Press Releases - Newtec

NEWTEC’S FLEXACM® DOUBLES CAPACITY FOR GATEWAY COMMUNICATIONS ON THEIR AFRICA IPJETDIRECT SERVICE

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, 26th January 2010. Newtec announces today that its unique award winning FlexACM^® technology – which on average doubles satellite link capacity – is the system behind Gateway Communications' flagship continent-wide Internet backbone service, Africa IPJetDirect.

Gateway Communications, which has the largest pan-African communications network with customers in 40 countries, successfully launched IPJetDirect last year using C band and Ku band satellites to deliver IP services to mobile phone operators in Africa. Newtec’s DVB-S2 VCM and DVB-S2 FlexACM^® technologies have been deployed on several platforms across the African continent to ensure maximum bandwidth efficiency and allow Gateway to make best use of the scarce satellite capacity over Africa.

“Gateway has always been a pioneer of high quality, cost effective voice and data connectivity across Africa. By using FlexACM^® it can now reach out even further to satisfy Internet demand – and without unnecessary further satellite capacity investment,” said Newtec CEO Serge Van Herck. “FlexACM’s unique ability to dynamically optimize an end-to-end satellite transmission is ideal in this situation and we are delighted to be playing a part in supporting Gateway’s drive to deliver truly world class communications solutions across Africa”, Van Herck added.

FlexACM^® combines a range of cutting edge technologies for implementing Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM), traffic shaping, payload compression and IP acceleration in a highly efficient way for IP trunking and IP backbone satellite links. In addition to doubling the capacity of an existing link, on average, it also guarantees 100 per cent availability of link reception, even when all other systems are down due to heavy rain fade. FlexACM^® can be used in point-to-point and point-to-multipoint systems, in one way (with terrestrial return channels) as well as two way configurations (with the return channel also over satellite). It can be used to upgrade existing satellite links without changing other elements of the transmission chain, such as the antenna or HPA.

“Newtec’s technology gives us a highly efficient method of delivering large quantities of data into small antennas and the Variable Coding and Modulation (VCM) functionality allows the same platform to address many different sized antennas in the same footprint,” explained Gateway CTO Chris Young.

“FlexACM^® is optimizing the transmission dynamically and automatically. It is helping us in our drive towards easy and cost-effective Internet access and to make sure Africa leads the way global communications are moving”.

FlexACM^® is available on Newtec’s Elevation product family, which consists of DVB-S2 IP Satellite Modulators, Demodulators, Modems and Satellite IP appliances.

Ends.

ABOUT NEWTEC

Newtec is the European market leader in Satellite Communications, offering highly reliable products and solutions including DVB-S2 modulators and modems, Digital TV & Radio Distribution and Exchange networks, IP Broadband Access Networks as well as software solutions for the optimization of Internet traffic to customers worldwide.

With its ambitious policy of re-investment in R&D, Newtec is recognized as a forerunner in several innovative satellite communication technologies, which have been published as industry standards (DVB, DVB-S2, DVB RCS and iSatTV Cenelec pr EN50478).

Established in 1985, and headquartered in Belgium, the company has regional offices located in Stamford (US), Singapore (Singapore), Beijing (China), Dubai (UAE) and São Paulo (Brazil). Newtec’s Tellitec^® IP software products for Internet traffic optimization and data communication are engineered in Newtec’s research and development facilities in Berlin (Germany). Newtec's subsidiary TurboConcept in Brest (France), develops Intellectual Property Cores for turbo and LDPC building blocks.

More details about FlexACM^® are available at www.newtec.eu/FlexACM.

YOUR CONTACT PERSON

Newtec Cy.
Kerstin Roost
Public Relations Director
tel: +49.30.43095-562
e-mail: kerstin.roost@newtec.eu

ABOUT GATEWAY COMMUNICATIONS

Gateway Communications is the leading pan-African wholesale connectivity and telecommunications provider, working in partnership with Africa’s mobile operators, and helping many of the world’s largest corporations stay connected across Africa and into the rest of the world.

Gateway’s core infrastructure connects over 580 million people, across more than 40 African countries and includes over 50 satellite transponders over Africa, 24 dedicated teleports throughout Africa, and access to multiple sub-sea cable landing ports around the African continent.

Gateway Communications is recognised for setting the standards for tomorrow’s communications. Gateway Communications is wholly owned by Vodacom Group Limited, which is listed on the JSE Limited under the symbol VOD.

To read more about Gateway’s recent achievements please go to www.gatewaycomms.com/awards.html.

Please visit the following link to get more information about IPJetDirect: www.gatewaycomms.com/documents/AfricaIPJetDirect.pdf.

For more information please contact:

Gateway Communications
Tom Tudor
Marketing Director
tel: +44.20.7173-1700
e-mail: tom.tudor@gatewaycomms.com

IDMI ADDS TO THE LIST OF INTERNATIONAL GROUPS CHOOSING NEWTEC'S FLEXACM®

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:24:00 +0100

Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, 26th January 2010. Newtec announces today that Beirut-headquartered IDMI has chosen Newtec’s unique award winning FlexACM^® technology to boost capacity and availability on key satellite IP trunking links between Greece and ten customer sites in the Middle East.

IDMI is a specialist of satellite and wireless solutions and services across the Middle East, East and South Asia, Europe and Africa. FlexACM^® will optimise IDMI’s return on investment (ROI) by increasing the bandwidth efficiency of the satellite transmission on average and guaranteeing the highest service availability for its customers. This is the latest major international success for the product, which gives Newtec customers around the world the opportunity for increased output, lowered operational expenses, improved Quality of Service (QoS) and the capability to use new resources such as Ku-band/Ka-band.

"Newtec’s technology enables us to deliver reliable and stable links over satellites across the Middle East region," said Mrs Zakie Karam, CEO of IDMI.

"Our aim is always to keep on providing additional value to our customers, with the right ratio of quality and price and once again Newtec have proved to be able to meet all our expectations – showing themselves to be our correct partner for the platform.", Zakie added.

FlexACM^® combines a range of cutting edge technologies for implementing Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM), traffic shaping, payload compression and IP acceleration in a highly efficient way for IP trunking and IP backbone satellite links. In addition to doubling the capacity of an existing link, on average, it also guarantees 100 per cent availability of link reception, even when all other systems are down due to heavy rain fade. FlexACM^® can be used in point-to-point and point-to-multipoint systems, in one way (with terrestrial return channels) as well as two way configurations (with the return channel also over satellite). It can be used to upgrade existing satellite links without changing other elements of the transmission chain, such as the antenna or HPA.

Serge Van Herck, CEO of Newtec said, "IDMI has built a strong reputation for providing expertise and quality for its customers and I’m delighted that they have chosen FlexACM^® for these vital links across the Middle East. With its ability to double data throughput – among other unique features – we are finding increasingly that our solution is becoming the system of choice across the international market place".

Ends.

ABOUT NEWTEC

YOUR CONTACT PERSON

Newtec Cy.
Kerstin Roost
Public Relations Director
tel: +49.30.43095-562
e-mail: kerstin.roost@newtec.eu

ABOUT IDMI

An International Dimension. At the end of 2004, the founders of IDM took a big step forward by creating IDM International (IDMI), a new company that will integrate all the group’s innovative capabilities and expertise in Internet, Wireless Data transmission, and all kind of connectivity: a new business opening up to a wider world.

IDMI head office located in Beirut is able to provide solutions and services to corporations and end users in the Middle East, East and South Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Our vision is to create long-term value and through our well-known expertise in establishing and developing ISP operations is an added benefit to our clients, covering technological innovations, management, marketing and distribution.

IDMI Services. Network Design, Hardware & Software supply, Installation and Commissioning of services, Personnel Training, Satellite Communication Services, Voice over IP, Wireless Data Transmission, Fleet Management and tracking system, System Integration offering turn key solutions, and Call center implementation. IDMI is an active member of ARISPA (Arab Regional Internet Service Provider Association) an independent body and voluntary association that acts in the interests of Internet service providers in the Gulf, Middle East and North Africa, providing mainly Internet and Communication services in the region. IDMI is also an active member of the ITU (International Telecommunication Union).

For more information please contact:

IDMI
Lara Ammoury
Communications Manager
tel: +961 1 513 613 ext. 712
e-mail: lara@idmint.net

NEWTEC SET TO SUPPLY Ka-BAND READY Sat3Play® TERMINALS AND HUB EQUIPMENT

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:35:00 +0100

Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, 7th January 2010. Newtec, a world-leading innovator in the satellite communications industry, today announced that it has further enhanced its technology for satellite broadband and will soon start supplying its customers with new Ka-band ready Sat3Play® terminals and hub equipment.

The new Ka-band ready Sat3Play® terminal also includes Newtec’s revolutionary 4CPM modulation and coding scheme, which substantially increases the speed and bandwidth efficiency of the return link. This makes Sat3Play® a perfect fit for both the consumer and professional market. Furthermore, Sat3Play® can be combined with VoIP and Direct-To-Home television services and supports a large variety of professional applications such as for the maritime, energy, transport and security markets.

"We are tremendously pleased to be able to provide our customers with our technologically advanced and state-of-the-art Ka-band ready Sat3Play® equipment. The product is ideal for satellite service providers who wish to launch a Ka-band based broadband service or for satellite service providers who wish to migrate at some point in time their Ku-band based network towards Ka-band." said Newtec CEO Serge Van Herck.

In the past three years, Newtec has successfully cooperated with the European satellite provider SES ASTRA for the delivery of its Sat3Play® HUBs and terminals for SES ASTRA’s successful interactive broadband service ASTRA2Connect, the leading consumer satellite broadband network In Europe.

"We are happy to see Newtec having made such a significant product evolution. Newtec’s potential for innovation plays an important role for the further development of the ASTRA2Connect broadband service in many regions," said Norbert Willems, Managing Director of ASTRA Broadband Services. "Newtec has an excellent reputation for their technology and their commitment towards customers. We are pleased to see that Newtec continues to invest in future-proof technology," he added.

More details about Sat3Play are available at www.newtec.eu/Sat3Play.

GERMAN CONSUMER ORGANISATION RATES ASTRA2CONNECT − POWERED BY NEWTEC’S Sat3Play® TECHNOLOGY − AS BEST SATELLITE BASED BROADBAND SERVICE

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:49:00 +0100

In its November edition ("test 11/2009"; www.test.de), Germany’s independent leading consumer organisation group, the Stiftung Warentest, has tested satellite and mobile Internet access and has awarded Filiago and Star DSL, service providers and distribution partners of the satellite-based broadband service ASTRA2Connect, with the overall grade of "GOOD" (1.8)¹. In the subcategory quality of the Internet connection, both ASTRA2Connect providers were the only ones to be rated "EXCELLENT" (1.4)¹.

The leading European satellite operator SES ASTRA, one of Newtec’s major Sat3Play^® customers, offers access to high-speed Internet with its interactive satellite broadband service ASTRA2Connect. The Sat3Play^® broadband terminal is a state-of-the-art, high-performance equipment package designed for a true broadband experience over satellite. It implements the most efficient technologies, such as DVB-S2 modulation and IP traffic enhancement techniques such as TCP/IP acceleration and pre-fetching as well as encryption.

Norbert Willems, Managing Director of ASTRA Broadband Services, and Serge Van Herck, CEO of Newtec, agree "We are very proud of the Stiftung Warentest’s quality judgement. We now also have confirmation from an independent party that we are offering the highest quality satellite broadband access solution.” Willems added that "It has always been our goal to offer households in rural areas the possibility to have access to fast and easy broadband Internet."

The respective satellite-based broadband services were compared and tested with a speed of 2.048 kbit/s in the categories Internet connection, handling, installation, versatility as well as deficiencies in the general terms and conditions. Only the ASTRA2Connect distribution partners Filiago and StarDSL could score in the evaluation and were classified "a real substitution for areas without DSL".

The innovative ASTRA2Connect satellite technology is based on Newtec’s Sat3Play^® technology and was launched in early 2007. With speeds of up to 4 Mbits/s and prices starting as low as €19.90 per month, ASTRA2Connect offers highly reliable, always-on, interactive broadband Internet access, especially for areas deprived of or with limited terrestrial broadband access. The customer premises equipment – a satellite modem, iLNB and satellite dish – is the lowest cost available on the market and delivered with a Point&Play^® tool for easy self-installation.

Ends

¹Evaluation key of the test results: EXCELLENT (0.5-1.5), GOOD (1.6-2.5), SATISFACTORY (2.6-3.5), SUFFICIENT (3.6-4.5), DEFICIENT (4.6-5.5)

More details about Sat3Play^® are available at www.newtec.eu/Sat3Play.

INSAT TO USE NEWTEC ELEVATION EQUIPMENT TO POWER NEW SERVICE IN MIDDLE EAST AND CENTRAL ASIA

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:57:00 +0200

Newtec announced today that InSat GmbH, which has been operating its own hub and related infrastructure in Saarbruecken, Germany, since 2000, has selected Newtec’s equipment for a new project in the Middle East and Central Asia. This solution includes Newtec’s state-of-the-art satellite Elevation modulators and demodulators for IP trunking applications over satellite in full compliance with DVB-S2 standards. The IP links use a 32 APSK modulation and coding scheme, delivering the highest efficiency available on the market today.

InSat, a Newtec customer since 2005, has seen tremendous growth over recent years, increasing their sales eightfold. For this new project, Newtec was again the first choice for the new Internet backbone installation in the Middle East and Central Asia. InSat is implementing this project with a data throughput of nearly 350 Mbps using only three 36 MHz satellite transponders. This high throughput is achieved by combining the high efficiency of the 32 APSK modulation with the high processing speed of the IP interfaces of the Newtec equipment.

Valentin Gurinovich, CEO of InSat, underlines: "Newtec’s unique technology allows InSat to lower the price while increasing the reliability and quality of the service to the customer. Newtec’s equipment helps us to use transponder capacity in a very efficient way. In these times of high transponder costs this is an important advantage, especially when you are offering services for economically emerging regions with less purchasing power in relation to the percentage of the population wanting to get connected to the Internet."

Serge Van Herck, CEO of Newtec said, "By using our equipment for distribution to their customers, InSat provides first rate services in developing regions as well as showcasing our high-performance equipment to their customers. Newtec is pleased that InSat selected the Newtec Solution for their new project. It confirms the efficiency of our products and we are looking forward to continuing our successful partnership in the future."

Ends.

NEWTEC TO STRENGTHEN MIDDLE EAST PRESENCE WITH MOU SIGNING AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF MENOS NETWORK EXTENSION DURING ROYAL VISIT

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:35:00 +0200

Newtec is to sign a major Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) with Arabsat next Sunday October 25 in the Chamber of Commerce in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which will be witnessed by HRH Prince Philippe of Belgium as part of his Royal visit to the Kingdom.

ARAB STATES BROADCASTING UNION, ARABSAT AND NEWTEC WIN THE IBC2009 AWARD AS WELL AS THE JUDGES’ PRIZE WITH MENOS

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:40:00 +0200

The Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), Arabsat and Newtec, a world leading innovator in the satellite and communications industry, have
today announced that MENOS has won the prestigious IBC2009 Innovation Award for Content Delivery as well as the Judges’ Prize for most influential project of the year.

SES TO PROVIDE BROADBAND CONNECTION TO AFRICAN MARKET

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:01:00 +0200

Satellite-based broadband platform ASTRA2Connect to offer internet connection to East and Central Africa via NSS-12 satellite

Luxembourg, September 11, 2009. – SES S.A. (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), announced today that it is expanding the reach of its satellite-based broadband service ASTRA2Connect to Africa through a signed agreement with Intersat Africa, the leading provider of satellite-based internet services on the continent. The service, which will start in January 2010, will be offered to households, small and medium enterprises as well as schools.

THURAYA SELECTS NEWTEC’S TELLINET FOR INCREASED BROADBAND PERFORMANCE

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:54:00 +0200

As part of Thuraya’s continuous efforts to enhance the performance of its competitive ThurayaIP broadband solution, Thuraya has selected Newtec’s TelliNet
solution. TelliNet, part of Newtec’s Tellitec® IP Software product portfolio, will
further boost the performance of ThurayaIP and reinforce its leading position in the satellite broadband arena as a solution that provides the most efficient service.

EUMETSAT SUCCESFULLY DISTRIBUTES METEOROLOGICAL DATA USING NEWTEC’S TELLICAST SOFTWARE PLATFORM

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:39:00 +0200

TelliCast multicast software from Newtec − a vital part in the collection of meteorological data from EUMETSAT satellites – is helping EUMETSAT to increase its customer base towards the 3,000 mark as customers look to improve their forecasting accuracy.