[SatBroadcasting(tm)] Vizada and its many partners, played an integral, behind the scenes role during the rescue of the Chilean miners last week.

The company and its network of Latin American and global partners assisted many major news organizations from the United States, Latin America, and around the world, transmit the story live through an innovative approach some are calling Broadcast in a Backpack. Just a few years ago, news crews carried large pieces of equipment to remote areas of the globe to report on disasters, elections and other events. That equipment was expensive and cumbersome, requiring complex customs declarations and paperwork that limited the number of crews sent to cover these important live events. In comparison, Broadcast in a Backpack describes the new compact, mobile satellite technology that news crews are loading in carryon luggage and taking with them around the world. These kits, which were used extensively in Chile and earlier this year in Haiti and other disaster sites, consist typically of a handheld Iridium and BGAN terminal that can transmit hours of live, high-quality video to studios around the world. These terminals also provide standard broadband data and voice services that support the crew’s activities leading up to and following live segments. Due to the flexibility in services — for example, being able to switch from a more basic Internet service to a robust service that can support video streaming — news organizations are able to broadcast from these remote regions cost-effectively and reliably.

Vizada partnered with numerous service providers, non-profits and others to help the world watch the live rescue in Chile. These media outlets used the terminals and satellite services to send many gigabytes of data over hundreds of hours of airtime. In particular, Vizada Service Provider GMPCS/Network Innovations partnered directly with CNN, ABC, CBS and CNBC during the rescue efforts while Vizada customer and non-profit organization HumaniNet supported RedeTV!, Brazil’s first 3D network. In advance of the final rescue, Vizada fine-tuned its network to handle the anticipated additional traffic. Non-profits like HumaniNet also understand the important role these easy-to-use mobile broadcasting solutions provide on the ground reporters and production crews. Some of Vizada’s many partners who provided solutions and support to media outlets during the Chilean Mine rescue efforts included Arycom, Continental Computer, Digital Skies, GCS, GMPCS / Network Innovations, Inmarsat, LatinCom and Livewire. The company worked with Inmarsat to provide voice and data service throughout the crisis.