SOLUTIONS AND SERVICES
1. Audiovisual market
1.1. Direct to Home (DTH) broadcasting
Direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting enables television and radio channels to be received directly from satellites and transmitted to home antennas.
a) Easy DTH
In addition to space capacity, HISPASAT provides all the necessary elements to set up a direct-to-home broadcasting service for content. In this sense, the solution includes each one of the modules required for back office, far end and teleport.
b) Easy Hybrid DTH
HISPASAT offers Easy DTH through an Over The Top (OTT) platform, which enables simultaneous linear TV (broadcasting) and TV-on-demand services to be offered through the Internet.
Offering this type of services, which are available through subscription or pay-per-view options, enables solutions with the following characteristics:
- Video on demand
- Live TV with the possibility of Catch Up TV services
- Multi-screen
- Mobile TV
c) Social DTH
HISPASAT satellites can compliment the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) services offered through the UHF networks of radio and television broadcasting centres throughout the territory, in order to:
(1) distribute (transport) DTT signals to terrestrial transmitter networks.
(2) broadcast television signals to homes in white spots (areas lacking coverage).
TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE FOR THE AUDIOVISUAL MARKET
Sat>IP
Sat>IP technology allows content to be distributed via satellite to all home screens by converting it to the IP protocol. Once the signal is converted, it can be distributed through the home’s IP network, whether it is wireless, power line, Ethernet, fibre optic, coaxial, etc. Content can be viewed on any IP device, whether it is a TV, tablet, smartphone, IPTV receiver, etc.
UHDTV
HISPASAT helps develop UHDTV (4K) technology, a new television format that will be one of the main drivers of growth in the satellite video market over the next few years. Its success will reinforce the role of satellites in TV broadcasting platforms. Satellites are key to broadcasting high added value content with HDTV and UHDTV thanks to their high capacity, easy deployment and wide coverage.
HISPASAT launched the HISPASAT 4K channel in Europe in 2013, and in North and Central America in 2014. The main objectives aim to promote 4K technology and make the channel available to the sector and clients for possible product demonstrations, thus accelerating the launch of UHDTV initiatives.
1.2. Distribution
In distribution services, once content is received and processed in the satellite broadcasting centre, it is then broadcast by the satellite and received and transmitted through terrestrial networks: UHF/VHF, cable systems, microwave systems, etc.
HISPASAT, together with its collaborators, provides broadcasting services that can combine satellite technology with terrestrial technology in order to provide high-quality service to customers.
a) DTT distribution
With the same characteristics as Social DTH, HISPASAT compliments DTT services offered through the UHF networks from radio and television broadcasting centres throughout the territory, in order to: (1) distribute (transport) DTT signals to terrestrial transmitter networks and (2) broadcast television signals to homes in white spots (areas lacking coverage), with two options:
> The satellite sends the signal to TV stations, which, in turn, broadcast the signal to homes.
> The satellite may constitute a nominal solution for transport, or a back-up solution, guaranteeing that the system will continue to function in the event of failure or congestion on the main network.
b) Shared digital platforms
HISPASAT, together with different strategic partners (teleport operators), has established different shared digital platforms for TV channel distribution.
1.3. Contribution
This service consists of content transmission from ground stations, either fixed or itinerant, to other ground stations, normally fixed and known as central ground stations, to later be processed.
a) Occasional
Selling capacity for contribution to the satellite from itinerant ground stations (DSNGs, Flyaways) for limited time periods, normally minutes or hours, although daily or monthly contracts are also possible. The contribution to the satellite is direct from the ground station: a mobile unit supplied with equipment that enables a satellite uplink.
b) Occasional IP services
These services are provided by HISPASAT broadband platforms. HISPASAT’s offer of occasional IP services is based on products with predefined bandwidth (Mbps) on the platform that are contracted for limited time periods, normally hours and days, although they can be extended for up to months.
