14 December 2003
Satcoms
Bringing Satellite Radio to Canadians
Broadcom's Single-Chip Multi-TV
Set-Top Box Solutions Selected by EchoStar
HNS Expands Satellite Network For West African Bank
Satlynx Enables
TiscaliSat to Roll Out in 10 European Countries
Telkom Kenya Selects DirecWay
to Launch New Broadband Services
Tenzing and ARINC Partner for Email to Airlines
WorldSpace Bids on
US$ 98 Million Deal to Rebuild Iraqi Media Network
Military
Space
Harris Awarded
Production Contract For MIDS LVT Digital Tactical Comms
Science
Rockwell Scientific to Provide IR Sensors for Space
Telescope's NIRCam Instrument
Launch
Services
New NRO
Mission to Fly on ILS/Lockheed Martin Atlas V
SpaceDev Tests Rocket Motor for
SpaceShipOne
Launches
Gruzomaket
Uragan
Launch Schedule
Business
DirecTV Latin America
Files Reorganisation Plan
Thermo Capital
Partners Completes Agreement to Acquire Globalstar
Products and Services
NightHawk Systems Introduces Satellite-Based Remote
Control Product
QinetiQ Helps Protect Aircraft from Space Weather
SkyWay USA
Launches 'Open Standard' Broadband Service Offering
Stratos Launches New StratosITek IP
VSAT Service for Broadband Connectivity
Telenor
Satellite Services Introduces New Direct Dialling
People
Jean Réveillon Appointed Secretary General of
EBU
Bringing Satellite Radio to Canadians
(10 December 2003) CBC/Radio-Canada, Canada's
national public broadcaster, and Sirius have announced that they will form a
joint venture to bring satellite radio to Canada. The venture will soon file an
application with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC) for a license to provide satellite radio in Canada.
This new, subscription-based, national service will give
Canadians access to a wide range of programming and Canadian content.
CBC/Radio-Canada was able to secure the distribution of two of its main
channels, namely Radio One and La Premiere Chaine. As a result of
CBC/Radio-Canada's involvement, the new venture will also provide significant
opportunities for existing and emerging Canadian artists to showcase their
talent and be heard not only across Canada, but throughout North America as
well.
The CBC/Radio-Canada and SIRIUS venture will ensure that
Canadians have the greatest possible access to a wide array of commercial-free
music, information and entertainment services, as well as their national public
broadcaster. When licensed by the CRTC, this new subscription-based service
will be available to Canadians across the entire country, from urban centres to
even the most remote regions.
Sirius and CBC/Radio-Canada are holding
talks with, and may add, other Canadian financial or broadcasting investors to
the venture.
(source: Sirius)
Broadcom's Single-Chip Multi-TV Set-Top Box Solutions Selected by
EchoStar
(8
December 2003) EchoStar Communications Corp is using a combination of Broadcom
chips in its new DISH Network DISH 322 and Dish Player-DVR 522 satellite
set-top boxes. The greatest advantage Broadcom's chips offer EchoStar is the
ability, for the first time, to support multiple TVs with a single set-top box,
which lowers the overall cost of supporting DBS service in households with
multiple televisions.
The DISH 322 uses the BCM7319, a
satellite set-top box decoder that integrates the equivalent functionality of
two separate set-top boxes into a single chip. With this advanced capability,
the DISH 322 can deliver DBS programming to multiple televisions in different
areas of a home. Each television is independently supported, allowing multiple
viewers complete flexibility to watch their own choice of programming
simultaneously.
Building on this integration, the Broadcom BCM7320
decoder chip provides multi-television or PIP support as well as digital video
recording (DVR) capability in the Dish Player-DVR 522. The BCM7320 enables the
DVR 522 to support independent DVR television viewing in separate rooms of the
home simultaneously. In a single television environment, the BCM7320 enables
the DVR 522 to allow the consumer to view two separate programs with PIP
capability or, alternatively, to support watch-and-record DVR capability with
common DVR functions such as pausing live programming, recording, and
forwarding and reversing through recorded programs.
EchoStar's DISH
322 and Dish Player-DVR 522 also incorporate Broadcom's BCM4500 Advanced
Modulation Satellite Receiver and BCM3440 Digital Satellite Tuner. The BCM4500
receiver chip offers EchoStar 8PSK advanced modulation and turbo coding
technology that increases information throughput by 35 percent in a given
bandwidth or radio frequency link with no additional power requirements. The
BCM3440 is a CMOS-based direct conversion satellite tuner chip specifically
designed to support systems based on the BCM4500. The BCM7319 and BCM7320 both
interface directly to the BCM4500 and BCM3440.
The BCM7320 is a highly
integrated single-chip satellite set-top box decoder that incorporates dual
QPSK receivers, an MPEG-2 A/V decoder, MIPS64(TM) CPU and peripherals. It is
the first complete DBS set-top box solution to decode two transport streams,
delivered either via the external dual BCM3440 CMOS tuners or via the IDE host
I/F from an external hard disk drive, or any combination thereof, and display
the resulting decoded audio and video on two TV monitors connected to the same
set-top box. The Broadcom 2-D graphics engine incorporated into the chip offers
true studio-quality text and graphics with extremely efficient use of memory
and bandwidth. PVR capability in the chip offers personal viewing and
scheduling, video-on-demand (VOD), and VCR "trick mode" effects on both TVs
simultaneously.
With the exception of PVR capability and the on-board
QPSK demodulators, the BCM7319 offers the same functionality as the BCM7320.
Broadcom has developed and delivers device drivers that support
industry-standard operating systems, enabling rapid software development for
system designs for satellite customers.
The BCM7319 and BCM7320 are
currently in full production. The chips are each packaged in a 456-pin PBGA and
are priced at US$ 50 and US$ 60, respectively, in 10K quantities.
(source: Broadcom)
HNS Expands Satellite Network For West African Bank
(10 December 2003)
Hughes Network Systems Inc (HNS) has the announced the expansion of the current
HNS-supplied network for a West African regional banking institution, Ecobank
Transnational Inc (Ecobank). The current PES satellite network has been
expanded to include DirecWay broadband satellite solutions, providing Ecobank
with a complete broadband IP network.
Since 1988,
Ecobank has worked across West Africa with governments, municipalities,
multinationals, international organisations and the private sector to develop a
regional banking structure for communities in Benin, Burkina-Faso, Cameroon,
Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo.
Now that Ecobank is operating in twelve West and Central African nations,
expanding the network's capabilities to include DirecWay broadband applications
and services was a natural progression for the company.
Ecobank is
leveraging the expanded DirecWay network to provide their branches with
Internet and intranet access, IP multicasting, and MPEG video over IP, allowing
Ecobank to improve its customer service offerings and increase business
efficiency.
In addition to Ecobank, HNS provides satellite network
solutions to many other banking and financial institutions in Africa and
worldwide. Financial industry clients include Banque Centrale des Etats de
l'Afrique de l'Ouest, Banco do Brasil, ABSA Bank of South Africa, Caxia
Economica Federal, and American General Finance.
(source: Hughes
Network Systems)
Satlynx Enables TiscaliSat to Roll Out in 10 European
Countries
(8
December 2003) Satlynx customer Tiscali has expanded its interactive high-speed
Internet service via satellite to Finland and Slovakia. With this extension,
the Tiscali two-way satellite service is now available in 10 European
countries.
Companies and residential end-users in
suburban and rural areas, located beyond the reach of DSL, can now get a
two-way broadband satellite connection to the Internet, with download speeds up
to 500 kb/s.
Tiscali provides two-way satellite broadband connectivity
services to consumers, SoHo (Small Office & Home Office) and SME (Small
& Medium Enterprises) throughout most of Europe, as part of its Internet
access portfolio. Tiscali's two-way satellite Internet service, TiscaliSat,
allows customers to enjoy fast and easy upload and download of rich media,
audio and video content, while being always on line.
The service in
Finland will be provided through Tiscali Finland, while the service in Slovakia
will be handled through a local distributor managed out of Tiscali Czech.
TiscaliSat is available in: Norway, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Switzerland,
Austria, UK, Czech Republic, Finland and Slovakia. The service is targeted at
small and medium enterprises, which are out of ADSL reach.
(source:
Satlynx)
Telkom
Kenya Selects DirecWay
to Launch New Broadband Services
(10 December 2003) Telkom Kenya Limited (TKL), the
national Kenyan telephone network provider, has purchased a Hughes Network
Systems' DirecWay broadband satellite network, including a hub earth station
and associated remote satellite terminals.
The new Ku
band hub is located in Nairobi and is capable of providing affordable broadband
services across all of Kenya, a key component of TKL's expanded service, which
was launched in July.
Telkom Kenya Ltd operates the national telephone
network in Kenya, which was formerly KPTC. Telkom Kenya has four subsidiaries:
Safaricom, which operates a cellular phone network (in partnership with
Vodafone Airtouch with 40 percent shares), Gilgil Telecommunication Industries,
manufacturers of telecommunication and postal products (telephone handsets,
PABX systems etc), Kenya Postel Directories Ltd (publishes the yearly telephone
directory), and Kenya College of Telecommunications Technology, which offers
training to the communications sector. Telkom Kenya also offers a
satellite-based communication service utilising very small aperture terminals
(VSATs), Kensat, and operates Jambonet, which links local Internet service
providers to the rest of the world. Other facilities include a digital leased
line service, Kenstream, and an analogue packet switching service, Kenpac.
(source: Hughes Network Systems)
Tenzing and ARINC Partner for Email to Airlines
(10 December 2003)
Tenzing Communications and ARINC Incorporated have announced an agreement
making it easier for airlines to equip their fleets with in-flight email
connectivity and give passengers immediate access to their email, both during
flight and on the ground.
Airlines that want to enable
their aircraft for email can do so by installing Tenzing's software onto their
existing onboard LAN infrastructures. ARINC performs the Internet Service
Provider (ISP) role for passengers, integrating with the Tenzing application
and managing the billing, customer care, and assignment of email accounts where
needed. This provides airlines with an end-to-end solution for in-flight email
services to passengers. ARINC's ISP capability is provided by ARINC's partner
Airpath Wireless Inc. The companies recently formed Opti-Fi Networks Ltd to
deliver public and private wireless LAN services to airports.
Passengers travelling on aircraft equipped with Tenzing software with ARINC as
the preferred ISP partner will have two ways to access their email in
flight:
(1) those who are members of one of Tenzing's other partner
ISPs can simply use their existing username and password to connect, or (2)
they can set up an account in flight by subscribing to ARINC's in-flight ISP
services.
In addition to performing billing and customer care, ARINC
will provide passengers with a free e-mail account, as well as a username and
password, which not only provides access in flight but also once the passenger
is on the ground.
The ARINC ISP solution is available to airlines
regardless of their choice of air-to-ground service provider, making it easy
for airlines to provide their passengers with the freedom of mobile e-mail
connectivity.
(source: Tenzing Communications)
WorldSpace Bids on US$ 98 Million Deal to Rebuild Iraqi Media
Network
(11
December 2003) WorldSpace Corporation's Government Sales Unit has submitted a
proposal in partnership with nine other companies and institutions to rebuild
Iraq's news media institutions. The Iraqi Media Network operates the country's
national television and FM radio networks and Al-Sabbah newspaper.
WorldSpace is leading a team of companies with specialised
experiences and a track record of success in rebuilding journalism
communications in countries formerly under totalitarian regimes. With 40+ years
of related expertise and US$ 4.5 billion of combined DoD contracts, partnering
companies include TFS Group; The Rendon Group; East-West News Service; Oracle
Surveillance (security); and Harris Corporation, Broadcast Communication
Division.
Scheduled to begin January 1, 2004, the US$ 98 million,
one-year Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) contract to reconstruct the
Iraqi Media Network also has two six-month extension options. The main
objective of the contract is to ensure the Iraqi network is brought up to
professional standards in media. This will include the refurbishment and repair
of infrastructure, the provision of programming, the expansion of the national
newspaper network and the training of a local workforce. The final component is
to develop an exit strategy by privatising the media network and turning the
control back to the Iraqi nation of over 24 million people.
In
addition to fulfilling the requirements for a prime government contractor,
WorldSpace also has satellite assets which currently broadcast information,
news and entertainment to portable receivers in Iraq. With dozens of channels
in 15 different languages, WorldSpace's radio service has been broadcasting
into Iraq and the Middle East since 1999. Further leveraging the advantages of
satellite technology, WorldSpace will be able to datacast content across Iraq
to strengthen and build the news services, including Al-Sabbah, the country's
largest daily newspaper which has a circulation of 60,000 and only one working
printing press. The second printing press was bombed.
(source:
WorldSpace)
Harris Awarded Production Contract For MIDS LVT Digital Tactical
Comms
(8 December
2003) Harris Corporation has received a two-year, US$ 24 million follow-on
contract from ViaSat Inc, for Lot 4 production of Multi-functional Information
Distribution System (MIDS) Low Volume Terminals (LVTs). The MIDS LVTs will
provide US military forces with secure, jam-resistant, voice and data
transmission capabilities based on the Link-16 protocol for digital tactical
communications. The follow-on contract contains a US$ 9.6 million option that
could bring the overall MIDS program value for Harris to more than US$ 66
million by 2006.
The ViaSat/Harris team is under
contract to the US Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) for
full-rate production of LVT 1 terminals, which will be installed in military
aircraft such as the US Navy F/A-18 and the Air Force F-16. The LVT 2
terminals, which are designed for ground-based applications in shelters,
vehicles and weapon systems such as the Patriot, are also part of Lot 4. Harris
is providing an enhanced voice card, power supply assemblies, processor
modules, and the chassis for each of the terminals, as well as comprehensive
environmental testing of the assemblies.
Most US Air Force and NATO
fighter aircraft today have only voice or limited data communications
capabilities that can connect only selected aircraft to each other. MIDS will
provide interoperable data communications that link fighter aircraft to
airborne controllers, surveillance radars, collection assets, and ground-based
command and control nodes. The MIDS LVT's Link-16 protocol will provide combat
aircraft with integrated information from the battlefield. It also will provide
the capability to transmit threat and targeting data to US combat aircraft in
near real-time. All US-allied nations are strong potential customers for the
MIDS application.
(source: Harris Corporation)
Rockwell Scientific to Provide IR Sensors for Space Telescope's
NIRCam Instrument
(8 December 2003) Under a major award from NASA's
Goddard Space Flight Center, the University of Arizona announced that it has
selected Rockwell Scientific Company, LLC (RSC) to provide the infrared focal
plane arrays (FPAs) for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Near Infrared
Camera (NIRCam).
JWST, a part of NASA's Origins Program,
will detect the first light-emitting objects from the Universe after the Big
Bang. The light from these most distant luminous objects began its journey
almost 12-13 billion years ago, very near the beginning of the Universe itself,
now believed to be 13.7 billion years old. The NIRCam design is optimised to
find these "First Light" sources, but it also includes features that will make
it a wonderful tool to study star formation in the Milky Way Galaxy and to
discover and characterise planets around other stars.
NIRCam will fly
ten of RSC's Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) HgCdTe 2048 x 2048 element detector
arrays, each the largest available with current technology, for a total of 40
Megapixels. To form the FPA, these arrays will be Indium bump bonded to a
versatile, high performance Read Out Integrated Circuit (ROIC), the HAWAII-2RG.
The HAWAII-2RG, developed with JWST in mind, is already in use by ground-based
astronomers.
The JWST NIRCam IR-Sensor team includes Ball Aerospace
and Technologies Corporation, the Institute for Astronomy at the University of
Hawaii, United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), GL Scientific, and
Conceptual Analytics, LLC.
(source: Rockwell Scientific)
New NRO
Mission to Fly on
ILS/Lockheed Martin Atlas V
(10 December 2003) International Launch Services (ILS)
has received authorisation to begin operations for the launch of a new payload
for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) on a Lockheed Martin Atlas V
rocket. The launch is set for early 2006 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,
Florida.
This NRO launch is a new mission added to ILS'
existing contract for launches under the Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch
Vehicle (EELV) program. Details about the payload are classified.
(source: International Launch Services)
SpaceDev Tests Rocket Motor for SpaceShipOne
(11 December 2003)
SpaceDev has successfully tested a hybrid rocket motor designed for the first
powered flight of SpaceShipOne, built by Scaled Composites.
SpaceDev successfully test fired a motor with its
proprietary propellant equal to about one-half the total capacity of the motor.
The purpose of the test was to qualify the exact configuration of the motor to
be used for SpaceShipOne's first powered test flight.
SpaceDev also
performed a full flow oxidiser test through its proprietary main valve, during
a recent glide test of SpaceShipOne, in further preparation of the first
powered flight. The test was successful.
(source: SpaceDev)
Gruzomaket
Launched: 5 December 2003
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Strela
Orbit: LEO, apogee: 449 km, perigee: 441 km: inclination:
67.1°
International Number: 2003-055A
Name: Gruzomaket
Gruzomaket appears to be a dummy satellite, placed into orbit to test and
demonstrate the capabilities of the Strela launcher which is a converted
ICBM.
Uragan
Launched: 10 December 2003
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Proton K / Breeze M
Orbit: LEO, apogee: 19058 km, perigee: 18919
km: inclination: 65.08°
International Number: 2003-056A, 56B, 56C
Name: Uragan (3 satellites) - Kosmos 2402, 2403 and 2404
This launch
placed a trio of Russian Uragan navigation satellites in orbit. They will be
used as part of the Glonass satellite navigation constellation.
DirecTV Latin America Files Reorganisation Plan
(12 December 2003) DirecTV Latin America LLC
has filed its proposed Plan of Reorganization and Disclosure Statement with the
US Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware.
DirecTV
Latin America filed for Chapter 11 in March 2003 in order to address its
financial and operational challenges. The filing applied only to the US entity
and did not include any of the operating companies in Latin America and the
Caribbean, which have continued regular operations. DirecTV is a leading pay
television service in Latin America and the Caribbean with approximately 1.5
million subscribers in 28 countries.
In broad terms, the proposed Plan
contemplates that the Company will continue to exist as a Delaware limited
liability company whose members will be Hughes and Darlene Investments LLC, an
affiliate of the Cisneros Group of Companies. Holders of allowed general
unsecured claims will receive cash distributions equal to 20 percent of their
allowed claims. These distributions will be funded from the Company's operating
cash flow and a new credit facility to be provided by Hughes. The reorganised
Company will also use this exit funding to help fund its ongoing business
expenses upon emergence from the reorganisation process. Final details of the
new credit facility are subject to agreement by the Company, Hughes and the
Creditor's Committee.
Under the proposed Plan, Hughes will receive
more than 80 percent of the reorganised Company's equity upon its emergence
from Chapter 11 in consideration of its allowed claim for debtor-in-possession
financing, as well as for assets to be contributed to the reorganised Company
and certain other claims. Darlene will receive a minority share of the equity
in consideration of assets to be contributed to the reorganised Company.
(source: DirecTV Latin America)
Thermo Capital Partners Completes Agreement to Acquire Globalstar
(8 December 2003)
Globalstar LP and Thermo Capital Partners LLC have finalised their
previously-announced acquisition plan. As a result, a new Globalstar company,
controlled by Thermo, has been established, and Thermo will be providing
funding for the new company's operations.
Under the
acquisition agreement, Globalstar's business assets will be transferred to the
new company, which will operate under the Globalstar brand name. The transfer
of certain assets has already occurred, and the entire process will be
completed upon receipt of US regulatory approval, which is expected to take
place in the first quarter of 2004. In the meantime, Globalstar's regulated
assets will remain with Globalstar LP and will be operated by the new company
pursuant to a management agreement.
As a result of the transaction
with Thermo, Globalstar service and customer support around the world will
continue uninterrupted, and the new company is planning to introduce an
accelerated business expansion plan later in 2004.
The agreements
completed late last week will give Thermo an 81.25% ownership of the new
company that will eventually take control of substantially all of Globalstar's
assets and operations, in exchange for a cash investment of up to US$ 43
million. The remaining 18.75% of the equity interests in the new company will
be retained by Globalstar for future distribution to its creditors under its
bankruptcy plan. Additionally, Globalstar's creditors will have the right to
purchase additional equity interests in the new company for an aggregate
ownership interest of up to 36.37%.
(source: Globalstar)
NightHawk Systems Introduces Satellite-Based Remote Control Product
(10 December 2003)
NightHawk Systems Inc has introduced its ST1500 wireless remote control product
that utilises the Orbcomm satellite network. The ST1500 allows a user to
remotely control any electrical device located almost anywhere in the world.
The ST1500 increases functionality by providing for monitoring, control and
confirmation that commands have been properly executed, at new breakthrough
price points.
NightHawk plans to immediately introduce
the ST1500 to its existing customer base in the electric utility and traffic
signage markets and has plans to expand to new markets throughout 2004. The
satellite-based products will complement the Company's existing remote control
product line that primarily utilises paging service for activation.
NightHawk Systems Inc designs and manufactures easy to use 'plug and play'
products than can remotely control virtually any electrical device from any
location. NightHawk products are easily installed and operated by anyone,
regardless of technical capability. NightHawk services customers in a variety
of markets including electric utilities, traffic signage, computer systems,
commercial lighting, and irrigation.
(source: NightHawk
Systems)
QinetiQ Helps Protect Aircraft from Space Weather
(10 December 2003) On 4
November 2003, the Sun emitted the largest solar flare ever recorded, following
10 days of unprecedented solar activity. The atmosphere protects people on the
Earth's surface from solar flares, but passengers and crews on commercial jets
at high latitudes could receive exposure that significantly exceeds one chest
x-ray and can even exceed annual limits.
QinetiQ is at
the forefront of performing calculations for such events and has developed a
new product for monitoring solar flares and other space weather hazards called
Merlin.
The Merlin space weather hazard monitor is a small, low power
instrument, which weighs just one kilogram and can be fitted on all operational
and experimental spacecraft. The space version is available immediately, whilst
the aircraft variant (based on similar technology) will be launched
shortly.
The Merlin monitor uses its unique measurement capability to
provide operators with real-time data and alarms when threat levels are high.
Simple actions can then be taken to minimise risk - for example, satellite
operators can delay complex operations until the threat reduces, increase staff
alert levels or even shut down sensitive equipment as a precautionary measure.
Aircraft may be able to change altitudes or routes.
(source:
QinetiQ)
SkyWay
USA Launches 'Open
Standard' Broadband Service Offering
(9 December 2003) SkyWay USA has launched its retail
satellite broadband services for the continental US. SkyWay USA allows
satellite dealers to offer nation-wide dial-up Internet services and satellite
broadband primarily to the 30 million households located in rural markets where
DSL, cable modem or other terrestrial broadband Internet services are not
available.
SkyWay USA's Internet service offering is
powered by a proven international "open standard." The use of this Digital
Video Broadcast (DVB) Mpeg-2 technology for delivery of Internet services has
been tested thoroughly and is currently being used by more than 400,000
end-users, world-wide.
SkyWay USA's platform combines the economies of
satellite broadcasting and dial-up Internet access. SkyWay USA utilises an
experienced nation-wide network of satellite dealers to install their fast,
easy-to-use, and reliable solutions. This unique retail model allows dealers to
provide a complete Internet solution to the consumer, including unlimited
Internet access, satellite hardware, dial-up Internet services, and quality
24-hour customer support.
SkyWay USA's residential program is offered
to satellite dealers exclusively through Saturn Distributing.
(source:
SkyWay USA)
Stratos Launches New StratosITek IP VSAT Service for Broadband
Connectivity
(10
December 2003) Stratos has launched its new broadband IP VSAT service,
StratosITek, for next generation all-digital global connectivity. The system
uses iDirect Technologies' broadband IP solution and is designed to offer a
cost effective solution for small to large enterprise users. StratosITek
supports a range of communications solutions, including Voice-over-IP, file and
database server access, Internet, video conferencing, and e-mail. The service
is backed by two 24/7 network operations centres based in the US and the UK for
"around the clock" customer service.
Combining high
speed digital capacity with global coverage, StratosITek is perfect for
geographically dispersed organisations with a need for reliable information
management and connectivity. The StratosITek IP VSAT terminals provide
transmission speeds of up to 4 Mb/s, making it an optimal solution for a
variety of customers, including oil and gas operations, military personnel,
maritime, construction/engineering companies, and remote broadcasters.
(source: Stratos Global)
Telenor Satellite Services Introduces New Direct Dialling
(11 December 2003)
Telenor Satellite Services has introduced Satellite Direct Plus, its newest
innovation in fixed-to-mobile calling via satellite.
This new service determines call type and automatically routes it to a
telephone, fax, or personal computer and places the call regardless of
satellite terminal location.
Available today, Satellite Direct Plus
works for voice calls and data connections made over the global Inmarsat
satellite network, including Inmarsat A, B, M, Mini-M, Global Area Network
(GAN), Fleet and Swift services.
(source: Telenor Satellite
Services)
Jean
Réveillon
Appointed Secretary General of EBU
(8 December 2003) Jean Réveillon, the Deputy
Director General and Director of Broadcasting at France 3, has been appointed
Secretary General of the European Broadcasting Union at the 115th meeting of
the Union's Administrative Council.
He succeeds Jean
Stock, who informed Members of his intention to retire at the EBU General
Assembly in Stockholm in July 2003.
Jean Réveillon was elected
a Vice-President of the EBU in July 2002. He will be taking office as Secretary
General in February 2004.
Jean Réveillon has been the Deputy
Director General and Director of Broadcasting at France 3 since December 1999,
having previously been Director General in charge of broadcasting at France 3,
from August 1998 to November 1999.
From 1992 to 1998 he was Director
of Sport at France 2 and France 3. He was Director of France 3
Nord/Pas-de-Calais/Picardie from 1990 to 1992 and from 1984 to 1990 Director of
Development at La Voix du Nord (a regional daily). From 1967 to 1984 he worked
as a sports journalist, as Deputy Head and subsequently as Head of Sports
Services at La Voix du Nord and as Editor-in-Chief of La Voix des Sports.
(source: EBU)
