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Global Connectivity
Quality Satellite Network Complements GE Americom's Expanded Fleet with Cooperative Agreements
With the launch of four new, high-powered satellites, as well as transoceanic capacity gained through the acquisition of Columbia Communications Corporation, GE Americom's satellite fleet spread its wings in 2000 to become a worldwide constellation. In an effort to provide its customer base with global connectivity, Americom has also taken a leadership role in the industry-wide quest to pool best practices and support the growing needs of international customers by establishing the Quality Satellite Network (QSN). This strategic alliance of the world's leading teleport and transmission service providers was recently formed to create a global network to expedite service implementation and provide customers, members and GE Americom with feedback on local practices, including information facilitating compliance with regulatory administrative requirements.
 At the first QSN Forum held September 26-28, 2000 in Washington, D.C., Americom hosted representatives from 20 organizations across 15 countries to formalize the network's shared goals. Participants included British Telecom, Globecomm Systems Inc., TIBA and ERE Telecom.
"We recognize that our infrastructure partners around the world have unique operational and technical expertise for the regions in which they operate," commented Andreas Georghiou, GE Americom senior vice president, global satellite services, in his welcoming remarks to the QSN delegates. "By leveraging the reach and reliability of GE Americom's now global satellite fleet with QSN members' expertise, service capabilities and terrestrial connectivity, we're helping our shared customers achieve their globalization plans more efficiently and effectively than previously possible."
GE leaders conducted a series of presentations outlining how Americom consistently incorporates its signature Six Sigma Quality into all administrative and technical operations. The QSN group delved into possibilities for next-generation technical platforms and co-promotional opportunities, and discussed financial and marketing implications of the new alliance. In addition to the focused business sessions, the three-day event featured a rooftop dinner overlooking the White House, and a dinner cruise along the Potomac.
"By uniting the cumulative value of our partners' local expertise with GE Americom's global constellation, extensive satellite operator experience and rigorous approach to quality, we are creating tremendous value for satellite users - our customers - around the world," noted Cynthia Dickins, vice president, international sales development, GE Americom. "Our shared commitment to excellence and service makes this a natural alliance."
The QSN provides an international springboard for the development and commercialization of new Internet-based satellite services and gives GE Americom customers immediate, global access to uplink and downlink services.
"The network's high-tech, high-capital nature will also create new revenue-generating opportunities for satellite-based businesses in key markets worldwide," concluded Dickins. "The QSN leverages GE Americom's experience as a reliable satellite operator, as well as our global reach, to optimize our customers' access to satellite technology around the world."
BT Broadcast Services
BT Broadcast Services, the broadcast unit of the UK's leading telecommunications company, is one of the QSN's founding partners. Through a cooperative agreement signed at IBC 2000 in Amsterdam, a framework has been established which will enable both companies to have access to the each other's key global resources. The agreement will enable BT to enjoy enhanced access to GE Americom's rapidly expanding satellite fleet. Similarly, Americom will be able to leverage BT's extensive terrestrial infrastructure and systems to provide a range of satellite-based solutions to customers worldwide.
Galaxy Satellite Broadcasting (Hong Kong)
An alliance recently formed with Galaxy Satellite Broadcasting (GSB), Hong Kong's largest broadcaster, providing teleport services for GE-1A. From its facilities in Clearwater Bay, Hong Kong, GSB now offers a full range of teleport services for the high-powered, Ku-band satellite, located at 108.2° E.L. The facility was completed on December 8, 2000.
Services are provided on two of the satellite's three beams - Northeast Asia and the China Beams, which combine to cover Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines and the northern parts of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Nepal. The teleport enables Americom Asia-Pacific and GSB to deliver broadband data and Internet applications, VSAT network services, occasional use feeds, SCPC and MCPC video programming to cable headends, broadcast stations, enterprises and hotels.
The facility features an 11-meter Ku-band antenna and several RF chains, which provide Internet connectivity, fiber backhaul between Hong Kong and the United States, and video compression and IP encapsulation platforms. GE-1A will enable customers to receive signals on optimally sized antennas throughout Asia.
"We are delighted to have GSB join the Quality Satellite Network," explained Elias Zaccack, managing director, Americom Asia-Pacific. "The relationship between Americom Asia-Pacific and GSB brings together two highly respected entities, each strong in their own field, to provide service levels that are unmatched in our industry."
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