Astrium Services to provide its new KA-News service to leading French broadcasting group

13 September, 2013

Astrium Services, has signed a contract with France Télévisions, the leading French broadcasting group, for its KA-News service. The new KA-News service will enable France Télévisions teams to transmit high-speed data and broadcast live HD via Ka-band terminals with automatic deployment antennas, even in the most remote locations, without having to worry about the technical aspects of the connection.

Using Eutelsat's KA-SAT satellite, the KA-News service, developed in-house by Astrium
Services, revolutionises journalists' ‘user experience’. With small satellite antennas on-board light vehicles, the easy to use KA-News Service therefore provides journalists with greater independence.

Much more compact than traditional antennas (only 77 cm in diameter compared to 1,5m on average), the Drive Away antenna chosen by France Télévisions is a 360° self-pointing motorised antenna, ready for use in just a few minutes. The antenna enables journalists to connect extremely quickly - saving the time it would normally take for a satellite operator to prepare for operation (‘line-up’). This unique automatic connection system means the connection is available almost immediately.

"The KA-News Service meets the needs of reporters and television channels: no matter where they are in Europe and around the Mediterranean, France Télévisions journalists are now able to transmit high-speed data and broadcast live HD video, even in the most remote locations, without having to worry about the technical aspects of the connection. And the television channels will be able to reduce their equipment and running costs," said Danny Côté, head of Enterprise Communication for Astrium Services.

The small size of the antenna does not affect the performance of KA-News communications services which is exceptional, thanks to the very high speeds provided by the KA-SAT satellite (up to 10 Mbps in reception and transmission). Users also have an optimal bidirectional access, enhanced by the opportunity to benefit from on-demand dedicated bandwidth. “The online availability reservation system is another KA-News service innovation. In just a few clicks, the journalist can book a time slot of 15 minutes minimum, during which time they are guaranteed dedicated availability and therefore optimum quality high-speed broadcasting of video reports," adds Danny Côté.

Following a successful six month trial period on several France Télévisions vehicles, the collaboration now extends to over nine France Télévisions vehicles for a period of three years.