Thuraya expands roaming coverage of GSM across the Americas

Thuraya Telecommunications Company, a world leader in providing Mobile Satellite Services, said that the company has expanded its GSM roaming coverage by adding 11 more countries across the Americas. This move is in partnership with premier telecommunications providers, Claro and Telefonica. Operating in 18 countries across the Americas, Claro is the leading provider of telecommunications services in Latin America. Meanwhile, Telefonica manages more than 30% of the region’s telecommunications market and operates across 14 countries in Latin America.

Thuraya users located in Alaska, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, the U.S Virgin Islands and Uruguay will be provided with voice and data services for GSM roaming from the partners of Thuraya in this expansion. The roaming service, which rolled out on April 12, enables Thuraya subscribers to seamlessly roam on the Claro and Telefonica networks. Thuraya users can insert their Thuraya SIM on any GSM or smartphone to access Claro or Telefonica’s networks. In return, Claro and Telefonica subscribers will be able to roam across Thuraya’s satellite network shorty when they use a Thuraya satellite handset. Thanks to the company’s new roaming agreements, Thuraya can now provide global coverage for its customers with its wide satellite coverage and in over 161 countries across 356 GSM networks throughout Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, Latin America and North America.

In a company statement, Thuraya VP of Marketing T. Sanford Jewett noted: “We are pleased to be working with our partners to provide our users with expanded coverage across the Americas. Thuraya is the only mobile satellite service provider that offers roaming services with terrestrial wireless networks. With the expansion of our GSM coverage to the Americas, Thuraya subscribers have the freedom to choose between satellite and GSM coverage around the globe.”

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Thuraya gains global GSM roaming coverage with new partnerships

A partnership with Latin American telecommunications providers Claro and Telefónica will extend the GSM roaming coverage of MSS (mobile satellite service provider) Thuraya Telecommunications Company into 11 more countries across the Americas.

The new roaming agreements will enable GSM roaming for voice and data services for Thuraya users in Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, as well as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.

Starting April 12, 2013, Thuraya's improved roaming service will enable seamless roaming on the Claro and Telefónica networks for Thuraya subscribers. All it will take is inserting a Thuraya SIM card in any GSM or smartphone. In return, Claro and Telefónica subscribers will soon be able to roam across Thuraya’s satellite network via Thuraya satellite handsets.

The new roaming agreements will add Claro and Telefónica to the 354 other GSM networks that Thuraya users in over 161 countries can access through Thuraya's satellite coverage.

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KSAT Inks Agreement To Help Increase DMCii's Downlink Capacity

Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), a commercial Norwegian enterprise, uniquely positioned to provide ground station and earth observation services for Low Earth and polar orbiting satellites, enters an agreement with DMC International Imaging (DMCii) to increase the volume of imagery acquired and the speed in which it can be delivered. 

Allowing DMCii to receive 30% more data from day one, the agreement also requires KSAT to deliver a complete ground station service to DMCii, this includes provision of hardware and delivery of data to DMCii's headquarters in the U.K. 

“Timeliness of information is of vital importance to our customers and is a key differentiator of our imagery services," said DMCii Managing Director, Dave Hodgson. "The improved downlink has significantly upgraded data delivery times and has already made 30% more imagery available, further improving capability for change detection applications. This will become more important as the capacity of our satellites to acquire data expands in the near future.” 

“Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) is pleased with the opportunity to work together with DMCii and deliver an efficient and flexible ground segment for DMC series of satellites; reducing the latency for DMCii customers from the largest ground station in the world for polar orbiting satellites,” said KSAT President, Rolf Skatteboe. 

“This is a strong Anglo-Norwegian partnership that we expect to continue with future missions such as the UK’s forthcoming NovaSAR mission," Skatteboe adds. "The combination of timely deliveries of Earth Observation data and operational marine monitoring services is important for KSAT marine situational awareness services.”

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GL Communications debuts newest GSM wireless backhaul testing solutions

GL Communications recently introduced the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM,) the latest versions of its testing solutions for wireless backhaul networks.

The recent, rapid rise of mobile communications triggered greater penetration of the mobile market by data and video applications. This increased the importance of wireless backhaul such as IP and Ethernet backhaul over fiber, microwave, and various flavors of TDM. To keep expenses down, operators have turned to alternative backhaul solutions.

According to GL Communications, traditional T1 E1 networks can no longer ensure reliable transmissions over an expanding number of cellular sites. Network operators now require the right tools to monitor and fix a wide variety of backhaul options

To that end, GL test gear allow operators to monitor and test backhaul networks no matter the media used. The Company's products come in portable, handheld, and PC-based variants, and are used on a global scale to keep an eye on deployed networks.

Hardware and software designer GL Communications offers a complete line of solutions that provides flexible test solutions to cellular operators in compliance with the needs of various network traffic. Its products can test cellular backhaul, cellular IP backhaul, carrier Ethernet backhaul, and point-to-point and multipoint circuits. It can also conveniently simulate backhaul systems within a laboratory.

Globecomm, TodoCast collaborate to provide online streaming video content by satellite

Leading communications solutions provider Globecomm Systems Inc. entered into a strategic partnership with TodoCast to combine its global satellite network and broadcast infrastructure to TodoCast’s live Internet broadcast capabilities in order to deliver direct-to-consumer content distribution and monetization.

Taking pride in providing high quality satellite communication systems and services, Globecomm is a leader in delivering impeccable cellular networks, satellite networks, broadcasting and content delivery systems using a global network of satellite teleports and fiber.

Speaking about the partnership, Globecomm Systems Inc. SVP for Media & Entertainment Brian Morris noted: “TodoCast offers Globecomm many new ways to expand our media services business. TodoCast’s platform gives us a high-quality, direct-to-consumer video streaming capability that provides content distribution anytime, on any device to support today’s robust media markets.”

TodoCast is well-known for providing solutions that enable customers to make their own, branded broadcast networks to stream using the latest video device platforms. The company also boasts its ability to provide various business model options for monetizing content with pay-per-view, subscription advertising, and so on. The broadcast suite of the company includes TodoCast Centerstage, a comprehensive audience management platform; and TodoCast Connect, its dedicated first-mile satellite connectivity.

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MEASAT & CET Teleport Enter An Agreement For AFRICASAT-1a Satellite

The premium supplier of satellite communication services to leading international broadcasters, MEASAT Satellite Systems inked an agreement with one of the largest teleports in Europe delivering a wide range of corporate VSAT and media broadcast services, CET Teleport GmbH for capacity on the AFRICASAT-1a satellite.

With CET's teleports located in northwest Germany, the company secured, under the agreement, C-band capacity on AFRICASAT-1a to support their growing presence across the African continent.

MEASAT Vice-President for Broadcast Sales, Jarod Lopez, said, “MEASAT is proud to support CET Teleport’s satellite capacity requirements in the African region. With the newly launched AFRICASAT-1a satellite, we are able to support expansion of services throughout Africa.”

“We are delighted to be one of the first operators to take capacity on this modern new satellite," said CET Teleport CEO, Ken Armstrong. "This capacity will greatly improve our C-band coverage of Africa, complementing the existing Ku-band coverage we have in the region to enable us to provide services to the whole continent of Africa.”


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French fire, rescue services use Astrium, Cassidian satellite communications solution

A newly-validated remote solution from Astrium Services and Cassidian will enable satellite communications for French fire and rescue services on behalf of the French General Directorate of Civil Security and Crisis Management.

Astrium Services provided satellite communications equipment and services that will remotely link together Cassidian Tetrapol tactical cells in areas that are unreached by the PMR network or overloaded. The resulting operational solution extends the coverage of the tactical radio networks, allowing French fire and rescue services to offer civil security and public safety anywhere in range of a Tetrapol wireless communications network.

The Astrium-Cassidian solution is expected to enter operational service next spring. Cassidian will install its tactical cell 3G Independent Digital Repeater and 2G Radio Access Gate aboard the command post, light radio assistance, and communications vehicles and satellite trailers operated by the Civil Security and Crisis Management. 

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GSA Schedule gets new satellite communications products, services from Spacenet

Gilat Satellite Networks subsidiary company Spacenet Inc. is beefing up its U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule 70 contract (Contract No. GS-35F-172AA) with a wide selection of new satellite communications services, solutions, and products.

Spacenet is adding managed broadband network solutions, Emergency Communications Services (ECS,) a pair of high-performance satellite modems, and other new offerings to its GSA schedule. The result improves the affordability and availability of the already excellent previous schedule.

A leading managed network services provider, Spacenet offers a variety of solutions involving broadband wired and wireless communications, data security services, installation and maintenance services, proactive network monitoring and management, PCI compliance services, and others. The Company's ECS series improves the flexibility of public safety agencies when it comes to the acquisition and deployment of critical emergency satellite communications solutions.

Pactel, Rural Tech Development sets up wireless solution for PNG LNG camp

Rural Tech Development and Pactel International joined forces to engineer a wireless solution for PNG LNG that ensures uniform coverage across the 1.2 square kilometers of PNG's accommodation camp.

The two companies designed their joint solution to improve the quality of life of the 9,000 PNG LNG workers who call the camp home away from home. Rural Tech and Pactel deployed secure VoIP Payphones for voice calls and granted WiFi access to the Internet through an Internet cafe and the workers's personal devices.

Pactel deployed a 10 Mb satellite link that employed a cost-efficient, carrier-grade Newtec platform and multiple bandwidth reserves. It also applied application filtering, bandwidth acceleration, QoS, and other value-adding services to ensure efficiency was maximized and operations proceeded seamlessly.

Rural Tech served as the manager for the design, installation, and layout of the updated wireless system at the PNG LNG camp site. It created a centralized management and billing system that allowed workers to access services by purchasing a pre-paid internet and VoIP card.

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Thuraya satphone users avail roaming service courtesy AT&T network

Thuraya Telecommunications consumers in the United States will now be able to enjoy outbound GMS roaming and data services on their satellite phones thanks to Thuraya's U.S. roaming partner AT&T.

The two companies launched the new roaming service on March 15, 2013. The AT&T network enables seamless roaming capabilities for the Thuraya XT-Dual satellite phone handsets, allowing Thuraya customers to make and receive calls and texts messages (SMS) throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The next step for the service will be delivering similar roaming capabilities to AT&T customers in Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe via the Thuraya satellite network.

The only satellite operator that offers roaming services over mobile networks, Thuraya Telecommunications has more than 350 roaming partners, including world-leading carrier company AT&T.

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Nupoint Systems expands Globalstar M2M data communication satcom services

Globalstar Canada Satellite has entered an airtime, distribution, and manufacturing agreement with Nupoint Systems for the next three years. The mobile satellite voice and data services provider is seeking to expand the range of its M2M data communication service offerings past the limits of terrestrial infrastructure.

Nupoint products and services will be integrated into Globalstar's satellite data services. This will enable two-way communications for purposes of collecting M2M data. It will also allow Globalstar to keep an eye on its customers' assets

Globalstar is currently deploying a second-generation constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. These new satellites will provide customers wil affordable and reliable mobile satellite services anywhere in the world for the next fifteen years.

According to President and CEO Wayne Carlson of Nupoint Systems, companies can stay connected with assets scattered across the world by using a cost-effective and reliable satellite communications solution. He cites his own company as an example, and explains that Nupoint will tap Globalstar's new LEO satellites to enable reliable two-way connectivity with data equipment in the most remote locations over several years. 

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Orbcomm collaborates with Sumitomo for Global OEM Telematics Solution

Global satellite data communications company Orbcomm has been chosen by Japanese firm Sumitomo Construction Machinery to provide wireless data connectivity for the company’s global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) telematics solution.

Sumitomo will use the global satellite communications network of New Jersey-based Orbcomm to help keep track and monitor the location, status and performance of the company’s equipment anywhere around the globe. With the help of Sumitomo’s advanced asset monitoring solution, it will help them gain visibility over its fleet of machinery, enhance operational efficiency, maximize cost savings and deliver improved service to its customers. Global deployment of the OEM installation will commence in mid-2013.

In a company statement, Orbcomm CEO Marc Eisenberg expressed his satisfaction with the new partnership. He said, “We are excited to work with Sumitomo, an industry leader in technological innovation, to help bring their telematics solution to the global marketplace. Sumitomo’s agreement with ORBCOMM once again confirms the value and power of our global M2M network and validates our position as the leader in heavy equipment telematics. Together, we will meet the growing demand of faster, more cost-effective connectivity and integrated solutions that enable smart machines.”

“This partnership combines ORBCOMM’s ubiquitous coverage and expertise in satellite M2M communications with our high-performance technology to create a dynamic telematics solution,” said Mitsunori Kawamura, Sumitomo’s Corporate Officer of the Customer Support Division. “We look forward to leveraging this opportunity with ORBCOMM to increase our market share in heavy equipment telematics and pass along the benefits of our superior asset management solution to our customers.”

Nordic Tanker migrates to Inmarsat’s XpressLink after sea trials

Chemical tanker operator Nordic Tankers will be migrating its fleet of vessels to Inmarsat’s XpressLink service after conducting comprehensive set trials. The company opted to move from its existing service to XpressLink because it produced great results, such as reliability offered by the fully-integrated L- and Ku-band solution. The sea trials of Inmarsat’s service to garner a comprehensive evaluation of available satcom solutions took place on the 5,800dwt chemical tanker Nordic Nelly.

All in all, Nordic Tankers have a chemical tanker fleet of almost 130 vessels. The Inmarsat-managed service auto-switches between VSAT and FleetBroadband to provide broadband speeds of up to 768kbps -- a reliable and high-quality service with global coverage, all at at a fixed monthly, competitive price. The XpressLink service offers an easy upgrade to Global Xpress when Inmarsat’s high-speed Ka-band network becomes commercially available next year.

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CPI wins big order for Ka-band satcom amplifiers

An international company has ordered $6 million worth of Ka-band high-power satellite communications amplifiers from Communications & Power Industries (CPI.) According to CPI's announcement, the amplifiers will be integrated into gateway Earth stations, enabling its customer to offer high-throughput satellite (HTS) services.

Andy Tafler, president of the Satcom Division of CPI, stated that the Company's high-power satellite communications amplifiers will help supplement the unnamed international end customer's existing fiber network by providing rural consumers with high-capacity satellite Internet service.

According to CPI, the Satcom Division will ship the completed 500-watt Ka-band traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs) well into the middle of 2014.

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American GPS might be challenged with BeiDou’s global expansion

The Republic of China is close to going on a head to head competition with United States’ Global Positioning System (GPS), as the country announced that BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) is likely to reach its full-scale global coverage in 2020. China is expecting BDS to offer navigation, positioning and timing services that is not only reliable, but also highly accurate.

In a statement, China’s lunar probe mission chief commander Ye Pejian said that since 2000, China has already successfully launched 16 of the constellation of 35 satellites for BeiDou, as well as four other experimental ones. BDS has also provided licensed services for its government and military users in fishing, forestry, hydrological monitoring and mapping, telecommunications, transport and weather forecasts.

BDS plans to take control of at least 70 to 80 percent of the GPS-dominated domestic market come 2020, this according to BeiDou spokesman Ran Chengqi, who is also the director of the China Satellite Navigation Office.

“We hope that the industries based on BDS will hold 15 to 20 per cent of the market share by 2015,” said BDS spokesman Chengqi.

As a way of contending with foreign rivals, BDS has integrated another communication function -- it can communicate with the ground station by sending and receiving short messages, 120 characters in each.

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Boingo Wireless expands Wi-Fi services in German airports

Boingo Wireless, a leading software and services provider, is happy to announce that it has agreed to manage and operate Boingo Wi-Fi services at three of the ten busiest airports in Germany: Berlin-Tegel (TXL), Nuremberg (NUE), and Stuttgart (STR).

Once the services are launched in spring of this year, Boingo will be the first and only international Wi-Fi service provider at each airport. The three major German airports are said to serve more than 30 million passengers every year, and are gateways to Germany’s government, industry and technology hubs.

In a statement, Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH Head of IT Knut Deimer said: “The launch of Boingo’s Wi-Fi services will provide our travelers with a familiar option for global Wi-Fi access. Boingo’s success in leveraging their neutral host roaming platform to maximize accessibility will help our passengers stay productive while in transit.”

Meanwhile, Boingo Wireless VP of International Markets Bjorn Thorngren noted: “These airports serve the techy-savvy international traveler who needs to stay constantly connected, making them strong additions to Boingo’s growing portfolio of European airports. The launch of our services at these airports will help our customers and roaming partners cost-effectively navigate international data connectivity without incurring exorbitant mobile data charges.”

Boingo will make use of its “Boingo Hotspot” SSID and fully control the customer experience to guarantee high-speed and reliable Internet service for travelers from all over the world. Boingo’s Wi-Fi services include authentication, roaming access and support to ensure a good quality connection for all users.

The Wi-Fi services of Boingo in the three German airports will also be available to the company’s roaming and platform service partners, such as Korea Telecom, LGU+, NTT DOCOMO, Orange France, Skype, Telefonica and Verizon, which wholesale Wi-Fi access from Boingo and deliver self-branded Wi-Fi to their customers as part of its existing services. Access plans offered by Boingo at all three airports include Boingo Europe Plus, which provides unlimited Wi-Fi at more than 200,000 hotspots across Europe, Middle East and Africa region; and Boingo Global, which provides flat rate access anywhere in the world. Hourly and day passes will also be available for purchase.

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Air Greenland employs Blue Sky Network’s New SkyRouter

Helicopter and fixed wing operator Air Greenland has chosen New SkyRouter -- a fleet management portal from Blue Sky Network.

Serving the aviation, land and marine sectors, Blue Sky Network is a leading provider of satellite tracking and communication solutions. The company’s New SkyRouter is a cloud-based solution that will guarantee constant connectivity with mobile assets that may be deployed in distant locations.

In a company statement, Air Greenland charter manager Hans Peter Hansen said: “ Blue Sky Network’s New SkyRouter combined with their variety of product offerings provides us something others simply cannot -- constant fleet connectivity. Given our flight routes to some of the most distant northern areas, we need the most reliable solution available; Blue Sky Network and Iridium make that possible.”

The charter services of Air Greenland serve the Arctic aviation, mineral exploration and offshore search-and-rescue operations. By working closely with Blue Sky Network’s Iridium Satellite-based products, New SkyRouter will help Air Greenland aircrafts and helicopters that travel in the northernmost latitudes stay connected. With this new development, Air Greenland fleets will have a reliable communication and fleet management solution that provides advanced tracking technologies and pole-to-pole connectivity with remote assets.

The D1000 aviation series hardware of Blue Sky has been integrated with the New SkyRouter, providing reports on GPS position, take-off/landing, altitude and on/off gate. This kind of system aids fleet managers to control their aircraft especially in case of aviation emergencies.The crew can send an alert to New SkyRouter to inform fleet managers the soonest possible time.

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Bypassing iPhone Lockscreen With A "Trick"

A flaw in the new Apple iOS has been discovered and perhaps needs an immediate fixing.

Just recently, Apple released an update on their operating system (iOS 6.1.1) as the fix for iPhone 4S users' 3G connections. However, the fix this new iOS provides was immediately followed by another flaw that needs fixing. Apparently, the update allows bypassing of the phone's lockscreen easily.

What needs to be done in order to bypass someone else's iPhone is by holding down the power button and abort emergency call and you are in. This iPhone hacking how-to's is instructed in a YouTube video posted by a blogger who named themselves as videosdebarraquito. Said video has 662,744 views as of the moment.

Confirming the vulnerability of iPhone's lock screen flaw, an Apple spokesperson said that the company plans to issue a fix in a future software update, no timeline has been specified, though.

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Hughes shows off satellite-powered wireless 4G/LTE at JIFX 13-2

The Joint Interagency Field Exploration field event at the Naval Postgraduate School in California recently hosted a demonstration of satellite-powered high-speed wireless 4G/LTE courtesy of Hughes Network Systems.

Hughes showed its government and military customers how wireless 4G/LTE transmissions can enable real-time video on-the-move, push-to-talk (PTT) communications, and situational awareness through high-speed satellite connectivity.

JIFX 13-2 investigated new data capabilities that can fulfill the requirements of combatant commanders and federal agencies. These data capabilities allow warfighters and emergency responders to complete their missions. However, they have been hard-pressed to find small, interoperable devices that can deliver real-time video communications while on the move.

Government R&D organizations, academia, and private industries hoped to find these devices and other crucial technologies at the JIFX event. Such technologies would boost their military capability, help cut down on costs, and allow them to team up with partner nations and organizations.

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LTE industry set for huge growth in 2017, says Juniper report

Juniper Research presented a new study predicting that 4G LTE operators can achieve revenues exceeding $340 billion in 2017.

According to 4G LTE: Subscribers, Devices, Infrastructure & Service Revenue 2013-2017, the entire LTE industry (2G, 3G, and 4G) achieved $75 billion of revenues during 2012. The industry had also gained more than enough momentum during the past year to trigger an extended growth spurt.

Additionally, the enterprise segment initially commands the highest number of subscribers and profits in the LTE industry. But Juniper says the increasing volume of consumer subscribers will exceed the number of enterprise subscribers come 2015.

Juniper also believes that the consumer segment will merely account for less than half of total revenues. The vast majority of revenues will go to North American and Far Eastern markets, specifically China.

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Ericsson to introduce new content delivery network platform

Telecom equipment and data communication systems provider Ericsson announced that it will be offering a new unified content delivery network (CDN) solution to address the switch of global consumers to broadband mobility. The Ericsson Media Delivery Network solution combines the delivery of managed and unmanaged content over fixed and mobile networks.

With this new solution, it enables operators to access the media value chain with profitable video delivery. It also allows enterprises and content providers with economical accessibility and quality of experience throughout networks, enabling the delivery of video, web content and application downloads.

In a company statement, SVP and Head of Business Unit Support Solutions Per Borgklint said: “Yesterday our mobile devices were telephones, today they are everything; out TVs, our banks, our conference rooms. The recent Ericsson Mobility Report shows that mobile data traffic will grow 12 times by 2018, and this is only the start of the tremendous transformation we will witness. The Ericsson Media Delivery Network solution breaks the boundaries of traditional CDN solutions, optimization, velocity of service, and monetization opportunities.”

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New SES satellite capacity powers VimpelCom data services, 3G rollout in Russia

SES will be providing Russian mobile operator JSC VimpelCom with additional satellite capacity from its NSS-9 satellite for the next three years. VimpelCom will use the new capacity to optimize their 3G networks and deliver high-quality data services to corporate clients in the Kamchatka, Magadan, and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky regions in eastern Russia.

VimpelCom is one of the biggest mobile operators in Russia. It leverages satellite capacity to link together the nodes of its transmission network in harsh and remote regions that lack terrestrial infrastructure.

The NSS-9 satellite' comprehensive coverage over Russia allows SES to support VimpelCom as the latter expands its 3G networks and extends data services to customers in the Russian Far East and East Siberia.

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Ancylus, Net1 create hybrid broadband solution for Scandinavian, Nordic maritime markets

The recently-formed strategic partnership of Ancylus AB and Net1 plans to deliver a cost-effective hybrid solution of wireless and satellite broadband services to the maritime markets in Scandinavia and Nordic waters.

Net1's wireless broadband will deliver high speed Internet to ships docked in port or operating in Nordic waters up to 60 nautical miles from the shores of Scandinavia. Ancylus will provide satellite broadband connectivity once the ships move outside the range of its partner's wireless network.

The hybrid broadband solution is optimized for marine activities like fishing, ferries, offshore oil and gas, short sea trade, and yachts.

In the wake of the worldwide economic downturn, the shipping industry seeks to lower costs wherever it can. Yet it is also becoming more and more reliant on high speed Internet and voice services for business and leisure purposes. The hybrid solution from Ancylus and Net1 will significantly lower the costs of communication while also increasing data speeds thanks to its combination of wireless and satellite broadband connectivity. 

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AT&T upgrades 4G LTE cell sites in Anchorage

AT&T upgraded several cell sites located near Fort Richardson, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Eagle River, and Fairview in Anchorage, Alaska. The improved coverage of Anchorage's 4G LTE network is part of AT&T's ongoing 4G LTE rollout.

The AT&T 4G LTE network made its debut in Anchorage back in September 2012. With this recent series of upgrades, the US communications holding company continues to invest in expanding its network and rolling out its new services.

According to reports, AT&T has spent over $115 billion on both operations and the acquisition of spectrum and other assets to improve the Company's wireless and wired networks during the last five years. Its 4G network currently covers 288 million people and will continue to improve. 

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GlobeCast extends capacity agreement with SES in the Americas

Satellite Services and GlobeCast recently announced that they have renewed their deal for the use of transponders on the AMC-1 and NSS-806 satellites of SES.

Because this capacity allows international broadcasters to reach cable headends in both Latin America and North America, GlobeCast will carry on using two transponders of 36 MHz on the AMC-1 satellite at 103 degrees West, and one transponder of 36 MHz on the NSS-806 satellite at the 319.5 degrees East orbital slot.

In a company statement, GlobeCast spokesperson Philippe Rouxel said, “North America remains the largest broadcast market in the world, and Latin America is a critically important element in our international broadcast strategy. For this reason, GlobeCast is pleased to continue its partnership with SES to provide our broadcast clients with optimal coverage of the Americas at a prime orbital location.”

Echoing the sentiments of Rouxel, SES Chief Commercial Officer Ferdinand Kayser said, "We are honoured that GlobeCast has decided to renew our ongoing partnership. The latest capacity agreements illustrate GlobeCast's and SES' shared commitment to deliver best-in-class broadcasting services across Latin America and North America.”

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Globe Wireless, Arimar team up in Italy, Mediterranean markets

Arimar announced that it has signed a long-term cooperation agreement with Globe Wireless to deliver the latter company's products and services to maritime vessels flying the flag of Italy.

The deal will open up the Italian maritime market to the two partner companies. Arimar will serve as the billing agency for Italian flagged vessels equipped with Globe Wireless systems. The two companies will be able to offer improved communication to maritime customers and industries in Italy and the Mediterranean region.

With Arimar's significant knowledge of the Italian and Mediterranean maritime market, Globe Wireless will be able to offer improved services and more innovative solutions to their joint customers.

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Broadcom secures set-top boxes with CRI technology

Broadcom announced that its portfolio of set-top box (STB) platforms are now protected by differential power analysis (DPA) countermeasures developed by Cryptography Research (CRI.)

CRI has licensed Broadcom to deploy the former's advanced security measures. CRI technology lets broadcasters expand their services and premium content delivery methods for multi-screen and Internet-based TV experiences while also ensuring their security.

Broadcom now offers CRI-developed DPA and developed countermeasures that will defend sensitive systems such as bank cards, mobile devices, and pay television systems against attacks. The Company is further offering more than 60 patents that provide countermeasures against DPA attacks.

According to Paul Kocher, the President and Chief Scientist of CRI, Broadcom is the first set-top box SoC manufacturer to offer DPA countermeasure technologies in its solutions. Broadcom will play an important role in the protection of pay-TV ecosystems and the delivery of quality content to homes across the world.

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Station711, Inmarsat integrate Crewtalk, FleetBroadband Multi-Voice into one solution

Station711 and Inmarsat have integrated the former's Crewtalk complete onboard voice gateway solution with the latter's FleetBroadband Multi-voice service to create a new communications solution.

The combination of an onboard PBX integrated with a crew prepaid solution boosts the accessibility and efficiency of operational and personal communications by allowing users to access up to nine voice calls at the same time.

The Crewtalk solution was created by Station711 to extend commercial, operational, and pre-paid voice services. It can also allocate different profiles per user and onboard extensions, which increases the flexibility of communications.

The combined Station 711-Inmarsat solution enhances the efficiency of marine vessels by way of the Multi-voice capability as well as the control and management of telephony usage and costs. The seamlessly integrated solution makes sure to route all crew phone calls through the prepaid system from either the PBX extensions or the dedicated voice lines.

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