From satnews@cix.compulink.co.uk Fri Jul 16 21:27:56 1993 Received: from post.demon.co.uk by cs.tut.fi with SMTP id AA00690 (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for ); Fri, 16 Jul 1993 21:27:36 +0300 Received: from orbital.demon.co.uk by post.demon.co.uk id aa16057; 16 Jul 93 17:14 BST Received: from (server@localhost [127.0.0.1]) by orbital.demon.co.uk (8.3/8.3) with SMTP id PAA07731; Fri, 16 Jul 1993 15:33:35 GMT Received: from post.demon.co.uk (post.demon.co.uk [158.152.1.72]) by orbital.demon.co.uk (8.3/8.3) with SMTP id PAA07472; Fri, 16 Jul 1993 15:25:30 GMT Received: from demon.demon.co.uk by post.demon.co.uk id aa12107; 16 Jul 93 16:03 BST Received: from eros.uknet.ac.uk by demon.demon.co.uk id as09307; 16 Jul 93 16:02 BST Received: from compulink.co.uk by eros.uknet.ac.uk with UUCP id ; Fri, 16 Jul 1993 16:00:00 +0100 Received: from smtpsrvr by cix.compulink.co.uk id aa22313; 16 Jul 93 14:20 GMT Received: by gonzales.compulink.co.uk. (5.65/25-eef) id AA21979; Fri, 16 Jul 93 15:18:40 +0100 Date: Fri, 16 Jul 93 15:18 GMT0BST-1 From: Darren Ingram Subject: Data Broadcasting News -sample To: satnews@orbital.demon.co.uk Cc: satnews@cix.compulink.co.uk Message-Id: Reply-To: satnews@orbital.demon.co.uk Sender: satnews@cix.compulink.co.uk X-Mailing-List: Satnews Status: OR ********************************************************* ****************** DATA BROADCASTING NEWS Edited by Darren P. Ingram News in English Issue number 30 - 28/06/93 Published Biweekly ---------- Editorial contact: Darren Ingram M2 Communications Limited 184 Brookside Avenue Coventry CV5 8AD UK Telephone: +44 (0) 203 717 417 Facsimile: +44 (0) 203 717 418 E-Mail : dbn@dims.demon.co.uk ---------- (C) Copyright 1992-3 M2 Communications, All rights reserved ---------- VW TO INSTALL 6000 SITE VSAT NETWORK Volkswagen AG has signed a contract with Scientific Atlanta for a 6000-plus site two-way VSAT network in Europe, aimed at the motor conglomerate's dealer network. SA is set to announce the contract's existence in the near future and is presently remaining tight-lipped over the whole affair. Once the network is completed, it will be the largest network of its kind in Europe, easily shadowing the yet-to-be-launched AXA Equity and Law 3000+ terminal VSAT network (DBN passim). VW is no stranger to the use of interactive VSAT services as its North American offshoot has a 900 terminal network provided by SA. The company says that the decision to install such a large two-way VSAT network was made because it needed time-critical communications for its dealers, and national PTTs could not guarantee the availability and backup of a terrestrial network. Logistically the operation of such a wide on-line terrestrial network was also problematical. Many network operators, who declined to be identified in print, were shocked at the enormity of the network, but hardware manufacturers are gleefully pointing out that they will benefit from the increased awareness, and business, that such large systems will bring. Presently the largest two-way VSAT network operating in Europe is a 150-site service for the Italian government's department of social security. Renault operates a 140- site VSAT network for its French dealers and Daimler Benz has a limited 20-site VSAT network. LATIN VSAT NETWORK PLANS TAKE SHAPE Three European aerospace companies are planning to build a private VSAT network for South America which will be used to carry video, data and voice telephony. Deutsche Aerospace AG, Aerospatiale and Alenia have signed a contract with the Argentine state-telecomms company CNT. CNT is overseeing the contract, which will provide service in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. The three European companies have set up a joint venture company called Nahuelsat SA, based in Buenos Aires, which will operate the service for a maximum of 24 years before licences are terminated. Financial terms have not been disclosed, but one report suggests that up to US$200 million has been pledged by Deutsche Aerospace, with the company failing to take a significant majority stake. A new satellite will be built and launched, either by Arianespace or General Dynamics, to rival the existing telecommunications services operated within the four target countries. Network capacity will be sold onto interested companies once the service is operational, and interim bandwidth will be purchased and provided on Anik and Brasilsat 2B satellites. IDB OPENS UK C-BAND EARTH STATION IDB Communications Group has formally commenced service to its 11-metre C-band earth station in the United Kingdom. The station, located at Brookman's Park outside London, is the first privately-owned C-band uplink in the UK and the first IDB owned and operated facility outside of the US. The earth station will be utilised by IDB Worldcom, the telecommunications arm of IDB, in cooperation with the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) to operate StatCom, a voice and data communications service linking the US and other European cities with the Russian Federation and CIS countries. A Russian Statsionar 5 satellite located at 53 degrees east longitude will be used to host the service. Customer premises equipment providing connectivity to the network will comprise of integrated 3.8 and 4.5 metre C- band earth stations. StatCom has been running since May 1993 with a temporary 7 metre antenna. IDB hopes that emerging and isolated businesses, such as the oil and gas companies, will find the service a more viable and cost-effective method of communications compared to present-day alternatives, such as the Inmarsat system. Edward Cheramy, president of IDB, said: "The oil and gas industry is expected to spend over US$20 billion in the next decade, developing oil and gas fields in the Russian Federation and the newly independent states. It is estimated that telecommunications expenditures will surpass US$300 million during that time period. IDB and RSCC are well positioned to serve these major telecommunications requirements." * RSCC is a state enterprise of the Russian Federation Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. EC TO ADOPT COMMON APPROACH ON EARTH STATIONS A recent meeting of the Telecommunications Council of the European Community has passed a draft directive aimed at creating a single market for satellite earth station equipment. If approved, the directive will assist the manufacturers of satellite communications equipment achieve the economies of scale necessary to compete effectively in European and world markets. The directive, COM(92)451, would extend the ruling of directive 91/263/EEC on telecommunications terminal equipment to include the harmonised certification and testing of equipment and to guarantee the use of approved satellite communications in all member countries. "The development of satellite communication has been up to now held back by the fragmentation of the Community market, in contrast to the situation in the US where this technology is more widespread," said an EC statement. COMSTREAM INTRODUCES SCPC RECEIVERS A new range of SCPC digital audio receivers has been launched by Comstream Corp. According to the company, the receivers feature configurations that are tailored for two specific digital audio market segments -- radio broadcasting and business music. Delivery of the units will commence in August, and they will be priced below the ABR200 SCPC receiver, presently Comstream's flagship product. The ABR75 receiver, designed for radio broadcasting reception, operates at a single data rate of 128kbit/s, although users can specify a rate of 64, 96, 192 or 256kbit/s alternatively at the time of order. The ABR75B is designed for use by business music and includes circuitry permitting the remote control (off/on) of the receiver's audio output. All units are fully compatible with each other within one network, and can be varied in accordance with local operating needs. TELETEXT JOURNAL TO BE LAUNCHED William Overington, the researcher and scientist behind the pioneering research into Telesontext, is planning to launch The Journal of Teletext, Telesontext and Telesoftware Research. Overington hopes that the 24-page A5 newsletter will appear every six weeks, and will address research by broadcasters into teletext-related topics. Selected advertising will be carried in the publication, which is destined to be read by academics and corporate research staff. A library of telesoftware will be held and maintained, being made available to broadcasters who wish to carry telesoftware broadcasts or trials at a later stage. STANFORD GETS VSAT PROTOTYPE ACCEPTANCE The ASOC and Custom Products division of Stanford Telecommunications Inc. has received prototype acceptance of VSAT equipment designed for use within wireless communications applications. The approved STEL-9236 receiver module has been produced to provide a 'L-band to datastream' receiver board and the first OEM contract has been signed by an unnamed manufacturer for it to form part of a commercial background music delivery service. Orders for over 5000 units have already been received. "The introduction of the receiver product opens up a range of VSAT applications that require high-performance satellite communications at aggressively low costs," said Hatch Graham, vice president and general manager of Stanford Telecom's ASIC and Custom Products division. "We are pleased with the initial response to our VSAT receiver product and believe our product offers state-of- the-art performance, yet priced below US$1,000 offers an attractive alternative for VSAT manufacturers." GCI EXTENDS NA KU-BAND SATELLITE CONTRACT General Communications International has signed a new agreement with Hughes Communications Inc. to extend its transponder lease aboard a Hughes Ku-band SBS 5 satellite until the end of the satellite's lifetime, presently estimated to be 1999. GCI currently uses the transponder to provide end to end data connectivity to customers in Alaska. GCI's GCI Network Systems subsidiary offers integrated communications systems using private telephone lines, VSATs and computer connections. "We are very pleased that GCI has extended its lease agreement on our SBS 5 satellite, which provides coverage for customers in Alaska, Hawaii and the lower 48 states," said Carl Brown, vice president of Galaxy Satellite Services for HCI. And Brad Spees, director of marketing at GCI, says that the satellite link is important because of the limited terrestrial communications services available in Alaska. "This system allows us to reach areas of Alaska where communications might otherwise be non-existent, such as oilfield drilling rigs, mine sites and logging camps. AT&T MOVES INTO INDONESIA AT&T Tridom is to provide Citra Sari Makmur, an Indonesian network operator, with a VSAT network to provide its customers with enhanced voice and data services. The first applications are likely to be for the financial and oil industries. Unrestricted build licences have been granted by the Indonesian government to CSM permitting the build of VSAT systems. Under the terms of the contract, CSM is scheduled to buy a AT&T Clearlink hub and 150 Clearlink System 400 terminals. A Clearlink voice link module is also to be provided for the service which will be hosted on the Palapa B satellite. "Indonesia is one of the fastest growing countries in the world. With a population exceeding one billion and a geographic coverage extending over more than 13,000 islands, Indonesia is a prime candidate for satellite communications," said Ray Robinson, chief executive officer of AT&T Tridom. NEWS IN BRIEF Reports from India say that the Indian Department of Telecommunications is planning to launch its own VSAT network to counter a plan by Hughes Escorts Communications, an Indian offshoot of General Motors. Tenders have been requested from hardware vendors for equipment compatible with the planned 200 terminal C-band system. The DoT plans to use the Insat-1A satellite for the service. The Second European Space Agency Electronic Components Conference was recently held at ESTEC in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, and attended by over 300 specialists from 20 countries. The conference concluded that the market for high reliability space components is rapidly changing, that the complexity of electronic components used in space programmes is increasing, that programmable integrated circuits are needed in space programmes and that the exchange of data and information regarding components in space applications is necessary. AlphaServ has won an order from British Rail's Network South East region to supply a turnkey maintenance service for its satellite information system. The maintenance will cover the pilot service introduced by BAeComm (with the data section bought out by AlphaServ) in 1992. Muzak has signed a multi-year contract worth US$2 million with Antex Electronics Corp. for a new satellite downloadable message system. The digital system allows the recording and playback of digitized audio messages and schedules for use within retail shopping organisations. Word has it that AlphaServ has signed a contract for a UK-wide satellite data broadcasting service. Details on the client are presently unknown, but it is hoped that further information will be in the next issue of DBN. ICV sources suggest that it has placed an order with AlphaServ for satellite hardware and services. ICV has signed a contract with Maxat for satellite capacity and services. Hughes Network Services is reportedly planning a US$6 million deal which will see a VSAT network launched in Russia using capacity from Ruduga in C-band. Further details are expected soon. BT Visual & Broadcast Services has just concluded a major training programme for over 200 staff on broadcast services (VSAT, BTV and SSS). The core unit of sales staff will act as an interface between BT's national telecomms sales force, providing expertise and support as required. Hughes STX Satellite Mapping Technologies has signed a contract with an unnamed energy exploration firm to manage and provide a range of enhanced satellite services. Details of the contract, worth US$1 million, have been classed as confidential, but work duties will include satellite sensing, archiving, distribution and management. Peter Martin has been appointed business manager of BT's SatStar VSAT offering, while Andrew Joyce takes over the reins as business manager for business television. BT is presently looking at integrating BTV over a two-way VSAT network. The National Stock Exchange in India is looking at launching a satellite communications network providing the delivery of financial information to dealing rooms and brokers through VSAT. A service would be launched late in 1994, once specifications have been made. CORRECTION: In the last issue of DBN under an article entitled "Coventry Set to be teletext capital of world?" a number of editing errors were made. The work into Telesontext is being conducted by the Management Division of the School of Engineering, and not the Business School as stated. Our apologies to Coventry University and William Overington. SPECIAL REPORT Intelsat: The Reuters Connection to Latin America Reuters has been using Intelsat's Intelnet service for the past six years to speed news and information to over 500 small dish antennas throughout Latin America. Operating 24 hours per day, the network pulls in and distributes raw material for colour news pictures, news reports and real-time financial in formation from the world's major exchange markets. Using the Intelsat 601 satellite at 332.5 degrees east longitude, with a fractional transponder lease operated between COMSAT in the U.S., EMBRATEL in Brazil and Telintar in Argentina, the Reuters network delivers data in real-time to areas as far south as Patagonia in Argentina, and to as far north as the densely populated suburbs of Mexico City. "We were the first in the world to use Intelnet for direct satellite delivery internationally," says Horacio Pardo, Reuters technical manager for the project. "The Intelnet service bounces signals from a single point at Reuters technical centre on Long Island, New York to an unlimited number of subscribers." Reuters' VSAT network has been a key element in the agency's business strategy for Latin America, providing reliable, versatile and cost-efficient alternatives. The network began operation in 1987 using 9.6 kbit/s of a 5 MHz segment on the hemispheric beam of the 332.5 degrees east longitude satellite. Several months later, a 19.2 kbit/s carrier (9 MHz lease) was added. This capacity is used to provide the Reuters SDS2 service, which carries wire data providing stock quotes, cash market prices, news coverage, futures quotations, weather, OPEC reporting, energy statistics, and regional and international market reports. In 1992, Reuters further expanded the network with a 168 kbit/s carrier (18 MHz lease), which currently provides the SDS3 service. SDS3 is a multiplexed service offering stock market ticker and price quotes through a custom financial monitoring software. This customized software allows the user to set price limits on particular stocks to alert the customer for buying and selling decisions. SDS3 also provides a 1200 bit/s wire service, which can interface to a computer or directly to an ASCII printer, and a laser photo service for both black and white and colour photograph delivery. The photo service is Reuters first approach to a multi-media feed. Eventually, this feed could include audio signals, television clips and TIFF layout files, used for importing photographs and other graphic images. "The SDS3 market and news feeds are swept into 386 or 486 PCs that use Windows to sort and display information on a real-time basis, cross-referencing to create graphics showing market trends," says Enrique Jara, Reuters manager for Latin America and the Caribbean. "The news feeds can also be funnelled into client systems running applications, including Lotus or Excel, for selective and detailed analysis of those factors of interest to the user." In parallel to the SDS services, which are receive only systems, Reuters also began operation of two-way service between four of its offices in Latin America and the company's area headquarters in New York, using the Intelsat satellite at 335.5 degrees east longitude. Through COMSAT in the U.S. and CNT in Argentina, the interactive service began in 1990 between New York and Buenos Aires, and was the first international IBS communications system operated interactively by a private company in Argentina. Since that time, the service has been expanded to include Reuters offices in Chile, Brazil and Venezuela. The 7-meter customer-premise terminals now carry point-to-point wideband applications, such as connecting Reuters Spanish Language Service's central editing desk in Buenos Aires to the main System 55 host in New York. The desk, which was put into operation in 1992, marked the first time that a LAN had been used over a satellite link to connect remote PCs with a System 55 central editing system. Reuters executives state that using the on-site terminals has helped reduce in-house communications costs by offering digitized voice and electronic mail circuits between the two offices and providing a cost-effective alternative for the delivery of digital pictures to Reuters pictures desk. "With both the SDS and the point-to point wideband services, Reuters has met its business goals by providing clients with quality service at reasonable cost. The company has also benefitted by achieving economies of scale in the management of its intensive use of communications," Jara says. "Without Intelsat, much of the region, particularly outside the major urban areas, would be outside the flow of information and data that is so sorely needed for doing business." * This article originally appeared in Intelsat News, the house magazine of the International Satellite Organisation. ---------------------------------------------------------------- DBN is published biweekly by M2 Communications Limited and is (C) copyright with all rights reserved. The NON-SUBSCRIBER VERSION is a limited, delayed subset of the printed subscription version. To subscribe to the printed version, please contact M2 Communications Limited at 184 Brookside Avenue, Coventry CV5 8AD, UK. Subscription rates are 300 (UK/EUR), 350 (North America) and 400 (rest of the world). Discounts available for non- corporate subscribers, with subscriptions starting at 50. Further discounts for delivery of DBN b electronic mail are available. Articles and contributions are welcome. Weekly deadline 1800 GMT Wednesday prior to publication. All articles submitted remain the property and rights of the publisher unless agreed otherwise, and may be edited for clarity, brevity etc. The views of contributors do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of DBN, M2 Communications or its staff. -----------------------------------------------------------------