Customer Login

Close



Latest News
Business across all industries has a need for reliable, viable and cost effective communications. Provision of such services has been CommCarrier’s remit ever since the telecommunications sector  in Kenya was liberalized. CommCarrier Satellite Services has solutions for a variety of requirements.  As a full Tier2 licensed operator the company can offer infrastructure, applications and content, both nationally and internationally. Fibre, broadband radio and satellite are frequently part of a unified solution, under a single Service Level Agreement.CommCarrier's NetSafari service is a satellite-based communications service that offers businesses highly flexible and reliable communications solutions, in both urban and rural areas. VSATs will change the way the world does business as geographical barriers are eliminated and remote or distant businesses and communities are brought even closer.You can supplement terrestrial infrastructure, and cover the “last mile” using Netsafari’s unbeatable DVB S2 hub in Nairobi.  The “last mile” can be anywhere -  in Nairobi, Rumbek, Mogadishu, Kampala or even Kigali.  You have the freedom and flexibility to establish your own private communication network, independent of any public infrastructure.At CommCarrier we understand this and we constantly strive to deliver state of the art communication tools and infrastructure directly to our customers.  We are proud to introduce our latest communication tool – Vidyo™ Personal Telepresence – that allows our customers to not only save costs on operational budgets, but also to communicate in high definition quality internally and externally from within their own communications infrastructure. Vidyo offers a complete telepresence solution portfolio for universal video conferencing from any end point, including room systems, desktops and mobile devices, over any network without requiring expensive network upgrades.  Regardless of the business or application, Vidyo’s Adaptive Video Layering Architecture (AVLA) delivers low latency HD-quality multipoint video conferencing over the Internet or wireless network. Vidyo offers solutions engineered for mid-market, enterprise and service provider deployments, incorporating multiple types of endpoints to meet business and technical needs, and industry-specific solutions. Each Vidyo™ solution is built on our award-winning software-based platform, so it is fully customizable and easy to integrate, with support for an impressive array of application programming interfaces, and affordably priced, as well.Contact us today if you are interested in saving operational costs and to create more reliable and effective communication networks for your organization!Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
SEATTLE — April 22, 2011 — Applied Satellite Technology Ltd (AST) today announced a formed partnership with Streambox, Inc. AST is delighted to offer the Streambox Live IP-based video contribution service, fully integrated with AST’s suite of Value Added Services, ASTLive!™, available on the BGAN satellite platform. By downloading the Streambox Live encoding software free of charge onto a laptop field news crews and other organisations using AST’s services can now transmit live or file-based video via mobile satellite terminals.“Broadcasters are increasingly demanding a ‘pay as you go’ broadcast model to more closely map their usage to service costs,” said Mark Sykes, AST’s Airtime Director. “Combine that with new cost effective streaming pricing from Inmarsat and AST’s optimised Internet routing solution (Performance IP), which makes BGAN live broadcasts over the Internet a reality, and you have the perfect solution for all types of broadcasters wishing to relay news and events in real time from remote areas of the world using satellite IP services.”Through the AST/Streambox partnership, all video transmitted by Streambox Live users will be automatically streamed to AST’s Streambox Live Server. Users will be able to set up an account, browse the Streambox Live Server, and select videos to manage, route, and broadcast live. The Streambox Live Server adds Forward Error Correction (FEC) to the video stream and transmits the video to the customer with added packet redundancy and recovery for smooth video playout with minimal latency, and the highest-possible picture quality.Brian Raine, Vice President, Business Development at Streambox added, “This new service has had great adoption and is particularly attractive to medium and smaller sized broadcasters in emerging markets who often find alternatives too expensive.”More information about Streambox Live available through AST can be found online at www.satcomms.com.About Applied Satellite TechnologyPart of the Gardline Group of privately owned companies, AST was established in 1992 with a background in providing communications solutions to the offshore oil and gas exploration industry. Recently celebrating its 15th year anniversary, the company has enjoyed tremendous growth in providing equipment to both the land and marine sectors including provision of satellite airtime.AST currently operate on an international basis from two UK offices, with a further four offices based in South Africa, Singapore, Australia and the USA.AST contribute their success and growth to their ability to offer customers a complete ‘one stop’ service combined with hard won specialised experience, a professional approach and a thorough understanding of customer needs.For more information on AST Ltd visit www.satcomms.comAbout StreamboxStreambox focuses on IP-based, end-to-end newsgathering and contribution services. It delivers SD and HD software and hardware for video compression, transmission, management and playout. The Streambox Live™ service supplements the Streambox platform with free encoding software and server-based services for scalable newsgathering and contribution.Streambox solutions are based on the industry-leading ACT-L3 AP™ codec, which provides unrivaled performance, reliability, and quality over low data rate IP networks for fast transmission and playout of video streams in HD and SD. The company's platform enables broadcasters, government agencies, enterprises, and other users to enhance content ownership, simplify operations, and increase operational efficiencies.
EchoStar Corporation to Acquire Hughes Communications, Inc Combination creates a worldwide leader in satellite delivered video and broadband servicesEnglewood, Colorado and Germantown, Maryland, February 14, 2011 – EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) and Hughes Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: HUGH) announced today an agreement pursuant to which EchoStar will acquire all of the outstanding equity of Hughes and its subsidiaries including its main operating subsidiary, Hughes Network Systems, L.L.C. in a transaction valued at approximately $2 billion, including Hughes debt expected to be refinanced in connection with the transaction. EchoStar Corporation is recognized as a leader in the telecommunications industry for its innovation in satellite solutions and technology, and its broadcasting expertise. Hughes is the global leader in broadband satellite technologies and services, and a leading provider of managed network services. The transaction will greatly enhance EchoStar’s capabilities for broadband transport of video and data.Under the terms of the transaction, which has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, Hughes’ shareholders will receive $60.70 per share without interest, which represents a premium of 31% over Hughes' unaffected closing share price of $46.43 on January 19, 2011. The transaction is expected to close later this year, subject to certain closing conditions including receipt of federal regulatory approvals. Investment funds affiliated with Apollo Management IV, L.P., who own a majority of Hughes’ outstanding stock, have approved the transaction by entering into a written shareholder consent.Pradman Kaul, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hughes, stated, "We are very pleased to announce this transaction as it brings together the two premier providers of satellite communications services and delivers substantial value to our shareholders. By combining Hughes’ operational strength and proven record of customer satisfaction with EchoStar’s expertise in cutting edge satellite video technology, customers will benefit significantly from our shared institutional excellence.”"There is a unique and compelling fit between Hughes and EchoStar," said Michael Dugan, President and Chief Executive Officer of EchoStar. “With a rich engineering culture, an extensive fleet of owned and leased satellites, and experienced personnel in communications centers around the world, the combination of EchoStar and Hughes will create a powerful leader in video and data transport.”  About HughesHughes Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: HUGH) is the 100 percent owner of Hughes Network Systems, L.L.C. Hughes is the global leader in providing broadband satellite networks and services for enterprises, governments, small businesses, and consumers. HughesNet® encompasses all broadband solutions and managed services from Hughes, bridging the best of satellite and terrestrial technologies. Its broadband satellite products are based on global standards approved by the TIA, ETSI, and ITU standards organizations, including IPoS/DVBS2, RSM-A, and GMR-1. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 2.5 million systems to customers in over 100 countries. Headquartered outside Washington, DC, in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes maintains sales and support offices worldwide. For more information, please visit http://www.hughes.com (http://www.hughes.com).About EchoStarEchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq: SATS), provides equipment sales, digital broadcast operations, and satellite services that enhance today’s digital TV lifestyle, including products from Sling Media, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary. Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., EchoStar has more than 25 years of experience designing, developing and distributing award-winning television set-top boxes and related products for pay television providers and is creating hardware and service solutions for cable, Telco, IPTV and satellite TV companies. EchoStar includes a network of 10 digital broadcast centers and leased fiber optic capacity. EchoStar also delivers satellite services through 10 satellites and related FCC licenses. For more information, please visit www.EchoStar.com (http://www.EchoStar.com).AdvisorsDeutsche Bank Securities served as financial advisor for EchoStar and has provided committed financing for the transaction. Barclays Capital served as financial advisors for Hughes. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP are the legal advisors for EchoStar, with Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP serving as legal advisors to Hughes.Safe Harbor Statement under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995EchoStarExcept for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements set forth above involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any such statement, including the risks and uncertainties discussed in EchoStar Corporation's Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements included in its recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K and its most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and EchoStar Corporation expressly disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. 
Germantown, Md., USA, — Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite networks and services, today announced that it will launch a next-generation, high throughput satellite in the first quarter 2012 to expand its rapidly growing HughesNet® broadband Internet service across North America. Designed to deliver over 100 Gbps throughput, the new Hughes satellite will utilize an enhanced version of the IPoS standard, the world's leading broadband satellite standard approved by ETSI, TIA and ITU.“This is a very exciting time for Hughes,” said Pradman Kaul, chairman and CEO of Hughes. “In a little over a year since successfully launching HughesNet service on SPACEWAY® 3, we are once again poised to push the envelope and bring a sophisticated, high throughput satellite to market—based on cutting-edge industry standards, and with capabilities that position us well into the future as a successful integrated satellite service provider.”Employing a multi-spot beam, bent pipe Ka-band architecture, the new geostationary satellite will provide significant additional capacity for HughesNet service in North America . Its capabilities will augment the successful SPACEWAY 3 satellite system, the world's first with on-board switching and routing, which Hughes put into commercial service in April, 2008. Space Systems/Loral has been selected to manufacture the new Hughes satellite, based on its SSL 1300 platform, which has the proven flexibility for a broad range of applications and is expected to provide service for 15 years or more.“We are very pleased to add Hughes to our list of valued customers,” said John Celli, president and chief operating officer of Space Systems/Loral. “Satellites for broadband communications are playing an important role in making high-speed Internet service available throughout the country. Space Systems/Loral is on theleading edge of manufacturing the high-power, broadband satellites that enable this type of service.”
Follow us on: 
Sun Outage Explained

Around the spring and autumn (fall) equinoxes, when the day and night are about the same length, the sun crosses the equator and traces an arc that is directly behind the geo-arc of satellites. This momentarily disrupts satellite reception and causes a phenomenon known as a solar or sun outage. The exact date, time and duration of such events depends on the receive site location, the satellite in question, the earth station antenna beamwidth or focal resolution, the station keeping accuracy of the satellite and the accuracy of antenna pointing.

The sun is a powerful broadband microwave transmitter and has a noise temperature in excess of 25000K. As the sun passes directly behind the satellite, when viewed from earth, reception may be degraded or sometimes even swamped by the overwhelming noise from the sun. The observable result ranges from impulse noise (sparklies) on an FM system to total loss of signal. Digital systems appear to be a little more resilient in this respect.
The outage may last several minutes either side of the peak each day during the season and will last longer the smaller the antenna. Similarly the event will occur for several days both before and after the peak day, thus outages will occur at roughly the same time each day and may repeat on a daily basis for a week or more.

Damage to equipment is possible due to the radiated heat from the sun being focussed onto the head unit but it's rare with recent designs.

A precise knowledge of when these events occur is useful. If you booked transponder time to relay, say, a news feed and it happened just to coincide with a sun outage on the downlink you might be a little upset. You could use the advance information to book a transponder at an alternative time or on an another satellite.

An accurate astronomical algorithm is used to calculate the position of the sun so solar outage events associated with a particular location and satellite combination can be predicted. Events are listed in date order and grouped into early and late seasons.

IMPORTANT: If elderly satellites have lapsed into severe inclined orbits, results may not be accurate. The module assumes reasonable station keeping accuracy. Always check the satellite's inclination before releasing any predictions
 

Our Partners: