New satellite boosts Aust broadband - News - Communications

To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu

--------------------------------------------------------------
This story was printed from ZDNet Australia.
--------------------------------------------------------------

New satellite boosts Aust broadband

By Jeanne-Vida Douglas, ZDNet Australia
December 13, 2002
URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/New-satellite-boosts-Aust-broadband/0,130061791,120270667,00.htm

In a move which will boost broadband provision to Australia and throughout the southern hemisphere, New Skies Satellites is set to launch its first ever custom-built broadband satellite from the Arianespace launch site in Kourou, French Guiana.

The NSS-6 will be New Skies' sixth satellite in orbit, and extend the company's reach from Southern Africa, throughout the Middle East, and through the Asia -Pacific region, covering two thirds of the world's population.

According to Alan Marsden national marketing manager for New Skies Networks, the company's Australian division, the launch will significantly boost access to satellite services throughout Australia.

"The launch of this new satellite will enable us to provide two way services on antennas about half the size of those that are currently in use, and make us more capable of providing cost effective coverage," Marsden said. "Our number one competitor in the Australian market is Optus, in the sense that they have their own satellite and provide value added services, but the difference is that we can provide global rather than just domestic services."

Purpose built for broadband provision the NSS-6 will be located 95 degrees, just west of Singapore and provide coverage via six high-powered, Ku-band beams and up to 10 Ka-band uplink spot beams.

A licensed carrier in the Australian market New Skies Networks provides enterprise-level satellite connectivity for video broadcast, as well as voice and data networks.

New Skies Networks already operates three major city earth stations in Australia, where bandwidth from both New Skies and competitor's satellites provides the backbone for the company's national service.

The NSS-6 satellite is due to hit the skies on the 18th of December, subject to weather conditions, and final testing of the rockets. New Skies will be cautious not to repeat the ill-fated launch of the Ariane 5 rocket, which exploded soon after take off on December 13, taking with it a Hot Bird 7 satellite belonging to French-based carrier Eutelsat valued at US$250 million.

"The NSS-6 will be launched using Ariane 4 rockets, which have been much more stable than the Ariane 5s," Marsden said.