SatellitePro ME January 2018

ISSUE 67 | JANUARY 2018

Publication licensed by Dubai Production City

future of mobile 5G mobile connectivity will revolutionise society, with machine connectivity, smart cities and connected cars

nautiCal connectivity Connectivity at sea is no longer a should-have, but a must-have. Reliable networks are the need of the hour

MEET NEWTEC DIALOG THE PLATFORM THAT EMBRACES CHANGE

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VISIT US AT CABSAT 2018 JANUARY 14 - 16 BOOTH ZB1-B30 DUBAI #NewtecDialog www.newtec.eu

SATELLITE 2018 MARCH 12 - 15 BOOTH 2001 WASHINGTON

CONTENTS

DECEMBER 2017 satelliteprome.com

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update

Industry News MBRSC opens entries for Astronaut Programme; UAE endorses Paris Declaration for Space Observatory and more

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cover story

Nautical Transmissions Connectivity onboard maritime vessels is no longer a should-have, but a must-have. Internet connections and streaming are the need of the hour

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comms

The Future of Mobile Marwan BinShakar, Vice President Access and Transport Planning at du, speaks about how 5G is being developed and the

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use cases it will employ once implemented

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whitepaper

Choosing an HTS/ DVB-S2X Platform The development of Ultra HTS and the DVB-S2X standard will drive gains in efficiency, as well as increase performance

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cabsat

A Show Reinvented This year at CABSAT, with a renewed timeline, the show promises hands-on technical learning, inspiring speakers, start-ups and a slew of conferences

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last word

Satellite Switching and AUPPC Alan Young, COO, Crystal, says satellite switching and AUPPC are necessary to keep satellite broadcast on the map

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INTRO

JANUARY 2018 satelliteprome.com

GROUP MANAGiNG DiReCTOR RAZ ISLAM raz.islam@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5483 eDiTORiAL DiReCTOR VIJAYA CHERIAN vijaya.cherian@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5472 eDiTORiAL eDiTOR CLAYTON VALLABHAN clayton.aldo@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5479 sUB eDiTOR AELRED DOYLE aelred.doyle@cpitrademedia.com ADVeRTisiNG

WELCOME Greetings!

This is our first issue of 2018, and I can’t wait to see what surprises in technology and applications we’ll have instore this year.

You can make sure you’ll be able to read all about it in SatellitePro ME. I hope you had a fantastic New Year, and spent a lovely time with your near and dear ones. The New Year is about new beginnings, and making resolutions, both personal and in our work lives. If you think there is something that you need to change about yourself, or the way you are running your company, there is no better time than now. Plan, formulate and execute.

Success is sure to follow.

With CABSAT being shifted to mid-January, the show is looking to gain new ground and reinvent itself. It promises to deliver hands-on technical learning, inspiring speakers, start-ups and a slew of conferences.

The GVF Summit Hub

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returns, and new to CABSAT this year is the Satellite Communications Conference. We’ve included a short rundown of what some of the exhibitors at the show will be showcasing.

There are a lot of new companies, so you never know, it could be the start of a new business opportunity for you.

I hope you have a wonderful January. As always, I’d love to hear your feedback and comments on this issue of the magazine.

Please send me an email, or call the number in the panel to the right. I look forward to meeting you all at CABSAT.

GROUP sALes DiReCTOR SANDIP VIRK sandip.virk@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5483 / +971 50 929 1845 DesiGN ART DiReCTOR SIMON COBON simon.cobon@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 433 2849 DesiGNeR LUCY MCMURRAY MARKeTiNG MARKeTiNG MANAGeR SHEENA SAPSfORD sheena.sapsford@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5498 CiRCULATiON & PRODUCTiON DisTRiBUTiON MANAGeR SUNIL KUMAR sunil.kumar@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5476 PRODUCTiON MANAGeR VIPIN V. VIJAY vipin.vijay@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5713 WeB DeVeLOPMeNT MOHAMMAD AWAIS SADIQ SIDDIQUI fiNANCe ACCOUNTs NAHEED HOOD naheed.hood@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5474 CReDiT CONTROL exeCUTiVe CAMERON CARDOZO cameron.cardozo@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5499 fOUNDeR DOMINIC DE SOUSA (1959-2015) PRiNTeD BY PRINTWELL PRINTINg PRESS LLC

Licensed by TECOM to registered company, CPI Trade Publishing fZ LLC whose registered office is 207 – 209, Building 3, Dubai Studio City, Dubai, UAE. www.cpitrademedia.com

CLAYTON VALLABHAN

Editor SatellitePro ME

The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers.

Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing.

UPDATE

JANUARY 2018 satelliteprome.com

Al Yah 3 arrives in French Guiana NEW SATELLITE

Yahsat and Orbital ATK, a global leader in aerospace and defence technologies, announced that the Al Yah 3 satellite has successfully arrived at its launch site in Kourou, French Guiana. The satellite, the third in Yahsat’s fleet, is scheduled to be launched on an Arianespace rocket on 25 January 2018.

Al Yah 3 is a Ka-band high-throughput satellite that will expand Yahsat’s coverage to an additional 19 markets in Africa and marks Yahsat’s entry into Brazil.

The satellite’s footprint will cover 60% of Africa’s

population and more than 95% of Brazil’s population.

“Al Yah 3 is a significant milestone in realising our vision at Yahsat. Extending our affordable broadband

MDA signs four contracts with CSA coNTrAcTS

MDA, a business unit of Maxar Technologies, today announced that it has signed four contracts with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), and two contract amendments to provide funding for continued support to the robotic operations of the Mobile Servicing System (MSS). The enhancements will streamline operations and reduce operator communication load.

The MSS is an essential component of the ISS and its continued operations enable the CSA to achieve Canada’s obligations and goals as a partner on the ISS. One contract under the Space Technology

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Development Programme is to develop technology to enable autonomous control of future space hardware such as robotic arms, rovers, scientific instruments and satellites.

Another is for a concept study for two rover types: a pressurised rover to transport astronauts on the moon’s surface, and a smaller rover that would first be sent to the moon to collect lunar samples and test the technologies required for the pressurised rover.

The Mobile Servicing System comprises the Canadarm2, a highly dexterous two-armed robotic arm known as Dextre, and the Mobile Base System.

services to 60% of the African population and more than 95% in Brazil, to bridge the digital divide and enable a more connected world, is core to our strategy.

We look forward to the successful launch of Al Yah 3 and thereafter furthering our ambitions via future missions, to support more growth for YahClick and for our other business lines such as commercial in-flight connectivity,” said Yahsat CTO Marcus Vilaca.

“The satellite’s successful delivery highlights the teamwork and cooperation between Orbital ATK and Yahsat that brings us one step closer to advancing our customer’s goals,” said Amer Khouri, VP, Commercial Satellite Business at Orbital ATK.

MBRSC opens entries for Astronaut Programme

HE Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, Director General , MBRSC.

NEW proGrAmmE

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre is now accepting entries for the UAE Astronaut Programme.

At the end of 2018, four carefully selected Emirati candidates will be chosen to form the UAE Astronaut team and undergo a threeyear intensive training programme to enable them to board the International Space Station (ISS).

“I would like to personally thank every single young Emirati man and woman who received well HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s call to become the UAE’s first batch of astronauts and contribute in his or her own way to the future of our determined nation,” said HE Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, Director General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre.

UPDATE

JANUARY 2018 satelliteprome.com

Lockheed Martin and NEC use AI for satellites NEW SATELLITE

Lockheed Martin will use NEC’s System Invariant Analysis Technology (SIAT) in the space domain. SIAT’s advanced analytics engine uses data collected from sensors to learn the behaviour of systems, including computer systems, power plants, factories and buildings, enabling the system itself to automatically detect inconsistencies and prescribe resolutions.

NEC’s advanced AI capabilities and Lockheed Martin’s space domain expertise offer new opportunities in developing enhanced integrated satellite and spacecraft operations with uniquely developed prescriptive analytics.

These include rapid assessments of changes in performance and the space environment, such as the potential influence of space weather on electronics.

“Lockheed Martin and NEC are experts in space and systems, and that’s the right blend to explore how AI can improve space products for astronauts and people on the ground,” said Carl Marchetto, VP of New Ventures at Lockheed Martin Space.

UAE endorses paris Declaration for Space observatory pArTNErShIpS

An official delegation from the UAE Space Agency participated in high-level meetings with international space agencies at the One Planet Summit. The event was hosted in Paris in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron and a number of leaders around the world, and held to coincide with the second anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement.

HE Dr Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, took part in meetings with space agency heads to discuss climate monitoring from space.

At the end of the meetings, the space agencies adopted a common declaration – the ‘Paris Declaration towards a Space Climate Observatory’ in the presence of the French Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The UAE Space Agency was one of the signatories.

The declaration proposes the creation of a space climate observatory (SCO) based on systematic observation of essential climate variables (ECVs), data validation and intercalibration, a strategic architecture for integration of space and in-situ data and models, and a free and open data policy.

Dr Al Ahbabi said: “The UAE has engaged in the fight against climate change and listed this issue amongst its priority targets to maintain the national and international sustainability and growth.

“The UAE has advanced capabilities to monitor Earth through a set of satellites that will contribute to the world’s supply of data and information. Most notably we have KhalifaSat, DubaiSat 1 and 2, a satellite monitoring C02 by MBRSC and the Dubai Municipality, and the Agency’s minisatellite to measure methane in cooperation with Masdar Institute.”

HE Dr Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency.

SES drives 5G satellite testbed demo TESTING

SES is expanding its efforts to support 5G developments as part of ESA’s ARTES project, SATis5, where it will enable demonstrations of satelliteterrestrial integration for 5G networks. The testbed infrastructure will comprise SES’s fleet of GEO and MEO satellites, which will be integrated with terrestrial networks and state-ofthe-art technologies.

In addition to providing the space segment, the SES headquarters in Luxembourg will also host a SATis5 testbed node with prototypes of networks for satellite integration, along with other nodes in Berlin and Erlangen, and an additional portable node.

SATis5 will act as a best-practice pathfinder for the trials, via live demonstrations of 5G satellite use cases such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and massive Internet of Things (mIoT) usage scenarios.

The demonstrations, which will start in 2018, will showcase satellite integration capabilities in a mix of infrastructures for 5G and foster adoption of satellite as part of the 5G architecture. In addition, the SATis5 testbed will support 5G standardisation.

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UPDATE

JANUARY 2018 satelliteprome.com

Arianespace orbits four Galileo satellites NEW SATELLITE

DCS Telecom to use LeoSat satellite solutions pArTNErShIpS

LeoSat Enterprises, which is launching a constellation of up to 108 LEO communications satellites, has entered into an agreement with DCS Telecom, a leading telecoms provider of satellite and networking solutions in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. DCS Telecom will use LeoSat to upgrade its existing satellite solutions, giving customers access to a low-latency network which is expected to improve data connectivity.

LeoSat CCO Ronald van der Breggen said: “LeoSat is taking data networking into space, setting a new bar for high-speed data connectivity. For companies such as DCS Telecom looking to provide innovative connectivity solutions, LeoSat can help to open up new markets and deliver business growth.”

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Arianespace has successfully launched satellites 19, 20, 21 and 22 in the Galileo constellation, using an Ariane 5 heavy launcher on behalf of the European Commission (DG GROW) and under a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA). This was the ninth launch from CSG for the Galileo satellite navigation system, and the second using the Ariane 5 ES version of this launch vehicle.

This launch was the 11th and final of 2017 for Arianespace, and the sixth of the year for Ariane 5; it also marked the 82nd successful mission in a row for the heavy lift launcher.

Arianespace has now orbited a total of 22 Galileo satellites using Soyuz and Ariane 5 launchers.

A last Ariane 5 ES will orbit four more Galileo satellites in 2018, then Ariane 6 will take over in 2020-2021.

An artist’s impression of a Galileo satellite.

Galileo is Europe’s own global navigation satellite system (GNSS).

Under civilian control, it offers guaranteed highprecision positioning around the world. Services began in December 2016, allowing users equipped with Galileoenabled devices to combine Galileo and GPS data for better positioning accuracy.

The complete Galileo constellation will comprise a total of 24 operational satellites (along with spares), 22 of them already orbited by Arianespace.

Following today’s launch, the GSA (European GNSS Agency, in charge of managing and operating the EGNOS and Galileo satellite navigation systems for the EU) will be responsible for operating these satellites as soon as they separate from the launcher. Satellite positioning operations and system operation will be carried out in conjunction with the ESA.

Cobham to reduce GX antenna cost

EqUIpmENT

Cobham Satcom has revealed a new solution that can significantly reduce the cost and simplify the installation and management of Inmarsat GX networks using multiple Kaband antennas.

Compatible with Cobham SATCOM’s SAILOR 100 GX systems, the solution has already received Inmarsat type approval for use with the Inmarsat GX satellite systems, and will save the end-user nearly $10,000 in inital cost.

“Inmarsat welcomes innovations from its long-term hardware partners that aim to simplify the installation and management of Fleet Xpress services, especially in the more challenging operational environments, where reliability and higher quality of service are critical,” said Ronald Spithout, President, Inmarsat Maritime.

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UPDATE

JANUARY 2018 satelliteprome.com

Yahsat signs moU with BLUEToWN pArTNErShIpS

Yahsat signed an MoU with Danish technology and ISP company BLUETOWN at AfricaCom 2017. The partnership agreement aims to connect the unconnected by providing high-performance Kaband satellite internet services combined with BLUETOWN’s last mile solutions in unserved or underserved locations.

The companies will join forces to offer a reliable and sustainable solution to overcome the challenging and harsh terrain conditions in the most remote areas of Africa. The combination of the partners’

Farhad Khan, CCO, Yahsat and Henrik Mølgaard, VP Global Sales at BLUETOWN sign an MoU at Africacom.

technologies will support the distribution of Yahsat internet satellite services to a substantial number of users in communities using BLUETOWN’s last mile solution.

BLUETOWN solutions

vary from single village installations and refugee camps to solutions with up to 200 Wi-Fi hotspots in a 15km radius. All solutions are 100% powered by solar energy with rechargeable batteries as back-up, providing

24/7 internet access. The Wi-Fi hotspots will be backhauled by YahClick, a high-performance satellite broadband service provided by Yahsat.

Commenting on the partnership, Farhad Khan, Yahsat CCO, said: “We look forward to working hand in hand with BLUETOWN to bring universal access to information through a combination of satellite connectivity and Wi-Fi services. By joining forces, we will be able to offer a sustainable internet solution for unserved or underserved communities which is cost-effective, easy to use and reliable.”

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ViaSat-2 reaches GEO orbit at 69.9° West

LIcENcING

An artist’s impression of Viasat-2.

NEW SATELLITE

The ViaSat-2 satellite has successfully arrived in geostationary orbit at 69.9° West longitude, and has transitioned into orbit normal mode (earth pointing) with its reflector and radiator deployments now complete. The company also confirmed the ViaSat-2 satellite has

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Mu Space acquires satellite licence in Thailand

commenced in-orbit testing, including the key milestone of the first end-to-end system test, with the ViaSat-2 satellite transmitting and receiving data to and from the new Viasat ground segment.

ViaSat-2 was launched

by Arianespace from Kourou, French Guiana, on June 1, 2017.

Mu Space has become Thailand’s first space technology start-up to operate a satellite service, after the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission awarded the company a 15-year licence covering the operation of a satellite and provision of satellitebased services until 2032.

Speaking on behalf of mu Space, CTO Samathorn Teankingkaeo said his team plans to differentiate mu Space by providing satellite services that are affordable and easy to install. His team also

promises fast customer support and wide coverage, including in rural communities.

“Rural communities are mostly thinly populated and far from big cities. That’s why only a few companies go there to build telecom infrastructure.

To overcome these challenges and provide rural communities with broadband, using a satellite is the best alternative,” he said.

According to Thailand’s telecom industry database, nearly 12% – 8 million – of the country’s 68 million people have access to broadband.

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APT Satellite Company Limited No.22 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, NT, Hong Kong

COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

of ng n o sti hippi se e u a q cial s , crui rs, r e ng mer hore senge inks o l no . Com k to s r pas ion l s i ty have y bac V fo nicat i v i ect must metr live T mmu n on it’s c tele tream re co d d – r n u boa -have to se ust s e sec n O uld eed s m quir t o h n sh sels ac els re y ves s and l vess p shi nava and

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COVER STORY

The need of the hour is to provide reliable home-to-field communications, as well as to actively track and monitor vessels on the sea. It is business-critical. New waves of technology continue to help maritime service providers cast a wider net, increasing bandwidth data rates, expanding coverage areas and lowering the cost of connectivity for their benefit as much as that of end users.

HTS is the biggest recent change in maritime satcoms. Inmarsat Fleet Xpress, Telenor THOR 7 and Intelsat EpicNG have introduced a huge amount of new bandwidth that is helping ships to operate safer and more efficiently by using a new generation of IP applications.

All of these new satellites use spot beam technology, and Cobham

Maritime connectivity is paramount to telemetry, TV streaming, Internet connectivity and crew welfare.

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SATCOM has been able to introduce a new range of 60cm SAILOR antennas to take advantage of this.

“The antennas weigh just 37kg and are smaller, lower-cost and easier to install than larger antennas, yet can still provide global highbandwidth connectivity. Essentially, our new antennas are opening up the world of maritime broadband to even more vessels. In terms of LEO, we see huge potential here and are involved from the ground up, with a range of land-based SeaTel tracking antennas that enable satellite owners to create their networks,” says Jens Ewerling, Director, Maritime Broadband, Cobham SATCOM. With the coming of LEO constellations, the potential to deliver lower latency and truly global coverage is here. However, it’s important to provide customers with a complete multi-band frequency-

agnostic portfolio, to enable them to achieve the best connectivity according to specific requirements, location and challenges.

As the cost of satellite services has come down, the number of solutions has increased and the ROI of satellite communications investment has been proven.

According to Julian Crudge, Director, Datacomms Division, Telenor, some feel LEO satellites are projected to compete with HTS to offer high-speed connectivity.

This solution, however, can only really be used for the largest vessels, which require significant bandwidth and have the deck space to install two antennas.

“For the majority of maritime users, and with the technology available today, it is not economical to install two antennas. This could change in the future when

COVER STORY

JANUARY 2018 satelliteprome.com

cheaper, flat panel electronically switchable antenna is developed, but these are still some way off being developed,” says Crudge.

There are integral differences between satellite communication on commercial, cruise and naval vessels.

For instance, communication on naval vessels needs to be secure and encrypted so that vital information does not fall into the wrong hands.

HTS enables the use of more online services and opens up new possibilities for computing at sea.

Larger files can be transferred, whether an application, software updates or vessel reference manuals. HTS is bringing the office to mariners at sea.

“Commercial vessels often require small bandwidths, as they typically have fewer crew compared to naval vessels. These vessels would expect larger bandwidth services or bespoke solutions for military applications. Regardless of the requirement, HTS offers the ability to provide affordable, high data rate services to both sectors,” explains Crudge.

Ewerling says that from an antenna perspective the core technology is the same, but more tests and approvals are needed to ensure the hardware can withstand the extreme environments that may be encountered by naval vessels.

With regard to HTS, he thinks navies will make use of the newly available bandwidth for similar applications that commercial operators, require, such as crew welfare and ship and fleet efficiency.

Tore Morten Olsen, President, Maritime at Marlink, thinks the biggest difference is the closed and encrypted nature of communication networks required for security and secrecy in a defence context.

“In terms of applications, outside the military-specific requirements, naval vessels have similar demands to commercial vessels. Navies are also eager to be as cost-effective

Julian Crudge, Director, Datacomms Division, Telenor.

For the majority of maritime users, and with the technology available today, it is not economical to install two antennas. This could change in the future when cheaper flat panel electronically switchable antenna is developed” Julian Crudge, Director, Datacomms Division, Telenor as commercial operators, so they are also using commercial satcom services to harness the power of data to help them operate more efficiently, by reducing fuel consumption or improving service and maintenance processes.

Crew welfare is, of course, an important application. Whether you are delivering containers from Singapore or patrolling the Gulf of Aden for pirates, crew still need to be able to stay in touch with friends and family. Considering HTS, it’s simply a case that it brings much more bandwidth, enabling more access to satcom globally, additional

to higher throughputs,” he says.

When it comes to tracking ships on the sea, there are numerous systems that not only help ensure ship safety but also provide important data for the overall smooth running of the industry.

Crudge explains: “An Automatic Identification System (AIS) for navigation and tracking helps to pinpoint as well as send and receive the exact location of the ships along with other navigational statistics. The Vessel Monitoring and Management System (VMS) sources the location of ships across the world and monitors and manages traffic at sea with the assistance of a global positioning system (GPS). It also helps in the transfer of important weather and environmental data.

“For merchant vessels, an Automated Manifest System (AMS) requires ships to enter the details of the cargo carried by them to manage security at maritime ports. Possibly the most important is a Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS), which uses a communication channel to send and receive distress signals of ships in danger.”

Olsen adds that most ship owners either ping the gyro location on the vessel or use GPS. This location information is then transmitted back to shore to provide HQ and others full information of a vessel’s position. Many vessels also use Long Range Information and Tracking (LRIT) systems.

Globalstar has created a system called SmartOne which uses motion sensors, comparative GPS positions and sensors to gather and transmit maritime fleet information over Globalstar’s satellite network. It dynamically reports asset status and monitors faults to significantly enhance operating efficiency.

Citing an example of its use, Gavan Murphy, Director of Marketing, EMEA, Globalstar, says:

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COVER STORY

“A solution based on SmartOne is Jakota Cruise Systems’ FleetMon, which provides details about when ships will arrive at a certain port for efficient supply chain management. It provides a realtime view of the marine traffic, from its global database of 375,000 vessels down to a single ship.”

HTS has also brought more capacity to maritime users in general, which is especially important for meeting all the demand in congested areas, and for high bandwidth users. It delivers much higher capacity than traditional satellite services, at a fraction of the cost. Today, HTS satellites can provide tens of Gbps, many times the capacity offered by conventional Ku-band satellites. This is possible because HTS satellites have up to 100 spot beams using frequency-reuse technology, so existing frequencies are transmitted multiple times within the same footprint.

Olsen says: “HTS also brings

Jens Ewerling, Director, Maritime Broadband, Cobham SATCOM.

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with it the possibility for higher upload and download speed, which is important as more vessels move towards digital operations.

For most users, HTS satellites are more efficient and, therefore, allows more vessels to enjoy real broadband at affordable rates.”

Crudge adds: “As data download speeds increase, the use of HTS technology enables many new applications to be developed, from video surveillance, remote operations, onboard telemetry, web TV streaming, onboard training for remote operators and remote diagnostics via augmented reality glasses.”

However, even with the best technology and high-speed satellite links, there are limitations.

Some frequencies are less resilient to obstacles such as rain fade, which may cause limitations in throughput speeds.

Furthermore, some frequencies also have limitations in terms of the throughput they can provide.

Olsen says: “The size of antenna can bring certain limitations and the modem technology also limits what is possible to process. The technology is indeed improving, so the limitations become less of an issue. In terms of bandwidth or internet speed in general, there will always be a limitation with the use of technology overall. The needle, however, is moving and what seemed impossible a few years ago is now widely available in the market.”

“In July last year, we provided a 300Mbps service for the maiden voyage of MSC Meraviglia, a new mega cruise ship. In December, we increased this to 580Mbps for the maiden voyage of another state-of-the-art new MSC cruise ship. These kinds of speeds are setting records, showing just what the Marlink network can achieve for vessels with the highest demands for bandwidth.”

Ewerling of Cobham SATCOM says limitations caused by rain and humidity can be combated if L-band

Gavan Murphy, Director of Marketing EMEA, Globalstar.

COVER STORY

satellite receive antennas are used.

“In most cases, a back-up solution such as Inmarsat FleetBroadband or Iridium is used to accommodate this issue, as the L-band frequency doesn’t have the same sensitivity as Ka-band. Cobham Satcom’s SAILOR FleetBroadband and Iridium systems can be easily integrated in networks with our Ka-band VSAT antennas, ensuring that our customers can get a complete, highly reliable solution from a single provider.”

Another issue raised was standardisation of equipment. The maritime satellite industry has a lot of different types of equipment that work specifically with certain satellites. This means that as a vessel moves through the ocean, it might lose communication with the satellite its antenna was designed for and switch to another satellite, at a higher cost per bit.

Crudge explains: “One of the main drawbacks in the way that the maritime satellite industry is organised is that today there is very little standardisation of equipment, with no possibility of true satellite roaming between different operators. Therefore, unlike the GSM world, most of the technology used for satellite communications can only be operated on a compatible system, which therefore limits the possibility of true mass market appeal. As long as this remains, satellite will still remain a relatively expensive niche market product.”

Moving forward, our experts and industry gurus agree that the future does look promising for the maritime communications industry.

Technology is evolving, creating hardware that is more compact and even more resilient in harsh conditions, as well as limiting factors such as fade. There are also improvements in the software used to interact with land bases and between vessels. LEO satellites will

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Tore Morten Olsen, President, Maritime, Marlink.

In terms of bandwidth or Internet speed in general, there will always be limitation with the use of technology overall, however the needle is moving and what seemed impossible a few years ago is now widely available in the market” Tore Morten Olsen, President, Maritime, Marlink herald lower latency, while HTS promises higher speeds at lower costs with focused spot beams.

Murphy says: “We are seeing an explosion in creativity with new use cases driven by the growth of IoT. Many of the new applications are taking advantage of hybrid communications, automatically switching between satellite and GSM or RFID to optimise communications reach and cost for every environment.

We believe we will continue to see innovation thanks to shrinking satellite chipsets, extended battery life and new software services.”

Olsen thinks that, like any other technology, the hardware is always evolving. In the case of maritime satcom, this is usually based on accommodating evergrowing throughput and the satellite systems being launched.

“Modem technology needs to continually adapt, and we do work with several providers to make this happen. In terms of maritime stabilised antennas, the technology is really defined by the physics, so in terms of mechanics they are very mature by now. However, new spot beam satellites are enabling smaller antennas to provide similar link performance to larger antennas, at least in specific regions. Whether we’ll see the size drop below 60cm as a hard limit, though, we don’t yet know. There is room to improve antennas in terms of software and we see that manufacturers are introducing more features like remote monitoring and access for trouble shooting. It’s this area of functionality that allows service providers like Marlink to deliver even more availability of service, so we are keen to see where the developments go next,” he says.

Crudge says that in recent years, Cobham SATCOM has started to put even more focus on software. Its current generation antennas are fully software controlled, which means they are much easier for service providers to work with, further improving the quality of service.

“We have developed a number of unique ways to access our antennas remotely too, meaning that more servicing can be done from shore, which can save costs by reducing the need for engineers to visit a ship. While we are confident that our antenna software is the most advanced available today, we continue to develop new functionality that will support service providers and end users to get the most from our antennas,” concludes Crudge.

COMMS

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COMMS

the future of Mobile

Marwan BinShakar, Vice President Access and Transport Planning at du, speaks about how 5G is being developed and the use cases it will employ once implemented

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COMMS

5G is the future and the next generation of mobile networks.

Innovation in the UAE for 5G is going to play an important role in everyone’s lives, whether it be personal or business. Du is spearheading the future of mobile communication by taking part in standardisation and working closely with the GSMA, TRA and vendors to make the UAE one of the early adopters of this revolutionary mobile technology.

According to the latest regional Ericsson Mobility Report, the first 5G subscriptions in the MENA region are expected between 2020 and 2022, reaching around 17 million by 2023.

The MEA region, which makes up more than 70 countries, faces extreme market variations in terms of ICT maturity, but the report nonetheless predicts region-wide growth in mobile subscriptions from 1.59 million to 2.03 million by 2023. The MEA region will also have a nearly five-fold increase in LTE subscriptions, from 190 million to 860 million, in the same timeframe.

Marwan BinShakar, Vice President Access and Transport Planning at du, says each generation of technology has its own use, applications and capabilities that contribute to the user experience.

“Before 4G, there was 3G and 2G. With 4G, it enhances your data experience by using streaming internet on smartphones at a very high speed. Today, 4G is giving us a speed of 150Mbps and will soon reach 300Mbps. The evolution of 4G has not been completed yet, and it will be a phased evolution to speeds of up to 450Mbps and

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Marwan BinShakar, Vice President Access and Transport Planning, du

Currently, 4G has certain standards, but 5G will help develop smart cities, which will be based on sensors which measure temperature or metering systems. This will all be synced. 5G will aid in all this connectivity, as well as aiding in virtual reality and augmented reality, which need very high bandwidth” Marwan BinShakar, Vice President Access and Transport Planning, du max out at 1Gbps. This evolution will lead to the preparation for 5G,” says BinShakar.

The significance of 4G LTE is measured by speed and user experience. When 5G arrives, it will be a completely different technology. As the fifthgeneration experience, it will not only support the normal user – it will support machines and cities and contribute to entire societies.

“There will be three major differences. It will be very high speed compared to 4G, which will exceed 1Gbps and evolve to 5Gbps. There will be very low latency, so the return time for the service will significantly reduce. It will also have massive machine connectivity, which can spread over many kilometres.

All these will make a major difference to current generation mobile technology,” he says.

The most important difference will be seen in use cases. For normal users, 4G is more than enough to provide high speeds for video streaming and other scenarios of internet connectivity.

Use cases for 5G involve massive machine connectivity.

There are cases of critical connectivity which need very quick response times, such as self-driving cars or assisteddriving cars. Certain technologies will target cars connected initially through the current 4G network, with the following generation connected to the 5G network.

It can help doctors and surgeons working with critical medicine over the internet.

In current 4G scenarios, there is a latency of 3040ms. With the evolution of robots for manufacturing in factories, there is a need for very quick connectivity.

“Currently, you will have to install fibre lines throughout the factory because 4G cannot support these demands due to a high latency rate, but with the evolution into 5G, this will all disappear. Currently, 4G has certain standards, but 5G will help develop smart cities, which will be based on sensors which measure temperature or metering systems. This will all be synced. 5G will aid in all this connectivity, as well as aiding in virtual reality and augmented

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reality, which need very high bandwidth. Globally, AR/VR has a huge growth potential with a market value expected to be approximately $110 billion by 2025. This can only be fuelled with 5G,” explains BinShakar.

Another case that 5G will enhance is the current fixed network. There will be no need for wired connections to the home, with everything connected by mobile technology.

As for timing for the full service to be delivered, the first 5G standard will be confirmed in Q1 2018. This will be followed by the first commercial

The evolution of 4G has not been completed yet, and it will be a phased evolution to speeds of up to 450Mbps and max out at 1Gbps.

This evolution will lead to the preparation for 5G connectivity” Marwan BinShakar, Vice President Access and Transport Planning, du

launch by the end of 2018.

BinShakar describes the technology as being akin to the warp drives on the Starship Enterprise – something that will go beyond many Star Trek fans’ wildest dreams. He says: “5G technology will not be rolled out like previous generations.

It will be gradually released in phases. The first roll-out will be high-speed connectivity, this will then be followed by low latency and lastly massive machine connectivity. This will take about four years to be completely mainstream.

“Du is currently working on Du recently hosted two meetings for the GSMA, for the Terminal Steering Group.

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LTE-Advanced, where there are two carriers serving in 4G. In 2018 we will have three carriers, which will give us higher speeds and more capacity for users.

We are doing this as a result of increased data usage. People started with 2GB data plans, and we see nowadays that some customers feel that even 25GB is not sufficient for them. All this helps with the preparation of infrastructure as well. With fibre, we are making sure that we are fully connected to all sites to make sure that we are ready to back up all the data of 5G connectivity.”

In the process, du is contributing to the standardisation of 5G and working closely with vendors.

The telco has carried out trials and is working with the regulator as well. This is all so that the

UAE will be one of the early adopters of 5G technology.

“We have submitted a study to the TRA focusing on 5G, and we are sure there will be an announcement soon on the rollout of this technology. 5G will be a big revolution and needs a lot of work from all aspects, right from standardisation to the vendor manufacturing equipment like terminals and handsets. There will be a lot of focus on the use cases of 5G to justify the business model,” explains BinShakar.

Du recently hosted two meetings for the GSMA, for the Terminal Steering Group (TSG), which took place in Dubai November 28-30 2017. Major topics discussed included 5G, IoT and e-SIM evolution, with the attendance of delegates from the global telecom industry.

The TSG facilitates operator and vendor alignment in order to drive terminal-related matters for the benefit of the entire mobile ecosystem.

Du is also the first full Global Certification Forum (GCF) member in the Middle East, and the first Field Trial qualified network operator.

GCF is a market representation partner of 3GPP and liaises with a number of standards bodies and industry organisations to support the successful development and deployment of 5G. “Our target is to bridge the standardisation and implementation, which will lead to quicker time-to-market, reduction of cost and up-todate services and technologies,” concludes BinShakar.

One of the leading Data Connectivity providers in the MENA region for Mobile backhaul and Mobility

Meet us at Cabsat 2018 14-16 January 2018 Stand No: Hall 2, D30 World Trade Center, Dubai

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FIVE CONSIDERATIONS for Choosing an hTs/DVB-s2X PlaTform HTS is changing the world of satellite and creating massive opportunities in the market. The development of Ultra HTS and the DVB-S2X standard will drive gains in efficiency, as well as increase performance The satellite communications industry is entering a new phase of growth.

Today, wave after wave of High Throughput Satellite (HTS) capacity is transforming satellite economics and creating vast market opportunities. And we are now seeing the emergence of Ultra High Throughput Satellites (UHTS) and the DVB-S2X standard to drive unprecedented gains in performance and efficiency.

How satellite operators and service providers leverage HTS and DVB-S2X technology will largely determine how they capitalise on growth opportunities.

And as they plan their migration forward, they must consider what ground infrastructure capabilities will equip them with the greatest competitive advantage.

How will their platform address the constant need for higher throughput? Can the platform manage scale at the right cost and pace? Will it equip you to be everready for new changes coming from every direction and in rapid succession — such as new network applications, new end-user markets and the next wave of satellites?

Here are five critical points to consider for harnessing HTS and

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DVB-S2X to its fullest and being ready for the future of our industry.

Enable Higher Capacity Efficiencies HTS, when combined with the right remote RF capabilities, delivers higher efficiencies and performance, effectively lowering the cost per bit of satellite capacity. The key to reaching the highest gains though, is to implement the highest possible MODCODs and saturate the wideband transponders — oftentimes with optimal carrier configurations.

The DVB-S2X standard defines higher modulations ranging up to

256APSK and standardised roll-off factors down from 20% to 5%. The right ground infrastructure platform should offer all these choices and provide full Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM) capabilities not just on the outbound, but also provide adaptivity on the inbound to harness the larger HTS transponders in the most efficient way.

With the introduction of Ultra High Throughput Satellite (UHTS), a platform must support even larger transponders (500 MHz) with highly efficient carrier configurations utilising new transmissionmethods such as DVB-S2X superframes and

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time slicing to maximise efficiencies and throughput at the remote side.

Another important measure of bandwidth performance is how well a platform can source and allocate satellite capacity across many spot beams. Look for a solution that can integrate any type of capacity into a global bandwidth pool, and then enables you to dynamically allocate bandwidth as needed to create tiered Service Level Agreements (SLAs). The ability to create highly flexible and customised service plans in a shared bandwidth pool will allow you to sell different services and monetise their capacity in the most effective way.

When DVB-S2X is implemented to its fullest, satellite operators can design next-generation architectures with features like beam hopping to adjust their payloads based on realtime demand on the ground. This capability will drive revolutionary efficiency gains in the years ahead.

Intelligent payloads require the integration of ground and space infrastructures to measure and respond to demand. So when satellite operators are designing their next-generation payloads, they need a ground infrastructure partner that can support intelligent payloads on their platforms.

Implement Intelligent Terminals The remote design enabled with full DVB-S2X capabilities is a critical aspect of delivering performance and efficiency gains to the overall solution.

Traditionally, satellite remote performance and features were overengineered to future capabilities to avoid having to swap out the remotes soon after rollout. The features were largely encoded in hardware, and payas-yougrow, while well established for various hub-side capabilities, were not available for remotes. As such, the latest remotes carry a high cost to operate and could become a

Plus, these solutions reduce the hardware and energy footprint, lower deployment costs and better meet service requirements. Look for a provider with a full range of remote capabilities and form factors that operate on a common platform across all markets.

network’s single greatest cost factor when rolling out large networks.

Today, service providers need a remote solution that’s engineered with a high degree of flexibility to adapt to changing requirements while only paying for the capabilities that you really need at any given time. Through software-defined and reprogrammable remote architectures, the next generation of remotes can be continually upgraded over the air to increase network capabilities and throughput levels, while dramatically extending the deployment life in the field. This software-defined architecture also allows to incorporate support for other waveforms in the future, whether for working more efficiently on different GEO HTS platforms or different orbits such as MEO and LEO altogether.

A related architectural change in the remote design is called edge computing, where remotes combine the manufacturer’s core technology with third-party applications to create one-box solutions. This extends remote field life while providing rapid access to new capabilities that can drive revenue.

Scale Cost-Effectively When it comes to scaling a satellite communications network, hub-side infrastructure is one of the largest capital expenses service providers face. In fact, the infrastructure decision can make or break the ability to profitably expand, enter new markets and introduce new services.

With HTS and DVB-S2X, this reality has reached a new level of importance. With greater demand for higher throughputs and more satellite bandwidth comes the need to deploy and manage largescale networks. Network operators need to change the cost model for ground infrastructure deployment, keeping up with demand without dramatically increasing capital and operating expenses.

Today, there are key advances in gateway technology. Consider hub solutions leveraging virtualisation for processing capabilities that significantly increase the teleport’s capabilities to support extensive networks and higher throughputs in the same space.

When you can achieve greatly improved density, it results in a massive footprint reduction, decreasing cooling and IT management expenses. Operating large networks spanning multiple spot beams versus one wide beam can make scaling more challenging for service providers, especially when expanding into new service areas.

With the right bandwidth management capabilities, satellite operators can manage Mbps across multiple spot beams and create a virtual bandwidth pool for service providers to use. This will allow

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service providers to not have to operate many spot beams but instead use the advantages of virtual network operations and still be in control of their own SLAs and service offerings to their end customers.

With this bandwidth management capabilities optimised for HTS multi-spot beam operation, satellite operators now have the flexibility to sell wholesale capacity, offer managed Mbps services or offer vertically integrated solutions that encompass the entire value chain. As for service providers, they now have the ability to choose from different business models while managing a blended capacity and managed services portfolio all on one platform.

Enable Mainstream Network Integration Today, satellite connectivity is undergoing a technology and business transformation, overcoming barriers of interoperability to become part of mainstream converged services and dramatically expand its role in the global communications landscape. And because HTS is transforming the economics of satellite service, operators can strongly position satellite as a viable part of the end-to-end network.

The key to full mainstream adoption is for satellite networks to be defined by modern telco standards such as 4G/5G and Evolved Packet Core (EPC). A satellite platform should also support Layer 2 over Satellite (L2oS) capabilities. This offers the option to run a network in a Layer 2 bridging mode with high efficiency as an alternative to the traditional Layer 3 mode architecture. This allows a variety of modern, converged network architectures to be implemented, with easy integration with terrestrial networks and the ability to pass any Layer 3 protocol desired.

A platform that can take advantage of virtualised components and share virtual environments

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with cellular and telco functions such as Network Function Virtualisation (NFV) and Software defined Networking (SDN) should also be a strong factor to move towards converged networks and enabling the unification of different networks through virtualised functions that allow for devices to roam across any access network.

And for true integration, a satellite platform’s management system must sync with a carrier’s existing Operational Support Systems (OSS) and Business Support Systems (BSS). Through full OSS/ BSS integration, with the help of APIs, it’s easier to scale operations. The ultimate goal is a fully automated, programmable and orchestrated network that delivers service on demand to meet any requirement rapidly and cost-effectively.

Make it Mobile Combining HTS with mobility

applications presents a major challenge when it comes to managing complex SLAs across a large coverage area that spans multiple spot beams.

Consider a scenario where hundreds of airplanes or maritime vessels demand different bandwidth levels as they travel frequently across spot beams and distribute bandwidth to diverse users onboard running dynamic applications without major service interruptions.

Meeting the needs of mobility networks requires several specialised technologies. Look for a platform with a robust feature that can enable seamless connectivity in a high-speed mobility environment.

This includes the ability for fast beam switching with no manual intervention across multiple satellite footprints in a high-speed environment. Internet sessions should not be interrupted as the plane moves through several beams on a flight. Features such as Doppler compensation, fast reacquisition after blockage and make-before-break are all working in sync to increase the seamless user experience.

In the future, ensuring seamless and consistent global coverage will require provider-to-provider service roaming. A ground infrastructure provider should therefore have a plan to offer this capability – enabling

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a customer to roam from a home network to a guest network while maintaining home service plans.

The iDirect Solution: HTS and DVB-S2X iDirect’s technology strategy enables our customers to deliver the highest speed, the greatest efficiency and operate the most cost-effective networks over HTS and DVB-S2X. DVB-S2X Software and Hub Hardware. The transition to DVBS2X starts with the new software release that enables the existing Universal Line Card to run in DVBS2X mode, in Evolution or iDirect Velocity networks. These line cards operate in our existing Universal Hub chassis and support up to 119 Msps (or 125 MHz) in DVB-S2X mode with MODCODs up to 256APSK to achieve greater throughput on the same amount of bandwidth. iQ Remote Series. The iQ Series is iDirect’s next-generation DVB-S2/ DVB-S2X remote portfolio that features a programmable ASIC chipset, customised to exploit the capabilities of the DVB-S2X standard and optimised for iDirect’s highest performing Adaptive TDMA waveform. The iQ Series brings unprecedented performance in a futureproof software-defined architecture design. The iQ Series is designed to meet the needs of both fixed and mobility networks within a wide range of performance scenarios and software licensing features for pay-as-you-grow features. The iQ Series is targeted for broadband, enterprise and mobility applications and will be packaged in desktop, board-level and rack-mount form factors. iDirect Intelligent Gateway.

Featuring up to four powerful blades in a fully redundant virtualised configuration, the Intelligent Gateway supports

dozens of protocol processors (PPs), while future proofing the gateway infrastructure for largescale growth of your networks. The greatly improved density at the teleport results in a massive footprint reduction, decreasing cooling and IT management expenses, while vastly improving performance.

forms of managed service offerings.

The iDirect Solution: HTS and DVB-S2X Edge computing. Bringing greater intelligence to the customer edge boosts opportunity for softwaredefined service models. iDirect is adding embedded computing capabilities to our remotes so service providers can couple iDirect’s leading-class technology with thirdparty applications to create one-box solutions. This extends remote field life while providing rapid access to new capabilities that can drive revenue. Plus, the solutions reduce the hardware and energy footprint, lower deployment costs and better meet service requirements.

Superior network management.

A comprehensive Network Management System (NMS) to manage large-scale deployments, monitor network activity, drive profitability and integrate with third-party network management and operational support systems through open APIs.

iDirect mobility. Features advanced mobility capabilities so that fast-moving remote terminals can automatically cross multiple spot beams within a short period of time while maintaining a seamless IP session.

Global bandwidth management: Enables operators to manage a single bandwidth pool to ensure a customer’s complex SLAs across a large coverage area spanning multiple spot beams.

This includes load-balancing options for optimised spot-beam management in mobility networks.

Flexible core architecture.

Manage an increasingly diverse and integrated network portfolio that comprises multiple satellites, frequency bands, market applications and network technologies, and optimised for offering different

Modular design for scalability.

A hub chassis, which is designed to be populated with network line cards that can be upgraded with licensable features, enables HTS operators to increase throughput rates based on network demands.

A New Model for Your Success More than ever, satellite operators need a platform that can deliver the right throughput rate at the right cost, run large networks costeffectively, deploy new services rapidly- and continually stay ahead of the pace of technology. They need a platform that’s highly reliable, that can position them to serve any geography or vertical market and with advanced tools to run a tight operation. And they need a technology they can invest in smartly - entering the market affordably, capturing revenue quickly and scaling in line with business demand.

A ground infrastructure platform must be designed to address the broad diversity of requirements and opportunities represented by HTS and DVB-S2X. Your goal should be to invest in a single platform, not multiple solutions, that will create the greatest landscape of opportunity.

And continuity is crucial; invest in a platform that protects and builds on your current technology investment.

Consider iDirect as the right choice for your next DVB-S2X platform.

By Nikola Kromer, Sr. Director of Product Marketing, iDirect http://www.idirect.net

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a SHOW Reinvented This year at CABSAT, with a renewed timeline, the show promises hands-on technical learning, inspiring speakers, start-ups and a slew of conferences

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CABSAT2018

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CABSAT2018

CABSAT, which takes place in January, will once again feature the GVF Satellite Hub Summit on the second and third days of the exhibition, again preceded on the first day of the show by the DWTC satellite industry programme, which in 2018 is entitled the Satellite Communications Conference. Martin Jarrold, Chief, International Programme Development, GVF, will be the Chairman of both events.

The Satellite Communications Conference and the GVF Hub Summit will comprise mutually reinforcing programmes of satellite sector and satellite solutions end user perspectives, with a first day emphasis on strategic analysis of various user markets and a second and third day focus on interactive panel sessions which will offer detailed examination of core themes within today’s industry environment, such as the VSAT mobility market, spectrum for satcom generations, HTS dynamics,

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Martin Jarrold, Chief, International Programme Development, GVF.

satellite and 5G, interference initiatives, cyber security dynamics, and orbital debris.

Introduced to bring important content and keen industry debate to the CABSAT exhibition in 2015, the GVF Satellite Hub Summit already has a threeyear proven track record in attracting exhibition attendees to join solutions provider and solutions user dialogues. Now, for 2018, the satellite programme has again been extended, with the Satellite Communications Conference as a further platform to bring an enhanced value-

Audience members from last year’s GVF Satellite Hub Summit.

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added experience to the CABSAT exhibition attendees. With this in view, the combined focus of the Satellite Communications Conference and the interactive panel-based GVF Satellite Hub Summit has secured participation from a wide circle of solutions providers and solutions users.

The thematic line-up for the 14th January Satellite Communications Conference includes a morning programme comprising a series of keynote and presentation plus Q&A sessions. The afternoon programme will feature various Vertical Market Sector Study Tracks with moderated sessions covering the Aeronautical, Maritime, Oil & Gas and Telecoms & Broadcast environments, primarily from the satellite solutions end user perspective.

Over the two days of 15 and 16 January, the GVF Satellite Hub Summit will incorporate a series of keynotes and nine themed moderated interactive panels. First to keynote will be the UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, represented

by Khalid Al-Awadhi, Manager, Space & Broadcasting Services. An International Keynote will be presented by Jorge Ciccorossi, Engineer, Space Systems Coordination Division, Radiocommunication Bureau, International Telecommunication Union.

The first of the interactive panels will examine Innovation in MENA’s Satellite Technologies & Services Marketplace, looking at Technological Advance, Value-Added Service Evolution and New Markets, Emerging Verticals, among other themes.

Also featured in the 15 January programme will be the Panel Session 2 focussing on The New Mobility Paradigm for Air & Sea, encompassing Ground Terminals

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The GVF Satellite Hub Summit tackles some of the most important topics in the satellite industry.

& Antenna Performance, Space Segment Evolution and Mobility Markets, and Customers and Application Demand Evolution.

Panel Session 3, Spectrum for SatComs Generations, will examine Innovating the L-, C-, Ku-, Ka-, Q- and VSpectrum-Scape, an Integrated Satellite-Wireless Networks Future? It will also look at Expanding Satellite Spectrum Applications Ecosystems.

The final panel session for the first day of the Hub Summit is themed Innovation for the ‘Ultra’ High Throughput Dynamic and will cover HTS and the Emergence of UHTS, GEO and MEO, Onwards to LEO? And Broadband: From Everywher To Everywhere.

Opening the second day of the Hub Summit, the subject of

Panel Session 5 is The Satellite Imperative in a 5G Future. This interactive dialogue will address Defining the 5G-Satellite Protocol Environment, Satellite in the Converging Communications Ecosphere and IoT, 5G, Satellite: A New Paradigm.

The Application of Innovation in New Space session will begin by asking What is New Space? and will look at The Smallsats Race to Orbit, and Earth Observation and Data Analytics: Emerging Applications, New Markets.

Interference: Industry Initiatives – Prevention & Mitigation is the subject of the 7th panel session, which will examine GEO, MEO, LEO: New Interference Dynamics?

Evolving the GEO ASI Solution, and Expanding the Installer Training Toolbox.

The penultimate dialogue, for Panel Session 8, will address Innovative Cyber Security Dynamics. Included here will be Understanding the Scale of Cyber Threat, Satellite and Networks Security, and Satellite Industry Initiatives: Taking a Leadership Position.

To close the event, the 9th panel will discuss Orbital Debris: Dynamics in Mitigation Innovation covering Policy and Regulation: The Current IADC & UN Frameworks, Orbital Debris: New Satellite Constellations, New Issues?

And The Satellite Industry.

The GVF Satellite Hub Summit at CABSAT 2018 not only features new key themes as part of the above programme but will also enjoy a new much-expanded theatre-style facility.

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Azercosmos to promote its satellite services Azercosmos will return to CABSAT this year, and will be promoting its satellite services to the region.

It provides satellite capacity to various service providers which give solutions to end users. Azerspace-1, the first telecommunications

satellite operated by Azercosmos, provides highly reliable broadband and broadcast solutions to ur customers in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia.

Azercosmos will also concentrate on building its strong presence in data connectivity in the MENA region, especially in the field of mobile backhaul and mobility applications.

Visitors also can get acquainted with the services and coverage area of Azerspace-2, the second telecommunication satellite to be launched in 2018.

Kratos to demonstrate Monics at the show Kratos is returning to CABSAT this year and will be showcasing its Monics system with alarm filters. It says it has the breadth of in-house developed products to provide end-to-end systems and solutions, all aimed at improving the operational efficiencies and managing complexities.

This enables Kratos to bring solutions that deliver innovation and reliability to

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customers globally. Kratos has a long history in this domain, highlighted by the fact that Kratos products and services are used by more than 80% of the world’s largest satellite operators.

Gateways and complete teleports is another area where the company provides turnkey solutions. It is one of the few suppliers, if not the only, that can deliver projects on time.

IMT and Vislink to showcase Satware; Mantis XG Technology, a provider of wireless video solutions for the broadcast, law enforcement and defence markets, and private mobile broadband networks for critical communications, says its IMT and Vislink companies will display SatWare, an embedded computing and routing platform, and Motorized Mantis MSAT, a satellite antenna system, along with a variety of wireless camera transmitters and receivers, to the MENA market at CABSAT 2018.

Reflecting its continued growth and increasing presence in the region, IMT and Vislink recently appointed Nicola Ata as the new Business Development and Regional Sales Director for the Middle East and Africa. Ata will drive the performance of the MEA office, with responsibilities including strategic planning, go-to-market strategy, transitioning to new vertical markets and fulfilling all the needs of industry professionals with the latest technologies and innovations. “IMT and Vislink are known for providing cost-effective, easy-touse and highly portable solutions that really make a difference in the field for various broadcast environments,� said David Robins, Global Sales Director, Vislink.

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26 – 28 June 2018 Level 3 – 6, Suntec Singapore

CAPTURE THE FUTURE Imagine a future where game-changing possibilities for broadcasting are limitless.

A world where innovative technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality are impacting the way you view content.

Join us at BroadcastAsia2018 and be at the forefront of broadcasting technology!

Learn from industry experts and discover the latest innovations that are reshaping how content is created, managed, delivered and consumed.

Highlighting latest solutions on:

UHD / HDR

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China StarWin to launch uSat flat terminal For 40 years, satellite VSAT terminal products have been based on a parabolic dish which needs skilled engineers to install and commission.

At CABSAT this year uSAT, a satellite flat terminal from China StarWin,

is the evolutionary VSAT product to deliver high performance for satellite broadband access – light, small, reliable and easy to point to satellite, the company claims.

The uSat flat terminal is integrated by a light and thin high-gain Ku/ Ka-band flat array antenna panel, a Ku/Ka-band BUC and LNB module, and a satellite router. The BUC, LNB, router and power supply units are mounted with antenna panel and sealed by a metal shield.

The uSat comes with fixed and portable terminal configurations.

IHSE to showcase Draco switches at the show HSE will exhibit the Draco tera compact UNI matrix switch, which provides the option to switch any combination of 3G-SDI, USB 3.0 and UHD KVM using an SFP modular design. Also on display at CABSAT 2018 will be the Draco ultra DP, the first 4K DisplayPort KVM extender with a 60Hz refresh rate in full colour depth.

The device constitutes a new generation of digital KVM signal extension using the Lightweight Image codec, developed in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits.

CABSAT 2018 attendees will

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get a close-up look at the Draco vario SDI extender, the most recent addition to the Draco vario KVM extender series. IHSE’s latest SDI extender converts 3G-SDI signals for sharing serial digital video with IHSE’s Draco tera KVM matrix switches.

Visitors to the IHSE booth will see a demonstration of the Draco KVM extenders’ multiscreen control (MSC) functionality, which lets operators seamlessly move a mouse across multiple displays to provide instant access to any active CPU source connected through the KVM switch.

Eutelsat to promote communication satellites At CABSAT 2018 Eutelsat will be promoting its communications satellites. Covering the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, we enable video, data and broadband communications to be established wherever users are located, whether on land, in the air, or at sea.

Eutelsat has also recently acquired NOORSAT, one of the largest distributors of Eutelsat capacity in the region.

Sat-Lite to show its variety of antennas For CABSAT, Sat-Lite will be displaying its 80cm one-case carbon fibre flyaway antenna, as well as its 1.2m vehicle-mounted SNG antenna with auto locate control system.

Sat-Lite Technologies has quickly established a reputation for delivering antennas and equipment of the highest quality and reliability.

Sat-Lite has a wide product line of vehicle-mounted SNG and transit case based flyaway antennas., ranging in size from 80cm to 2.4m, as well as custombuilt, one-off satellite antennas.

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MEASAT to promote Africasat-1a

Telenor to offer discounts on broadband activations In anticipation of CABSAT, Telenor Satellite is offering a 12% discount on all new 10-15Mbps broadband activations on its latest high-throughput Ka-band satellite THOR 7. It will also be launching its new flexible bandwidth packages for fixed services – 5/1Mbps, 7/1Mbps, 10/2Mbps, 13/2Mbps and 15/3Mbps, all at competitive prices.

THOR 7 provides a favourable look angle over the pan-European maritime routes and the Middle East for fixed remote locations, with focused high-powered spot beams enabling unprecedented performance. Supported by iDirect, Telenor Satellite is able to offer automatic and seamless

spot-beam handover, assuring continuous connectivity across the entire satellite footprint.

Using the iDirect Evolution platform, our Ka-band technology services deliver reliable and stable communications to ISPs and corporations with shared or dedicated high-speed internet access for always-on operations across remote locations throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Telenor Satellite offers a wide range of broadband service packages on Ka-band and Ku-band for maritime, land and oil & gas markets, with 24/7, 365-day-a-year professional support to ensure customers always stay connected.

At CABSAT this year, MEASAT is promoting Africasat- 1a.

In Africa, the AFRICASAT-1a satellite at 46.0°E provides high-powered satellite capacity across the entire African continent with connectivity to Europe, the Middle East, Malaysia and Singapore.

Its excellent elevation angle covers all African islands enabling services to regions beyond terrestrial reach. The satellite also allows for small size antennas which provides significant capex savings.

With AFRICASAT-1a, MEASAT supports TV broadcasters, VSAT service providers, ISPs, mobile operators, mining companies, marine services, the United Nations, e-governance networks, and NGOs. This includes carriage of TV channels for contribution/distribution across Africa and occasional usage services.

North Telecom to focus on broadcast services NorthTelecom has been exhibiting at CABSAT since 2009. This year the company is aiming to focus on its broadcasting services and introduce a new company which just joined the group, Milano Media Broadcast. It will also be highlighting its broadcast services (DTH and FTA).

Realising the increasing role that media plays in daily life today,

NorthTelecom’s media network solution meets the requirements for an integrated transmission and management system which processes diverse bi-directional traffic types while automatically controlling multiple space and ground segment resources. It is ideal for high-speed contribution and distribution of any live or on-demand data, audio or

video content from IPTV to HDTV. These solutions cater to various choices for transmitting video or streaming data in combination with telephony and production intercommunication.

Having NorthTelecom HQ in Dubai, the business hub of the Middle East, NorthTelecom thinks CABSAT is the main satellite event in the region.

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GatesAir to introduce Maxviva ACTIA to promote ground ULXTE UHF TV transmitter station solutions This year, ACTIA Telecom is going to highlight its turn-key ground satcom solutions and services at CABSAT. It will showcase three new Ka-band ground station solutions: TravelSat, TakeAwaySat and On the Move.

ACTIA Telecom’s TravelSat in Ka-band is easily deployable (less than 10 minutes), weighs less than 32kg, which means it can be transported by one person, and is IATA suitcase-compliant thanks to its compact size (480mm x 520mm x 880mm). With a high-performance 65cm dual-offset antenna, the 4-petal reflector is mounted on a rigid positioner.

Baseband electronics is hosted in a IP65 convection-cooled aluminum case.

TakeAway going mobile is designed for severe environmental constraints.

ACTIA TakeAwaySat is available in Ka- and Ku- band and optimised to be easily transportable by road, air, sea and rail. The gateway is fully integrated on an ISO 20 feet platform which can be loaded/unloaded on a trailer. The gateway is equipped with shelter structure, redundant air conditioning system and an 18kVA diesel generator on platform with a large tank allowing 12-hour operation without refuelling.

A new ACTIA Telecom product this year is definitely the company’s MobilSat On-The-Move, which is all Europeanmade (no ITAR/EAR restrictions). With a small SWAP footprint and a low-profile antenna design, the ACTIA Telecom antenna allows low heat dissipation and low power consumption.

“CABSAT is probably the most important show for us. First, CABSAT is the scene of the latest technologies in telecoms, attracting in one place the key actors of our worldwide market.

MENA is the region where we expect the highest business perspectives for our company in the coming years,” said Henri Boudet, Sales Manager, ACTIA Telecom.

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GatesAir will introduce the Maxiva ULXTE, the company’s new product family of liquid-cooled, IP-enabled UHF TV transmitters. Available in power levels from 1.2kW to 150kW on all modulations, the ULXTE incorporates the latest LDMOS transistors and RF devices for impressive efficiency and power gains.

The ULXTE integrates GatesAir’s latestgeneration Maxiva XTE exciter. Featuring a software-defined modulator, the XTE

includes native IP inputs and eliminates the need to retrofit transmitters with additional gear to enable network connectivity for DVB-T2, DVB-T2 Lite, ATSC 3.0 and other standards, giving broadcasters an out-of-the-box solution to simplify the input and output of multimedia services via a local- or wide-area IP network. On the RF performance side, GatesAir’s RTAC (realtime adaptive correction) software strengthens signal correction at the amplification stage.

GSS to promote Yamal Gazprom Space Systems (GSS) will be speaking at CABSAT 2018 about its Yamal satellite fleet of four satellites positioned between 49E and 183E, as well as its advanced ground telecommunications infrastructure.

The C-band payload of Yamal-202 (49E) has wide coverage over the Eurasian continent, in particular over MENA. The satellite supports a

range of point-to-point connections and VSAT networks for corporate customers. It is optimal for arrangement of communication links and data transmission in the interest of government authorities, for TV distribution, and for arrangement of trunks between the centres of information resource concentration and the centres of resources.

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ETL to demonstrate Griffin and Hurricane ETL Systems, a global designer and manufacturer of RF signal distribution equipment for satellite communications, will demonstrate its new Griffin Redundancy Switch and 64 x 64 Hurricane Matrix on its stand at CABSAT. The Griffin series provides signal redundancy for satellite modulators,

downconverters or modems.

ETL will also demonstrate its compact Hurricane Matrix, which provides L-band routing for up to 64 input and output feeds.

Ian Hilditch, CEO, ETL Systems, said: “CABSAT is a great event because of its strong focus on satellite and broadcast professionals. The industry is making leaps and bounds towards reducing error in satellites and producing high-quality system equipment. We will be demonstrating how ETL is contributing to this development at CABSAT.”

Integrasys to demonstrate HTS and Small Sat Integrasys will demonstrate its solutions for installing and monitoring HTS satellites at CABSAT, as well as its LEO and MEO constellation solutions.

Satmotion HTS has the same auto-commissioning features as Satmotion Pocket, making pointing to the correct satellite quick and simple. It also supports multiple beams, allowing beam balancing and hopping and

traffic sharing to resolve the problem of too many users within a particular beam.

It will also demonstrate its carrier and spectrum monitoring tools, Controlsat and Controlsat HTS. Both solutions allow fully automated monitoring of multiple satellites and beams remotely from the Network Operations Centre. Controlsat HTS is designed for HTS operations.

Asiasat to highlight Asiasat 9 Asiasat will be showcasing its expanding satellite fleet of seven operating satellites – AsiaSat 3S, AsiaSat 4, AsiaSat 5, AsiaSat 6, AsiaSat 7, AsiaSat 8 and its new AsiaSat 9 – servicing the broadcast and telecom sectors.

Highlights of its offerings at CABSAT will be its most powerful satellite AsiaSat 9, AsiaSat 5, the premier occasional use satellite for Asia, and AsiaSat’s premium TV programme neighbourhood with a portfolio of more than 600 TV and radio channels. These include Asia’s largest Arabic free-toair bouquet from the MENA region.

CCO Barrie Woolston said: “CABSAT is an excellent platform to introduce our services and meet our service partners and end users.

We also appreciate this opportunity to hear from them the products and support they need in order to provide a better service for their customers.

We believe increased interaction with our partners and users will help us deliver creative solutions to meet our customers’ needs and expectations.”

While AsiaSat is in the planning stages of other new initiatives, including a brand-new satellitebased OTT platform and a future HTS project, it looks forward to making an exciting announcement at CABSAT.

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Newtec to SES to showcase future of showcase range Satellite Video and Data of solutions at CABSAT Visitors to the SES booth at CABSAT will discover innovative satellite services and solutions, enabling companies to maximise the opportunities brought with the most reliable, high performance connectivity available.

SES will detail a host of multiband innovations displayed for the first time and proven by success stories which are opening up new

Newtec will be exhibiting at CABSAT 2018, showcasing its solutions for broadcast and mobility that harness improved efficiencies and throughputs delivered

by HTS and spot beam technology, to deliver high-quality services for operators and service providers alike.

As mobile operators face increasing demand to extend their services, cellular backhaul over satellite enables connectivity even in regions where terrestrial infrastructure is limited or non-existent. While 2G and 3G are still the primary mobile services deployed, 4G’s popularity is quickly growing, bringing significant volumes of data and an added need for efficiency and enhanced quality of experience.

Newtec will also demonstrate its multiservice VSAT platform Newtec Dialog, which offers voice service quality control, guarantees high service availability, ensures a high number of HTTP connections and downloads, and minimises retransmissions in the mobile network. This allows mobile operators to meet stringent SLAs and offer numerous mobile and fixed services from one platform.

Newtec Dialog leverages the power of IP and offers multiple services on a single platform while providing a solution to the most common challenges faced by broadcast crews.

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opportunities for customers.

There will be demonstrations for global managed network services , end-to-end video solutions The demonstrations of MX1 360 and VoD Everywhere solutions showcase how customers can tap their capabilities to serve the entire video chain.

Also being demonstrated will be O3b mPOWER.

Globecast to highlight telco services Globecast is highlighting the latest advances in its telco services at CABSAT 2018. To help channels gain coverage with the world’s leading pay-TV and telco platforms, Globecast aggregates and distributes premium worldwide content.

More than 60 TV channels are currently acquired, processed and delivered for broadcast as part of the line-up of several pay-TV platforms worldwide, including tier-one telco and cable operators such as Orange and Virgin Media.

Globecast is also announcing its new cloud channel playout solution for SD, HD and 4K channels. This solution significantly enhances service deployment efficiency,

reduces time-to-market and allows broadcasters to reach new international markets with lower upfront investment. With this approach, flexibility is very high. The number of channels can be increased or reduced within days and the channel branding mix can be reshuffled for particular audiences and events.

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26 - 28 June 2018 Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

DRIVING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION Boasting Asia’s largest congregation of satellite companies, SatComm is the gathering place for satellite solution providers and operators, telecom operators, broadcasters, IT professionals from government agencies and many more! Featuring leaders of the industry and a host of associated activities, SatComm is a must-visit event for all involved in satellite communications.

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Satellite DiverSity Switching and aUPPc

Alan Young, COO, Crystal, says satellite switching and AUPPC are necessary to keep satellite broadcast on the map

While geostationary satellites are no longer the only economically viable way of broadcasting television programming across large geographies, they are arguably still the most reliable.

This is due to the fact that geostationary satellites are built to extremely high standards with sufficient onboard redundancy to last in orbit for 15 or so years. In addition, there are few touch points in the signal path – basically, the signal is uplinked from an antenna to the satellite and then amplified and frequency shifted, before being beamed back to Earth to receive antennas. This makes for a fundamentally reliable network because there are so few places something can go wrong.

Indeed, geostationary satellites have already delivered very high reliability over decades. However, we cannot get complacent, especially with the huge amount of competition from other ways of broadcasting television programming, and the consumer’s expectation of perfection. Therefore, continual monitoring and control is vital to maintaining uplink reliability as close to 100% as is feasible. Automating actions based on that monitoring can make the whole process much more efficient and drastically reduce, if not eliminate, any potential downtime.

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One of the biggest challenges with satellite communications is one which cannot be controlled – the weather!

Climatic conditions, in particular precipitation, can adversely affect the uplink by attenuating the RF signal received by the satellite. If the RF signal power level drops enough at the satellite, the transmission will be lost.

Precipitation affects higher frequencies more than lower frequencies, so Ku-band is affected more than C-band and Kaband is affected more than Ku-band.

This is where Automatic Up Path Power Control (AUPPC) comes in. Not only is it important to continuously monitor the amount of signal attenuation, it needs to be done from multiple sources. This is necessary in order to verify that it is, in fact, signal attenuation causing the issue – measuring the satellite beacon level from just the antenna controller is not sufficient, as the antenna’s pointing relative to the satellite may have changed. If attenuation is detected in the uplink path, the transmit power should be automatically adjusted, i.e. increased so that the received signal level at the satellite remains at its nominal level. It is critical that any system is smart enough to reduce the power again when the weather-induced attenuation subsides. Otherwise, the satellite may be overloaded, which will also result in loss of signal.

There are times, such as during a heavy rainstorm, when the attenuation becomes so severe that it is simply not possible to compensate sufficiently. It could be that the antenna’s amplifiers do not have enough headroom or the uplink antenna’s size means off-axis emissions exceed regulatory limits. In these cases, switching to another site is necessary to ensure continuity of broadcast. Diversity switching logic continually monitors the rate of increase of signal attenuation.

When the attenuation is about to reach the disruptive limit and the diverse site has less attenuation, a sequence of events is triggered to automatically switch the transmission to an alternate uplink site, even if it is thousands of miles away.

In these cases, a few important things need to be achieved. One is ensuring that the power level is matched so the satellite receives the same power from the alternate uplink. It is also important to make the switch as fast as possible. This involves taking into account the total propagation delay to the satellite from the alternate site, and pre-sending the command to illuminate the satellite from the alternate site before it mutes the main uplink.

Ultimately, without diversity switching and AUPPC, video transmissions are subject to weather at the uplink site and as such, have a significantly lower availability.

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7/8째 West, the N째1 TV neighbourhood for MENA

SERVING 90% OF TV HOMES IN MENA, 7/8째 WEST IS THE N째1 TV NEIGHBOURHOOD Reaching 56.2 million TV homes, up 3 million homes in 12 months.

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Regional satellite service provider NOORSAT has joined Eutelsat.

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Meet us at CABSAT 14-16 January 2018 Stand ZB2-A40 & A50

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