Asia-Pacific telecom hires Comtech EF for bandwidth compression services

Comtech EF Data Corp. (a subsidiary of Comtech Telecommunications Corp.) secured an order for bandwidth compression services from a telecommunications service provider in Asia-Pacific worth $1.5 million.

Comtech EF's DoubleTalk Carrier-in-Carrier will facilitate the network expansion of the Asia-Pacific service provider. This will allow the latter to open up bandwidth space to deliver new, affordable services to potential customers inrural villages.

Satellite bandwidth prices in Asia are on the rise. In response, service providers looked for technology solutions that can boost throughput and minimize OPEX. Such solutions allow providers to maintain their competitive edge while also leaving bandwidth room to also offer affordable services to cost-conscious customers.

With Comtech EF's help, the unnamed Asia-Pacific service provider will upgrade their DMD50 Universal Satellite Modems with DoubleTalk Carrier-in-Carrier. Using "Adaptive Cancellation" technology patented by Raytheon Applied Signal Technology, the Comtech EF bandwidth compression solution allows a duplex link's transmit and receive carriers to use the same transponder space.

The DoubleTalk upgrade will allow a single transponder to perform the job of two transponders. This saves money for the service provider, which no longer needs to buy new hardware. And DoubleTalk-upgraded transponders become even more effective when combined with advanced forward error correction and modulation techniques that minimize disruption and improve transmissions.

Considered the world's leading company when it comes to satellite bandwidth efficiency and link optimization, Comtech EF Data Corp. provides advanced satellite communication solutions for very-small-aperture terminal (VSAT) systems, bandwidth management, modems, RAN & WAN optimization, and RF products. Comtech EF solutions like the DoubleTalk Carrier-in-Carrier product lets commercial and government customers to boost throughput without breaking the bank.

Gilat reorganization helps boost 2012 second quarter earnings

According to Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., its reorganization finally paid off during the second quarter of 2012. The satellite communications services provider earned $85.3 million as of June 30, an increase of nearly $4 million compared to 2011's second quarter earnings of $81.7 million.

Using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) on its 2012 second quarter performance, Gilat achieved an operating income of $2.4 million, twelve times its 2011 operating income of $0.2 million. Net income for the second quarter of 2012 was $0.9 million, which translates to $0.02 per diluted share, roughly the same as the corresponding period last year.

Gilat's second quarter EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) hit $8.6 million, a $2.4 million increase compared to last year's $6.2 million.

According to Erez Antebi, CEO, the positive results of Gilat's second quarter is a good sign about the company's future prospects. "Our Commercial Division continues to perform well,” Mr. Antebi noted, “and our Defense Division has started gaining traction both within the U.S. and in the global markets.”

Mr. Antebi went on to explain that Gilat's ongoing organizational changes have improved the company's efficiencies and reduced operational expenses. "Based on the solid pipeline we have developed,” he said, “we expect the momentum of this quarter to continue into the second half of the year."

Gilat's satellite-on-the-move business recently got a boost thanks to new sales of its RaySat mobile satellite communications antennas to Russia, China, Israel, and Mexico. The company's Wavestream Aerostream Transceiver product also gained its Commercial FAA Certification.

In addition, Gilat sealed a number of deals with leading system integrators in this quarter. Those integrators will install Gilat VSAT products in commercial airlines and luxury cruise ships to generate satellite broadband services.

Sonalysts installs Wideband Global SATCOM simulator upgrades in two Air Force space trainers

Sonalysts, Inc. recently installed Release 1.0 of its Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) simulation in the Standard Space Trainer (SST) labs at Vandenberg AFB and Schriever AFB.

The WGS Release 1.0 training system is a Mission-Specific Vendor Plug-in (MSVP) application launched from the SST Architecture that trains crews and operators in ground operations and vehicle support for WGS communications satellites. Sonalysts installed it in the SSTs of the 533rd Training Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, and the 50th Space Wing, Schriever AFB.

The SST Architecture allows space system trainers to be built using a personal computer-based, commercial off-the-shelf hardware solution. The trainers are not forced to rely upon the actual hardware or software of the space system. In addition, new training systems deployed from the same SST Architecture can develop through a Software Development Kit package.

Sonalysts also installed the SST Architecture and the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) MSVP. The latter MSVP was already resident in the SST training labs. Thanks to these upgrades, the 533rd and 50th are the first sites where the SST Architecture is deploying MSVPs for two different satellite communications systems within a single training lab. 

Later this year, Sonalysts plans to install WGS Release 2.0 in the 533rd and 50th's respective SSTs. It will also further modify the SST Architecture and DSCS MSVP.

The SST upgrades are an important milestone in satellite operator training. Instructors will be able to link training sessions between different MSVPs and facilitate the cross-sharing of data in real-time in the same training exercise. Multiple crews will now be able to train interdependently for the first time.

Sonalysts performed these upgrades as part of its Small Business Innovation Research Phase 3 contract with the Department of the Air Force, Headquarters, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. The upgrade cost over over $20 million. Around 24 software engineers, software testers, training specialists, and Air Force subject-matter experts in Waterford, CT and Colorado Springs, CO helped develop the WGS program.

Gilat upgrading Servicio Satelital IP network using SkyEdge II platform

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. announced that it will be upgrading the existing IP-based network of Argentinean satellite communications company Servicio Satelital S.A. using Gilat's SkyEdge II Hub and broadband satellite platform.

Servicio Satelital provides satellite connectivity for telecommunication operators and ISPs in Argentina. The SkyEdge II upgrade to its IP network will improve the quality of its satellite communications and Internet broadband services.

The advanced satellite-bandwidth utilization capabilities of Gilat's SkyEdge II platform enhances broadband Internet and data connectivity, allowing the network to support hundreds of existing and new sites.

This will be the second time Servicio Satelital deploys a Gilat SkyEdge II network in Argentina. Its earlier SkyEdge II IP-based network currently provides support for 3,500 sites nationwide.

MTN Government Services providing secure RSOC to US DoD

MTN Government Services announced this July 31, 2012, that it received a contract to furnish the Department of Defense (DoD) with a Re-deployable Secure Operations Center (RSOC.)

The RSOC will serve the DoD in the capacity of a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF.) MTNGS will work closely with its government custom to provide a turn-key, fully configured SCIF. All power, low-voltage, and security infrastructure will be included to minimize the integration required.

According to MTN Government Services, its RSOC is the most secure self-standing SCIF facility in the market. The MTNGS platform can be deployed and re-deployed rapidly in any environment, taking only a few days to assemble. It is self-supporting and capable of withstanding multiple disassembly and redeployments without degradation. It can also be easily re-purposed to a different mission set with minimal downtime.

A unique procurement system includes project management, equipment installation, accreditation support, and testing in support of RSOC implementation.

MTN Government Services built its RSOC according to the specifications of the Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 705. The security standard regulates the construction of facilities which store and process sensitive U.S. government information, ICD 705 requires that the facility be built out of 4" thick modular panels, welded with inner and outer steel. MTNGS added high-density insulation that exceeds sound attenuation standards, a unique sound masking system, and additional countermeasures. These additions supported accreditation through multiple agencies and components.

ICD 705 further required that power, data, and voice connections pass securely through a customizable "single point of entry." The entry point should be configured to address the various needs for CONUS, OCONUS, and MIL-SPEC connections.

According to James Ramsey, President of MTNGS, the RSOC fulfilled the world’s toughest security requirements regarding the construction of a secure operations facility. "Traditional SCIFs remain an expensive, stationary, and quite frankly outdated option,” Mr. Ramsey said, “as they just don't meet today's evolving requirements. Our modular RSOC will help this DoD Agency rapidly establish a secure communications center wherever and whenever it is needed, with the ability to resize and reconfigure the system to meet the unique requirements of each deployment or mission."

MTN Government Services is a subsidiary of MTN Satellite Communications. MTN provides satellite communications, connectivity, and content services to remote locations around the world.

USAF awards $339 million to Boeing for new WGS-10 satellite

The U.S. Air Force likes what Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems is doing for the Wideband Global Satellite Communications program. So it’s modifying its contract and awarding Boeing an additional $338.7 million to build a tenth WGS military communications satellite.

As its name suggests, the planned WGS-10 will be the tenth member of the WGS system. Its new wideband digital channelizer gives it twice the satellite bandwidth compared to its predecessors’ configuration.

The USAF is procuring the WGS satellites through a commercial-style operating model. The new purchasing model saves significant amounts of money by streamlining processes, tests, and governmental oversight functions based on the developing maturity of the WGS production line.

Boeing’s production of the WGS satellites began in 2000. The first three satellites are in geosynchronous orbit, providing wideband communications to warfighters around the globe. WGS-4 was successfully launched in January 2012 and is currently being readied for operations. The next five satellites, 5 to 9, are currently in production, while number 10 has just been ordered by the USAF.

The Wideband Global satellite communications system provides 24/7/365 communication worldwide for U.S. warfighter through broadcast, multicast and point-to-point connections. It is the only system that can support X- and Ka-band communications at the same time, and its capability to crossband ensures transparent communication across terminal types. The three currently-operational satellites currently gathers and routes real-time data through more than 700 X-band, 3100 Ka-band, and 400 X/Ka-band terminals around the world.

SatCom Global's Horizon satellite communications terminal had hit significant growth milestones set by SCG's owner, One Horizon Group Plc., for the first half of 2012.

A recent announcement by One Horizon Group detailed the Horizon terminal's milestones. Horizon has processed over 67,000 pre-paid voice minutes and transferred 4GB of data in June. Furthermore, Horizon satellite communications units saved 14GB of data for its maritime customers through optimization, which was more than 75 percent compared to rival Inmarsat terminals. Horizon had also achieved a monthly voice growth of 68 to 92 percent throughout Q2 2012.

“Horizon’s substantial growth validates it has gained visibility with crew in the maritime industry," said Sandy Johnson, COO, SatCom Global, "and that they recognize the value that Horizon offers. Through the affordability that Horizon’s optimisation provides crew members have also been able to increase their time spent online by 59%.”

Maritime industry crewmen often stay isolated for long periods of time. The capacity to keep in touch with family and friends through cost-effective satellite communications would drastically increase morale and work efficiency.

SCG's Horizon satcom terminal puts mobile and fixed satellite network bandwidth to efficient use. Its optimisation technology uses as little as 20% data than other VoIP services and saves more of 20,000 bytes per website viewed. By making voice and data services more efficient, Horizon significantly reduces crew communications costs.

Horizon also allows crew members to track their call and surf expenditures. And gone are the days when crew needed to wait in a queue; Horizon uses an IP link to enable up to eight simultaneous calls.

SatCom Global's Horizon terminal empowers ship owners with the ability to provide voice and data services to their crew for morale purposes at an affordable price. SCG's SmartPacket technology allows VoIP using only 2kbps. Other VoIP services require around 8kpbs. Horizon extends the same optimizition to other data applications, resulting in compressed email, internet on satellite, and instant messaging services.