SES Americom launches HD SNG neighborhood

Sports networks and others looking to take advantage of HD SNG services have a new, and first optioN: SES Americom’s HD SNG neighborhood. The first of its kind, the new high-def Satellite News Gathering service is delivered over the high-powered AMC-5 and AMC-6 satellites and offers a bandwidth home for industry innovators enhanced by the leading IP-based connectivity platforms for voice and data communication to the SNG truck.

The HD SNG neighborhood includes the SkySwitch IP platform, which features both ND SatCom’s SkyWAN and iDirect’s 7000 series satellite router-based service that deliver reliable IP to the SNG truck – enabling remote telephone calling capabilities, reliable Internet access, and consistent communication with the broadcaster’s home-based LAN and studio. SkySwitch IP represents a low-cost alternative to dedicated bandwidth, complete with the security and flexibility that are so critical in the SNG industry. Neighborhood expansion is already in the works aboard the AMC-21 satellite, which is scheduled for launch in the second quarter of 2008.

“SES AMERICOM’s HD SNG neighborhood is designed for today’s news and events coverage leaders, complete with the SkySwitch IP communications platform capable of turning an SNG truck into a rolling news bureau or production facility,” said Bryan McGuirk, president of media and enterprise services for SES AMERICOM. “We’ve got the high-powered satellites, reliable bandwidth, the universal truck connectivity, and the experience and know-how to meet the needs of any broadcaster, anywhere.”

“The launch of SES AMERICOM’s HD SNG neighborhood coincides with our increasing capital investment in additional HD equipment and new HD SNG units through 2007,” said Paul Edwards, vice president of transportables/production services for Crawford Communications, an innovative full-service video production and distribution services provider that has worked with SES AMERICOM for years. “SES AMERICOM’s market vision is HD clear and allows us to respond to the rapidly increasing demand for HD production and distribution services with the most advanced satellites and SNG solutions in the industry.”

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