[SatNews] SatNews’ team is meeting, seating, and greeting clients at IBC.

[SatNews] RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd. (NASDAQ: RRST) has been selected by Synterra Media, the largest Media Content Logistics operator in Russia, to distribute live broadcasts of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) season games through April 2014.

Synterra Media was selected by KHL to distribute live KHL game broadcasts internationally and will continue its partnership with RRsat for the European distribution, which was initiated last year.

To support the HD transmissions from Synterra Media’s Moscow headquarters to RRsat’s Middle East facility, RRsat created a dedicated fiber connection comprising five parallel fiber lines.

From its state-of-the-art facility, RRsat will distribute live content through a syndicated channel as well as ad hoc requests, to millions of European viewers via the RRsat capacity on Eutelsat E10A satellite. Transmissions will use HD video and DVB-S2 modulation to ensure a superior viewing experience.

RRsat is also presenting its solutions for news, sports and special events at the IBC 2013 exhibition from September 13 through 17 at Booth #A23, Hall 1.

ASC Signal—Gateway Offers Ubiquitous Uplinks (SATCOM)

[SatNews] ASC Signal Corporation has provided the first of several large gateway antennas with high-accuracy tracking for the Slovenia teleport of STN—Satellite Telecommunication Network.

The first Ka-band gateway in that country, ASC’s 5.6-meter antenna system will incorporate ASC’s Next Generation Controller (NGC) and patented Sub-Reflector Tracking (SRT) systems to provide the highest level of tracking accuracy for any antenna of this type.

For more than a decade, ASC has been a leader in Ka-band transmission systems, having designed, manufactured and delivered nearly 300 Ka-band gateways worldwide. The company’s Ka-band gateways have formed the foundation of some of the largest Ka-band networks in use today.

The antenna system designed for STN uses ASC’s SRT to more accurately compensate for thermal effects on Ka-band antennas and ensure one one-thousandth of a degree tracking accuracy for Ka-band satellites. This level of tracking accuracy will enable STN to achieve the highest level of throughput per satellite transponder, allowing its customer to maximize the value of their satellite capacity and greatly improving the end-user experience.

In the initial project phase, STN will use the ASC gateway to uplink up to 120 SD format and 10 HD format TV channels over four Ka-band transponders. As the DTH platform grows to additional transponders over the next year, STN will expand its uplink capabilities with additional ASC Ka-band antennas to achieve a design goal of 180 SD and HD channels in MPEG 4, DVB-S2 standard.

“The higher-frequency Ka-band presents clear quality-of-service challenges for a rainy region like the Sub-Saharan,” said Keith Buckley, President and CEO of ASC Signal. “The high data rates it provides also offer exceptional throughput at a lower cost-per-bit. It takes the right technology to balance the challenge and the opportunity. We are proud that STN chose ASC for the job.”

“STN is very happy to continue the great cooperation between ASC and STN. We needed to build a solution with which we are able to expand both our existing operations and bring onboard more new clients with new Ka-band uplinks” said Mitja Lovsin, STN’s Sales and Marketing Director, who is responsible for Africa DTH project. “We believe that the emerging Ka-band market will become more and more an attractive distribution solution not only for Africa but also in other regions.”

Thuraya Has A Satellite Up Its Sleeve! (SATCOM)

[SatNews] The only satellite adaptor for the iPhone® that enables access to users’ favorite Apps, email and instant messaging in the most remote parts of the world.

Thuraya Telecommunications Company, a leading Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) operator, launched a new edition of the Thuraya SatSleeve, the world’s first and only satellite adaptor for the iPhone®. The new release allows users to make phone calls and to send SMS messages via Thuraya’s satellite network, it also enables them access to emails, as well as popular social media and instant messaging apps such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and WhatsApp among others.

Click on the graphic to reveal more about the sleeve. Thuraya SatSleeve users can now post news updates, chat via messaging apps with their contacts as well as send and receive email from the most remote locations in satellite mode. The device can be used across Thuraya’s extensive satellite network with coverage in over 140 countries. Samer Halawi, Chief Executive Officer of Thuraya, said: “The new release of the SatSleeve, which now includes data, underscores our commitment towards delivering new and innovative mobile satellite products. Thuraya is powering ahead of the competition with our strong product innovation strategy focused on making satellite communications more accessible and user-friendly. Users today are increasingly relying on their smartphones to stay connected and we strongly believe in listening to them and to their requirements as we develop new mobile satellite products that align with their needs.”

Thuraya SatSleeve enables users to enjoy ubiquitous coverage even in the most remote environments that are not served or that are under-served by terrestrial networks. The device also serves as an important mobile communications device, in addition to being a security backup for users that are operating in remote locations and in areas where natural or man-made disasters can render terrestrial communications unavailable. The SatSleeve customers include corporate users, enterprises from all industries, explorers, mountaineers and other outdoor enthusiasts. The SatSleeve can be used across the Thuraya network either with a Thuraya SIM card or with a standard GSM SIM card available from 356 worldwide GSM operators across more than 160 countries. This makes the Thuraya SatSleeve highly flexible with the ability to be suited to the users’ individual needs.

The Thuraya SatSleeve is available from all Thuraya Service Partners now.

[SatNews] This Company has recently enjoyed some positive personnel and property moves.

New Manager...
ITS Electronics Inc., a global supplier of advanced microwave and millimeter wave solid state power amplifiers (SSPA), frequency converters, transceivers, radios and intelligent wireless subsystems announce Jessica Moreno has joined the company as Marketing and Communications Manager.

She will be a valuable addition to the Vaughan office, focusing on a Canadian and International reach. She is an active member of the Atlantic Council of Canada, an organization that promotes the knowledge and understanding of NATO in Canada. She has also recently joined Women in Aerospace, Canadian Chapter.

With a background in marketing and government relations for Canadian manufacturers, Jessica will promote the ITS brand with creativity through a dynamic marketing approach. She is responsible for managing social media channels, developing website content and looks forward to connecting with established and prospective partners. ITS Electronics booth #5.B40J in the Ontario Pavilion

ITS Has Moved...
ITS has moved to a new 36,000 sq.ft modern facility in Vaughan, more than doubling their production capacity. By employing automation in their material flow, clean room processes, integration and testing, the work flow will be more efficient with better service, faster delivery and higher volumes for their customers.

New Director...
ITS Electronics Inc., announces that George Combes has joined the company as its Director of Sales and Marketing for the U.S. market.

Mr. Combes is a seasoned Executive with more than 20 years of sales and marketing leadership experience. He has opened new markets and successfully launched technology products and services in diversified fields of optical, microwave, and satellite network technologies and services for such companies as Codan Satcom, Comtech Xicom, fSONA Optical Wireless, P-Com Corporation, CPI Satcom/FEI Communications and SSE Technologies, Inc.

His main responsibilities will be focused on the company’s continued growth in sales activities, along with business development, formation and support for new strategic clients within the U.S. from the commercial and government/military markets.

Mr. Combes is a native Californian living in the San Francisco Bay Area and is a graduate (B.S.) from the University of San Francisco (USF). He also has served honorably in the U.S. Navy and is a volunteer Docent onboard the USS Hornet aircraft carrier museum.

George will be attending MILCOM’13 in San Diego, California from November 18th—20th, and is available at the ITS Booth #1439.