(12 November 2005 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Asian satellite operator, Asiasat, has announced that it has established a new distribution platform. This new Multiple Channels per Carrier (MCPC) DVB platform will provide video, audio, data and IP based broadcast services on AsiaSat 2 from Asiasat's Tai Po Earth Station in Hong Kong.

Utilising the full power of a 36 MHz C-band transponder on AsiaSat 2, this MCPC platform can initially support up to ten digital television channels. Through its facilities at the Tai Po Earth Station, AsiaSat will provide a one-stop solution including signal downlink, turnaround and uplink services from Hong Kong onto AsiaSat 2, which is dedicated to video distribution and contribution services. The strategic location of Hong Kong will allow this platform not only provide a key element of a broadcasting solution for video signals to Asia but also form part of a broadcasters global distribution solution.

This type of platform enables the broadcasters to benefit from the higher effective power of a transponder. It enables the deployment of smaller dishes and translates into significant cost savings in terms of ground infrastructure for end users.

Asiasat CEO, Peter Jackson, said, "With the large number of receiving antennas already looking at Asiasat 2, this MCPC platform presents broadcasters and content providers with an ideal solution for programme and content delivery targeting all cable headends, terrestrial television stations as well as pay TV platform operators in Asia."

"The addition of this platform further strengthens Asiasat's portfolio of services and complements other AsiaSat 2 MCPC digital platforms operated by our teleport partners in the Middle East. It also augments our ability to provide more comprehensive and innovative satellite services to meet changing customers' needs in the future."

AsiaSat 2 operates at an orbital location of 100.5 degrees East. The satellite is a Lockheed Martin Series 7000 model and carries twenty 36 MHz and four 72 MHz C-band, as well as nine 54 MHz Ku-band linearised transponders. Its C-band footprint covers 53 countries embracing Asia, the Middle East, Australasia and the C.I.S. AsiaSat 2 also has a high-power Ku beam serving the Greater China region, Korea and Japan. AsiaSat 2 currently serves many regional and international broadcasters, wholesale news agencies, video service providers, teleport service providers for video and news distribution and contribution services, as well as governments and corporations for Vsat network services.