16 September 2003
Convened by ESOA (European Satellite Operators Association) and SIA (Satellite Industry Association) chief executives and senior representatives from member satellite operators met in Paris to discuss the critical role satellites can play in meeting the needs of the Information Society.
This first session of the two associations, whose member operators reach the four corners of the globe, focussed on how satellites can serve the broadband needs of businesses, individuals and communities in developing and developed nations. Broadband objectives in different countries that call for universal access to high-speed networks within the next five years can only be met if satellites are a contributing technology, particularly for rural communities and for developing countries.
The CEOs underlined the need for ESOA and the SIA to work together on building improved awareness of how satellite communications provide enormous public benefits.
16 September 2003
ND SatCom AG, an AIB member and a leading global supplier of satellite based broadband VSAT, broadcast and military communication network and ground station solutions, introduced at IBC 2003 its new SkyWAN Compact solution. With this new product ND SatCom expands its model family from the high end VSAT market with fully meshed networks to comprehensive but lower priced star-topology VSAT solutions.
The SkyWAN Compact package combines SkyWAN IDU 2000 with the low-power Radio Frequency Transmitter family in a highly integrated and compact format solution. SkyWAN IDU 2000 is a derivative of ND SatComs flagship the SkyWAN IDU 5000. It is based on the same technology platform. This slim version is offered off-the-shelf in star topology configuration. Seamless integration into SkyWAN networks is possible.
SkyWAN is a highly flexible and versatile VSAT system for establishing wide area corporate networks whilst providing IP router and frame relay switch functionality. Thus a wide variety of end-user business communication applications are supported in a manner as yet
unparalleled in the industry.
15 September 2003
Peter Senger, Director of Marketing, Distribution and Engineering at Germany’s international broadcaster Deutsche Welle and Chairman of the Digital Radio Mondiale consortium, has been awarded the EBU International Broadcasting Committee’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
At a ceremony during the IBC convention in Amsterdam on 15 September, Lodewijk Bouwens, Chair of the EBU Committee and Director of Radio Netherlands, presented the award on behalf of the EBU. Citing Senger’s work on DRM as one of the prime reasons for the award, Bouwens said that the DRM system will have a lasting and positive impact on international broadcasters worldwide.
12 September 2003
Still striving to reach news audiences, VOA has launched a new daily Indonesian television news show, Jurnal VOA, on Metro TV in Indonesia.
Jurnal VOA, a 25-minute live and interactive show focusing on the main news stories of the day, will air on Metro TV Monday through Friday from 5.05 to 5.30 am local time. Metro is seen in 39 cities throughout Indonesia, including all the major markets.
VOA is currently on the internet at www.VOAindonesia.com, while VOA’s Indonesian TV programs include a 30-minute magazine show, Dunia Kita, broadcast via Metro TV on Mondays at 1.30 p.m. and Halo VOA, an interactive discussion, broadcast via satellite on Thursdays at 5.30 a.m.
12 September 2003
AIB member Radio New Zealand International announces on its web site:
“At last we have some good news! RNZI is back on air with a reduced service – RNZI is leasing time on Radio Australia. Listen from 1700 to 2115 UTC Monday to Friday and on Saturdays from 1700- 2015 UTC on frequency 9580 kHz.”
RNZI’s shortwave transmitter has been off the air for some weeks because of a technical fault.
12 September 2003
Recently, the Pakistan government has declared its intention greatly to increase the number of TV and radio outlets in the countries. Then came news of a ban on Urdu-language cable TV from India.
Now the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmad has asked cable television operators to show only those channels that provide entertainment and positive information to people. Talking to representatives of cable TV operators in Islamabad, the minister directed them not to show channels to Pakistani viewers which were against Islamic teachings and the ideology of the country. At the same time he announced reduction in charges for loop operators from 25,000 rupees to 10,000 rupees.
Federal Information Secretary Syed Anwar Mehmood directed the cable TV operators to improve their service and not show PTV dramas [soap operas] and other programmes illegally.
