CASBAA Forum Highlights Satellite Communications Versatility

The recent CASBAA Satellite Forum, held in Singapore last June, brought man=
y industry players to the island-city to showcase the satellite sector2s =
exceptional growth, and to discuss the many technological hurdles to be fac=
ed. Many are betting on DTH services, which has seen the most remarkable gr=
owth in the satellite industry.0

Fears that fibre would be the death of the industry was somehow relieved at=
the conference, and industry leaders were quick to reassure that there is =
still plenty of room for growth in the satellite communications sector.0

3While the international point-to-point business declined, new applicatio=
ns and demand from consumers have exponentially increased across video, dir=
ect-to-home (DTH) satellite and data backhaul,4 said Scott Sprague, the C=
hief Operating Sector of Asia Broadcasting Satellite.

Couple with this new trend has been the growth of the industry in Asia, whi=
ch has seen the largest growth in partnerships with satellite operators. Ef=
forts to bring into service the new Ka band spectrum, along with the drop i=
n the cost of delivery for DTH operators have contributed to the robust sat=
ellite communications industry of today. A ew generation of Ka-band satell=
ites is emerging, delivering more powerful, more focused, market-specific b=
eams.0

Satellite operators themselves are taking the much-needed initiative, as th=
ey embark on improvements to their services, overhauls in their strategies,=
and cooperate with competitors to ensure the industry continues to grow.=
0

The new generation of satellites is something to look forward to, especiall=
y in Asia, where many of the satellites launched were not DTH-ready. Satell=
ite payloads are also becoming more and more versatile, allowing operators =
in the region to choose between Ku-, Ka-, or even C band coverage.0

Australia2s satellite and teleport operator, NewSat, is quite confident i=
n the emerging Ka Band satellite market as well.0

3We see a strong appetite for Ka band4 said NewSat CEO, Adrian Ballinti=
ne.0

Operating exclusively in Ka band has advantages for the satellite company d=
own under. Ka-band services can easily be combined with present ku-band ser=
vices, allowing innovative services in diverse ethnic markets like in India=
.0

The ultimate challenge remains on the issue of 3crowdedness4 in the ski=
es. Orbital positions and frequencies are not limitless, so operators must =
be open enough to consider joint-development of programmes. Both the region=
al and international players must be willing to engage in a collaboration.=
0

Source: http://www.release-news.com/technology/281463-casbaa-forum-sees-ka-=
band-as-the-future.html