African broadcasters get two new platforms with SkyVision Global and ABS

SkyVision Global Networks has announced a partnership with ABS, one of the fastest growing global satellite operators in the world, to launch two new video platforms on ABS-3A. This will provide DVB-S and DVB-S2 content, including HD, via satellite across Sub-Saharan Africa, including French speaking Africa and South Africa.

The signing of this agreement will deliver vital communications services viaABS-3A,a premium satellite located at the 3°W orbital position, to effectively meet the growing demand for content and DTH services using 90cm dishes. The new platforms will support both SD and HD channels in MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 encoding. Coverage will focus on the Free-To-Air channels and Pay TV markets in Sub-Saharan Africa.

SkyVision boasts more than ten satellite platforms and a network of high-capacity fiber optic cables via its gateways in Africa, Europe, North America and the Middle East as well as multiple points of presence (POPs) in Africa. SkyVision’s contribution to this important project is to provide the company’s global hybrid system of high-capacity network of fiber optic cables to the Internet backbone via ABS-3A. This will enable superior distribution services of special events, news and DTH channels from Asia and Europe to Africa.

“Launching these services on ABS-3A creates a new era of high performance satellite services to customers in Africa,” stated Ori Waterman, SkyVision’s CEO. “This deal establishes new key broadcast platforms over the ABS-3A and enhances our distribution capabilities with our African customers via Ku-Band Platforms to best serve broadcasters and a wider viewing audience.”