DIRECTV To Use Ka-band Earth Station Antenna Systems for High-Definition Television Services
2006-04-10
Advanced Antenna Systems Will Optimize New High-Performance Satellites
Duluth, GA – ViaSat has been selected by direct-to-home satellite broadcaster DIRECTV, Inc. (NYSE: DTV) to provide four 9.1-meter Ka-band earth station antenna systems for uplinking high-definition television (HDTV) services. The antenna systems will enable DIRECTV to expand its HDTV services over new Ka-band satellites, including the recently launched Spaceway satellites.
As part of the contract, ViaSat will be responsible for system design, production, installation, testing and certification of the complete antenna systems, including RF and control subsystems. These turnkey, high performance systems will be an integral part of the DIRECTV Southwest Uplink Facility (SWUF) in Arizona.
"The Arizona-based uplink center is one of six uplink facilities that will provide the foundation for the delivery of hundreds of local HD channels,” said Romulo Pontual, DIRECTV chief technology officer. “Expanding our HD programming is one of the cornerstones of our brand strategy to provide the best entertainment experience for DIRECTV customers, and sets us apart from our competition."
The nation’s leading provider of digital television service, DIRECTV is in the midst of a dramatic expansion of its programming capacity for the transmission of hundreds of local and national HD channels, as well as new interactive and enhanced services and standard-definition programming. With the launch of DIRECTV 10 and 11 in 2007, DIRECTV will have the ability to deliver more than 1,500 local HD and digital channels and 150 national HD channels.
“These systems will use high-performance Ka-band antenna technology already developed and successfully deployed by ViaSat for a U.S. government Ka-band program,” said John Zlogar, VP and general manager of ViaSat Antenna Systems. “This award further solidifies our position as a leading supplier of Ka-band earth station antenna systems.”
2006-04-10
Advanced Antenna Systems Will Optimize New High-Performance Satellites
Duluth, GA – ViaSat has been selected by direct-to-home satellite broadcaster DIRECTV, Inc. (NYSE: DTV) to provide four 9.1-meter Ka-band earth station antenna systems for uplinking high-definition television (HDTV) services. The antenna systems will enable DIRECTV to expand its HDTV services over new Ka-band satellites, including the recently launched Spaceway satellites.
As part of the contract, ViaSat will be responsible for system design, production, installation, testing and certification of the complete antenna systems, including RF and control subsystems. These turnkey, high performance systems will be an integral part of the DIRECTV Southwest Uplink Facility (SWUF) in Arizona.
"The Arizona-based uplink center is one of six uplink facilities that will provide the foundation for the delivery of hundreds of local HD channels,” said Romulo Pontual, DIRECTV chief technology officer. “Expanding our HD programming is one of the cornerstones of our brand strategy to provide the best entertainment experience for DIRECTV customers, and sets us apart from our competition."
The nation’s leading provider of digital television service, DIRECTV is in the midst of a dramatic expansion of its programming capacity for the transmission of hundreds of local and national HD channels, as well as new interactive and enhanced services and standard-definition programming. With the launch of DIRECTV 10 and 11 in 2007, DIRECTV will have the ability to deliver more than 1,500 local HD and digital channels and 150 national HD channels.
“These systems will use high-performance Ka-band antenna technology already developed and successfully deployed by ViaSat for a U.S. government Ka-band program,” said John Zlogar, VP and general manager of ViaSat Antenna Systems. “This award further solidifies our position as a leading supplier of Ka-band earth station antenna systems.”
