Newtec + Eutelsat + SkyeVine + SES… Triple Sat3Play (SATCOM)

[SatNews] One solid contract is a worthy accomplishment, but three at one time… quite amazing!

The broadband subsidiary of Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL), Skylogic, has selected leading satellite communications specialist Newtec in a significant contract to supply its Sat3Play® hub technology. To be installed at Skylogic’s Sardinia teleport, Newtec’s technology will operate via Eutelsat Ku-band satellite capacity to ramp up the group’s response to rapidly growing broadband markets in Africa. With capacity commercialized on 27 satellites providing coverage across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and significant parts of Asia as well as the Americas, Eutelsat is one of the world’s leading satellite operators. Sat3Play is a two-way satellite broadband system designed to deliver IP-based services for ISPs wanting to offer competitive data, voice and optional television services in areas where insufficient terrestrial broadband connectivity is available. Newtec and Eutelsat will be showcasing the Sat3Play terminal at the IBC2011 show taking place at Amsterdam RAI between September 8th and 13th.

Additionally, South African company SkyeVine®, which will provide satellite based broadband services in Africa using Ku-band satellite capacity on Intelsat’s New Dawn, has signed a major contract with Newtec, which will deliver a Sat3Play® hub and terminals. Currently in the pre-launch phase, SkyeVine has already tested a large number of the Newtec Sat3Play terminals in Mozambique, Botswana, Angola, South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia, South Sudan, Zimbabwe and the Kingdom of Lesotho. SkyeVine, which has worked with engineering group Q-KON and distribution partner Ellies Holding on this project, has a mission to provide a ubiquitous Internet service to Africa and to create a new standard of broadband service through the use of advanced satellite technology and its unique product offering. SkyeVine’s aim is to overcome infrastructure-related obstacles present in the African market with the introduction of satellite broadband that is cost effective, reliable and readily available.

SES S. A. (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) and Newtec have also announced they have signed an agreement to provide Europe’s largest satellite broadband network ASTRA2Connect with next generation Ka-band Sat3Play® terminals and related hub infrastructure. SES is currently delivering broadband Internet and Voice-over-IP (VoIP) services to more than 80,000 private households and small businesses across Europe using Newtec’s technology in Ku-band and offering download speeds up to 6 Mbps. With this new agreement, Newtec will be providing the next generation Ka-band terminals featuring higher download speeds beyond 10 Mbps and Newtec’s Point&Play® self-installation capability. Newtec will also enhance existing ASTRA2Connect end user terminals in Ku-band to enable download capabilities of up to 10 Mbps. These terminals are “Ka-Ready” providing an easy and low cost migration path from Ku-band to Ka-band. The upgrade of existing end user terminals and the next generation Ka-band terminals featuring speeds beyond 10 Mbps are part of SES’s strategy to bring its successful ASTRA2Connect service to the next level. Starting in the fourth quarter of 2012, SES will further increase the performance of its ASTRA2Connect service by using additional multiple spot beam Ka-band capacity onboard its ASTRA 2F, 2E and 2G spacecraft to be launched between 2012 and 2014 and located at 28.2 degrees East.