CABSAT 2015 examines content challenges facing telcos, satellite and media distribution companies

CABSAT 2015 will examine the myriad challenges currently facing satellite companies and regional telcos as consumer viewing habits change.

As broadcasters and content-savvy telcos battle to win viewers and subscribers in the increasingly competitive free-to-air and paid TV sectors, the race to win market share via enhanced ‘anywhere, anytime’ content delivered across multiple, multiscreen formats is intensifying. With the value of the Middle East and Africa TV On Demand market expected to increase to $132m between 2014-18, the rapidly growing sector is increasing pressure on satellite loads and forcing satellite companies – key contributors in delivering richer TV On Demand products – to expand their operational capacity.

A host of exhibiting companies at CABSAT 2015, which runs 10-12 March at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), will showcase a series of innovative solutions designed to absorb the market changes, and launch cutting-edge tech products to help content providers win audience share and solve transmission issues.

“Keeping pace with a rapidly changing content delivery market is a complex task. That’s why we have compiled an integrated, flexible ecosystem of OTT offerings that offer leading edge, future-proof technologies – so tomorrow won’t take our customers by surprise,” said Karim El-Khazen, Vice President Business Development and Innovation (BDI), Deutsche Telekom.

“Our aim is to create value and expand business potential for the entire digital content delivery market. That’s why we work together with other technology leaders toward developing a global network of innovation. By accelerating know-how we help our customers maximise monetisation of their online assets while improving performance and keeping viewers engaged longer.”

Hans-Martin Steiner, Head of the Business Unit Space, Siemens Convergence Creators, added: “The growing number of satellite services will, as a side effect, increase the amount of interference and anomalies, with negative impacts on data transmission. As a result, there is an urgent need for more effective interference mitigation solutions.”

The utilisation and popularity of satellites to distribute content is only going to grow, added Sami Boustany, Chief Executive Officer, Yahlive. “The number of linear TV channels over satellite in the regions we cover is constantly increasing and it is true that viewing habits are shifting fast towards IP-delivered interactive and on-demand content,” said Boustany. “The lack of adequate terrestrial IP-based infrastructure in most of the our footprint territories combined with the fact satellites can cover close to 100 per cent of a country’s population, mean satellites will continue to be the preferred and most economical distribution platform for most broadcasters.”

Neil Berry, Executive Vice President of Commercial, EMEA, Piksel, added: “The OTT model for content delivery has become a serious consideration for TV service providers and content owners, as users gravitate towards services that give them greater control over when, where and how they view their entertainment. At Piksel, we help companies navigate the hundreds of variables which need to be considered when developing an OTT service, and calculate the most sustainable monetisation strategy for their unique business.”

CABSAT will provide numerous opportunities for the entire market to discuss inherent challenges. Reflecting the continued growth of the global OTT market, CABSAT 2015 will present the two-day GVF Satellite HUB – held in partnership with GVF – where senior level executives will debate technical trends and challenges across the satellite industry. With more than 30 international speakers participating in 12 sessions covering the entire satellite sector, the headline session – ‘Proactivity and Reactivity to Ensure Interference-Free Satellite Services’ – will feature Nigel Fry, Head of Distribution, BBC Global News, and Naji Tamimi, Commissioning Producer, Al Jazeera Media Network, amongst others. Other sessions will see speakers from a range of private sector companies including AdvanTech Wireless, Arab Avisors Group, APT Satellite Co., ArabSat, C-Com Satellite Systems, Globecomm Systems, KTsat, Inmarsat, ITU, Newtec, ND SatCom, Satellite Interference Reduction Group (IRG), SES, Telenor Satellite Broadcasting and many more.

In addition, CABSAT’s expanded Content Delivery Hub will see more than 60 exhibitors take part in three days of live discussions relating to monetising paid-for TV entertainment content via IPTV, OTT and online digital platforms, solutions and services.

Across the exhibition, companies will present their invaluable products and services for the satellite sector, including:

t

• RF-Design (Hall 7, Stand D7-43) will present the first global opportunity to see the FlexLink-K7-Pro L-Band Switch-Matrix system. The new system, which is the next-generation of L-Band Switch-Matrix system used by major teleports, satellite earth-stations, satellite operators and system-integrators around the globe, is an all-in-one device built into a space-saving 6RU/19” rack-mount chassis with only 500mm depth. The system performs as a scalable L-Band switch/routing platform and is available with various input/output configurations from 8:8 to 64:64 in one chassis and up to 256:256 with additional slave-chassis. It covers the L-Band frequency range (950…2150MHz) and is designed for today’s and future signal management requirements, offering flexibility combined with state-of-the-art functionalities, features, excellent RF performance and many unique options.

t

• SatComm Broadcast (Hall 7, Stand B7-30) will launch the Mk II Karbon-75 fully integrated multi-platform Ka-band flyaway terminal. With an improved RF performance, greater wind stability and a lighter weight, this latest version of the best-selling antenna sets new standards for the challenge of lightweight newsgathering. The Karbon-75 can be supplied with replaceable transceivers and interchangeable satellite modem packs in weatherproof casings allowing it to be deployed onto any Ka-band High Throughput Satellite (HTS).

t

• CreateCtrl AG (Hall 2, Stand A2-44) will debut its innovative Media Applications suite for broadcasters and VoD providers. The solution provides comprehensive content and metadata management combined with flexible programme scheduling. Movies, series, trailers, contracts and licensing information are efficiently handled in the workflow-based Media Applications suite while numerous wizards make the scheduling process secure, quick and simple.

t

• SIS LIVE (Hall 7, Stand B7-31) will show the ManPak60T, the latest addition to the ManPakT range of portable, compact VSAT terminals, for the first time in the MEASA region. The new model is equipped with a 60cm carbon fibre reflector and is available in the Ku and Ka band.

t

• Tedial (Hall 3, Stand C3-40) will present the Middle Eastern launch of its Media Exchange Platform, which enables content producers, broadcasters, pay TV operators, service providers and telcos to work collaboratively on media securely and efficiently.

t

• L-S-B Broadcast Technologies (Hall 3, Stand 304) will show its IP-based Virtual Studio Manager (VSM), the universal control system for MCR (radio and TV), Studio and Mobile Production, with new and improved functionality particularly aimed at the OB market, giving operators more flexibility and ease of use.