SES Expands Ka-Band Service in France

SES’s Astra 2F satellite ©ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE/Photo Optique Vidéo CSG.

NordNet has developed a new on-demand satellite broadband offering, for which it contracted additional Ka-band capacity on the SES satellite Astra 2F. The solution, based on SES Broadband Services’ technology, offers download speeds of up to 20 Mbps for holiday homes and second residences in France.

NordNet’s offering, called “Satellite Internet Tempo,” is an on-demand Internet service available with a monthly subscription of € 3. With this subscription, customers can order an Internet pass for 2.99 euros per day. The offer also includes a permanent voice over IP telephone connection and, with the help of the included television-LNB, access to television channels from the Astra orbital slot 19.2 degrees east.

Eutelsat Looking to Bring Smart LNB to Market

Eutelsat Communications has successfully completed the first phase of development of a smart LNB for a Direct-to-Home (DTH) antenna that opens the door for broadcasters to operate their own ecosystem of linear television and connected TV services directly by satellite. The smart LNB is now entering the industrialization phase in advance of commercial availability in 2014.

Designed by Eutelsat, the smart LNB is a new-generation electronic feed connected to an antenna with an embedded transmitter for interactive applications such as HbbTV, pay-per-view, social networking, personal subscription management and live show participation.

Eutelsat says the new LNB will transform mass-market DTH satellite services by enabling broadcasters and platform operators to bolt interactive value-added services onto their broadcast platforms, circumventing viewer dependency on terrestrial fixed and mobile networks. It says the new product meets increasing consumer expectation to manage and interact with content and also prepares the ground for machine-to-machine and home automation applications.

Harris CapRock, TSBc Sign Multiple Capacity Agreements

TSBc’s Thor 10-02 satellite Credit: TSBc

Telenor Satellite Broadcasting (TSBc) has executed multiple agreements with Harris CapRock to provide satellite capacity services from its 1 degree west orbital location.

Harris CapRock provides capacity to serve a number of energy and maritime clients, offering coverage throughout Europe and is uplinking services via its own teleport facilities located in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Advantech Wireless Deploys DVB-RCS Discovery 300 Hub to Gazprom Space Systems

Advantech Wireless has successfully deployed the DVB-RCS Discovery 300 Hub system delivered under contract to OJSC Gazprom Space Systems (GSS) for a network based on Yamal 201 satelliteâ??s resources. Via the new Discovery Hub, GSS plans to provide broadband satellite access services within the Yamal 201 satelliteâ??s service, which covers nearly the entire territory of Russia.

The Discovery 300 is a full featured DVB-RCS VSAT Hub supporting up to 3,000 active terminals.

ESA Seeks Input from Satellite Industry

After a meeting between European space ministers gave the approval to Europeâ??s next-generation Ariane 6 launch vehicle, the European Space Agency plans to consult with the satellite industry to gather competing ideas on key work packages for the new launch system. Consolidation of the current Phase A will take place at the preliminary requirements review (PRR) in October 2013.

The performance requested for Ariane 6 was 3 to 6.5 tons in equivalent geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), to cover both government and commercial needs. Ministers also requested that the new launch vehicle exploits maximum commonalities with the cryogenic reignitable upper stage of the Ariane 5 ME.