Newtec M6100 Broadcast Satellite Modulators will carry content to nearly 124 million people in the United States through PBS each month

ALEXANDRIA, VA, and SINT-NIKLAAS, Belgium, 28 August 2012 The largest public media enterprise in the United States, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), has installed a large set of Newtec M6100 Broadcast Satellite Modulators for content distribution across its nationwide network. This is part of a major upgrade to DVB-S2 and H.264 modulators while at the same time implementing Carrier ID to reduce Radio Frequency (RF) Satellite interference. In the United States, PBS has 354 member TV stations.

Nearing the completion of its 10-year project, the PBS Next Generation Interconnection System (NGIS) project, which is set to replace and significantly upgrade the current infrastructure that enables PBS, regional distributors, and other entities to distribute programming for broadcast by public television stations. The result of the upgrade to these latest technologies allows PBS to reduce its satellite capacity requirement from four to three transponders.

Many broadcasters and satellite operators around the globe are suffering from an ever increasing amount of satellite carrier Radio Frequency Interferences (RFI). Satellite interference happens as multiple carriers are beamed into the same space segment. The impact of such interferences is most often a complete loss of service for hours or days, which is the time required to find the source of the interference. Newtec has been actively supportive in bringing together different stakeholders throughout the industry to help develop a technology standard (Carrier ID) that reduces the impact of RFI from hours or days to minutes. As a result, Carrier ID is a unique “fingerprint” on an uplink carrier which enables satellite operators to identify transmissions to their satellites and coordinate with earth station operators to mitigate signal interference.

Newtec’s M6100, launched in April this year, already has this Carrier ID implementation. The M6100 is the new generation DVB-S2, DVB-DSNG and DVB-S modulator. It is specifically designed for contribution of television and radio content, which is the primary distribution of content and broadcast Direct-To-Home (DTH) distribution. The modulator interoperates seamlessly with any 3rd party DVB set-top box, professional IRDs and satellite demodulators.

Serge Van Herck, CEO of Newtec said: “2012 has been one of the most important broadcast years ever. With so many broadcasters using satellite to contribute and distribute high value content and advertisements, the risk of interference is high. Satellite interference is not only costly, but can also severely disrupt the viewers’ experience. PBS has recognised this and shown foresight in addressing the developing situation and the need for Carrier ID, meanwhile saving transponder space and cutting costs.”

Stefan Petrat, Vice President, Distribution Operations and Engineering of PBS said: “Our success is built on high quality reliable broadcast distribution to our viewers. We like to set an example by implementing Carrier ID across all our uplinks and we know many in our industry will follow, and we encourage others to do so. Only when the industry comes together, can we put a halt to the growing interference problem. Carrier ID allows us to reduce the risk of interference and provides an improved and more efficient service. Newtec’s M6100 is the best solution for our needs.”

PBS and Newtec are supporting the World Broadcasting Unions - International Satellite Operations Group (WBU-ISOG), the GVF (Global VSAT Forum) and SIRG (Satellite Interference Reduction Group) to promote and implement Carrier ID standardisation.

For further information about the Newtec M6100 Broadcast Satellite Modulator visit http://www.newtecm6100.eu/. And if you are interested in learning more about the latest key breakthroughs in video network technologies and the risk of satellite interference, join Newtec’s Free Session and Discussion Panel with Industry Leading Players on September 8th at 3 pm at IBC in Amsterdam: www.newtec.eu/sessionibc2012.