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State University of New York Signs Up for GE-5 Transponder
PRINCETON, NJ, September 27, 1999
GE American Communications (GE Americom) announced today that the State University of New York's (the State University) New York Network, with headquarters in Albany, NY, is extending its satellite services relationship with new capacity on GE-5. The State University is kicking off the new academic year by using GE-5 to transmit multiple channels of compressed digital video to all 64 State University campuses, K-12 schools statewide and other educational enterprises throughout New York.
A GE Americom customer since 1994, the State University recently transitioned to GE-5 from Spacenet 3, where the University's satellite network, SUNYSAT, had resided since 1989. New York Network will use the 54 MHz, Ku-band transponder on GE-5 to combine the transmission of both analog and compressed digital channels of programming. The wide-bandwidth transponder enables the State University to expand its program offerings to include a full time educational access cable channel (Access Education New York), broadcast videoconferences for New York State government agencies, complete courses of instruction for undergraduate and graduate students. In addition, satellite capacity is made available to network and satellite news gathering organizations covering the Capitol in Albany.
New York Network programming originates from a variety of locations and is aggregated into a single multiplexed digital transmission stream at the University's uplink center in Albany. The programming includes both live, interactive programs as well as pre-recorded productions. Interactivity among participating students and between viewers and presenters is achieved with real-time phone and computer-based discussions.
Besides its "real time" transmissions, New York Network is piloting a near-video-on-demand system for K-12 educators, giving teachers access to a vast library of video resources for use in the classroom. Via the internet, teachers browse the Network website for programs and excerpts that fit into their lesson plans. They order the clip or program on line and it is delivered via GE-5 as a data file to their computer, where it can be opened and "played." This fall ten school districts from Brooklyn to Buffalo are testing the Access Education New York Digital Program Service.
"We are delighted that the State University of New York has once again chosen GE Americom to support its pioneering efforts in satellite-delivered distance learning," says Tim Angst, GE Americom's Vice President, North American Data Services Sales. "The State University is one of a dozen outstanding educational organizations that rely on the GE Americom fleet and best-in-industry service to transport innovative learning to students in every nook and cranny of the continent," he continued.
"GE Americom has provided consistently excellent service, both technically and on the business side," said William F. Snyder, Executive Director of the New York Network. He added, "The GE Americom team always has good advice and is willing to work with us in tough budget years to get the best value for our transmission needs."
The State University of New York is a unified statewide system of 64 campuses, committed to serving New York with pride and academic excellence. It includes 30 community colleges, 5 residential campuses that comprise the University Colleges of Technology, 5 specialized colleges, 5 partnership four-year colleges, 13 arts and sciences colleges, 4 research university campuses and 2 academic health centers. The nation's largest comprehensive system of higher education, the University enrolls about 370,000 students and employs over 75,000 faculty, administrators and staff.
GE-5 was launched in October 1998 to serve the SNG/Occasional Services, VSAT, Business and Educational Television and Broadband Data markets. GE-5 is an all Ku-band satellite with sixteen 55-watt, 54 MHz transponders that offer complete CONUS coverage from the 79 West Longitude orbital location. The satellite's wide-bandwidth configuration allows customers to simultaneously carry two analog signals or a combination of analog and digital channels on a single transponder.
With over twenty years' experience, GE American Communications, Inc. is recognized as a pioneer and a leading provider of global satellite communications solutions. These solutions primarily provide the distribution of broadcast and cable television programming and digital/Broadband Data Services over satellite. GE Americom currently operates twelve satellites providing satellite-based solutions to North America. In Europe, GE-1E provides high-powered Ku-band service for European and Middle Eastern television markets. With the launch of GE-4 and as an owner of Argentine satellite operator NahuelSAt, GE Americom is committed to the delivery of satellite-based communications services throughout South and Latin America. And with the launch next year of its first Asia satellite, GE-1A, GE Americom's satellite interests will reach more than 90% of the world's population. Some of GE Americom's key international customers include Viacom, Time Warner/Turner Broadcasting, Discovery, NBC, NHK, Disney, Deutsche Welle and Merlin.
GE Capital, with assets of over US$300 billion, is a global, diversified financial services company with 28 specialized businesses. A wholly-owned subsidiary of General Electric Company, GE Capital based in Stamford, CT., provides equipment management, mid-market and specialized financing, specialty insurance and a variety of consumer services, such as car leasing, home mortgages and credit cards, to businesses and individuals around the world. GE is a diversified technology, services and manufacturing company with operations worldwide.
Contact: Monica Morgan
609-987-4143
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