SIS LIVE taps S3 Satcom, General Dynamics for teleport

As part of their move to MediaCityUK, satellite uplink and outside broadcast specialist, SIS LIVE, has just awarded a contract to S3 Satcom and General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies for the supply, installation and commissioning of the largest broadcast teleport in the North of England. The teleport will be located at Salford Quays, Manchester, at the new MediaCityUK complex which already houses the BBC and ITV. The new teleport will allow SIS LIVE to expand the services offered to broadcast customers and confirms the company’s position as the leading provider of satellite facilities in Europe.

The contract worth almost £3 million is for the supply of 9 earth stations comprising 2 x 6.3m, 2 x 4.8m and 2 x 3.8m Ku-band uplinks, a 9m C-band uplink, an 8.1m DBS-band uplink and an 8.1m Ka-band uplink. The antennas are being supplied by SATCOM Technologies with the remaining ground communications equipment, remote control & monitoring system, integration and installation services being provided by S3 Satcom. The contract was awarded following stiff competition in an international tender.

“S3 Satcom and SATCOM Technologies were chosen for this project due to their proven track record in the provision of high quality design and on-time delivery of services, resulting in the high reliability and availability of their earth stations”, says Stephen Herbert, Head of Commercial Contracts, adding, “The teleport will allow SIS LIVE to offer our existing and new customers enhanced services and provide MediaCityUK with direct access to the global satellite market.”

Brad Majeres, General Manager, Products, for SATCOM Technologies, says, “We are very pleased to provide a variety of our antenna products for this project.  As the leading supplier of satellite communications antennas and electronic products for communications gateways around the world, SATCOM Technologies is proud to support the SIS LIVE Teleport.”

“We are delighted that SIS LIVE has selected S3 Satcom for their latest earth station facility”, adds David Cope, Sales Director at S3 Satcom. “We pride ourselves in delivering the highest quality design and this contract further demonstrates that our customers really appreciate the difference that we provide. The inclusion of our Fiesta remote monitor and control system will further ensure the ease of use and reliability of the SIS LIVE system.”

Work on preparing the site has already started with the systems entering service progressively during 2012.