13 September 2018
New use of Ka-Band will also simplify deployments for end users without compromising on speed of connectivity
London, UK, and Brussels, Belgium, September 12, 2018 – A new low-cost satellite broadband service will be launched across Iraq and Afghanistan as SatADSL, a provider of professional VSAT services via satellite, and Talia agreed to expand their long-term partnership.
The two companies’ current agreement lets SatADSL link directly to Talia’s teleport to provide services across the whole of Africa, with Talia’s equipment providing high performance and low-cost per megabit. Under the new deal, SatADSL will also be able to access Talia’s new platform in Jordan Media City, enabling it to offer Ka-band services across Iraq and Afghanistan.
“We are taking our relationship with Talia to the next level by using its facilities to offer our innovative services across Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Caroline De Vos, Co-founder and Chief Operations Officer at SatADSL. “The use of Ka-band High Throughput Satellite capacity, combined with Talia’s equipment means the services we provide can be quickly and easily installed by users and offered at an extremely competitive price, taking a significant step towards bridging the digital divide.”
By connecting its Cloud-based Service Delivery Platform (C-SDP) to Talia’s hub, SatADSL will be able to offer the full range of services available on its platform in Iraq and Afghanistan, including vouchers, VNOFlex, Wi-Fi Hotspots, etc. The C-SDP is a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) solution which enables operators to deliver a full range of satellite-based connectivity services without investing in physical infrastructure. SatADSL expects to have worldwide coverage by the end of the year, further expanding the reach of its C-SDP.
To enable connectivity, Talia uses capacity on the Arabsat 5C Ka-band satellite, located at 20o East. Talia is offering its services based on the Newtec Dialog® multiservice platform which features small VSAT antennas (75cm) on the remote site to create a new lower price point for Internet access and innovative setup guides for self-installation via a smartphone app. A variety of Newtec’s broadband satellite modems have also been deployed, supporting different bandwidth allocations to ensure optimal bandwidth usage. This includes Newtec’s dynamic Mx-DMA technology to achieve the efficiency of SCPC with the dynamic bandwidth allocation of MF-TDMA.
“We see this next chapter with SatADSL as building upon what has so far been a hugely successful partnership in Africa, enabling many developing countries to have access to affordable fast satellite Internet,” said Jack Buechler, VP Business Development at Talia. “Just as in Africa, the services which SatADSL will provide in Afghanistan and Iraq, using our infrastructure will help bridge the digital and economical divide and transform societies for the better.”
SatADSL will showcase its services and the benefits of its C-SDP at IBC 2018 at booth 5.C31. For more information, please see: www.satadsl.net.
About SatADSL
SatADSL (www.satadsl.net) is a satellite Service Provider which designs and offers innovative satellite networking solutions to banks, microfinances, broadcasters, NGOs, Governments, ISPs, telecom operators and other companies in Africa and the Middle East in remote areas or where terrestrial infrastructure is not reliable.
Founded in 2011, SatADSL has already installed more than 3,000 VSAT networks in more than 45 countries. It specializes in providing tailor-made solutions based on customers’ specific requirements and flexible service plans that meet its clients’ budgets.
Through its carrier-grade Cloud-based Service Delivery Platform (C-SDP), which integrates the most advanced technologies, SatADSL provides custom-made networking solutions, tailor-made service plans and value-added services, including hierarchical service control and monitoring, traffic prioritization and online billing and payments, for any frequency band and any access technology.
About Talia
Talia (https://www.talia.net/) is a market-leading teleport, satellite and terrestrial network operator and systems integrator; providing global ICT solutions that allow enterprises to thrive. Our hybrid infrastructure supports international businesses with connectivity wherever and whenever they need it.
With headquarters in the UK, Talia owns and operates their teleport facility in Germany. With international offices across the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Europe, North and South America, Talia is ideally positioned to meet the growing demand of today’s global market.
Talia delivers solutions for enterprises, media companies, NGOs, government agencies and many others.
SatADSL
Caroline De Vos
Co-Founder & COO
+32 478 31 13 76
Caroline.devos@satadsl.net
and
Jayne Brooks
+44 1636 704 888
jayne.brooks@proactive-pr.com
11 September 2018
Vizrt to show multiple advanced image creation workflows with Viz Engine real-time rendering at the core
At the 2018 IBC Show, Vizrt, the leader in powerful visual storytelling tools for the media industry, will spotlight the power, versatility, and scalability of its Viz Engine real-time rendering system. Presentations at stand 7.B01 will highlight several new features and native support for third-party formats and systems, including the latest version (3.11) of the Viz Engine rendering and design software.
Vizrt’s render engine now allows producers to bring their graphics to a new quality level by rendering in the full HDR color range, using the latest IP streaming technologies, adding new levels of motion capture for augmented reality (AR).
Real-time motion capture and augmented reality
Vizrt will present The Big AR Show on its exhibit stand showing the latest in advanced augmented reality storytelling. This year’s show features the new bone and skin-based mesh deformation tools as well as real-time motion capture and photorealistic rendering—powered by Viz Engine. With the introduction of bones and skin based mesh deformation, along with physical based rendering, Viz Engine/Viz Artist 3.11 allows for complex storytelling with a new degree of interactivity. Three-dimensional models can be imported with predefined animations, but can also be driven by live motion capture streamed to Viz Engine.
Motion capture for The Big AR Show is provided by Motion Analysis Corp. as a live stream from their stand (Hall 7.B60). Motion Analysis is the sole provider of robust real-time retargeted skeleton data directly into the Viz Engine. The results will be a fully interactive AR 3D model interacting with the presenter during the presentation.
AR tools for esports
At IBC 2018 Vizrt is partnering with tracking company Ncam Technologies and Unreal Engine. During the Big AR Show, Vizrt will demonstrate the latest version of NcamAR for Unreal Engine 4 (UE4) integrated with Viz Engine. The new architecture enables Vizrt customers to combine template-based graphics and texts with Unreal Engine game assets for enhanced storytelling within live productions.
HDR workflows
High Dynamic Range (HDR) is gaining momentum among high-end film productions, live music concerts and sporting events due to its advanced color rendition attributes. Vizrt has developed and implemented HDR in Viz Engine supporting the HLG and PQ HDR formats. We will now show full compatibility with the S-Log3 HDR format developed by Sony. This is a high-quality digital intermediate process for a variety of post-production workflows.
At the IBC Show, Vizrt shows the S-Log3 capability at the Sony booth (13.A10) as a part of live production workflow where S-Log3 live video is converted to HLG and SDR.
Comprehensive IP Support
At IBC, Vizrt, which supports all flavors of video over IP, will show the continued advancement of its product portfolio for SMPTE 2110 IP-based production and distribution environments. At the core of these workflows is Viz Engine, providing graphics rendering, clip players, audio, downstream keyers and DVEs. The system is format agnostic, giving media companies the flexibility to move forward with quickly evolving IP standards. In addition, this ensures video, audio and graphics systems will continue to perform regardless of the choice of house format.
As part of this company-wide IP initiative, Vizrt is integrating the Matrox X.mio5 Q25 SMPTE ST 2110 NIC card with multi-channel 4K support over 25GbE, making Viz Engine ready for a wide variety of IP-based productions. With compositing NDI and SDI inputs, streaming via WebRTC and support for up to 16 RTP stream inputs, Viz Engine defines a new level of possibilities on any IP-based workflow.
About Vizrt
Vizrt is a worldwide market leader in the areas of real-time 3D graphics, studio automation, sports analysis and asset management tools for the media and entertainment industry. This includes interactive and virtual solutions, animations, maps, weather, social media, video editing, compositing, and multiplatform VOD and live playout tools. Vizrt has customers in more than 100 countries worldwide including CNN, CBS, Fox, BBC, BSkyB, Sky Sports, CBS Sports, Fox Sports, Al Jazeera, NDR, ITN, ZDF, VICE, The Washington Post, TF1, CCTV, NHK and the list keeps growing. Vizrt has nearly 600 employees and operates in 40 offices worldwide. Vizrt is a privately owned company by Nordic Capital Fund VIII. For further information please refer to www.vizrt.com
10 September 2018
It’s something nobody expects and in all likelihood is not planned for. Yet the number of early morning raids by authorities on media companies is rising.
John Schmidt and Wilson Mudge, partners in the London and Washington, DC offices of law firm Arnold & Porter, are keen to make sure that potential targets for raids are better prepared. They have written a guide for media companies that’s published in The Channel.
This subject was first covered in the AIB’s Member-only Market Intelligence Briefing. This is delivered to AIB Members across the globe with information that’s relevant to their businesses, ranging from technology to territory analyses, legislative changes to co-production opportunities. The Market Intelligence Briefings are just one of the wide range of services that the Association for International Broadcasting delivers to its Members.
If your company is not currently an AIB Member, read our Guide to Membership booklet and then start a conversation with us. The AIB is here to help.
10 September 2018
Australia’s ABC has complained about the blocking of its website in China. Access to the website and mobile applications of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation have been cut off in China for ten days, said the ABC’s board on 3 September.
The Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, which is directly controlled by Chinese President Xi Jinping, confirmed that it has classified ABC as a media “damaging [China’s] national pride” that should be banned.
ABC’s critical coverage of China, especially its publication of a 2017 report denouncing the growing influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Australia, appears to have triggered Beijing’s recent shutdown of the Australian broadcaster’s service.
According to the ABC, officials at two separate Chinese government departments have declined to specify how the ABC allegedly violated Chinese laws or cite any content as an example. Access to other Australian news websites inside China, including those of Fairfax, News Limited and SBS, appears not to have been affected.
In a statement, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) denounced China’s increasing censorship of foreign media. “Given the Chinese government’s stranglehold on the media, foreign websites such as ABC are the only platforms providing independent information to Chinese citizens,” said Cedric Alviani, director of the RSF East Asia bureau. “By adding ABC to its blacklist, which already counts more than 8,000 domain names, Beijing again demonstrates its commitment to keep Chinese citizens in ignorance.”
According to official sources, over two million people are involved in China’s censorship and internet surveillance effort. The “Great Firewall of China” keeps 800 million Chinese netizens away from a wide range of foreign news websites, including Wikipedia, Radio Free Asia, the New York Times, BBC and Bloomberg News.
China is towards the bottom of the 2018 RSF World Press Freedom Index, ranking at 176 out of 180 countries.
7 September 2018
IBC, the International Broadcasting Convention, held each September in Amsterdam, opens its doors on 13 September for its series of renowned conferences, with the exhibition opening the following day.
More than 57,000 visitors are expected to come to experience products and services offered by more than 1,700 exhibitors. IBC offers also a unique opportunity for broadcast professionals to network.
Many AIB members, among them broadcasters, content providers or leading technology companies will be present at IBC.
More than 400 speakers including business leaders, global game-changers and disruptors in the media, entertainment and technology industries will address some 1,700 delegates attending the conferences.
As in previous years, and in view of growing concern about so-called fake news and misinformation, news production and delivery will be the focus of several sessions.
One of these, Controlled chaos: Embracing change in the news media business, is dedicated to change in the news media business. It will be chaired by AIB CEO Simon Spanswick. Panellists will include the VP of CNN International, the director of operations of Al-Arabiya News Channel, the Chief Commercial Officer of Berlin-based Ruptly news agency and the editor-in-chief of WittyFeed, one of the fastest growing online content platforms in India. They will explain how they have embraced a constantly changing news media market, from content creation that appeals across diverse audiences, to platform and technical innovation, to scalable models and monetisation.
Reflecting technological advances, and as forecast last year, topics discussed in the conferences will include, among many others, the impact of AI, of voice-activated devices and services, of blockchain.
Changing the “face of content” to reach a younger generation on a multitude of devices, will also be debated.
No less important will be the impact of these technological advances on the production and delivery of services on new platforms for connected audiences, and the fast-growing of fairly recent services, such as e-sports and online gaming.
As usual, very advanced technologies, such as 8K, will be demonstrated by leading set manufacturers and broadcasters; the challenges they represent in terms of content production and delivery will be addressed in technical papers and presentations.
The AIB will be present at IBC and report during, and after, the convention on the conferences as well as on a wide range of issues and new products and services unveiled this year.
7 September 2018
Platform-as-a-service solution from SatADSL will empower operators to deliver competitive broadband services – including voucher-based schemes
London, UK, and Brussels, Belgium, September 06, 2018 – A new partnership between professional VSAT services provider SatADSL, iSAT Africa, and APT Satellite will see affordable broadband via satellite offered across Africa.
Under the agreement, SatADSL will provide its innovative Cloud-based Service Delivery Platform (C-SDP). This will enable iSAT to offer a suite of new services, including voucher services, VNOFlex and congestion-based services.
“We are very excited to be part of this partnership with SatADSL and iSAT to deliver cost-effective broadband services to customers in Africa,” said Thomas Antony, APT Satellite’s Director of Sales for the region. “The APSTAR-7 Ku Africa beam provides an excellent platform for Satcom services across Africa, providing extensive coverage and high performance.”
APT Satellite will provide capacity via its APSTAR-7 satellite located at 76.5 East, covering Asia, Australia, The Middle East, Europe and Africa with C-band transponders and China, the Middle East and Africa with Ku-band transponders.
SatADSL’s C-SDP is a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) solution which enables operators to deliver a full range of satellite-based connectivity services without investing in physical infrastructure. SatADSL expects to have worldwide coverage by the end of the year, further expanding the reach of its C-SDP.
iSAT is the latest service provider to connect to the platform, which is now being used by 77 Africa-based partners.
“Our C-SDP was created in direct response to market demand so the rapid take-up of it among operators is not surprising,” said Caroline De Vos, Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer at SatADSL. “As well as significantly reducing the amount of Capital expenditure normally involved in launching satellite services, it also allows operators to access new distribution channels and conversely provide their bandwidth to other service providers to monetize unused capacity.”
SatADSL will be available to discuss its C-SDP solution at IBC 2018 at booth 5.C31. For more information, please see: www.satadsl.net.
About SatADSL
SatADSL (www.satadsl.net) is a satellite Service Provider which designs and offers innovative satellite networking solutions to banks, microfinances, broadcasters, NGOs, Governments, ISPs, telecom operators and other companies in Africa and the Middle East in remote areas or where terrestrial infrastructure is not reliable.
Founded in 2011, SatADSL has already installed more than 3,000 VSAT networks in more than 45 countries. It specializes in providing tailor-made solutions based on customers’ specific requirements and flexible service plans that meet its clients’ budgets.
Through its carrier-grade Cloud-based Service Delivery Platform (C-SDP), which integrates the most advanced technologies, SatADSL provides custom-made networking solutions, tailor-made service plans and value-added services, including hierarchical service control and monitoring, traffic prioritization and online billing and payments, for any frequency band and any access technology.
About iSAT Africa
iSAT Africa is a UAE based company and a subsidiary of Wananchi Group Holdings, a fast growing fixed satellite solution service provider in Africa.
iSAT’s Satellite Solutions, backed by powerful Satellites, Teleport infrastructure and latest chosen technology solutions are unique in the industry, whether it’s for transmission of video, data or voice services.
Our customers include the leading media and network companies, multinationals, ISPs, Telcos and governmental agencies. We work closely with our partners and service providers to create the best solutions for Data, Voice and Video type requirements for our customers using our satellite and terrestrial infrastructure. Our mission is to transform the way Africa gets and stays connected with rest of the World through our carrier grade connectivity for voice, data and video applications increasing business opportunities in all kinds of diverse and challenging environments.
iSAT Africa, through its Satellite Teleport Services, is offering solutions that deliver efficient, reliable and affordable data, Internet, voice and video connectivity to enterprises, governments, carriers, media and broadcast, whilst providing value to its customers through comprehensive end-to-end solutions, turn-key projects, managed network services and network outsourcing. Through these services ISAT Africa is setting standards for transmission in rural and urban regions of East Africa.
About APT Satellite
Based in Hong Kong, APT Satellite COMPANY LIMITED (“APT Satellite”) is a satellite company operating a fleet of four satellites, namely APSTAR-5, APSTAR-6, APSTAR-6C, APSTAR-7, and APSTAR-9. APSTAR-5C is currently under construction, it will replace APSTAR-5 in Q3 2018. The footprints of the fleet cover Asia, Middle East, Oceania, and most part of Europe and Africa, extending services to over 75% of the world’s population. Currently distributing 600+ TV channels around the world including HBO, Disney, Sony Pictures, NBCU, EBU, GMA, TVBI, TVn, Celestial Tiger etc, APT Satellite is also supplying transponder capacity to a variety of DTH platforms, as well as to media networks for video contributions across the world.
