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Newtec – a Saudi Super Deal
Two partners are going to implement the nexgen television and radio exchange network of the Saudi Arabian government’s nationwide media transformation program, which involves deployment of satellite-based technology for a national infrastructure to deliver television, radio and Intranet services.
The TV and Radio Exchange network is a large deployment, providing a state-of-the-art solution for contribution between the studios and broadcast facilities located across the country, and for the exchange of radio and TV content between locations. This major infrastructure deal finds Newtec and local integration specialist First Gulf Network supplying the needed expertise for implementation.
The network’s first stage of deployment will include HD-capable terminals and a central earth station pointed to Arabsat 5A, which successfully launched in June. The initial deployment will use Ku-band satellite bandwidth with the future option of Ka-band when the upcoming extra satellite capability becomes available. Newtec’s participation is with its equipment for this major contract and the company will also contribute to provisioning for the expansion of Saudi Arabia’s capacity for Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) broadcasting — the extra capacity being used for migration to HD of the current channels, and to accommodate the first private broadcasters now appearing in the Kingdom, are all included in this agreement.
The DTT network will migrate from one single MFN bouquet to different SFN bouquets and will be entirely based on Newtec Horizon technology, with as many as 80 DTT towers being added throughout the Kingdom. In addition, many SFN gap fillers will be added to expand indoor coverage. In-car, portable and indoor reception with a small antenna is critical for the acceptance of DTT in the country. Saudi Arabia’s ambitious multi-year programme, overseen by the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Information (MOCI), will transform national TV and radio media provision for the Kingdom’s young and growing demographic. The program will take in the entire broadcast chain, from digitization of HD terrestrial TV, through expansion of TV and radio contribution/distribution infrastructure, outside broadcasting (OB) and satellite news gathering (SNG) vehicles, studios, production and post-production, to archiving and playout facilities.
Another Ariane 5 is delivered to the Spaceport in French Guiana
The active mission pace for Arianespace’s workhorse Ariane 5 is being sustained as a new launcher is welcomed to the Spaceport.
This latest heavy-lift vehicle was delivered to French Guiana yesterday aboard the MN Colibri, which is one of two roll-on/roll-off ships that transport components from Europe to the launch site in South America. Today, the launcher hardware was transferred by road from the port of Pariacabo to the Spaceport.
Arianespace is planning a total of six Ariane 5 flights during 2010, with three of these already performed and a fourth mission in advanced preparation for liftoff in September.
The three launches conducted so far this year have orbited six satellites, delivering a combined payload lift performance of nearly 24,600 kg.
This activity began with Arianespace’s May 21 launch of the ASTRA 3B commercial telecommunications satellite for Luxembourg-based SES ASTRA, along with the COMSAT Bw-2 secure military relay spacecraft for Astrium GmbH on behalf of the German Bundeswehr.
It was followed by a June 26 flight that lofted Arabsat’s Arabsat-5A telecommunications and TV broadcasting satellite, with the multi-purpose COMS spacecraft for South Korea’s KARI (Korea Aerospace Research Institute).
Arianespace’s latest mission success occurred August 4, orbiting two satellites that will provide telecommunications services to Africa, the Middle East and Persian Gulf states: NILESAT 201 for Egyptian-based Nilesat, and RASCOM-QAF1R for the Pan-African satellite operator, RascomStar-QAF.
Preparations are well advanced for the fourth Ariane 5 flight of 2010, with its launcher having completed the initial build-up at the Spaceport. This vehicle will carry Eutelsat’s W3B telecommunications satellite and the BSAT-3b relay platform for B-SAT Corporation, and is scheduled for launch on September 15.
JLT Aerospace secures ARABSAT satellite launch deal
JLT Aerospace, has been appointed by ARABSAT to work alongside Marsh in developing a bespoke insurance package for a multi-satellite launch programme.
ARABSAT was set up in 1976 by member states of the Arab League and has since become a leading satellite service provider to the Arab world, currently ranking among the top ten operators globally.
Commenting on the deal, JLT’s global head of space, Peter Elson, says: “This is a fantastic opportunity and a tremendous coup for JLT Aerospace.”
The first launch in the programme, which is scheduled for next year, involves a satellite manufactured by EADS and Thales on board an Ariane launch vehicle.
Assuming all goes well the satellite will take up a geostationary orbital slot 36,000 kilometres above the equator.