Pumpin’ Product Into MENA Via SSL

S2M provides of media-rich, mobile entertainment to customers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Last week, the company signed a contract with Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) for the S2M-1 hybrid satellite and terrestrial digital broadcast platform. This will be the first mobile TV satellite covering MENA. S2M’s platform includes an S-band geostationary satellite operating in conjunction with a terrestrial repeater network. This provides for ubiquitous coverage while offering the ability to share costs between many countries. The high power satellite will ensure cost-effective, pan-MENA coverage while the network of terrestrial repeaters will provide urban and indoor coverage. Mobile TV service will be available to consumers throughout rural and urban areas in the Middle East and North Africa, outdoors, indoors, in-car and while roaming in the region. Consumers will have a wide range of programming options and excellent image quality, regardless of the number of simultaneous viewers. Other public service applications include education, public warning, disaster mitigation and relief systems. The S2M satellite will be based on SS/L’s flight-proven 1300 platform, designed with a maximum launch mass of nearly six tons, a lifetime of more than 15 years, and 20kW of power. S2M will be equipped with a large deployable S-band reflector, 12 meters in diameter—Dubai, United Arab Emirates & Palo Alto, California