PolarSat VSAT mesh network organizes Chinese civil aviation traffic

The General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) has awarded VSAT terminal provider PolarSat with multiple orders for supplying additional VSATPlus II satellite communications equipment and attached services.

The CAAC will use the new batch of PolarSat VSAT equipment to expand its communications network to more than 350 sites that cover the entire 54MHz transponder.

The VSATPlus II network will create a full mesh network that links the headquarters offices and regional centers of the Air Traffic Management Bureau (ATMB.) All sites will support a complex mix of voice and data communications. For normal telephony traffic and hotline applications, such as VHF voice for Air Traffic Controllers, the network provides a mix of pre-assigned (PAMA) and on-demand (DAMA) voice circuits.

Furthermore, the PolarSat VSAT mesh network will provide data communications for radar multicasting, LAN-to-LAN connectivity, client-server applications, general corporate communications, and other applications. It will also provide backup connectivity to the ATMB’s terrestrial network.

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Gazprom taps Newtec for new VSAT platform leveraging Yamal-402 Ku-band satellite

Newtec has secured a number of contracts with Gazprom Space Systems (GSS) for the delivery of a new, complete VSAT platform that will leverage the newest Yamal satellite, Yamal-402. The Company is GSS' preferred partner of choice for the hub, modems, antennas, and other SATCOM equipment that comprise the new VSAT platform.

Until recently, the only VSAT installations in Russia were expensive and professional installations in limited hot spots in the Moscow and Saint Petersburg regions. Meanwhile, remote areas of the country were unable to access affordable and essential Internet access.

GSS intends to change that by offering satellite broadband access services to local Internet Service Providers, who in turn will supply services to consumers and enterprise customers. Capacity will be provided by Yamal-402.

The Yamal 402 Ku-band satellite had been launched in December 2012. Located at 55 degrees East, its 46 Ku-band transponders, four fixed beams, and one steerable beam can serve any location in Russia.

Newtec began offering its new high-speed Ka-band VSAT broadband technology in 2012.

The terminals it will provide to the GSS VSAT network will first use Ku-band and can later be upgraded to access higher throughput Ka Band frequencies without needing to adapt hardware.

TCS gets order for deployable VSAT satellite systems from Australian DSTO

TeleCommunication Systems. Inc. recently accepted an order for Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) satellite systems from the Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO). The organisation is known as Australian government’s lead agency in charge of applying science and technology for the protection and defense of Australia and its national interests. DSTO also gives expert, impartial advice and creative solutions for defense and other essential features pertaining to national security.

The VSAT systems of TCS deliver multimedia communications capabilities, channeling encrypted voice, video and data. Highly transportable and ruggedized, TCS VSAT systems also have a graphical user interface that allows for easy set-up and operation. The modularity and plug-and-play interfaces between all radio frequency (RF) and baseband configurations inherent to the product line result in communication solutions that are custom-fit to the end-user’s specific needs.

For almost 25 years now, TeleCommunications Systems has established a tried-and-tested track record as a reliable provider of communication technology solutions to resolve the government’s most difficult technical challenges, under circumstances that demand the highest level of availability, reliability and security.

Gilat deploying SkyAbis backhaul solution for MNO operator in Southeast Asia

Gilat Satellite Networks announced that it will be providing its SkyAbis cellular backhaul solution to an anonymous Mobile Network Operator (MNO) in Southeast Asia as part of a new VSAT deal with Huawei.

The Company will supply a SkyEdge 2 hub and SkyEdge 2 Pro VSAT systems to replace aging SCPC modems used in the MNO's current network. Gilat will also perform remote site installation and other similar services.

Gilat designed its SkyAbis cellular backhaul solution with an eye to supporting 2G and 3G BTS/Node B sites. The VSAT solution will boost the bandwidth efficiency and throughputs of the nationwide cellular infrastructure operated by the Southeast Asian mobile network operator. In particular, SkyAbis Dynamic Allocation Multiple Access (DAMA) will save satellite capacity by allocate bandwidth to a site as and when it is required.

XipLink optimizes Vitacom VSAT satellite service networks in Africa, Latin America

Various customers in Africa and Latin America will be able to enjoy improved VSAT satellite services after XipLink successfully installed XA appliances on Vitacom's production networks.

Vitacom recently optimized satellite services use SCPS TCP Acceleration and integrated X1/X2 streaming compression to deliver greater capacity to Vitacom and improving the quality-of-experience of the end users by way of faster refresh rates.

The XipLink technical solution was certified in advance. Romantis had extensively tested the TDMA network while Datum Systems had done the same for the SCPC devices. The advanced certification allowed the XipLink appliances to be quickly integrated into the production networks and deliver positive results almost immediately.

With XipLink technology, Vitacom will be better able to deliver world class VSAT services. It also gains higher effective bandwidth without needing to purchase expensive additional capacity, and its services' response times will have been vastly increased. 

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MTN scores new deals for VSAT services with luxury cruise operators

VSAT satellite service provider MTN Satellite Communications recently signed new contracts and activities with luxury cruise operators Paul Gauguin Cruises, The World, and Windstar Cruises to supply a series of VSAT services.

Aside from VSAT, Florida-based MTN will also provide data, Internet, voice, news, entertainment and financial services to customers, with the goal of developing overall business operations and guarantee the satisfaction of passengers and crew welfare initiatives.

“Our team at MTN recognizes that no two customers are alike and it is our job to develop communication solutions that not only meet, but exceed their unique communications requirements,” MTN Vice President and General Manager Brent Horwitz said in a statement. “The fact that these prestigious cruise lines chose to use MTN for delivery to customers who demand only the best is a testament to our ability to lead market innovation when it comes to high-quality, reliable maritime connectivity solutions.”

Financial information of the contracts were not revealed.

MTN signs new VSAT service contracts with luxury cruise operators

Windstar Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises, and The World have turned to MTN Satellite Communications (MTN) for a wide variety of VSAT services that will be deployed aboard their cruise ships.

The three luxury cruise operators entered new contracts with MTN that called for voice, data, Internet, news, entertainment, and financial services for cruise ship passengers in addition to the usual VSAT coverage and services.

MTN services are expected to improve overall business operations, make sure passengers are satisfied, and provide the crew with welfare initiatives.

MTN did not disclose the financial details of its new VSAT contracts with Windstar Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises, and The World.

The Caribbean receives extended mini-VSAT network capacity from KVH

World-leading solutions manufacturer KVH Industries has now expanded the capacity of the company’s mini-VSAT Broadband network in the Caribbean region to cater to the higher demand of the thriving customer base.

The expanded capacity is said to be part of the current global network upgrade which involves the deployment of Variable Coding, Spreading, and Modulation (VCSM) technology supplied by ViaSat. KVH Industries utilizes spread spectrum technology specifically built to enable the use of antennas that are 85 percent smaller compared to competing products, all while still providing high-speed and quality service.

KVH plans on developing the company by using its business model and by leveraging the readily available commercial FSS satellite capacity which covers the globe’s oceans provided by leading industries, instead of investing in its own satellites. The mini-VSAT Broadband network currently rents 17 transponders to cover the world using a hybrid network, which includes C-band and Ku-band coverage, using KVH’s unique one meter, dual-mode TracPhone V11 antenna.

In a statement, KVH Mobile Broadband Group Executive Vice President Brent Bruun said, “Our customers enjoy the highest quality satellite service available, with downloads as fast as 4 Mbps and uploads as fast as 1 Mbps, as well as crystal clear Voice over IP (VoIP) telephone lines with optimized service and prioritization of applications. The addition of this new capacity in the Caribbean in time for the busy winter season is a perfect example of how we actively monitor and manage our mini-VSAT Broadband network to ensure we are delivering the speeds and quality of service our customers expect.”