16 June 2015

New technologies to help fully exploit the capabilities of the next generation of high-throughput telecom satellites will be developed under a public–private partnership between ESA and global satellite operator Intelsat.

The Indigo project will develop new ground segment innovations that maximise the new capabilities offered by the latest Intelsat EpicNG satellites.

The Indigo partnership gives European industry the opportunity to enter the ecosystem of a prominent global operator.

ESA’s backing will support European industry and project industrial partner Newtec of Belgium, to further improve their Newtec Dialog modems, hubs and network management system to exploit the capabilities offered by the latest multibeam, multiband telecom satellites.

Intelsat has chosen the versatile Newtec Dialog platform from Europe to deliver numerous services on the Intelsat EpicNG satellite platform and IntelsatOne terrestrial network.

"Indigo is a partnership that focuses solely on ground technology and is an excellent example of how ESA can help boost innovation and strengthen Europe’s position in the global market,” commented Magali Vaissiere, ESA’s Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications.

Indigo will maximise the throughput delivered to customers and have the flexibility to adapt to advances in satellite technology and services.

These benefits will improve the quality of service and lower the total cost to customers, pave the way into markets not economically viable previously as well as enable new services across multiple sectors.

Stephen Spengler, CEO of Intelsat, added, “ESA’s support will drive increased enhancements of ground technology necessary to optimise and obtain benefits that in-orbit innovations, such as Intelsat EpicNG bring to the marketplace.

“Together with Newtec, we look forward to developing ground hardware solutions that will enable satellite solutions to achieve higher performance, improved economics and accessibility. By doing so, high throughput satellites will be able to address larger and faster growing markets, narrowing the communications gap for businesses and communities around the world.”

All partners and European subsystem suppliers of Indigo will have the opportunity to expand their product and service portfolios to capture a greater share of a highly competitive market.

The contract was signed today at the Paris air and space show by Magali Vaissiere, ESA’s Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications, and Stephen Spengler, CEO at Intelsat.

Following this, Intelsat’s CEO also signed a contract with industrial partner Newtec.

Serge Van Herck, CEO at Newtec commented: “By choosing the Newtec Dialog platform, Intelsat expresses their confidence in the efficiency, scalability and flexibility of our innovative technologies that will meet the needs of their customers now and in the future. We are pleased to strengthen our long-term partnership with ESA and Intelsat by committing to the Indigo project today.”

Through Indigo, project participants will gain ‘heritage’ through the worldwide deployment of several commercial pilot projects demonstrating the benefits of the Newtec Dialog innovations, and finally leading to full commercial services by early 2018.