ITV

Tag: broadband access

  • IpStar launched; Asia broadband access gets big boost

    MUMBAI: Broadband satellite Thaicom 4 (IpStar), the heaviest commercial satellite ever delivered to geosynchronous orbit, was lofted succesfully aboard an Ariane 5 launcher during an early-morning mission (5:20 am local time) yesterday, from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana.

    Built for Thailands’ Shin Satellite by Space Systems/Loral at a cost of $400 million, the large telecom platform had a liftoff mass of 6,485 kg and will provide Internet access service to 14 countries across the Asia-Pacific region.

    Once in operational service IPStar will generate 14 kW of electrical power during its planned 12-year mission life, providing Internet access and broadband services to businesses and consumers through 84 spot beams, three shaped beams and seven regional broadcast beams.

    The launch was followed closely in Bangkok by more than 300 guests and 50 members of the media who attended a gathering organised by Shin Satellite. Guests watched Arianespace’s video transmission of the mission, which provided a real-time monitoring of Ariane 5’s final countdown. Shin Satellite executives are confident of signing contracts in China and India. Australia’s Macquarie Telecom and New Zealand’s BayCity are among the companies that have signed up.

    The previous record for the heaviest satellite was Canadian telecommunications satellite Anik-F2, at 5.9 tons. That was launched by an Ariane-5 on 18 July, 2004.

  • Scientific-Atlanta adds BarcoNet to its stable

    Scientific-Atlanta adds BarcoNet to its stable

    Scientific-Atlanta is determined to beat the slowdown back home by making its presence felt in other markets.

    Its purchase of Belgium company BarcoNet NV is a step in this direction. BarcoNet is a leading provider of multimedia distribution solutions for broadband and broadcast applications. Focussing on internet-over-cable and other interactive digital services, BarcoNet’s customers include the world’s largest broadband operators, in cable as well as terrestrial, telecom, satellite or wireless applications.

    Scientific-Atlanta, the leading supplier of digital content distribution systems as well as transmission networks for broadband access to homes, will launch a public tender offer for the outstanding common stock of BarcoNet at a price of €5.70 per share in cash, together with all outstanding options, warrants and convertible securities, for an aggregate value of approximately US $ 154 million. The deal is expected to close next month. BarcoNet generated 98 million dollars in revenues for the year ended June 30, 2001.

    BarcoNet distributes digital television manafactures headends for integrated multimedia services as well as high-speed digital fiber optic backbones. The company brings to the Scientific-Atlanta stables extensive customer relationships, strong product portfolios and local market knowledge. In turn, it will leverage the scale that Scientific-Atlanta brings in sales, engineering and support.