[Satellite Today Web Exclusive – 6-12-08] Optus is using satellites to help bring advanced communications services to remote and rural parts of Australia. The investing close to 600 million Australian dollars ($568 million) in a new series of satellites (D-Series).
    Paul Sheridan, head of satellite at Optus, talks about the operator’s capital expenditure plans and how it aims to bring the benefits of satellite technology to people across Australia.

Via Satellite: Could you tell us about the demands for satellite capacity in Australia and the major growth markets for Optus Satellite?

Sheridan: Optus continues to see demand for satellite services especially in the DTH market in both Australia and New Zealand. Satellite is still the most effective method of providing telecoms and entertainment services to regional and remote locations.
    Optus announced in 2007 the addition of a third satellite as part of its D-series satellite program to meet the capacity demand for satellite services. This includes VSAT services in regional Australia as well as preparation for the launch of high-definition television for Australian and New Zealand broadcasters.

Via Satellite: How important is it to be at the cutting edge when bringing new satellites to the region?

 Sheridan: Obviously we look to benefit from new capabilities available when sourcing a new spacecraft, but there are also important developments on the ground, such as DVB-S2 (digital video broadcasting-satellite-second generation) and   MPEG-4.

Via Satellite: Is Optus itself looking at bringing in a dedicated Ka-band satellite after the D3 satellite is launched?

Sheridan: There is a potential opportunity for Ka-band satellite in the region, however a number of key factors such as potential market size, take up rates, landing rights, environmental effects, etc. will continue to exercise the minds of those attempting to close business cases. I believe a number of dedicated Ka platforms will emerge as the demand for broadband to service the remote, rural and underserved populations continues to grow and these types of services can only be supplied by the Ka-band satellite. Optus Satellite seriously considers any opportunity to meet the needs of our customers and to provide growth opportunity for the business. A Ka satellite has the potential to do both.

Via Satellite: Do you expect some of the major players to try and become more involved in the region?

Sheridan: I have no doubt that as the global operators consider their next moves, a number of well-run regional satellite operators will come into their focus – whether this leads to more consolidation in the region will be interesting to watch.
    In the longer term I believe there may be a need for closer working relationships between regional players and perhaps an increase in the condosat approach to effectively address future replacement strategies and to continue to meet the market demands.

Via Satellite: How have the dynamics for fixed satellite services in Asia changed?

Sheridan: One of the key requirements that have emerged is the need for redundancy within the network, not only on the ground but also in-orbit. With the Optus D3 satellite joining our fleet and being co-located with the Optus C1 satellite, we are able to provide the opportunity to our customers to load share across both these satellites. We also invest heavily in our ground infrastructure to deliver further benefits of resilience to our customers.

Via Satellite: What role will Optus Satellite play in the communications landscape in the future?

Sheridan: Optus, as part of the SingTel group, operates a very successful business and sees satellite continuing to have a role in providing customers with cutting edge products and services. Along with the continued demand for VSAT services and HDTV growth, increasingly we are seeing a demand for content to be backhauled from different countries in the region via fiber for aggregation onto DTH platforms carried on our satellites. As a full service telecommunications provider and reach of the SingTel networks, we are uniquely placed to provide the terrestrial and satellite requirements of our customers.