Jan 06, 2009 09:30 ET
World’s First Integrated Satellite-Terrestrial Network Delivering Mobile Video with Interactive Services Showcased at International Consumer Electronics Show
LAS VEGAS --(Business Wire)-- Jan 06, 2009 ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Limited (NASDAQ:ICOG) and Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE:ALU) will be demonstrating the world’s first fully integrated satellite-terrestrial network being used to deliver mobile video and interactive two-way communications services during the International Consumer Electronics Show this week in Las Vegas, Nevada. The network is supporting ICO’s mobile interactive media service, ICO mim™. ICO mim delivers live television, interactive navigation and two-way communications to a wide variety of mobile and portable devices.
ICO mim is powered by the largest commercial satellite launched to date, ICO G1, which covers the entire United States, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. ICO G1 allows for a unique, fully interactive mobile experience, and at CES, users will witness the full range of features that can be deployed utilizing the satellite’s unique two-way capabilities. Services from ICO G1 are supplemented by a terrestrial network that provides coverage in dense urban areas. This hybrid satellite-terrestrial network design allows for anytime, anywhere coverage, especially in areas where wireless services are unavailable. Trials for the ICO mim service are underway in Las Vegas, Nevada and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.
Working with ICO, Alcatel-Lucent has developed mobile video technology using the worldwide DVB-SH standard (Digital Video Broadcast – Satellite-services-to-Handhelds). Alcatel-Lucent is also ICO’s network integrator supporting the construction of terrestrial networks in both test markets and ensuring the overall network performance across the multi-vendor hybrid network.
The mobile demonstrations during CES will feature several vehicles in a range of configurations which showcase the ICO satellite-terrestrial network. The mobile video demonstrations include eight channels of national news, entertainment and children’s content delivered to 7 to 10 inch video screens, highlighting the advantages of mobile video delivered to larger screens with high quality picture resolution.
One of the demonstration vehicles is equipped with Delphi Corporation’s innovative ‘dual-view’ screen plus Mobile DTV capability for receiving local broadcast content. The dual view screen introduces entertainment viewing to front seat passengers without compromising driver safety by allowing only the passenger to watch mobile television while the driver can access navigation, communication and command functions. The Mobile DTV receiver allows passengers a choice of local mobile television content and ICO’s national offerings. Another vehicle features a portable device, developed by Archos Corporation, which highlights the potential for portable mobile video devices by delivering mobile TV to portable entertainment receivers in the car.
During the trials, ICO is demonstrating all of the elements of its network in preparation for a subsequent service launch. ICO will be conducting extensive market research during the trials. Trial participants will experience mobile satellite interactivity first-hand, with applications such as text and email messaging, voice communications, and access to real-time weather, traffic and point of interest data. In addition to the ICO mim service offering, ICO has also been testing handsets and mobile devices which could offer traditional wireless calling services in conjunction with current cellular networks and handsets.
“Americans have an insatiable demand for video and mobility, and ICO’s trials are focused on validating a compelling nationwide service offering,” commented Tim Bryan, chief executive officer of ICO. “Alcatel-Lucent has led a world-class ecosystem of DVB-SH technology partners to showcase the power of ICO G1 in delivering a compelling consumer proposition.”
“With the ICO mim service in a car, I feel as comfortable as I am at home watching TV. With excellent sound and video quality, plus a larger screen, mobile TV now brings the same pleasure as traditional TV,” added Olivier Coste, chairman of Alcatel-Lucent’s mobile broadcast activities. “With the satellite, mobile TV now works everywhere a user might roam; tomorrow, this service will be as ubiquitous as radio is today.”
For media, representatives of ICO and Alcatel-Lucent will be at the Digital Experience! 2009 @ CES event on Wednesday, January 7 at the Mirage Hotel from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., and the ShowStoppers @ CES 2009 event on Thursday, January 8 at the Wynn Hotel and Casino from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
About DVB-SH
DVB-SH (Digital Video Broadcast – Satellite services to Handhelds) is an evolution of DVB-H and a powerful mobile broadcast standard allowing cost-effective mobile TV deployments. It can be used in any frequency spectrum below 3GHz, including UHF, L-Band and S-Band, this in terrestrial only, satellite only or also in hybrid networks. The DVB-SH specifications were approved by the DVB Project in February 2007, and the DVB-SH waveform definition was published by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) in March 2008.
About ICO
ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Limited is a satellite communications company developing an advanced next-generation hybrid media system, combining both satellite and terrestrial communications capabilities. ICO’s satellites are capable of supporting wireless voice, data, and/or Internet services on mobile and portable devices. In North America, ICO is deploying a mobile interactive media service known as ICO mim™. ICO mim will combine ICO’s unique interactive satellite capability with nationwide coverage to deliver a new level of navigation, enhanced roadside assistance and the ultimate mobile video experience, including 10-15 live channels of premium television content. ICO is based in Reston, Virginia. For more information, visit www.ico.com.
About Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE:ALU) is the trusted partner of service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide, providing solutions that deliver voice, data and video communications services to end-users. A leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications and services, Alcatel-Lucent leverages the unrivalled technical and scientific expertise of Bell Labs, one of the largest innovation powerhouses in the communications industry. With operations in more than 130 countries and the most experienced global services organization in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global reach. Alcatel-Lucent achieved revenues of Euro 17.8 billion in 2007 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris. For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet at www.alcatel-lucent.com.
World’s First Integrated Satellite-Terrestrial Network Delivering Mobile Video with Interactive Services Showcased at International Consumer Electronics Show
LAS VEGAS --(Business Wire)-- Jan 06, 2009 ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Limited (NASDAQ:ICOG) and Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE:ALU) will be demonstrating the world’s first fully integrated satellite-terrestrial network being used to deliver mobile video and interactive two-way communications services during the International Consumer Electronics Show this week in Las Vegas, Nevada. The network is supporting ICO’s mobile interactive media service, ICO mim™. ICO mim delivers live television, interactive navigation and two-way communications to a wide variety of mobile and portable devices.
ICO mim is powered by the largest commercial satellite launched to date, ICO G1, which covers the entire United States, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. ICO G1 allows for a unique, fully interactive mobile experience, and at CES, users will witness the full range of features that can be deployed utilizing the satellite’s unique two-way capabilities. Services from ICO G1 are supplemented by a terrestrial network that provides coverage in dense urban areas. This hybrid satellite-terrestrial network design allows for anytime, anywhere coverage, especially in areas where wireless services are unavailable. Trials for the ICO mim service are underway in Las Vegas, Nevada and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.
Working with ICO, Alcatel-Lucent has developed mobile video technology using the worldwide DVB-SH standard (Digital Video Broadcast – Satellite-services-to-Handhelds). Alcatel-Lucent is also ICO’s network integrator supporting the construction of terrestrial networks in both test markets and ensuring the overall network performance across the multi-vendor hybrid network.
The mobile demonstrations during CES will feature several vehicles in a range of configurations which showcase the ICO satellite-terrestrial network. The mobile video demonstrations include eight channels of national news, entertainment and children’s content delivered to 7 to 10 inch video screens, highlighting the advantages of mobile video delivered to larger screens with high quality picture resolution.
One of the demonstration vehicles is equipped with Delphi Corporation’s innovative ‘dual-view’ screen plus Mobile DTV capability for receiving local broadcast content. The dual view screen introduces entertainment viewing to front seat passengers without compromising driver safety by allowing only the passenger to watch mobile television while the driver can access navigation, communication and command functions. The Mobile DTV receiver allows passengers a choice of local mobile television content and ICO’s national offerings. Another vehicle features a portable device, developed by Archos Corporation, which highlights the potential for portable mobile video devices by delivering mobile TV to portable entertainment receivers in the car.
During the trials, ICO is demonstrating all of the elements of its network in preparation for a subsequent service launch. ICO will be conducting extensive market research during the trials. Trial participants will experience mobile satellite interactivity first-hand, with applications such as text and email messaging, voice communications, and access to real-time weather, traffic and point of interest data. In addition to the ICO mim service offering, ICO has also been testing handsets and mobile devices which could offer traditional wireless calling services in conjunction with current cellular networks and handsets.
“Americans have an insatiable demand for video and mobility, and ICO’s trials are focused on validating a compelling nationwide service offering,” commented Tim Bryan, chief executive officer of ICO. “Alcatel-Lucent has led a world-class ecosystem of DVB-SH technology partners to showcase the power of ICO G1 in delivering a compelling consumer proposition.”
“With the ICO mim service in a car, I feel as comfortable as I am at home watching TV. With excellent sound and video quality, plus a larger screen, mobile TV now brings the same pleasure as traditional TV,” added Olivier Coste, chairman of Alcatel-Lucent’s mobile broadcast activities. “With the satellite, mobile TV now works everywhere a user might roam; tomorrow, this service will be as ubiquitous as radio is today.”
For media, representatives of ICO and Alcatel-Lucent will be at the Digital Experience! 2009 @ CES event on Wednesday, January 7 at the Mirage Hotel from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., and the ShowStoppers @ CES 2009 event on Thursday, January 8 at the Wynn Hotel and Casino from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
About DVB-SH
DVB-SH (Digital Video Broadcast – Satellite services to Handhelds) is an evolution of DVB-H and a powerful mobile broadcast standard allowing cost-effective mobile TV deployments. It can be used in any frequency spectrum below 3GHz, including UHF, L-Band and S-Band, this in terrestrial only, satellite only or also in hybrid networks. The DVB-SH specifications were approved by the DVB Project in February 2007, and the DVB-SH waveform definition was published by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) in March 2008.
About ICO
ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Limited is a satellite communications company developing an advanced next-generation hybrid media system, combining both satellite and terrestrial communications capabilities. ICO’s satellites are capable of supporting wireless voice, data, and/or Internet services on mobile and portable devices. In North America, ICO is deploying a mobile interactive media service known as ICO mim™. ICO mim will combine ICO’s unique interactive satellite capability with nationwide coverage to deliver a new level of navigation, enhanced roadside assistance and the ultimate mobile video experience, including 10-15 live channels of premium television content. ICO is based in Reston, Virginia. For more information, visit www.ico.com.
About Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE:ALU) is the trusted partner of service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide, providing solutions that deliver voice, data and video communications services to end-users. A leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications and services, Alcatel-Lucent leverages the unrivalled technical and scientific expertise of Bell Labs, one of the largest innovation powerhouses in the communications industry. With operations in more than 130 countries and the most experienced global services organization in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global reach. Alcatel-Lucent achieved revenues of Euro 17.8 billion in 2007 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris. For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet at www.alcatel-lucent.com.
