New services and advanced solutions
In the area of Client Engineering, personalised designs and solutions were carried out, which were adapted in each case to provide more efficient solutions and more added value for clients. Based on clients' requirements, the solutions developed are based on the dimensions of space capacity, or "turnkey" services that provide added value by using the most appropriate broadband platforms in each case. Throughout 2014, HISPASAT Group contributed to the development of advanced solutions via satellite for their clients. Particularly noteworthy were the coverage extension systems for cellular telephone networks (cellular backhaul), Internet access via satellite for residential users or mobility solutions for ships, trains, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or trunk network connections. Also, in 2014 two new highly important services were extended to Colombia and Morocco.
In the audiovisual market, the Group continues its intensive labour in developing new and advanced solutions, such as ultra-high-definition television, also called 4K resolution, new video coding technology (HEVC), connected television, and distribution systems in multiscreen homes.
With the goal of keeping their position on the leading edge of technology, HISPASAT has continued its activity in diverse DVB working groups, specifically in DVB-S2 groups, and in the DVB-UHDTV group to continue shaping this type of television. In the framework of DVB-S2, the company has provided its experience and knowledge to work out the specifics of this standard’s evolution in DVB-S2X, seeking to incorporate new and improved modulations and coding that allow for further optimisation of the satellite's resources.
Moreover, with the goal of making these new technologies known, the Client Engineering team has demonstrated these technologies on numerous occasions, at specific events for clients as well as at major fairs in the sector (NAB, IBC or the Washington Satellite Show).
As a result of these activities, many of HISPASAT's clients have incorporated the new technologies into their networks (more efficient coding and modulation systems and adaptive systems, among others), which has allowed them to improve the efficiency and quality of their services, further optimising the occupation levels of the system.
New clients in other orbital positions and future satellites of the fleet
During 2014, Client Engineering put a great deal of effort into the analysis, planning and deployment of new satellite services for the fleet situated at new orbital positions for the company, such as Hispasat 1C at 84º West and Amazonas 1 at 55.5º West, as well as the consolidation of the position at 61º West over Europe and North Africa.
In the specific case of Hispasat 1C at 84º West, they designed and rolled out Internet access and telephone services to schools and villages in Colombia located long far away from major urban centres, in efforts to reduce the existing digital divide.
Likewise, in 2014 Client Engineering analysed and shaped the configuration of the Amazonas 1 satellite at 55.5º West for use in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
In Morocco, they rolled out a new communications network for services in the Sahara Desert.
Additionally, last year the Amazonas 4A satellite was put into service and Client Engineering shaped the configuration of a new television distribution service for Televisión Nacional de Chile, as well as the implementation of a temporary solution that would allow transmissions to be initiated before clients could obtain necessary equipment.
Furthermore, plans for optimising capacity for all satellites of the HISPASAT fleet were defined, which allowed the company to increase and adapt their space capacity offer available to clients.
Moreover, in 2014 they worked on shaping and monitoring new satellites, such as Amazonas 5, Hispasat 1F and AG1, currently being manufactured. For Amazonas 5 and Hispasat 1F they have designed the architecture of the payload, as well as the capacities and dimensions of the expected traffic of their services.
