Newtec, an innovator in the satellite and communications industry, the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) and Arabsat, today announced that MENOS has been short-listed for the IBC2009 Innovation Awards. MENOS (Multimedia Exchange Network over Satellite), a revolutionary networking concept used to exchange multimedia content over satellite, allows broadcasters to share video and audio material among scattered sites in a fully automated and cost efficient way. The MENOS system also provides the ASBU with a complete range of tools to facilitate the
coordination of tasks and provide additional IP services across the network.
MENOS is fundamentally different from traditional satellite contribution systems: with IP as the core-protocol, all exchanged material transmits through a central hub station, which also provides permanent two-way satellite IP connectivity among all remote stations. Advanced DVB-S2 modulation technology, combined with the statistical multiplexing of the data, voice, television and radio signals, ensures the optimum efficiency of the satellite
bandwidth usage.
The 2008 Olympics saw the first use of MENOS by ASBU. Members were able to receive live Olympic coverage. After a year of operation, the system has proved to be reliable, including outstanding performance and quality of satellite VoIP.
The ASBU/Arabsat MENOS system was commercially launched into full production in January 2009 and has been in continual and expanding use since that date. Slaheddine Maaoui, Director General of the ASBU said: “The introduction of MENOS is an extremely important milestone for us, the Arab region and the broadcasting industry as a whole. The MENOS service is not only a powerful international exchange platform for radio and TV, but a powerful IP based service that is going to revolutionize broadcast transmissions. We are all extremely proud of this award short-listing, giving recognition to our investment and belief in such a revolutionary concept.” Khalid Balkheyour, CEO of Arabsat, added: “The introduction of MENOS is a historical moment for the broadcast industry, and we are delighted that the Arabsat satellites are playing a key role in this. We have worked closely with the ASBU to ensure that they have a real technological leadership with this advanced service and are proud of the recognition from the industry validating our vision for the future.”
Serge Van Herck, CEO of Newtec said: “Newtec has a strong reputation for technologicalinnovation, and there is no better demonstration than in the realization of MENOS. Shaping the future of satellite communication is our passion. It gives us great pride and satisfaction that the industry is recognizing our achievements with this award short-listing, confirming that our vision is the right one and will encourage and spur us on for the future road ahead.”
