❝ For Asia-Pacific specifically , ST Teleport
( now SpeedCast Singapore ) has been , and remains , integral to our broadcast and media playout offering in the region .❞
MEETING DEMANDS FOR PERSONALISED CONTENT
SpeedCast grows into role as global communications and IT service provider
Global network and satellite communications service provider SpeedCast has picked up where it left off last year , with the recent acquisition of Harris CapRock . Pierre-Jean Beylier , CEO , SpeedCast , shares with APB the company ’ s strategies to complete its transformation into a global communications and IT service provider .
SpeedCast ’ s first major announcement of 2017 is the acquisition of managed communications company Harris CapRock . Can you explain how this acquisition builds on SpeedCast ’ s goal to transform into a global communications and IT service provider ? Pierre-Jean Beylier : This acquisition will combine Harris CapRock ’ s expertise with SpeedCast ’ s , to create a global and diversified leader in remote communications and network services . Bringing the two organisations together offers many synergies , additional technical expertise , as well as augmented R & D . Our combined capabilities will provide greater scale , resulting in increased flexibility and resources for our customers .
Our people have always been at the heart of our organisation , providing high levels of support as a result of a customer-focused culture . As part of our expanded footprint , we now have 240 field engineers supporting customers in more than 100 countries .
What are some of the other key developments we can expect from SpeedCast in 2017 , and how much of this focus will be placed on supporting broadcast services , particularly in Asia-Pacific ? Beylier : I predict that our customers will see an increased level of innovation from us in 2017 , as we capitalise on our additional technical expertise !
SpeedCast operates in several key verticals , which are defined by our three major divisions : Enterprise and Emerging Markets ( EEM ); Energy ; and Maritime .
❝ For Asia-Pacific specifically , ST Teleport
( now SpeedCast Singapore ) has been , and remains , integral to our broadcast and media playout offering in the region .❞
— Pierre-Jean Beylier , CEO , SpeedCast
We have also strengthened our position in broadcast and media services through a targeted growth plan that includes strategic acquisitions . We now operate out of more than 40 teleports globally , with half of these belonging to us . This global infrastructure allows us to treat our teleports as media centres , in addition to data communications centres . We offer broadcast satellite services for video ( uplink , downlink and turn-around services ), local connectivity , HD playout , over-the-top ( OTT ) streaming and disaster recovery services for media customers .
For Asia-Pacific specifically , ST Teleport ( now SpeedCast Singapore ) has been , and remains , integral to our broadcast and media playout offering in the region . As part of our growth plans , this teleport will become a major media and broadcast hub .
Speaking of ST Teleport , which SpeedCast acquired in 2016 , can you describe how a modern teleport works , considering
the number of formats and workflows broacasters are utilising today ? What can SpeedCast offer those involved with content creation and distribution in Asia-Pacific ? Beylier : The SpeedCast Singapore teleport will be further developed into a media and broadcast hub . We already provide broadcasters with a range of services — playout , accommodating and converting different broadcast formats , modifying and editing broadcast content , and using different coding techniques as an option to transmit in different formats . In addition , we provide content over multiple mediums — Internet streaming , fibre , satellite and multi-protocol label switching ( MPLS ). We also provide satellite newsgathering ( SNG ) services , and this is especially useful for customers requiring our remote VSAT equipment for major live events taking place across Asia-Pacific . In terms of the broadcast industry and major trends , we are witnessing a convergence towards IP networks , with an increased amount of content and live TV being streamed over them . For instance , we can take the signal from a satellite downlink or from an incoming fibre link , and transform the quality , resolution and coding type to transmit it over the Internet using IP .
We provide a one-stop shop for both TV channel companies and content providers through a variety of mediums . Regardless of whether it is in HD , 4K / Ultra HD ( UHD ) and even 8K , our teleports and networks are future-proofed and ready for any technological advancement because we can transmit in any format or any bandwidth speed required .
In Asia-Pacific , where C-band has been dominant for so long , how do you see high-throughout satellites ( HTS ) developing , and where does HTS lie in SpeedCast ’ s list of priorities ? Beylier : SpeedCast operates many different networks with over 70 satellites , with the majority being Geostationary Earth Orbit ( GEO ). However , we also use Medium Earth Orbit ( MEO ) and Low Earth Orbit ( LEO ) satellites , and many different frequency bands .
While C-band satellites have dominated the APAC region , we also use L-band , Ku-band , Kaband and C-band frequencies , depending on coverage and applications . This variety of options enables SpeedCast to provide tailored solutions for our customers — whatever their needs .
HTS are complementary to our existing portfolio of network services and have great potential for high-density areas . It allows us to use very concentrated , powerful beams ( multi-spot beams ) through small antennas .
SpeedCast is closely studying the developments in HTS and plans to integrate and overlay some of these beams onto our existing networks in certain regions .
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