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LatAm_latam 09/07/2014 15:56 Page 7 Encompass expands with Intelsat S atellite services provider Intelsat has signed a 15-year agreement with Encompass Digital Media, a global player in missioncritical media capture, management and distribution services, for capacity on Intelsat 34, one of the three satellites comprising Intelsat’s premier video neighbourhoods serving Latin America. Encompass will transition from Intelsat 805 at 304.5˚ East to its replacement satellite, Intelsat 34, in late 2015, and lease additional C-band capacity to expand its SD and HD video distribution feeds Competition drives LatAm fixed broadband market throughout Latin America. “Intelsat’s premier video neighbourhood at 304.5 degrees E delivers high cable head-end penetration throughout Latin America which will allow us to meet the increased demand for HD and regionalised content distribution,” said Juan Salleras, EVP and GM, Encompass Latin America. “The premium transponders on Intelsat 34 will allow us to Increasing investments in network coverage expansion, coupled with the enhanced political and economic stability in most Sullivan - Latin American Fixed Broadband Services Markets finds that the market earned revenues of $11.75 billion in 2013 and estimates this to reach $18.40 billion in 2018. “Broadband service providers will be looking to tap these market Latin American countries, is driving the fixed broadband services market in the region. Furthermore, the low level of broadband penetration in some Latin American countries is opening up opportunities for service providers in this space. Analysis from Frost & opportunities optimally through promotional offers as well as by investing in convergent services and integrated infrastructure networks,” noted Frost & Sullivan information and communication technologies senior consultant Ignacio Perrone. “Competition from triple and quadruple play operate more efficiently and provide programmers with the ability to deliver higher quality and differentiated content to their viewers.” “Starting with the global distribution of the Mexico Olympic Games in 1968, Intelsat has been the leading provider of satellite services to the Latin America media market, delivering the region’s most-watched channels to more cable providers will help to drive adoption and thereby increase the number of broadband lines in service from 52 million in 2013 to 91 million in 2018.” However, the high cost of licences for concessions, network deployment, international links as well as marketing and sales is hurting the profitability of broadband service providers. The commercial campaigns and low-price strategies are exacerbating the situation and making it difficult for market participants to expand service penetration without compromising the return on investment. In this scenario, Perrone says fixed broadband service providers should focus on head-ends than any other satellite operator,” said Carmen Gonzalez-Sanfeliu, regional VP, Latin America and Caribbean sales, Intelsat. “The Intelsat 34 satellite, and our related investments in ground infrastructure in the region, will further support Encompass’s growth plans, enhancing its highly respected distribution platform for the region.” offering technologies such as FTTH to the most lucrative segments of the market. For instance, households with a bandwidth-i