telecommunications software and services, which he helped move into new wireless and international markets and spin off to private equity from SAIC Inc.

Radyne

Elects Board Members

William Keiper and Carl Myron Wagner were elected to Radyne Corp.’s board of directors. The elections expand the Phoenix-based company’s board to seven members.

Wagner joined Radyne as COO in January and was appointed CEO Aug. 31. Previously he served in positions with General Dynamics and Motorola.

Keiper, who will also join the board’s audit committee, is the president and CEO of Hypercom Corp. He also serves on the boards of directors of Hypercom, Smith Micro Software Inc. and Zones Inc.