SES WORLD SKIES has announced that its SES-1 satellite has entered commercial service at the orbital location of 101 degrees West.
Built by Orbital Sciences, SES-1 was successfully launched onboard an ILS-Proton Breeze M rocket on April 24, 2010. The spacecraft replaces AMC-2 and AMC-4 at the key orbital location of 101 degrees West over North America, and is used to feed TV programming into virtually every cable network in the U.S.
Rob Bednarek, President and CEO of SES WORLD SKIES, stated: "The successful bringing into use of SES-1 is the stepping stone of our fleet renewal programme over North America. The smooth transition of our customers' traffic to the brand-new SES-1 satellite frees up the AMC-2 and AMC-4 spacecraft for new missions at new orbital slots."
SES-1 is a hybrid C- and Ku-band spacecraft that provides coverage of the 50 U.S. states from the orbital location of 101 degrees West. SES-1 is part of an SES contract with Orbital Sciences for the provision of up to five virtually identical satellites in order to replenish SES' North American satellite fleet.
The SES satellites are based on Orbital's enhanced STARTM 2.4 bus, the largest and most powerful communications satellite the company builds.
SES-1 carries 24 active C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders of 36 MHz capacity each. Six of the channels in each band can be cross-strapped to the opposite band, enabling new service capability. The spacecraft generates approximately five kilowatts of payload power and has two 2.3 meter deployable reflectors.
jueves, 1 de julio de 2010
New GlobaFone White Paper Focuses on Solving Problems Associated with Low-Cost Satellite Phones
GlobaFone Inc., which has been providing Iridium phones to clients for nearly 12 years, is of the opinion that "Decisions based on price alone could cost you dearly in valuable time and money after the sale." In its span of market existence, the acclaimed Iridium phone provider came across a number of cases where buying the lowest-priced phones did not guarantee that the buyer had found the lowest cost phones. In its new white paper called "Seven No Nonsense Secrets To Avoid Hidden costs with Lowest-Cost Satellite Phone Providers," the company suggests that buying Iridium phones from the lowest cost provider will always prove to be the most expensive option in the long run.
At the same time GlobaFone maintains that the lowest cost satellite phones can prove really cost-effective, only when the customers keep certain points in mind. The white paper discusses about the seven "secrets" how consumers can do that. Buying lowest cost iridium phones means: from packaging to labeling, to charging the phone, the consumer has to spend hours and suffer a lot of stress preparing the phones to work when they are badly needed.
To avoid this ordeal, consumers can consider paying a small fee to have the satellite phone fully functional when it arrives at the facility and to have knowledgeable 24 hour service only a call away.
According to GlobaFone, the solution lies in choosing a provider who prices accordingly and provides all the value-added, time-saving, stress-reducing services (listed in the said white paper) and treats the buyer as a client, a provider interested in taking care of the buyer, building a relationship and nurturing that relationship over a long period of time.
A recent whitepaper deals with such issues as how all Iridium kits are different from each other, how you can save money with pooled airtime, how all satellite phones are not user ready just out of the box and why it is important to work with a provider that offers 24X7 services. The white paper also highlights on the importance of labeling handsets with phone numbers and having simple directions of how to start using the phone.
At the same time GlobaFone maintains that the lowest cost satellite phones can prove really cost-effective, only when the customers keep certain points in mind. The white paper discusses about the seven "secrets" how consumers can do that. Buying lowest cost iridium phones means: from packaging to labeling, to charging the phone, the consumer has to spend hours and suffer a lot of stress preparing the phones to work when they are badly needed.
To avoid this ordeal, consumers can consider paying a small fee to have the satellite phone fully functional when it arrives at the facility and to have knowledgeable 24 hour service only a call away.
According to GlobaFone, the solution lies in choosing a provider who prices accordingly and provides all the value-added, time-saving, stress-reducing services (listed in the said white paper) and treats the buyer as a client, a provider interested in taking care of the buyer, building a relationship and nurturing that relationship over a long period of time.
A recent whitepaper deals with such issues as how all Iridium kits are different from each other, how you can save money with pooled airtime, how all satellite phones are not user ready just out of the box and why it is important to work with a provider that offers 24X7 services. The white paper also highlights on the importance of labeling handsets with phone numbers and having simple directions of how to start using the phone.
IsatPhone Pro - Stratos
Stratos has started to fill thousands of orders from customers eager to deploy the new, IsatPhone Pro device, Inmarsat's new handheld satellite phone, with The Stratos Advantage self-provisioning, monitoring and control capabilities. In fact, the company it has now managed its first activation of the IsatPhone Pro.
Stratos is now fulfilling more than 2,000 advance orders worldwide for the IsatPhone Pro, which is the first product in the Inmarsat Global Satellite Phone Services (GSPS) family. The first IsatPhone Pro activation was managed for the Colorado Division of Emergency Management (CDEM) by Outfitter Satellite (outfittersatellite.com), a Stratos Channel Partner based in Nashville, Tenn.
Customers using the IsatPhone Pro from Stratos benefit from The Stratos Advantage which offers a wide range of value-added services that ensure optimal communications performance and cost efficiency. The foundation of The Stratos Advantage is Stratos Dashboard, which enables customers to manage their use of satellite airtime by providing real-time information on voice and data traffic used, with associated costs. Stratos Dashboard further enhances the user experience of the IsatPhone Pro by providing instant provisioning, as well as rebilling and reporting options to minimize unexpected invoices and potential financial risk. Stratos Dashboard supports postpaid and prepaid rate-plan options.
Stratos is now fulfilling more than 2,000 advance orders worldwide for the IsatPhone Pro, which is the first product in the Inmarsat Global Satellite Phone Services (GSPS) family. The first IsatPhone Pro activation was managed for the Colorado Division of Emergency Management (CDEM) by Outfitter Satellite (outfittersatellite.com), a Stratos Channel Partner based in Nashville, Tenn.
Customers using the IsatPhone Pro from Stratos benefit from The Stratos Advantage which offers a wide range of value-added services that ensure optimal communications performance and cost efficiency. The foundation of The Stratos Advantage is Stratos Dashboard, which enables customers to manage their use of satellite airtime by providing real-time information on voice and data traffic used, with associated costs. Stratos Dashboard further enhances the user experience of the IsatPhone Pro by providing instant provisioning, as well as rebilling and reporting options to minimize unexpected invoices and potential financial risk. Stratos Dashboard supports postpaid and prepaid rate-plan options.
New Product - SIMsational
Users of Thuraya ECO, which is a unique service available in 83 countries providing 50 percent cheaper call charges, will now be able to access one year of service from the date of their first call. Even with the new enhancements, the Thuraya ECO SIM pack continues to be an affordable solution for communications, especially in areas where there is limited access to terrestrial networks. Thuraya provides ubiquitous blanket coverage in urban centers as well as in remote and rural areas in 140 countries across the globe.
On July 1st, Thuraya will launch an enhanced Thuraya ECO. Customers are now able to enjoy one year validity for SIM cards and more pre-loaded credit if they acquire a Thuraya ECO SIM pack.
On July 1st, Thuraya will launch an enhanced Thuraya ECO. Customers are now able to enjoy one year validity for SIM cards and more pre-loaded credit if they acquire a Thuraya ECO SIM pack.
New SatServices Served Up Via W7
Vizada Networks has launched a portfolio of new and expanded services on Eutelsat's newest and most powerful Ku-band satellite, W7. By using the iDirect platform to ensure high-quality and constant connectivity, and the in-house developed JanUX solution, Vizada Networks' new services on W7 will be delivered in the Middle East and will primarily support the company's military, government, corporate, and voice customers, with particular focus on Iraq and Afghanistan.
W7 footprintVizada Networks has secured guaranteed capacity on the W7 beam, which will be used to provide connectivity across the board; from pure internet connection to high volume trunking at single sites and for complex networks. This will be delivered over a range of services including the iDirect based Internet Start for competitive entry to shared access and the JanUX based Taide Broadband (TBB) with guaranteed dedicated global internet access up to 52 Mbps and full data throughput. The new and expanded Vizada Networks W7 services can use more compact Ku-band VSAT terminals and can benefit from in-house developed QoS and Service Level Agreements to secure high availability and an unmatched user experience.
As it uses the innovative iDirect platform, Internet Start is a cost-effective, always on network that offers a way for ISPs and businesses to easily connect their network to the global internet. It provides optimal utilisation of the satellite capacity due to the latest technology and in-house developed bandwidth management solution, and in addition to being a revenue enhancer for ISPs and SMEs it is also ideally suited as a dependable backup solution to the terrestrial networks of defence and government organisations, and companies of all sizes. Vizada Networks' TBB is a high quality, high-speed service providing global internet access up to 52 Mbp through the established Vizada backbone. It is available in Africa, Middle East, CIS region and Europe, with the extra capacity available through W7 now enabling Vizada Networks to expand and enhance its services to customers in these regions. TBB on W7 can be combined with Vizada Networks' Taide Link, an SCPC-based service utilising space segments from several satellite operators for the return channel, making it a high capacity and quality turnkey solution for customers requiring high levels of connectivity.
W7 footprintVizada Networks has secured guaranteed capacity on the W7 beam, which will be used to provide connectivity across the board; from pure internet connection to high volume trunking at single sites and for complex networks. This will be delivered over a range of services including the iDirect based Internet Start for competitive entry to shared access and the JanUX based Taide Broadband (TBB) with guaranteed dedicated global internet access up to 52 Mbps and full data throughput. The new and expanded Vizada Networks W7 services can use more compact Ku-band VSAT terminals and can benefit from in-house developed QoS and Service Level Agreements to secure high availability and an unmatched user experience.
As it uses the innovative iDirect platform, Internet Start is a cost-effective, always on network that offers a way for ISPs and businesses to easily connect their network to the global internet. It provides optimal utilisation of the satellite capacity due to the latest technology and in-house developed bandwidth management solution, and in addition to being a revenue enhancer for ISPs and SMEs it is also ideally suited as a dependable backup solution to the terrestrial networks of defence and government organisations, and companies of all sizes. Vizada Networks' TBB is a high quality, high-speed service providing global internet access up to 52 Mbp through the established Vizada backbone. It is available in Africa, Middle East, CIS region and Europe, with the extra capacity available through W7 now enabling Vizada Networks to expand and enhance its services to customers in these regions. TBB on W7 can be combined with Vizada Networks' Taide Link, an SCPC-based service utilising space segments from several satellite operators for the return channel, making it a high capacity and quality turnkey solution for customers requiring high levels of connectivity.
Five Tons Of W5A
Eutelsat Communications has selected Astrium to build a 48-transponder Ku-band satellite that will be located at its 70.5 degrees East location in geostationary orbit. Scheduled for launch in fourth quarter 2012, the satellite will replace the W5 craft and more than double Eutelsat’s resources at 70.5 degrees East. It will be used for a range of professional applications that include government services, broadband access, GSM backhauling and professional video in Europe, Africa and Central and South-East Asia.
Weighing in at five tons, W5A will be based on the Astrium Eurostar E3000 platform, with a designed in-orbit lifetime exceeding 15 years. Each of the satellite’s four high-performance fixed beams will be focused over a distinct zone: Europe, Africa, Central Asia and South-East Asia, reaching as far as Australia. Through a high degree of on-board connectivity, clients will be able to use the beams either for regional coverage or to interconnect continents. This will support high-growth services that include secure government communications in Central Asia through hubs located in the region or in Europe, business networks between South-East Asia and Africa, and direct connectivity between Europe and Australia. W5A is the 10th telecommunication satellite awarded to Astrium in the past 18 months
Weighing in at five tons, W5A will be based on the Astrium Eurostar E3000 platform, with a designed in-orbit lifetime exceeding 15 years. Each of the satellite’s four high-performance fixed beams will be focused over a distinct zone: Europe, Africa, Central Asia and South-East Asia, reaching as far as Australia. Through a high degree of on-board connectivity, clients will be able to use the beams either for regional coverage or to interconnect continents. This will support high-growth services that include secure government communications in Central Asia through hubs located in the region or in Europe, business networks between South-East Asia and Africa, and direct connectivity between Europe and Australia. W5A is the 10th telecommunication satellite awarded to Astrium in the past 18 months
lunes, 1 de marzo de 2010
Shinobi Ninja Attacks Review for iPhone/iPod Touch
Price: $1.99
Publisher: Shinobi Ninja Video Game
Buy now on
Sometimes games come from nowhere and surprise the heck out of you. I recently had that happen to me and I got to tell you, it was exciting. The game is Shinobi Ninja Attacks. It has nothing at all to do with ninjas (well not directly). Instead it’s actually based band on a band of the same name from Brooklyn. You play as one of 4 band members and utilize your instrument of choice to whoop the bad guys. There have been a few music fighting games like this made in the past. Do you remember the Aerosmith game where you threw cd's at your enemies? The end result is a standard faire fighting game with one standout feature; the music. Fortunately the music alone makes this game worth playing.
Going in I had never heard of Shinobi Ninja. I went to their MySpace page and listened to a few of their songs. At first it reminded me of Beastie Boys but I think that was mostly due to them being from Brooklyn. As I listened to them more, I began to see that they really stand on their own as a band. The game is directly based on the musicians in the band. One character fights with a drum stick, another with a guitar, etc. Your mission is to get to a concert and there are a lot of people trying to hold you back from that goal. That resistance leaves your band with no choice left. You have to fight your way through the crowd of baddies.
The graphics are well done. Most of the characters are drawn in comic book fashion. The hand drawn characters are all rather nice looking and many things within the game are able to be destroyed including phone booths and benches. Destroying these items actually uncovers powerups that can help you on your quest to get to your concert on time. The sound and music is really where this game shines. Inside of the game, you have the ability to hear 6 full tracks from Shinobi Ninja's (the bands) cd. After beating the game you also unlock a code that gets you the six songs that are downloadable in five mp3 files that can be played anytime outside of the game. You also unlock 2 music videos that can be played within the game.
The controls themselves involve you fighting your way through crowds of people using a series of 2 buttons and a special powerup button that activates after beating up enough bad guys. The end result is a pretty decent rendition of Double Dragon/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles type gameplay. It's nothing special, but it’s definitely entertaining.
The main issue I have with the game lies in its length. The game is divided into four levels, each of which can be completed in 5-10 minutes each. I beat the game in one sitting which took about 30 minutes. At 2 bucks, this game clearly wouldn’t be worth it if you were only playing it for the game. The real replay value is not with the game but with the free tracks that you can download after beating the game. “Rock Hood” is especially a great track. All in all, this game is a must buy for any Shinobi Ninja fans. Even if you not a fan right now, take a few moments to listen to some of their tracks and see what you think. For me, the music alone is worth the price of admission. The game is just a bonus.
Overall Value for it's $1.99 price point
Overall Value:
Graphics:
Sound:
Controls:
Publisher: Shinobi Ninja Video Game
Buy now on
Sometimes games come from nowhere and surprise the heck out of you. I recently had that happen to me and I got to tell you, it was exciting. The game is Shinobi Ninja Attacks. It has nothing at all to do with ninjas (well not directly). Instead it’s actually based band on a band of the same name from Brooklyn. You play as one of 4 band members and utilize your instrument of choice to whoop the bad guys. There have been a few music fighting games like this made in the past. Do you remember the Aerosmith game where you threw cd's at your enemies? The end result is a standard faire fighting game with one standout feature; the music. Fortunately the music alone makes this game worth playing.
Going in I had never heard of Shinobi Ninja. I went to their MySpace page and listened to a few of their songs. At first it reminded me of Beastie Boys but I think that was mostly due to them being from Brooklyn. As I listened to them more, I began to see that they really stand on their own as a band. The game is directly based on the musicians in the band. One character fights with a drum stick, another with a guitar, etc. Your mission is to get to a concert and there are a lot of people trying to hold you back from that goal. That resistance leaves your band with no choice left. You have to fight your way through the crowd of baddies.
The graphics are well done. Most of the characters are drawn in comic book fashion. The hand drawn characters are all rather nice looking and many things within the game are able to be destroyed including phone booths and benches. Destroying these items actually uncovers powerups that can help you on your quest to get to your concert on time. The sound and music is really where this game shines. Inside of the game, you have the ability to hear 6 full tracks from Shinobi Ninja's (the bands) cd. After beating the game you also unlock a code that gets you the six songs that are downloadable in five mp3 files that can be played anytime outside of the game. You also unlock 2 music videos that can be played within the game.
The controls themselves involve you fighting your way through crowds of people using a series of 2 buttons and a special powerup button that activates after beating up enough bad guys. The end result is a pretty decent rendition of Double Dragon/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles type gameplay. It's nothing special, but it’s definitely entertaining.
The main issue I have with the game lies in its length. The game is divided into four levels, each of which can be completed in 5-10 minutes each. I beat the game in one sitting which took about 30 minutes. At 2 bucks, this game clearly wouldn’t be worth it if you were only playing it for the game. The real replay value is not with the game but with the free tracks that you can download after beating the game. “Rock Hood” is especially a great track. All in all, this game is a must buy for any Shinobi Ninja fans. Even if you not a fan right now, take a few moments to listen to some of their tracks and see what you think. For me, the music alone is worth the price of admission. The game is just a bonus.
Overall Value for it's $1.99 price point
Overall Value:
Graphics:
Sound:
Controls:
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