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Tag: Tom Choi

  • Boeing delivers ABS-2A to optimise video services, DTH

    Boeing delivers ABS-2A to optimise video services, DTH

    MUMBAI: Boeing has delivered ABS-2A, an all-electric propulsion 702 satellite, to ABS which entered into commercial service on 21 January. This is the second of the pair of all-electric satellite Boeing has delivered to ABS.

    ABS, one of the globe’s fastest growing global satellite operators, offers a complete range of tailored solutions including broadcasting, data and telecommunication services to broadcasters, service providers, enterprises and government organisations.

    It operates a fleet of satellites; ABS-2, ABS-2A, ABS-3A, ABS-4/Mobisat-1, ABS-6 and ABS-7. The satellite fleet covers 93 per cent of the population across the Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, CIS and Russia.

    ABS-2A was launched in June 2016 aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 and will provide enhanced satellite communications services, including direct-to-home television services.

    Equipped with 48 Ku-band transponders, the satellite will serve ABS’ customers in Africa, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Russia, South Asia and South East Asia regions at 74.725 degrees east.

    “We have completed our three satellite build investment in launching as many satellites in as many consecutive years (ABS-2 in 2014, ABS-3A in 2015 and ABS-2A in 2016). ABS-2A is the latest high-capacity satellite providing expansion capacity and continuity of satellite services at our prime gateway over the Indian Ocean region. It is located with ABS-2 at our premium neighborhood at 75°E, optimized for video services for growing CATV and DTH businesses,” said ABS CEO Tom Choi.

    “Boeing is the first satellite manufacturer to build and deliver all-electric propulsion satellites, and this latest delivery reaffirms our leadership with all-electric propulsion,” said Boeing Satellite Systems International president Mark Spiwak. “The scalable 702 satellite, coupled with the efficiency of all-electric propulsion, allows two satellites to launch inside one rocket. This ability to stack and join the satellites using our patented design enables our customers to minimize the costs associated with launching a single satellite.”

    Headquartered in Bermuda, ABS, with offices in the U.S, the UAE, South Africa and Asia, is majority-owned by funds managed by PE Permira.

    Also Read:

    ABS partners PT Sarana Media to launch Indonesian DTH FreeViews platform

  • Boeing delivers ABS-2A to optimise video services, DTH

    Boeing delivers ABS-2A to optimise video services, DTH

    MUMBAI: Boeing has delivered ABS-2A, an all-electric propulsion 702 satellite, to ABS which entered into commercial service on 21 January. This is the second of the pair of all-electric satellite Boeing has delivered to ABS.

    ABS, one of the globe’s fastest growing global satellite operators, offers a complete range of tailored solutions including broadcasting, data and telecommunication services to broadcasters, service providers, enterprises and government organisations.

    It operates a fleet of satellites; ABS-2, ABS-2A, ABS-3A, ABS-4/Mobisat-1, ABS-6 and ABS-7. The satellite fleet covers 93 per cent of the population across the Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, CIS and Russia.

    ABS-2A was launched in June 2016 aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 and will provide enhanced satellite communications services, including direct-to-home television services.

    Equipped with 48 Ku-band transponders, the satellite will serve ABS’ customers in Africa, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Russia, South Asia and South East Asia regions at 74.725 degrees east.

    “We have completed our three satellite build investment in launching as many satellites in as many consecutive years (ABS-2 in 2014, ABS-3A in 2015 and ABS-2A in 2016). ABS-2A is the latest high-capacity satellite providing expansion capacity and continuity of satellite services at our prime gateway over the Indian Ocean region. It is located with ABS-2 at our premium neighborhood at 75°E, optimized for video services for growing CATV and DTH businesses,” said ABS CEO Tom Choi.

    “Boeing is the first satellite manufacturer to build and deliver all-electric propulsion satellites, and this latest delivery reaffirms our leadership with all-electric propulsion,” said Boeing Satellite Systems International president Mark Spiwak. “The scalable 702 satellite, coupled with the efficiency of all-electric propulsion, allows two satellites to launch inside one rocket. This ability to stack and join the satellites using our patented design enables our customers to minimize the costs associated with launching a single satellite.”

    Headquartered in Bermuda, ABS, with offices in the U.S, the UAE, South Africa and Asia, is majority-owned by funds managed by PE Permira.

    Also Read:

    ABS partners PT Sarana Media to launch Indonesian DTH FreeViews platform

  • ABS partners PT Sarana Media to launch Indonesian DTH FreeViews platform

    ABS partners PT Sarana Media to launch Indonesian DTH FreeViews platform

    MACAU: Leading satellite operator ABS has announced today that it will partner with PT Sarana Media Vision (SMV), using SMV’s DTH license to launch a consumer FreeView satellite service – FreeViewSat – across Indonesia in January 2017. The service will be called SMV FreeViewSat and will initially broadcast over 60 television channels via the ABS-2, ABS-2A and ABS-6 satellites in both Ku and C-band.

    For the first time in Indonesia, a free-to-view platform will be available throughout the entire country, allowing advertisers the opportunity to reach the full potential of the Indonesian audience.

    The FreeViewSat model will promote maximum distribution and the cost of the STB & dish will be less than US$35. Customers will only need to make this one-time purchase to enjoy all the TV channels on the platform (with no monthly recurring subscription fees).

    Tom Choi, CEO of ABS commented that “SMV’s FreeViewSat will be very attractive for Indonesia by providing great quality international and unique domestic programming to the entire country. The goal is to deliver high quality entertainment and educational content affordably to all – For the first time, everybody, not only the affluent or those in the urban areas, will be able to receive high quality programming for free, with just a one-time purchase of a set-top box and dish. FreeViewSat will also give advertisers the first real opportunity to reach the whole population of Indonesia, even in rural areas. ABS is delighted to be partnering and supporting this highly worthwhile venture.’’

    At launch in January, FreeViewSat will carry at least 30 local Free-to-Air channels and more than 30 high quality international channels. The number of channels will continue to grow to over 100 channels in the first 6 to 12 months as new and interesting content is added.

    FreeViewSat will be available via 75cm Ku band dishes from 75E on ABS-2 and ABS-2A, and via 1.6m C-band antennas from 156E on ABS-6 simultaneously, so that consumers have the choice of small dishes, or larger ones with better rain protection. Since Indonesia already has over 10 million C-band antennas installed, the adoption rate is expected to be rapid.

    ABS has selected the ABV conditional access and middleware system, along with Ali chips for its Set-Top Boxes.

    Confirmed channels for launch include:

    TV9 Nusantara, TVRI Nasional, DAAI TV, TV One, ANTV, Metro TV, Trans 7, Trans TV, SCTV, Indosair, Kompas TV, Net TV, Bali TV H2, Bloomberg TV, France 24, Fix & Foxi, Action Hollywood Movies, Pulse TV, Al Jazeera English, CCTV-News, CCTV-4, CCTV-9, Russia Today, MediaCorp Channel, Landscape HD, TRACE Urban and TRACE Sport Stars, B4U Music, B4U Movies, NDTV 24/7 and NDTV Good Times, and many more

  • ABS partners PT Sarana Media to launch Indonesian DTH FreeViews platform

    ABS partners PT Sarana Media to launch Indonesian DTH FreeViews platform

    MACAU: Leading satellite operator ABS has announced today that it will partner with PT Sarana Media Vision (SMV), using SMV’s DTH license to launch a consumer FreeView satellite service – FreeViewSat – across Indonesia in January 2017. The service will be called SMV FreeViewSat and will initially broadcast over 60 television channels via the ABS-2, ABS-2A and ABS-6 satellites in both Ku and C-band.

    For the first time in Indonesia, a free-to-view platform will be available throughout the entire country, allowing advertisers the opportunity to reach the full potential of the Indonesian audience.

    The FreeViewSat model will promote maximum distribution and the cost of the STB & dish will be less than US$35. Customers will only need to make this one-time purchase to enjoy all the TV channels on the platform (with no monthly recurring subscription fees).

    Tom Choi, CEO of ABS commented that “SMV’s FreeViewSat will be very attractive for Indonesia by providing great quality international and unique domestic programming to the entire country. The goal is to deliver high quality entertainment and educational content affordably to all – For the first time, everybody, not only the affluent or those in the urban areas, will be able to receive high quality programming for free, with just a one-time purchase of a set-top box and dish. FreeViewSat will also give advertisers the first real opportunity to reach the whole population of Indonesia, even in rural areas. ABS is delighted to be partnering and supporting this highly worthwhile venture.’’

    At launch in January, FreeViewSat will carry at least 30 local Free-to-Air channels and more than 30 high quality international channels. The number of channels will continue to grow to over 100 channels in the first 6 to 12 months as new and interesting content is added.

    FreeViewSat will be available via 75cm Ku band dishes from 75E on ABS-2 and ABS-2A, and via 1.6m C-band antennas from 156E on ABS-6 simultaneously, so that consumers have the choice of small dishes, or larger ones with better rain protection. Since Indonesia already has over 10 million C-band antennas installed, the adoption rate is expected to be rapid.

    ABS has selected the ABV conditional access and middleware system, along with Ali chips for its Set-Top Boxes.

    Confirmed channels for launch include:

    TV9 Nusantara, TVRI Nasional, DAAI TV, TV One, ANTV, Metro TV, Trans 7, Trans TV, SCTV, Indosair, Kompas TV, Net TV, Bali TV H2, Bloomberg TV, France 24, Fix & Foxi, Action Hollywood Movies, Pulse TV, Al Jazeera English, CCTV-News, CCTV-4, CCTV-9, Russia Today, MediaCorp Channel, Landscape HD, TRACE Urban and TRACE Sport Stars, B4U Music, B4U Movies, NDTV 24/7 and NDTV Good Times, and many more

  • Rajiv Khattar joins ABS as president- south Asia

    Rajiv Khattar joins ABS as president- south Asia

    NEW DELHI: Rajiv Khattar, until recently Dish TV president projects, has joined as president- south Asia in Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) in a newly created role that makes him responsible for business development and sales for the region.

     

    The announcement was made in Washington by ABS CEO Tom Choi, who said, “We are delighted to have Rajiv onboard as the new head for this region. Rajiv brings along a wealth of experience of the cable and satellite industry with extensive knowledge of the direct-to-home (DTH) and broadcast sector in the India market. His expertise and leadership skills will greatly contribute to our development of new business for the market.”

     

    Confirming the news and the fact that he had already taken over, Khattar told indiantelevision.com that he would be based out of Delhi. He said it was too early to comment on the future plans of ABS in south Asia.

     

    Khattar has over 20 years of experience in the cable and satellite industry. Before joining ABS, he spent 10 years at Dish TV as president projects. In this role, he gained a wide range of experiences covering business, operations, regulatory procedures and strategy development. Prior to this, he held various leading positions with other cable and telecommunication companies.

     

    He holds a Diploma in Production Engineering (Delhi Board of Technical Education), a Diploma in Business Management (Rajendera Prasad Institute of Communication and Management, Mumbai) and a Diploma in Materials Management (Faridabad Productivity Council).

     

    ABS is one of the fastest growing global satellite operators in the world, offering a complete range of tailored solutions including broadcasting, data and telecommunication services to broadcasters, service providers, enterprises and government organisations.

     

    ABS operates a fleet of six satellites; ABS-1A, ABS-2, ABS-3, ABS-4/Mobisat-1, ABS-6 and ABS-7. The satellite fleet covers 80 per cent of the world’s population across Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, CIS and Russia.

     

    ABS has also procured two Boeing 702SP satellites (ABS-3A & ABS-2A) planned for early and late 2015 with the options to add more satellites over the next 2-3 years to its growing satellite fleet.

     

    Headquartered in Bermuda, ABS has offices in the United States, Dubai, South Africa, Germany, Philippines, Indonesia and Hong Kong. 

  • TBN looks to boost coverage of its faith networks in Asia

    TBN looks to boost coverage of its faith networks in Asia

    MUMBAI: Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), which claims to be the world’s largest faith and family-friendly network group, has reached an agreement with Hong Kong-based Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) to air TBN’s group of faith-based networks throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

    TBN founder and president Dr. Paul Crouch says, “A major window of opportunity has been opened so that we will be able to broadcast our programming on ABS into the Asia-Pacific region. This golden opportunity will open up TBN’s broadcast services to more of that part of the world known as the “1040 Window” — so that billions more people can have the hope and joy that the good news of our programming can bring to their lives.”

    TBN’s networks will be distributed throughout the Asia-Pacific region extending from Mongolia to the south of Thailand and across Eastern Europe, Asia and Japan, reaching a potential audience of several billion viewers.
    The networks include:

    — TBN Flagship Network. Each day TBN offers inspirational programming that it says appeals to people in a wide variety of denominations. (www.tbn.org)

    — JCTV. This is a digital network geared for teens and young adults. JCTV features round-the-clock cutting edge Christian music videos, reality and game shows, relevant talk programs, comedy, extreme sports, and much more. (www.jctv.org)

    — The Church Channel. It features America’s most popular church services from a wide variety of Protestant and Catholic congregations – broadcast 24 hours a day. (www.thechurchchannel.org)

    — Smile of a Child TV. Thisd is TBN’s latest network addition. Smile of a Child TV features faith-based programming that parents can trust for their children. (www.smileofachildtv.org)

    ABS’ agreement with TBN will bring faith-based broadcasting to the most populated area of the world. ABS CEO Tom Choi says, “We look forward to partnering with TBN to expand the distribution of their channels across Asia, focusing on key markets such as Thailand and India through DTH and CATV distribution. We are very excited to include TBN in our growing neighborhood of free-to-air channels on our high-powered Ku-band platform.”