content distribution european pay-radio
Solaris Mobile, the JV between SES Astra and Eutelsat, has signed an agreement with Italian publishing giant Class Editori to launch a preliminary digital pay-radio service over Italy. Transmissions will be made using powerful S-band (2 GHz) frequencies being beamed from Solaris Mobile’s giant - but somewhat broken - satellite antenna sitting aboard Eutelsat’s W2A craft at 10 degrees East. Chris Forrester reports.
Europe to get pay-radio T
he massive S-band antenna failed to properly open after launch, but Solaris’ technicians have tweaked their technology in order to serve much of Europe with radio
and DVBH-type video to mobiles. W2A continues to work normally other than for the antenna. The satellite’s signals are matched by ground-based repeaters to deliver services to satellite ‘black spots’, underpasses, a city’s ‘concrete canyons’, inside buildings etc. The one element of this story that
doesn’t jump off the page is the huge sigh of relief that must have come from all those connected with Solaris. They have worked incredibly hard for quite some time, not only in winning this, their first major client, but in securing the individual country licenses needed to mount such services. Steve Maine, Solaris Mobile’s CEO, said the deal had been bubbling under
The initial Italian system will debut in October in Milan, hopefully rolling out to the rest of Italy during 2012... comprising satellite- delivered & terrestrial re- transmission of signals.
for the best part of six months - hence the ‘thrilled to bits’ sigh of relief that this ‘landmark’ deal had now been signed. Maine says he can see another couple of contracts in the offing, although would not be drawn on their make-up or value. There is, he says, ‘a growing level of interest’ in the technology offered by Solaris Mobile. Certainly the Class Editori
agreement might make it easier bringing on board a new investor to the Solaris Mobile project. Maine confirmed that he is looking for industrial and financial support to take Solaris Mobile to the next level, and this could also include a second satellite some time in the future, and vital to restore full services over the whole of Europe. The initial Italian system will debut
in October in Milan, hopefully rolling out to the rest of Italy during 2012. The service will comprise satellite-
delivered & terrestrial re-transmission of signals. Moreover, Maine says that this interest is coming from both the public & private broadcasting sectors. As to the Italian agreement: “Italy
enjoys the largest number of radio channels within the EU and through this agreement, Italians will be able to access dozens of new digital radio channels broadcasting music, news, entertainment and sports, in their original format with continuity of reception across the entire country,” said a Solaris Mobile statement. “The high quality digital audio signal will also be complemented with new visual elements, delivering sophisticated media services such as programme information and traffic related data. Class Editori will provide high quality content to radio listeners through the Solaris Mobile radio network.” Solaris holds an 18-year license to operate such services over Italy, along
8 l ibe l september/october 2011 l
www.ibeweb.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84