Vizada Networks and VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), a company of VT Systems Inc. (VT Systems), today announced that Vizada Networks has purchased an iDirect Series 15000 Universal Satellite Hub. Vizada plans to launch a next-generation broadband IP service that will provide affordable Internet access across Africa and the Middle East, as well as support Vizada Networks’ corporate customers operating in these regions.

Vizada has installed the iDirect hub at the Nittedal Earth station in Norway and it will operate on the NSS7 (later NSS14 when operational) satellite, providing C-band coverage over Africa, and on the Intelsat IS1002, providing Ku-band coverage over the Middle East. The new service offerings will leverage expanded satellite capacity and DVB-S2/ACM bandwidth efficiency gains to expand Vizada Network’s market reach and network capabilities. Vizada Networks previously installed two iDirect iNFINITI hubs at its earth stations in Southbury (Connecticut, U.S.) and Eik (Norway) in 2006.

The Series 15000 Universal Satellite Hub is iDirect’s largest, most flexible satellite hub system enabling Vizada Networks to operate multiple high-performance DVB-S2/ACM networks over C-, Ku- or Ka-band and across up to five satellites. The Series 15000 also provides high availability by integrating redundancy into all the critical components of the chassis.

By combining the iDirect hub with the Evolution DVB-S2/ACM product line and the advanced features of the iDirect Intelligent PlatformTM, Vizada Networks can meet demanding customer applications. iDirect’s Evolution product line delivers dramatic gains in bandwidth efficiency, supporting a wide range of IP data rates, carrier modulations and FEC codes, including downstream modulations of up to 16APSK and upstream modulations of 8PSK. The iDirect platform integrates next-generation capabilities with a suite of technologies designed to meet the specific needs of vertical markets such as enterprise and government connectivity, as well as Internet service provision.

“iDirect is at the forefront of IP satellite technology innovation, and basing our service on the iDirect platform enables Vizada Networks to deliver significant value to our customers,” said Stefano Vittor, chief executive officer of Vizada Networks. “With the flexibility and built-in features of iDirect’s universal hub, we can capture a broad opportunity while meeting our customers’ growing demands.”

”Vizada Networks’ expanded VSAT service, built on next-generation technology, will bring high-performance IP networking to businesses ready to grow,” said David Harrower, regional vice president, Europe, iDirect. “This is an important development across critical markets where the VSAT industry is advancing economic and social progress.”