ISSUE 26 | FEBRUARY 2014
COOL TOOLS A showcase of solutions impacting the market
FLEET TRACKING Dots on a map or valuable data?
Teleports: MENA’s sleeping bull PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ
Market development will see business charge into new sectors
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A group of astronomers discovered a planet that, well, simply shouldn’t be there. Left scratching their heads, the star-gazers have explained that the giant exoplanet’s existence has upended science as we know it. Our Conversations from Africa theories on planet formation cannot be applied and despite various During a festive Christmas lunchhypotheses, in the beautiful garden city to of have a clue attempts to generate worthy we don’t seem Johannesburg, home tothere. the largest man-made forest in the world, a how this bad boy got conversation digressed to satellite communications. Rather than being concerned that my has been entirely consumed by satellite, eagerly I’m not saying thatlife our theories on planet formation should Ibe chucked listened. You see, life as a satellite, which I now feel I’ve become, is lonely. As the editor of a out the window, although one can’t help but question their accuracy. Perhaps the law for forming satcoms mag, I can’t vent my day’s stresses or talk ‘shop’ to my friends without their eyes glazing planets is in parallel with my rule that one size does not fit all, and just as this nonsense should over. So while the randomness of such an ectopic conversation is blatant, I focused on the pop-up be banned from clothing stores, so should astronomers consider a whopping exception. query merrily – even at Christmas lunch! This does lead me to the subject of theories and how, so long as they’re “scientific”, almost any South Africa is blessed with an exquisite face and striking features including dramatic mountain average Joe outrivers, thereglistening will accept them as unfaltering, factspreads – and numerous passes, raging beaches and rich nature indisputable that generously across the times I’ve heard that Of course we inquirer come from monkeys; it’s evolution, expansive land.word Whatbeing betterthrown place toaround. cycle? And cycle this does, passionately. Covering it’s aa fact! The of universe was created asterrain, the result of the Bigbear Bang, a fact! Stressusing causes ulcers, distance 2,300km over rugged cyclists must thethat’s African elements only a that’s a fact! What I want to know is when the word “theory” became synonymous with fact? compass and their mountain bikes. Of course, while South Africa’s geographical features aren’t For those that believe ulcers are stress news flash: theory was shattered short of awesome, they’re also not shortinduced, of danger. Being ablethis to communicate and sendback a in the 1980s. And while the Big Bang theory is still going strong, we widely believed its predecessor: distress call for emergencies is needed. And this is what was asked: what uber light-weight but Einstein’s theory of theisStatic Universe, as Einstein’s Universe. ultra-durable solution available for thebetter cyclistsknown who can’t have access to GPS, but need a third party to be able to track and monitor their progress? My question now is: who knows what they are actually talking about? Those throwing facts I have posed question some ofthe the scientists industry’s appear innovators (see page 40), leading to the around don’tthis actually havetoany, and together until they’re seen gawking launch the “Cyclist’s Satellite Challenge”. Should are you willing have a solution, the contest by are at each of other in wondrous bafflement. If laymen to acceptenter anything scientific, getting in touch (adrienne.harebottle@cpimediagroup.com). otherdiscovery? readers toFinally, send I we prepared to possibly have our realities flipped each timeI also thereinvite is a new their queries – it would be great to hear from end users about their conundrums and wish-lists. must conclude with my paramount query: what will be my next lead story? If you have any ideas, please let me know, urgently!
Adrienne Harebottle Editor
Adrienne Harebottle Editor
In this edition:
In this edition: “Teleport seems an outdated and incomplete description. We need to “Our Libyan resellers are provided think of ourselves as an omniport” full visibility and control ofand all the Robert Kubbernus, President CEO of Signalhorn Trusted resulting Networks in terminals deployed, Page 10customer support service” better
Neil Denyer, Sales Manager at Bentley Walker pagefuture 10 is bright for non“The traditional ENG approaches such as Ka-band satellite and bonded “This system is especially fascinating wireless transmitters” because no model of either planet or star Bill Nardi, Vice-President of Broadcast formation fully explains what we see” Integration at Dejero Vanessa Bailey, Researcher and Page 22 student in the Astronomy Department at University of Arizona page 40
“SAT accesses the topographical data stored in the digital maps to assess satellite the“The nature of theindustry road” has not done enough to add value to the Philip Harnett, Wraith Project Manager at Rolls-Royce bandwidth and services that it Page 36 to customers” delivers
Robert Kubbernus, President and CEO of Signalhorn page 26a solution that enables “We need us to send a distress signal for emergencies” “The main problem in Brazil is related Mark Smith, participant in the to piracy in direct-to-home services Freedom Challenge and the authorities are constantly Page 40 blocking such illegal practices” Rodrigo de Oliveira Menezes, Engineer at Anatel page 30
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SHAPING THE FUTURE OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
CONTENTS
Issue 26 | February 2014
10
News
SatStandards
4
26
Martian settlers
DVB-Sx reality check
The first Arab-made satellite, new TV channels, a rival VOD platform and more
A wide adoption would benefit the entire industry, making it commercially acceptable
SatLead
10
26
SatTech
30
Cool tools
Teleports: MENA’s sleeping bull
A showcase of the leading technology sure to impact the broadcast market
Experts discuss benefits of the market but call for greater development
SatMaritime
SatMotoring
19
36
Tracking ships Technology today can convert dots on a map to lucrative intelligence
36
Satellite shines on Rolls-Royce The new Wraith uses GPS data for its Satellite Aided Transmission
SatBroadcast
SatGuest
22
40
News coverage like never before
The Cyclist’s Satellite Challenge
Ka-band and bonded wireless solutions raise electronic newsgathering to new heights
An avid mountain biker creates a competition for satellite players, calling for a tracking solution
SatNews
FreeCast announces SelectTV VOD platform to rival satellite offerings
MTG LAUNCHES ITS SECOND FREE-TV CHANNEL IN TANZANIA
FreeCast has revealed plans for its new globally licensed video-on-demand (VOD) platform, SelectTV. The offering will target telecommunications companies and bandwidth providers that specialise in internet bandwidth distribution but don’t offer TV/cable services. SelectTV’s VOD library of free, pay-per-view and subscription content provides a low-cost TV alternative and, therefore, will be competing with both cable and satellite offerings. It will be introduced as a pre-load on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, computers and TVs. FreeCast has already entered talks with major manufacturers and user interface distributors with expectations to be included in the newest product lines this autumn. The company has also begun negotiations with market leaders in the hospitality and accommodations industry, including hotel, timeshare and multi-housing developers seeking an alternative for outdated and expensive in-room media systems. www.freecast.org
Modern Times Group (MTG), the international entertainment entity, has launched TV1 in Tanzania, marking the group’s second African free-TV channel. The channel is available through Tanzania’s digital terrestrial network, reaching up to 30% of the 48 million people in the country. TV1 follows the 2008 launch of Viasat1 in Ghana, which has grown rapidly and is now the country’s second largest free-TV channel with a 24% commercial share of viewing in the target audience group. Four of MTG’s Viasat thematic pay-TV channel brands are also available on networks in Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Mozambique. TV1 is a general entertainment channel with a mix of locally produced news and entertainment content, as well as international movies and TV series. The channel is focused on a broad, slightly female skewed, target audience of 15-49 year olds. www.mtg.se
MBC BOLLYWOOD JOINS BOUQUET ON ARABSAT’S BADR-4 SATELLITE AT 26 DEGREES EAST
MBC Bollywood is the latest addition to MBC Group’s bouquet of 14 channels. Famous for Indian movies and TV series dubbed and translated into Arabic, MBC Bollywood has joined the bouquet on Arabsat’s Badr-4 satellite. “We are pleased with the launch of MBC Bollywood to join MBC Group bouquet on Arabsat satellites at the orbital position 26 degrees East, and we wish them best of luck and success. We greatly value our long-term strategic partnership with MBC Group and reassure our full support with the best satellites services,” said Khalid Balkheyour, President and CEO www.arabsat.com of Arabsat. 4 | SatellitePro | February 2014
GLOBALSTAR LAUNCHES “LOWEST-COST” PRE-PAID SATPHONE SERVICE IN EMEA
Globalstar Europe Satellite Services has announced the launch of its new Pre-paid service in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The service enables consumers to use the satellite network without a contract. Globalstar’s Pre-paid accounts can be topped up with 10 different card denominations, five Personal and five Shared Pre-paid cards. Customers who want to use the phone for themselves can use Personal cards to activate and top up their Pre-paid account, while Shared Pre-paid cards are for customers planning to loan their phone to family, friends or colleagues. Globalstar is the only service provider in the mobile satellite service market to facilitate the use of shared pre-paid credit on already activated post-paid phones across all services. Customers also have access to the industry’s lowest cost pre-paid service, which offers high-quality voice with its patented Qualcomm-based CDMA technology.
First Arab-made satellite expected to be placed in orbit by 2017 Dubai has launched the executive phases for the construction of the Khalifa Sat, the UAE’s first indigenously built and manufactured satellite. It is scheduled to be placed in orbit by 2017 and will mark a new era for the Middle East’s space industry, as the first Arab-made satellite to take to the skies. The Emirates Institute for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) has assigned 45 Emirati aeronautical engineers to build the humidity- and dust-proof Khalifa Sat. This follows from the development, manufacture and launch of two previous birds, DubaiSat 1 and DubaiSat 2, the country’s first remote sensing satellites, which were produced in partnership with a South Korean manufacturer. While plans to build Khalifa Sat are scheduled to begin in 2015, EIAST is currently setting up the required facilities and high-tech www.eiast.ae laboratories for the satellite.
www.eu.globalstar.com
PAKISTANIS BEMOAN CABLE TV SERVICES, AWAIT DTH
GS Group, the largest Russian developer and producer of set-top boxes, has conducted complex research on the Pakistani payTV market. The results of the two-phase examination showed high demand for quality digital TV among both mass and elite sectors in Pakistan. It also unveiled the major problems influencing the quality of TV services. According to the data, more than 73% of the Pakistani population is not satisfied with the quality of cable TV services, while 93% would change their current TV operator to receive improved services. At least 59% of the survey respondents showed strong interest not only in quality digital TV, but also in having HD channels in their packages. The decision to switch the country to digital services has been postponed for the last 10 consecutive years, leaving the country’s TV services lagging behind that of the neighbouring countries. www.general-satellite.com
SIGNALHORN TO PROVIDE CONNECTIVITY FOR CRUISE FLEET
Digitaria International has selected Signalhorn to provide satellite communications services to a fleet of 12 luxury vessels operated by a provider of shipboard travel in the Americas, Mediterranean and Southern African markets. Signalhorn will provide passengers and crew with on-board internet access and VoIP phone service with connectivity through its teleport
in Leuk, Switzerland. The connectivity will also allow shipboard crews to use positioning applications for offshore safety. Under the contract, Signalhorn will provide the service through four different satellites for a term of three years, with options for extension. www.signalhorn.com www.digitaria-international.com
February 2014 | SatellitePro | 5
SatNews
Thuraya to provide satcoms for rescue efforts in Indonesia Indonesia’s national search and rescue agency has chosen Thuraya’s solutions to improve emergency relief efforts in the country. Badan SAR Nasional will be installing a combination of Thuraya IP terminals, the Thuraya Integrated Communications Solution from Ultra Electronics – AEP and Thuraya NettedComms from Speakerbus to integrate its headquarters’ capabilities with all branch offices, ships, portable units and land mobile units. The aim is to enhance voice and data services as well as video surveillance and interoperability on crucial operations at sea. The agency is comprised of the National Search and Rescue Center, Rescue Coordination Centers and Rescue Coordination sub-division. The contract for the initial phase has been awarded to Thuraya’s service partner PT Mega Sarana Satelit of Indonesia and is scheduled for completion over 2014.
www.thuraya.com
BENTLEY WALKER EXPANDS AVANTI CAPACITY CONTRACT FOR MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA
Satellite service provider Bentley Walker has signed a multimillion-dollar capacity contract with Avanti enabling it to extend its reach across the Middle East and Africa using the Hylas 2 satellite. Bentley Walker plans to use the Ka-band services on Avanti’s Hylas 2 satellite across 6 | SatellitePro | February 2014
Bas Lansdorp, Co-Founder and CEO of Mars One
MARS ONE ANNOUNCES SHORLIST OF POTENTIAL MARTIAN SETTLERS
The Dutch non-profit Mars One has announced its selection of candidates from a pool of more than 200,000 applicants wishing to establish human life on Martian soil. Just 1,058 people were chosen, from which only 24 will take a one-way trip to the Red Planet to form the new human settlement. Before the final colonialists are selected, though, Mars One is planning to establish the first communications satellite network and has chosen Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) to conduct a concept study to develop an interplanetary communications system. In order for the future colony to communicate with Earth, Mars One is planning to use at least two satellites and has contracted Lockheed Martin to develop a mission concept study for its Mars lander spacecraft. Both Lockheed Martin and SSTL will study interplanetary missions conducted by space agencies to determine the unique challenges in operating the spacecraft on Mars. The results are expected in May, according to Bas Lansdorp, Co-Founder and CEO of Mars One, adding that the satellite is scheduled for launch in 2018.
Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Zimbabwe. “The flexibility of Avanti’s network has given us the opportunity to develop a range of both niche and mass market services at affordable prices. Avanti satellites also provide 100% coverage of the key countries that we want to target,” says Anthony Walker, the satellite service provider’s CEO. www.bentley-walker.com
www.mars-one.com
Key Appointments AHMAD AL SHAREEF JOINS THURAYA TELECOMMUNICATIONS Thuraya Telecommunications has appointed Ahmad Al Shareef as Senior Director of Human Resources and Support Operations. As Thuraya’s new head of human resources, Al Shareef is responsible for managing employee relations as well as overseeing the procurement and administration divisions. Al Shareef has significant experience in asset management and financial institutions in the UAE. His background includes working with senior executive teams to ensure the company accomplishes its business plans over the short, medium and long term. He has worked in close collaboration with management teams on organisational optimisation and alignment, improving employee relations and talent retention. Al Shareef holds a Bachelor of Computer Systems Engineering from Boston University.
Iran is set to launch indigenous satellite in February Iran is planning to launch an indigenously designed and manufactured satellite into orbit this month. According to an Iranian aerospace official, the final tests were carried out on several indigenous satellites in January. These include Sharif Sat, developed by Iranian students and academics from Sharif University of Technology, and AUT Sat, developed by Iranian scientists at Amir Kabir University of Technology. Hamid Fazeli, Deputy Head of Iran Space Agency, added that the launch is intended to mark the 10-Day Dawn celebrations, which commemorate the 35th anniversary of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. Sharif Sat, which reportedly weighs less than 50kg, is planned to be placed into a low earth orbit at an altitude between 350km and 500km above the Earth’s surface. The satellite will capture images with a high degree of accuracy and transmit them to stations on Earth. AUT Sat is a monitoring and telecommunications satellite, which weighs 100kg. It is expected to have a lifespan of two years.
www.thuraya.com
SHOJI KOIKE JOINS SAFA TELECOM AS MENA SALES EXECUTIVE Safa Telecom Dubai has appointed Shoji Koike as Senior Sales Executive for the Middle East and North Africa. Within this role, Koike is responsible for driving sales across the MENA region while synergising the IEC group in its entirety. Koike will also be coordinating Safa Telecom’s sales and marketing forces for its business units in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kazakhstan and Afghanistan. He will manage ongoing relationships with partnering companies such as Thuraya, Inmarsat and Iridium, and develop the new correlation with Yahsat. Prior to joining Safa Telecom, Koike was the Regional Sales Manager at SatCom Global for the MENA region, where he spent eight years within this role. Previously, Koike worked for HMC Japan, which was acquired by SatCom Global in 2005, three years after his joining. Koike brings to Safa Telecom 13 years of experience within the satellite industry. www.safa-telecom.com
www.isa.org
O3B SIGNS TRUNKING AGREEMENT WITH PALAU TELECOMS
O3b Networks has announced an agreement to provide O3bTrunk services to Palau Telecoms. The broadband wireless internet provider will use O3b as their backhaul provider from Palau to the internet. The new O3b solution utilises medium earth orbit satellites at much lower altitudes. This means that O3b can offer fibre-like speeds with lower latency, supporting
new cloud-based enterprise and interactive consumer applications. “O3b is an ideal partner for Palau Telecoms because of its low latency and high bandwidth, which offer a significant improvement on what has traditionally been available via geostationary satellites. This will enable Palau Telecoms to deliver more services reliably at a higher quality for our customers in 2014,” says Sam Masang, CEO of Palau Telecoms. www.o3bnetworks.com
February 2014 | SatellitePro | 7
SatNews
SPACECOM BROADCASTS AFRICA’S CHAN FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT IN HD
Es’hailSat, PSG football club partner to broadcast live match Es’hailSat partnered with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) football club for the Qatar Winter Game vs Real Madrid, which took place in Doha last month. The game between two world-class football teams coincided with the effective start of operations of the Qatar Satellite Company’s first satellite, Es’hail 1, at the 26-degrees-East hotspot. Es’hail 1 also broadcast the game live and in HD from Doha throughout the satellite’s footprint, which spans the Middle East and North Africa region. “We are very pleased to be a partner of PSG for the Qatar Winter Game vs Real Madrid. The undisputed popularity of football in our region is a great asset for Es’hailSat to build on to reach our core viewership base throughout the coverage of our satellite Es’hail 1,” says Ali Ahmed Al Kuwari, CEO of Es’hailSat.
Spacecom, the operator of the Amos satellite fleet, was selected to provide broadcast services on Amos-5 at 17 degrees East for the annual Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Orange African Nations Championship (CHAN). Hosted by South Africa, the competition ran from January 11 to February 1, 2014. Every game of the continent’s largest and most prestigious tournament was broadcast in HD via the Amos-5 pan-African C band. The tournament was played by 16 national teams at four sites in South Africa culminating in the championship game in Cape Town. Amos-5 at 17 degrees East is a prime mover of African sporting events. It has transmitted both the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games from London to Africa, the South African Super Rugby Games and most recently the Nedbank Golf Challenge, which is Africa’s leading international golf tournament.
www.eshailsat.qa
THURAYA LAUNCHES SATSLEEVE FOR ANDROID
Thuraya has launched the latest edition of the Thuraya SatSleeve designed for Android-based smartphones. Compatible with the Samsung Galaxy S3 and S4, the new product allows Samsung Galaxy users to turn their own smartphone into a satellite phone to make phone calls, send SMS messages and access apps via Thuraya’s satellite network when they are unable to connect to a terrestrial GSM network. Users only need to dock their Android smartphone into the Thuraya SatSleeve and operate it normally via the Thuraya satellite network. Its built-in SOS button allows users to call one predefined number even without their smartphone attached. The SatSleeve can be used on the Thuraya network either with a Thuraya SIM card or with a standard GSM SIM card available from one of Thuraya’s GSM roaming partners. www.thuraya.com
8 | SatellitePro | February 2014
www.spacecom.com
SatLead
“The explosive rise in demand for data and mobility in recent years has given impetus to teleports in providing VSAT backhauling capacities for point-to-point solutions as well as mobile services� AHMED ALMUHAIDEB, Vice-President of Broadcasting and IPTV Services at du
10 | SatellitePro | February 2014
TELEPORTS: MENA’S SLEEPING BULL The teleport business can significantly boost the satellite industry. However, Adrienne Harebottle discovers that the regional market needs greater development to see the benefits beyond broadcast Most laymen think of a far-out transportation device from a sci-fi movie when they hear of teleports, but these facilities play an important role in driving the global satellite industry – and this is not just in the broadcast sector anymore. Teleports are critical for supporting a range of technologies including cellular backhaul, particularly in emerging markets, as well as new connectivity services such as commson-the-move (COTM), maritime data, commercial air travel connectivity, oil and gas, and mineral exploration. While these new connectivity services benefit from teleports, within the MENA region, broadcast has been impacted the most, says Radi A. Alkhas, CEO of Jordan Media City (JMC). Hosting large playout centres and production studios, JMC has 25 transponders on an array of regional satellites as well as teleport facilities. In 2012, JMC received the Independent Teleport
Operator of the year from the World Teleport Association. According to Alkhas, teleports have facilitated broadcast growth by providing services for playout and scheduling, archiving, encoding and multiplexing, and uplinking to satellites. Teleports have also made it possible for some regional TV channels with smaller budgets to enter the market, he adds. “Moving to digital transmission, that being MPEG2 and MPEG4, the cost of the space segment was reasonable due to teleports and so many low-budget TV channels started operation. At the moment, the business in the MENA region is mainly broadcasting teleports. In the Middle East, teleports are yet to deal with broadband telecom business. But I believe this will eventually happen with the new generation of satellites with Ka-band transponders. “Around 98% of JMC customers are February 2014 | SatellitePro | 11
SatLead
“Teleports need to provide data transportation services and this includes video. The satellite link should be viewed as only one of the ways to provide those services” ROGER FRANKLIN, President and CEO of Crystal Solutions 12 | SatellitePro | February 2014
broadcasting institutions. About 240 channels and 70 radio stations are uplinked to 24 transponders: 17 from Arabsat, seven from Nilesat, one from Hotbird, two from Asiasat and two from Yahsat,” says Alkhas. Ahmed Almuhaideb, Vice-President of Broadcasting and IPTV Services at du, also says teleports in the Middle East are used primarily for broadcast. Du owns and operates Samacom, the Middle East’s largest teleport while the company has plans for capability expansion in the pipeline. According to Almuhaideb, the strong demand for satellite TV in the region is what fuels the broadcast-teleport symbiosis. “Being the gateway for satellite access, teleports play a crucial role in the broadcast sector. This is important because the MENA region has the highest satellite TV penetration in the world. TV and media continue to be the highest source of demand. Potential growth for teleports centre on the provisioning of 4K TV services for live events and digital cinema in theatres,” he says. While broadcast is the main avenue of business, du also notes the trend in
increasing VSAT connectivity for business and mobile service providers. “We find this continuously rising and are currently providing several enterprise solutions to meet this demand. Maritime communication is another major area where teleport operators see potential growth,” says Almuhaideb. “The explosive rise in demand for data and mobility in recent years has given impetus to teleports in providing VSAT backhauling capacities for point-topoint solutions as well as mobile services, making full use of satellites’ wide reach.”
Room for improvement
Despite services benefiting from teleports, the business in the MENA region has plenty room for expansion, says Ahmed Hassan, CEO of Wiseband. According to Hassan, teleports in the MENA region are primarily used for broadcast because the teleport market is not exploited adequately. Market development would see business from other sectors increase, attracting new customers while not taking any away from the broadcast industry, he says. “Teleports could drive the satellite industry
far more. At present, there are few teleports exclusively offering teleport services – most of them are just part of the delivery for the services being offered by the company that owns the teleport. This means their prices are relatively high as there is not enough competition,” he says. “For example, a regional satellite operator will outsource the services of a teleport and offer them as their own services. In return, the teleport operator will sell the satellite operator’s services. Kuwait, for example, has no teleport facilities yet it offers services; the local satellite operator provides uplinking to the United States using fibre, and from the US, they are uplinking to Eutelsat’s satellite at 8 degrees West.” Referring to North Africa, Hassan says most of the teleports were built to provide connectivity for international calls, and while Egypt began using its facilities for different services after this demand declined, other countries did nothing beneficial with the facilities. “After the push-to-talks (PTT) started using fibre, some operators began to use their teleports for other services. But in Libya
for example, the teleports weren’t being used for anything after the PTT carriers switched to fibre. And the same happened in Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. Only Egypt in North Africa is using its teleports for TV broadcasting as part of Nilesat services, and there is no data services uplink being offered,” he says. Identifying a growth trend for new facilities, Hassan sees private companies taking on their own teleports in order to manage their private networks. This is because the costs of large antennae have come down, he says, and, therefore, companies see it worth their while to build their own teleport facilities. “Nowadays, many private companies have started building their own teleports so that they can run and manage their private networks. This is on the back of the prices of large antennae dropping. This is the case with Kuwait Oil Company – it is currently building its own teleport. Another example is Aramco in Saudi Arabia as it already has its own teleport. Companies nowadays having their own teleports to serve their particular needs is a current industry trend and at the very least, this will increase the sales of teleport components. “I believe that this is what private companies should consider doing. I suggest they start to have their own teleports and run VSAT services in-country to secure their information while having better services due to less delays. Wiseband is always
“In the Middle East, teleports are yet to deal with broadband telecom business. But I believe this will eventually happen with the new generation of satellites with Ka-band transponders” RADI A. ALKHAS, CEO of Jordan Media City
February 2014 | SatellitePro | 13
SatLead “Having a shared goal puts us on the same team. Collaboration between independent teleport operators and those traditionally viewed as competitors will lead to growth of the entire pie.”
Challenges facing teleports
“I suggest private companies start to have their own teleports and run VSAT services in-country to secure their information while having better services due to less delays” AHMED HASSAN, CEO of Wiseband keen to encourage this, especially as many customers are unaware of what teleport services are – many think of sci-fi travelling machines when they hear of teleports and because of this, they can view the services as lacking security.” Teleports and satellite operators are increasingly collaborating and co-marketing each other’s services. Robert Kubbernus, CEO of Signalhorn, explains that today’s business requirements also see teleport operators working together with those once considered rivals. Kubbernus says it’s not necessarily a bad thing, seeing this as a way to help develop and drive the industry as a whole. “I believe that partnering is the way forward. On an increasingly regular basis, we find that we are engaged in what people half-jokingly describe as ‘co-opetition’ and working with ‘frien-emies’,” says Kubbernus, adding that Signalhorn is providing part of the customer solution via a third party who is a competitor. 14 | SatellitePro | February 2014
As the business is primarily used for broadcast in the Middle East, teleports are affected by some the challenges facing the broadcast market. This includes the seemingly continuous changes in the laws and regulations of Jordan’s Audiovisual Commission regarding TV and radio channels, says Alkhas. “The political situation has also posed a significant challenge as it resulted in intentional interference of satellite transmissions. Another challenge is posed by low-quality transmission as many TV channels are occupying less than 0.5Mbps,” adds Alkhas. Being a small operator doesn’t help, says Roger Franklin, President and CEO of Crystal Solutions and member of the World Teleport Association. Franklin explains that smaller teleports are disadvantaged by their limited reach, making it much harder to compete with facilities boasting global reach. “Also, it’s a challenge if a teleport is stuck on only satellite connectivity. This is a disadvantage because teleports need to provide data transportation services and this includes video. The satellite link should be viewed as only one of the ways to provide those services,” adds Franklin. Additional obstacles also face smaller teleports, says Franklin, as affordable pointto-point connectivity options eat into their market share. This is evident in the United States, he says, where smaller players are being squeezed out of the media market, which has been a significant mainstay. “Teleports still have media as a major market segment, with the more successful teleports providing more services from production, including promos and commercials, to playout, distribution and affiliate management. However, media is actually a diminishing market for smaller teleports in the United States because of the vast amounts of affordable point-to-point connectivity and consolidation, which leave less business for smaller teleports.”
SatLead
Mitja Lovsin of Satellite
Telecommunications Network (STN) also echoes the difficulty facing smaller teleports. STN was launched in 2004 as a small teleport but has since grown to offer a comprehensive services portfolio with global reach. Lovsin explains that not having the technical capabilities and operations to provide services to extended areas makes it increasingly challenging to compete. “In most cases, teleports in the Middle East and Africa only offer services over their region. This is also the case for the majority of European and American teleports. However, more and more TV and radio channels are looking to gain global distribution of their content. This means that the biggest chance for growth lies with the teleport operators that have the capability to provide such a service,” explains Lovsin. “If the teleport also offers more add-on services, then continued success is almost guaranteed,” he adds.
Growth sectors
“Teleport seems an outdated and incomplete description. In this industry, we need to think of ourselves as an omniport” ROBERT KUBBERNUS, President and CEO of Signalhorn Trusted Networks 16 | SatellitePro | February 2014
Franklin notes that the growth sectors include oil and gas, mining and COTM for military, marine and air. Private networks for enterprise customers are also advantageous, he says, pointing to Walmart as an example, as it had all its stores around the world connected to the headquarters in Arkansas. “I see more metadata in video and data connectivity everywhere all the time as being strong trends for the coming years. Private networks for companies and banks
may be an important business opportunity in the Middle East,” he says. “The evolution of TV can also be good for teleports, as it needs more data and more metadata. Teleports can offer small-scale experimental TV offerings using metadata in new ways to provide additional TV details to customers. Major TV networks can’t afford to experiment on their ‘bread and butter’ TV networks, but they can contract with teleports to take a feed, enhance it with metadata, and run controlled tests to see what works and what doesn’t. The challenge is getting the in-house expertise and finding entrepreneurs that have the ideas for ways to use metadata to enhance the TV experience,” explains Franklin. HD and 3D are part of the evolution of TV, however, according to du and JMC, 3D has not received a strong uptake in the region. “So far, we’ve only seen trial transmissions for 3D-TV. Since 2010, we haven’t seen a lot of interest, however, migration to HDTV continues to be most noticeable in the TV evolution. Perhaps in the next few years, 4K or even 8K may be the trend. But going from SD to HD and beyond requires technologies with highly efficient bandwidth utilisation, otherwise we’ll simply run out of space on satellites and the cost will be forbiddingly high. The continuous development of technologies will also mean a very short life cycle of equipment,” says Almuhaideb. “Broadcasters focus on quality; the trend is to migrate services to HDTV, deploy latest compression technology and improve the efficiency in bandwidth utilisation. Another area of focus is service assurance; making
sure that TV signal is not interrupted even under the most stressful scenarios. Like any other business, broadcasters also continuously look into areas of automation and content transport solutions. As a leading teleport, we’re in a very good position to leverage du’s solutions as a telecom company,” he adds. Alkhas echoes the view that interest in 3D is lacking, however, JMC has not witnessed demand for HD, he says. “To date, 3D has not been successful in the MENA region. At JMC, one 3D channel was under test for a few months but then it was switched off. Within the MENA region, 3D transmissions are limited to sports programmes. At JMC, we are still looking for customers interested in HD productions or transmission. All our local playout is SD as there is no demand yet for HD playout. We are ready, however, to upgrade our studios and playout facilities to HD if we see demand from our customers,” he says. According to Alkhas, JMC addresses
the ebbs in teleport demand by finding new models of business. “These include technical and content monitoring, data banks and virtual studio facilities. We look to offer transmissions to different platforms besides satellite transmission,” he says. Being able to efficiently develop and provide new kinds of capabilities is key, says Kubbernus, explaining that teleport operators need to do much more than simply link networks. “Teleport seems an outdated and incomplete description. In this industry, we need to think of ourselves as an ‘omniport’. No longer do we do a simple turnaround, or link an SCPC star or mesh network. We do much more than that – we have to be from the core to the edge and back to the core again in order to keep customers loyal. Being nimble and open to new ideas and technologies, and further knowing how these can benefit our customers is a big challenge, but it’s what we do every day,” says Kubbernus. PRO
“If the teleport also offers more add-on services, then continued success is almost guaranteed” MITJA LOVSIN, Sales and Marketing Director at STN February 2014 | SatellitePro | 17
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SatVertical: Maritime
TRACKING SHIPS Today’s technology has come a long way and can now enable dots on a map to be transformed into valuable business intelligence
Until only recently, when a ship would set sail for a distant port, nobody knew how the precious cargo of people and goods were faring until they arrived at their destination – or worse, didn’t arrive at all. Shipping is still fraught with dangers – piracy, theft and horrendous hurricanes are not limited to storylines from Pirates of the Caribbean. But today, with modern mobile satellite communications, ship owners and managers can track their fleet’s progress and judge the local conditions that impact the journey such as wind strength and wave height. For example, FleetMon is a satellite-based tracking solution centred around Globalstar’s low earth orbit global constellation, and was developed by maritime February 2014 | SatellitePro | 19
SatVertical: Maritime
“Tracking ships is now pretty straightforward. The harder part of the puzzle is extrapolating information from the facts and figures to understand the implications of the data” FELIX RICHTER, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF CRUISE SYSTEMS
20 | SatellitePro | February 2014
communications solutions provider JAKOTA Cruise Systems. This innovative system is currently used on hundreds of ships, including many registered in the Middle East region. With a Globalstar one-way asset tracking M2M device on each ship, this software does more than put a dot on a nautical chart. It provides a low-cost way of making all the information about the fleet usable and actionable, thereby enabling informed and more rapid decision making. “Tracking ships is now pretty straightforward. The harder part of the puzzle is extrapolating information from the facts and figures to understand the implications of the data,” says Felix Richter, Managing Director of Cruise Systems. The way FleetMon works is through the gathering and use of “intelligence”. The system monitors a ship for several months, and builds a comprehensive picture about the vessel’s performance, monitoring numerous metrics to determine what is typical, expected and acceptable. “When someone charters a ship, the owner contractually agrees service levels for performance, speed and fuel consumption. With the data available from the Globalstar trackers, both parties can ensure they have the facts about speed and the nautical conditions that impact those contractual obligations. When tens of thousands of dollars a day are at
stake, this data is critical,” adds Richter. With the cost of satellite communications falling, and with more value-added information available to leverage, more shipping companies recognise the value of transparency. There are many stakeholders in a long logistics chain, and all of them want to know the ship’s location so they can prepare for delivery dates – or delays – for goods as well as planning for ship maintenance when it is in port. Every moment counts, and maritime operations that are less than 100% efficient mean lost revenues. “FleetMon makes it easy to promote this transparency and keep all stakeholders in the loop, reducing communications overhead, friction loss and idle time,” says Richter. The shipping industry’s focus on driving down costs has resulted in an increase in interest in modelling ship performance. The cornerstone of that modelling is solid long-term tracking data that results in accurate analysis. And still age-old problems like piracy and theft persist despite the rapid pace of technological innovation. “Fortunately today’s satellite devices are so small and autonomous that they can be hidden discreetly without being found by pirates,” concludes Richter. “We can provide peace of mind in a business that is still in daily battle against the elements and the constant potential for theft and piracy.” PRO
SatVertical: Broadcast
NEWS COVERAGE LIKE NEVER BEFORE
Ka-band innovations and bonded wireless solutions bring immediacy to live news while expanding the reach of electronic newsgathering. Bill Nardi of Dejero discusses the breakthroughs from legacy Ku-band satellite systems
22 | SatellitePro | February 2014
With competition heating up among news organisations around the world, the ability to deliver live, broadcast-quality video from field locations has become a critical requirement. In the Middle East, as elsewhere, available options for field newsgathering have drastically evolved in recent years. Not long ago, electronic newsgathering (ENG) technicians had one of three choices for getting a video feed out of a remote site: a fibre line, a microwave truck or a Ku-band satellite connection. Each of these technologies gives the operator complete control over the connection and offers the guaranteed signal capacity required for HD, high-bit-rate video. But microwave and Ku-band satellite systems are not only expensive to acquire, staff and maintain, but it’s not always practical to deploy an ENG or satellite newsgathering (SNG) truck – especially if the news is breaking in a highly remote and rugged location lacking in receive sites and other infrastructure. While legacy microwave and satellite systems will play a prominent role in newsgathering workflows for years to come, cellular ENG solutions that utilise mobile wireless networks have not only become viable, but commonplace in many news operations. The latest generation of bonded wireless transmission solutions has significantly improved broadcasters’ ability to deliver primary and supplemental live video feeds at excellent cost, efficiency and ease of use. Another ENG breakthrough is the emergence of Ka-band IP-over-satellite systems that can acquire live HD video at a fraction of the cost, and with greater portability, than Ku-band SNG terminals.
Whether working standalone or in powerful combination, cellular and Kaband ENG technologies are expanding the reach, flexibility and immediacy of mobile news operations. This is enabling many stations to go live with high-quality HD video in situations and locations that would have been impossible to access with traditional technology.
Ka band: an appealing alternative
Often used to provide high-speed internet connectivity to remote locations, Ka-band systems have several advantages over Ku band. Since Ka operates at extremely high frequencies (in the 30GHz range), the satellite spotbeams can be much smaller than those typical of Ku band. This significantly increases the capacity of the satellite. In fact, the latest Ka-band satellites have 38 times the data capacity of a comparable Ku-band satellite. The extra capacity not only reduces costs, but also minimises the number of people sharing access to the system and thus competing for its resources – an important factor when streaming video. Furthermore, because of the high frequencies of Ka band, mobile news crews can transmit power equivalent to Ku with a smaller, lighter-weight and more portable dish. In fact, many portable Ka terminals can be transported in a car or flown as checked luggage. On the down side, Ka-band satellite transmissions are well-known for susceptibility to rain fade because, as a general rule, the higher the frequency of an RF signal, the more it is absorbed by moisture. Wet weather and sometimes even low cloud cover can cause packet loss
“Stations with robust microwave and satellite capabilities can expand their reach and cover live breaking news from remote locations their competitors can’t access – and in some cases, these technologies are making live shots possible for smaller stations that had no capabilities before” BILL NARDI, Dejero
February 2014 | SatellitePro | 23
SatVertical: Broadcast
and split-second delays, which are not an issue with broadband internet, but could be problematic with broadcast TV.
Cellular bonding grows up
As a viable ENG option for transmitting high-quality HD or SD live video, bonded wireless uplink technologies have come a long way in recent years. Today’s most advanced solutions combine adaptive bitrate bonded cellular engineering with the latest advancements in 3G and 4G LTE mobile technologies and IP-based satellite connectivity, providing built-in modems to support any combination of cellular, Kaband satellite, microwave, and even ethernet and ASI connections. In these solutions, an adaptive bitrate encoder works with intelligent bonding connection management technology to apply the techniques appropriate for each connection type – bonding multiple connections as required to provide maximum throughput and optimal picture quality for each transmission. The result is the superior picture quality that broadcasters demand, including HD video where network conditions permit. In addition to higher-quality video, this multiple bonding approach provides a faster method of transferring files and video clips back for internal studio usage.
The set-up in action
“The latest generation of bonded wireless transmission solutions has significantly improved broadcasters’ ability to deliver primary and supplemental live video feeds at excellent cost, efficiency and ease of use” BILL NARDI, Dejero
24 | SatellitePro | February 2014
For travel to remote locations that are inaccessible by SNG vehicles, all news crews need is a portable Ka terminal, a camcorder and a backpack- or briefcasestyle, ruggedised bonded transmitter. An example of such a transmitter is the LIVE+ 20/20 transmitter manufactured by Dejero. It is designed to be extremely easy to use by non-technical mobile reporters, and provides the ability for broadcast operators to control the transmitter remotely from the studio or base station, or share operation with the field crew. In this manner, operations crew in the broadcast centre can monitor the status and signal strength of each transmitter and advise the camera operators on how to maximise bandwidth for optimal video quality. In another popular configuration, the bonding system provides all of these
capabilities rack-mounted in an SNG or microwave truck, enabling news crews to go live from both traditional and new technologies from the same vehicle even while driving. On start-up, the bonded transmitter auto-detects the presence of available streams and the required video formats, analysing each wireless connection according to its individual characteristics including variable latency, variable loss and variable bandwidth. During a typical Ka-band satellite transmission, the system automatically bonds the satellite link with multiple low-latency cellular connections to maintain the ability to deliver highquality video with latencies of 1.5 seconds or less. If the Ka-band signal starts to drop, the transmitter’s cell modems instantly engage and offsets any lost bandwidth to prevent any interruption in the transmission. Even in ideal conditions when the bulk of data is being sent over satellite, cell bonding takes advantage of the faster throughput of a cellular connection to check for errors and send missing packets – thus leading to an overall decrease in latency on the entire Kaband system, even in damp weather.
Pushing the boundaries
The future is bright for non-traditional ENG approaches such as Ka-band satellite and bonded wireless transmitters, and ongoing innovation will continue to push these technologies into the mainstream of live TV newsgathering. Stations with robust microwave and satellite capabilities can expand their reach even further and cover live breaking news from remote locations their competitors can’t access – and in some cases, these technologies are making live shots possible for smaller stations that had no capabilities before. Bonded wireless solutions have shifted their entire philosophy for gathering and airing the news, and they enable live newsgathering for a fraction of the cost of a single microwave truck. In either instance, Ka-band and bonded wireless solutions are making electronic newsgathering as immediate, portable, reliable and cost-effective as possible. PRO
SatStandards
DVB-SX REALITY CHECK A closer look at DVB-Sx, how it originated and why. Joerg Rockstroh, Product Manager of Modem Technologies at WORK Microwave, takes us through the upgrade developments of the standard Of late, there has been a tremendous amount of debate about whether DVB-Sx is a new standard or an extension to the existing DVB-S2 standard. In short, is DVB-Sx a feature set on top of S2, or a completely new signal form? And if it’s a new signal form, why isn’t it called DVB-S3? Understanding what first motivated the industry to examine establishing a new standard is the best way to cut through the confusion and define DVB-Sx. The DVB-S2 standard has been in place for almost a decade with the core task of providing a physical layer powerful enough to transmit HDTV signals. In addition to that, a set of features targeting the professional markets was added: APSK modulation types, a more efficient IP encapsulation method, the capability to change modulation and FEC rate frame by frame, a way to transmit multiple transport streams over one carrier, and more. All these are features that serve a purpose beyond direct-to-home transmission. To develop the DVB standard, DVB experts needed to anticipate completely new use cases for satellite transmissions. It took some time, but they succeeded for most of the advanced features of the DVB-S2. After overcoming technical and commercial challenges – for example, how to sell variable 26 | SatellitePro | February 2014
bandwidth to IP trunking clients – the DVB-S2 with almost its full set of features is widely used today for professional satellite communication. One of the lesser employed features is the null packet deletion, perhaps its time has not yet arrived, but that is a different story. Because the professional market offers a greater playground for both developers and users than the commercial market, these advanced DVB-S2 features were soon driven to the limits of their capabilities. Link operators with powerful beams and big antennae claimed that they could use even higher modulations than 32APSK.Others claimed that ACM links could sometimes provide more bandwidth if the gap between two ModCods was smaller. Others questioned why carrier spacing could not be reduced by a smaller roll-off factor. This conjecture reached problematic levels when a proprietary system arrived on the market and forced big DVB players to react. DVB procedures require a strong commercial objective for the definition of a new standard. Although the real motivation behind working on a successor to DVB-S2 came from the professional market, the direct-to-home representatives are primarily dictating the direction that these changes will take because the commercial market,
especially set-top boxes, is much bigger and financially more powerful than the professional market. At the same time, one must remember that DVB-S2 succeeded because there is an overlap between commercial and professional applications, enabling everyone to benefit from a powerful and cost-effective common standard. Professional needs must, therefore, also be considered when new features and specifications are discussed. Of course, any subsequent standard driven by professional market technology advancements faces a stringent cost-
“The advanced DVB-S2 features were driven to the limits of their capabilities. Link operators with powerful beams and big antennae claimed that they could use even higher modulations than 32APSK” JOERG ROCKSTROH, PRODUCT MANAGER OF MODEM TECHNOLOGIES AT WORK MICROWAVE
versus-performance challenge, primarily by chip manufacturers who require a large market opportunity before moving forward with new product development. Without ASICs, professional equipment must rely on expensive FPGA-based solutions, however, standardised ASICs require mass market penetration that only commercial applications will provide. The goal, therefore, is to develop ASICs for commercial purposes that can then be applied into the professional space. Additionally, there was some concern within the industry that a next-generation
satellite standard could weaken DVB-S2, even though, after a decade, it might have justified that step. Since it’s infrequent to replace an existing standard with a new one, developers quickly used the DVB-Sx opportunity to add even more requirements to the mix. It was determined that the standard should not only cover higher SNRS and close ModCod gaps, but also work in low SNR scenarios such as mobile and satcom-on-the-move. There were several other “corner case” applications as well, but discussing their relevance would exceed the focus of this
article. The bottom line is that these sets of commercial requirements made it impossible for technical experts and researchers to develop a common, straightforward solution. This means that, when DVB-Sx is written, it will be a loose collection of technical enhancements for certain applications that are sometimes fully compatible with DVB-S2 and sometimes not. The following overview explains which technologies will be part of DVB-Sx and how they interact with DVB-S2. Lower roll-off factors are perhaps the best known aspect of DVB-Sx. There are roll-off February 2014 | SatellitePro | 27
SatStandards
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“Most of today’s TV satellite signals are not even DVB-S2, having never moved from DVB-S. On top of that, there also needs to be UHDTV content or the process will share the fate of 3D TV.” JOERG ROCKSTROH, PRODUCT MANAGER OF MODEM TECHNOLOGIES AT WORK MICROWAVE
28 | SatellitePro | February 2014
factors of 5%, 10% and 15% available and already used on DVB-S2 links, as professional receivers can already cope with that and do not need to be replaced. High Es/N0 modulation types: modulations with 64, 128 and 256 constellation points will be introduced to serve links with Es/N0 of 15 dB and above and new FEC codes will be added. More midrange Es/N0 ModCods: existing DVB-S2 modulation types will be extended by different FEC rates to allow smaller gaps of not more than half a dB in the very common operational range from about 4dB to 15 dB. This is in addition to the higher APSK range that requires a supplement to the DVB-S2 physical layer header. The overall gain especially for applications with fixed modulation types is questionable. The mathematical improvement does not represent gain that could be achieved in a real satellite transmission due to application based constraints such as power and margin. Low SNR modulation types: DVB-Sx will also support transmissions down to -10dB Es/N0. That requires BPSK and spreading. There will be a special framing for embedding into a regular DVB-S2 type signal, whose physical layer signaling no longer works under these conditions. Linear ModCods: a small subset of ModCods will be optimised for linear channel conditions instead of the typically assumed non-linear channel. Simulations showed a possible performance improvement, but it is in the range of tenths of a dB, and only real applications will prove whether this is applicable in some cases or remains simply a theoretical approach. Wideband: Ka-band transponders of several hundred megahertz will be supported. There has already been an annex to DVB-S2, but as no products are yet available it is more likely that wideband devices will operate in DVB-Sx. Superframe structure: an optional constant physical layer framing is about to be specified, mainly to reduce interference. A different framing would result in a new signal structure and, therefore, not be backwards compatible. Pros and cons of this feature still need to be examined. These are, of course, only the initial changes
being considered. Some other technologies that have not been fully specified are still in discussion. One thing is obvious: the expected complexity of integrating these changes means there will be no single DVB-Sx device, but a set of profiles that cover the most common use cases. While DVB-S2 was only divided between a broadcast and professional version, it is likely there will be at least four DVB-Sx profiles. It is worth noting that the professional market is not overly concerned about standardised profiles, preferring to use the technologies that provide the best performance for any given use case. The final question about DVB-Sx will be how it moves into the consumer market. Early suggestions are that it should feature in low-cost VSAT terminals and new set-top boxes in combination with the introduction of UHDTV and HEVC. VSAT terminals have a smaller market share but, since they depend on the system manufacturer, the introduction of DVB-Sx into that product line could be expected to run smoothly. On the broadcast side, technology changes will be far more conservative. Even if UHDTV and HEVC require new hardware and would allow a piggyback DVB-Sx deployment, there is no clarity on how and to what extent this will happen since none of these changes depend on a satellite TV standard. Most of today’s TV satellite signals are not even DVB-S2, having never moved from DVB-S. On top of that, there also needs to be UHDTV content (and today that is limited) or that process will share the fate of previously hyped and little-used 3D TV. The conclusion is that there will be a new satellite transmission standard. A wide adoption would benefit the entire industry and, therefore, be commercially acceptable. There remain technology and commercial challenges, as well as questions about compatibility, which cannot yet be answered definitively since they are still application-specific. When all is said and done, it will be interesting to see which parts of the new Sx technologies will gain the widest acceptance. I will be part of these developments as they happen, and look forward to keeping you updated. PRO
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SatTech
30 | SatellitePro | February 2014
COOL TOOLS
From new launches to impressive technology, this products showcase highlights some of the solutions that are making an impact on the market
Good things come in small packages The SOLO7 Nano HD enables broadcasters to deliver HD images wirelessly. It offers highquality image retention over the wireless link and supports composite, SDI, HD-SDI and HDMI video input formats. Using Cobham COFDM and H.264 encoding technology, this HD digital video transmitter was designed specifically for POV and body-worn applications. Reportedly the smallest HD transmitter in the world, The SOLO7 Nano HD’s size and ultra-low power consumption also make it ideal for unmanned aerial vehicle applications. Extending its long-range broadcasting capability, optional light-weight, low power consumption amplifiers are also available. It offers numerous modulation options to suit various deployments. The DVB-T modulation is for full HD quality and compatibility with existing systems while the Cobham UMVL modulation is for enhanced high-speed operation (ideal for motorsports) FIND and improved performance at high frequencies (6 & 7GHz). Options also include OUT MORE Cobham Narrowband (2.5 MHz), Ultra Narrowband (1.25 MHz) and Ultra-X (625 kHz) The Nano HD will bandwidths, enabling users to share spectrum allocation efficiently. be demonstrated at CABSAT in hall 2, stand B6-30
February 2014 | SatellitePro | 31
SatTech Volicon Meet the Observer RPM family
ETL Systems’ Vulcan, Scorpion mounting system
Volicon designed the Observer Remote Program Monitor (RPM) family for operators of satellite, IPTV and cable, as well as multiple-systems operators. The RPM family enables customers to evaluate the quality of their linear, on-demand and interactive content and advertising automatically at the point of the customer experience, after the set-top box (STB). The solutions use individual STBs to scan through a channel line-up and automatically test services, perform scheduled or triggered recording of advertising or other highvalue content, and provide an interactive tool for real-time troubleshooting.
ETL Systems expanded its V-Series range with the launch of the Vulcan Matrix. The router’s architecture focuses on compactness, routing up to 128 inputs x 128 outputs in a single 16U chassis. It can also be used in conjunction with splitters and combiners to configure larger systems such as 128 x 256 in a 45U rack and 128 x 512 in two racks. This resilient design of the matrix offers redundancy of some critical components and hot-swap of active parts, providing a high-performance solution to frequent signal routing changes. The new passive Splitter/combiner Component Mounting System offers an easy-to-use and cost-effective solution for ETL’s Scorpion range of passive L-band splitter/combiner components in a 1U 19inch chassis.
Content anywhere, anytime Observer Mobile was designed for media executives on the go as it gives users access to content through an iPad or iPhone. The interface can access live Observer streaming along with back-navigation of previously recorded content from both local and remote locations. Broadcasters can play, pause, search and create logged content on demand using their iPad or iPhone. Having this instant access to the final broadcast product helps ensure quality and compliance. The interface has now been enhanced to support multichannel viewing and multiple audio tracks. Additionally, users can select the best bit rate for their viewing device and network connection.
ETL System will be showcasing these products at CABSAT, stand G2-23
Control that’s over the top Discover Volicon’s extensive product range at CABSAT: hall 6, stand 600
Observer OTT enables users to log and monitor the over-the-top (OTT) A/V services used to stream content to computers, tablets and smartphones. This complete and cost-effective solution for multiplatform media delivery offers users insight into how consumers experience streamed content. This is complemented with rich data about the quality of that content. Additionally, the new system also facilitates remote streaming and review, as well as the ability to analyse both unencrypted and encrypted content.
32 | SatellitePro | February 2014
The ENC-300 encoder model will be available at CABSAT: hall 8, stand E8-44
Teracue’s solution for IPTV, live streaming The ENC-300 encoder series is now suitable for cloud-based, live video transcoding services and streaming platforms. The company has added RTSP and RTMP to the encoder family, making the robust H.264 live streaming capabilities available to a wider user base. The ENC-300 hardware encoders safely deliver high-quality master HD streams into the cloud or content delivery network, for further transcoding, transrating and hosting. The company has also released a recording option designed to turn the encoder into a stream recorder, so that live events can be recorded for later distribution. The ENC-300 encoder series offers real-time HD/SD-SDI H.264 encoding for continuous 24/7 operation, boasting “rock-solid” layout without any moving parts. It is compact, made entirely out of metal and fanless, making it ideal for mobile and challenging encoding scenarios. The encoders are certified for environments from -35C to 60C and while they consume maximum 9W they produces no heat or hot air.
SatTech City Com: Universal LNBs
Mayah Communications
City Com offers a range of compact, versatile and powerful analogue and digital low-noise block downconverters (LNB). The CCL 311 Single universal LNB is designed for a single satellite receiver while the CCL 332 Twin universal LNB has a connection for either two receivers or a twin receiver. Accommodating four satellite receivers or two twins, the CCL 344 Quatro universal LNB is switchable with an analogue and digital connection while the CCL 340 Quatro universal LNB is analogue and digital, with a connection of satellite ZF distribution systems (switch over matrixes) or processors.
Offset parabolic antennae City Com provides a range of antenna sizes including 60cm, 75cm and 85cm. They contain aluminium reflectors and are powder coated. The antennae backboards are made from a galvanised steel plates while the LNB support arms are made from aluminium. The antennae have galvanised steel plate mast clamps and locking clamps. Ensuring that the antennae offer the highest quality, City Com will City Com says be exhibiting an even the screws array of products and and nuts used solutions at CABSAT: on the antennae hall 8, stand E8-43 have NIRO finish
The sporty side of live reporting Mayah Communications has a small and light-weight recorder codec capable of transmitting from anywhere, providing an ideal solution for live reporting. While transmitting, the Sporty Portable Reporter Codec can simultaneously record to USB sticks or SD cards. Designed to function as a robust, portable studio, it offers two audio formats: MPEG 4 HEv2 and MPEG 4 AAC ELD. An extra highlight
is its ability to automatically recognise and connect to almost any audio codec and format available. Sporty’s new “Easy-Interface” provides intuitive control of all important parameters while the codec offers state-of-the-art network support. In addition to offering both traditional PSTN and ISDN support, Sporty also opens the way to a whole new world of network connectivity by adding WLAN, UMTS/3G and ethernet to its repertoire.
or a corrosion resistant coating.
CABSAT is considered by many industry professionals as the paramount content management event in the MENA region. For more details about the event, turn to page 36.
34 | SatellitePro | February 2014
Mayah will be exhibiting a host of products at CABSAT: hall 8, stand E8-43
The live transmission on-air tool This iOS smartphone app boasts HQ scouting and reporting, live transmission and logging. It enables intuitive instant broadcast on the fly but the best part is that it’s free. MOBIPhone is an ideal solution for transmitting audio in high quality and low latency. Mayah claims that the latency is so low that challenging real-time interviewing will become easy journalist workflow. Additionally, access to your phone book enables easy calls to other MOBIphone users, while it can also easily connect to Mayah audio codecs.
D-044_Advert_SMI4A6X 30/01/2014 14:24 Page 1
VE 0 A S 30 £
SMi Group - The Organisers of Global MilSatCom present the 2nd Annual
MilSatCom Middle East & Africa
24 - 25
February
2014
AMWAJ ROTANA, JUMEIRAH BEACH RESIDENCE, DUBAI “The leading MilSatCom Middle East Event bringing you in contact with key decision-makers in the MilSatCom Industry” KEYNOTE ADDRESSES FROM: Brigadier Syed Zulfiqar Ali, Commander, Strategic Command of Pakistan Lieutenant Colonel Ali Alshehhi, Manager, Space Reconnaissance Centre, UAE Armed Forces Colonel Katala, Tanzanian People's Defence Forces OTHER CONFERENCE SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
WHY ATTEND THIS EVENT: • Hear direct from the United Arab Emirates Space Reconnaissance Centre about their projects and benefit from their expertise • Learn about new SatCom projects in the Middle East and where you can invest in the future of satellite technology in this region • Get an insight into the issues faced by the MilSatCom industry including space debris and how to combat it • Explore new developments in SatCom in Africa and network with the Nigerian Navy • Investigate how MilSatCom evolves along the chain from the academic research into the finished working product and how academics can help design the best products • Hear about the future of MilSatCom - Telehealth capability and the benefits for the defence forces
Omran Sharaf, Director of Space Image Processing & Analysis, EIAST Nico Stephan, Director and General Manager, LSE Space ME Speaker to be Confirmed, UK MoD* Group Captain Lanre Oluwatoyin, Director, Directorate of Space Technology, Armed Forces of Nigeria Sethu Menon, Researcher, Space Policy Institute Dr Mohamed Mahmoud, Researcher, Integrated Systems Engineering Department, National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences Riaz Lamak, International Director Benchmarking & Validation, GVF Christopher Baugh, President, Northern Sky Research Hannes Potgieter, Product Manager, VASTech Anthony J. Colucci, Vice President Marketing & Sales, Space Systems Loral *Subject to final confirmation
POST CONFERENCE WORKSHOP - 26 FEBRUARY 2014
Flexible, Cost Effective, Multi-Mission Commercial Solutions for Military Forces Hosted by: Shady Ahmed Ali, Business Development Director for MEA at SatCom Direct and Nathan Andrews, Business Development Manager, SatCom Direct International 09.00 - 13.30 SPONSORED BY:
REGISTER ONLINE & SAVE £300 - QUOTE SMI4A6X
www.milsatcom-mea.com Alternatively call us on +44 (0) 20 7827 6000
SatMotoring
SATELLITE SHINES ON ROLLS-ROYCE
The ultra-swanky new Wraith uses GPS maps to achieve unprecedented driving performance. Adrienne Harebottle discusses the car’s Satellite Aided Transmission in a Q&A with Philip Harnett, the Wraith Project Manager
36 | SatellitePro | February 2014
From the pinnacle of high performance to the realm of ultra-luxurious comfort, Philip Harnett left the world of Formula 1 to join Rolls-Royce. The engineer is the project manager for Wraith, arguably the automobile marque’s best grand touring car. I’m sure it’s not necessary to talk about why this luxury vehicle is impressive – what other car brand can be substituted in the expression “it’s the Rolls-Royce of…”? But what is under focus here is the new Wraith’s SAT system, with the acronym standing for: Satellite Aided Transmission. Harnett gives a breakdown of this system, covering its development, the team behind it and how this very cool satellite-related technology has been used.
Q
How does Wraith’s SAT system work?
SAT uses GPS data to ‘know’ where the car is and what is about to come. It does that by superposing the car’s location and meshing that data with the digital mapping system available within the navigation system. The gearbox’s SAT module then determines what course of action it should be ready to make depending on the topography of the digital roadmap it has at its disposal. The system is almost completely internal, with the only external data being received by the high performance GPS receivers built into the car’s infrastructure. Additionally, SAT also takes information from the accelerator to take account of how the car is being driven. Using all this information, it pre-selects the right gear, for example, for the exit of a bend on a sweeping Alpine pass, in town when leaving a roundabout, or when entering a motorway from a slip road.
Q
From where do you get the GPS maps?
The GPS digital road maps are sourced from BMW Group’s trusted digital mapping supplier Navteq bzw Nokia.
Q
How is the data in the GPS maps used?
SAT accesses the topographical data stored in the digital maps to assess the nature of the road, detecting altitude changes both in inclines and descents, as well as turn
intensity, from mild sweeping corners to sinuous hairpins. It also detects roundabouts, junctions and motorway entrances and exits.
Q
How is this data stored and what is the storage capacity of the car?
The digital mapping data is stored in the car’s main memory drive with a 20GB capacity.
Q
What about refreshing the maps?
Q
How long did it take to develop SAT and who was involved?
Q
How did this concept come about?
For added accuracy, the GPS refresh frequency has been optimised to deliver a very high refresh rate.
It was a development by a small group within the in-house power train research and engineering team. They worked closely with colleagues who develop the GPS technology. It took two years from the first idea to developing a concept which could then be taken on by the series development team. This was from 2009 to 2011. It then took about a year and a half to make it into series production.
It was demonstrated to me very shortly after I had begun work as Wraith Project Manager in 2009. I automatically realised that the nature of SAT fits quintessentially within the spirit of effortlessness that Wraith achieves. It offers the direct benefits of self-actuated gear changes without any input required from the driver. Therefore, it delivers new age-led dynamic performance with minimal driver input, remaining true to Rolls-Royce hallmarks of effortless dynamics. PRO RO February 2014 | SatellitePro | 37
SatEvents
MILSATCOM MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA
WHERE: Amwaj Rotana, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai, UAE WHEN: February 24-25, 2014 The second edition of MilSatCom Middle East and Africa is running over two days from February 24 to 25 at the Amwaj Rotana hotel in Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach Residence. The annual event is a prime platform for military players and satellite companies to come together and address the issues facing the regions. Both the Middle East and Africa face extensive security challenges and satcoms help governments and organisations to overcome these, enabling enhanced border surveillance tracking and deployed operations. Because technology and system upgrades occur as requirements evolve, increased awareness and discussions are vital, making MilSatCom MEA a paramount event not to be missed. This year’s instalment will see 16 speakers address a host of crucial topics. The event will focus on the future of military satcoms and accumulating expertise to accelerate the learning and information exchange about this sector. It will gather regional opinion-leaders and key players with backgrounds ranging from operational military satcoms use to satellite development. WEBSITE: www.smi-online.co.uk
38 | SatellitePro | February 2014
SAVE THE DATE
The next three months will see several satellite-related events covering broadcast, content management, maritime communications, broadband and satellite navigation systems. The details below include the venues, dates and main focuses of these must-attend events Dubai International Boat Show
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW
WHERE: Dubai International Marine Club, Mina Seyahi, Dubai, UAE WHEN: March 4-8, 2014 Each year the event attracts more than 26,500 visitors keen to explore the offerings of the exhibitors coming in from more than 50 countries. The popular event showcases all leading marine products, from navigational equipment to communications solutions with everything in between. More than 840 brands and companies will be present as the event showcases the latest in technology and represents leading manufacturers and suppliers. In addition to the latest tech, gadgets and solutions on display, this year’s instalment will see a range of product launches and world premieres. The planned competitions will add extra hype at this must-attend event taking place at the Dubai International Marine Club from March 4 to 8. WEBSITE: www.boatshowdubai.com
BROADBAND MEA
WHERE: JW Marriot Marquis Hotel, Dubai, UAE WHEN: April 7-8, 2014 The Broadband MEA conference and exhibition is dedicated to fixed and wireless solutions, and showcases the latest technology available. It is an ideal platform for service providers and relevant players to demonstrate their offerings and capabilities that are driving broadband innovation in the Middle East and Africa. Running from April 7 to 8 at the JW Marriot Marquis Hotel in Dubai, the event will bring together broadband technical and business executives from the MEA region. With its lineup of technology and solutions, together with its top-quality conference, the event is a prime opportunity for visitors and other professionals to learn about the leading market trends and business pulses. WEBSITE: www.broadbandworldseries.com
CABSAT
WHERE: Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE WHEN: March 11-13, 2014 CABSAT is considered by many digital media professionals as the most important content management event in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Now in its 20th year, CABSAT has formed an alliance with the National Association of Broadcasters Show (NAB Show), which will see the world’s two biggest industry show brands in their field collaborate on a world-class content management conference programme. Running from March 11 to 13 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the agenda will cover the latest trends, technologies and innovations in the global broadcasting and media market. This year’s conference programme will offer an array of new features including the content delivery hub, a sector focused on over-the-top technologies delivering “anywhere, anytime” digital and video content, as well as daily keynote speeches, industry reports and technical programmes, and panel discussions focusing on the latest trends and developments that are shaping global and regional markets. Expecting to once again bring together a range of prominent professionals and key players, CABSAT will see leading technology and solutions showcased as well as numerous product launches. WEBSITE: www.cabsat.com
44992_cabsat_2014_advert_for_broadcast_pro.indd 1
CABSAT
INTERNATIONAL SATELLITE NAVIGATION FORUM 12/24/13 12:47 PM
WHERE: Expocentre Fairgrounds in Moscow, Russia WHEN: April 23-24, 2014
The International Satellite Navigation Forum is preparing for its eighth edition, which will be co-located with the International Exhibition for Navigation Systems, Technologies and Services (Navitech) at the Expocentre Fairgrounds in Moscow from April 23-24, 2014. The forum is an annual event in the field of commercial use of satellite navigation technologies and the Russian navigation system GLONASS. Major thematic sections of the exhibition include in-vehicle navigation and information systems; navigation technologies for land development, survey, design and construction; automotive and personal navigation, equipment, and LBS services; and professional navigation equipment, modules and components. WEBSITES: www.navitech-expo.ru www.glonass-forum.ru February 2014 | SatellitePro | 39
SatGuest Dundee
Ladysmith
THE CYCLIST’S SATELLITE CHALLENGE A sports enthusiast is calling on the industry for a rugged but light-weight solution to keep him connected along the 2,300km mountain-bike trail in South Africa. But as the race is unassisted, the solution isn’t as straightforward as you’d think. Do you have what this avid cyclist is looking for? Every June, around 80 cyclists meet in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa for one of the country’s most gruelling contests: a 2,300km mountain bike race to the Cape. Named the Freedom Challenge, the trail comprises dirt roads and cattle tracks, and crosses several biomes, six mountain ranges and countless valleys. Venturing through unspoilt wilderness, including natural reserves, the trail is highlighted by impressive geological and scenic diversity. While it’s a wonderful and rewarding challenge, it also has its dangers, says Mark Smith, a participating cyclist. “A lot of things could go wrong. To start, a cyclist could get off track and get lost. As the race is unassisted, we’re not allowed to use GPS, and not knowing where you are in Africa could be a dire situation. If you need urgent help for whatever reason, then being out in the middle of nowhere isn’t a good thing, especially as this ‘middle of nowhere’ happens to be within very rugged terrain. “We need a solution that enables us to send a distress signal for emergencies. Our GPS coordinates need to be sent with this SOS call so that emergency teams can find us quickly. While the solution cannot enable the cyclists to use the GPS for navigation, it needs to enable a third party to track and monitor our movements. This way our 40 | SatellitePro | February 2014
friends and family can also raise a flag if they notice we’ve stopped moving. “It would be great if we could have a way to assign a status; for example, if we could indicate that we’ve stopped for a break, or because of a fixable problem with the bike. This way we can indicate the situation as we may not be in an emergency just because we’ve stopped. In more serious scenarios, this would also tell emergency teams what kind of assistance we require. “The solution needs to be small and lightweight; it can’t hinder the cyclist in any way. It would also need to be durable as this is a mountain bike race. The battery life needs to be good although there are opportunities to recharge at the base stations, which are every 100km or so. Typically, we cycle for 12 hours at a time, with some going for longer. There is a 27-day cut off for the race but most do it in around 20 days with the strongest participants finishing in 11 days.” Knowing what a positive impact such a solution could have, Smith contacted SatellitePro in a bid to find out what can be done. We are now presenting the Cyclist’s Satellite Challenge to the industry to see who has the enabling solution. We invite all companies to get in touch with us to showcase their offerings. PRO
BROADCASTING
Fix & Mobile Satellite Service Provider MVSAT
Broadband INTERNET via Satellite
New TV hotspot over the region
Satellite Segment 42
Welcome to NorthTelecom Booth at CABSAT 2014, 11-13 March Hall 2 ,A2-20
44 46 48 50
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T: +971 44529993 F: +97144584662
www.northtelecom.com info@northtelecom.com
North Telecom L.L.C | P.O. Box 113483|Office # 2001 Grosvenor Business Tower / Tecom | Dubai/ U.A.E.
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