TechInAfrica – Globecast, a service company for the radio, television and media industry headquartered in France, disclosed that the company will continue to expand its partnership with satellite telecommunications company Eutelsat. This notion is based on the goal to provide and potentially develop a new HOTBIRD—a group of satellites operated by Eutelsat themselves—platform; which, in return, will satisfy the increasing move from SD to HD entertainment means in the market.

Samuel Lemercier, Strategic Projects Director of Globecast asserted that the ever-increasing demand for capacity across Europe, Middle East, and North Africa serves as an intense foundation for the implementation of this idea. Earlier this year, companies TRT Arabi and Belarus 24 had partnered up with Globecast to bolster HD distribution in select regions. Thus, the company deemed it would be a wise move to partner up with Eutelsat; effectively meeting the high demands.

Lemercier also confessed that the partnership with Eutelsat has been significantly contributive towards increasing their DVBS2 (Digital Video Broadcasting – Satellite – Second Generation) capacity. This approach is suitable for HD and UHD for free-to-air DTH or distribution to affiliates.

So what’s new on this fresh HOTBIRD platform?

Along with expanded capacity, the new HOTBIRD platform also offers ground segment services with connectivity to Globecast’s fibre network—more commonly renowned as Globecast Backbone Network. Amongst the first customers to enjoy the benefits of this newly-embedded concept, Deutsche Welle is one of them. Generally abbreviated as DW, the German international public broadcasting corporation has nurtured a fruitful long-term partnership with Globecast and is ready to be the first participant in manifesting this idea.

A statement released on behalf of Eutelsat (via Aymeric Genty as Eutelsat’s Regional Vice President) acknowledged that Eutelsat’s partnership with Globecast is noted as a significant remark as HOTBIRD continues to experience growth in the HD market, notably for free-to-air and internationally renowned channels benefiting from this neighborhood’s unrivaled reach in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

Source: itnewsafrica.com