MUMBAI: Panamsat has announced that Anatel the government agency that regulates all telecommunications services in Brazil, has authorised its Brazilian subsidiary, PanAmSat do Brasil to provide regional and international video distribution services on the C-band payload of its PAS-9 satellite.
PAS-9, which had received prior authorisation for its Ku-band payload, offers coverage of three continents. It provides international broadcasters a platform for distributing cable programming throughout the Americas.
An official release informs that in the space of one year, Panamsat has received authorisation to commercialise both the Ku- and C-band payloads on PAS-9. This opens up a vibrant region for a variety of data, full-time and ad hoc programming distribution services. The PAS-9 satellite has already been the host for some of the worlds most prominent international broadcasters and major events including the 2002 World Cup.
By obtaining approval for this satellite in Brazil the company is looking forward to bringing international programming to Brazil and Brazilian programming to three continents. The C-band payload on PAS-9 is the premier cable neighborhood in Latin America, and is ideally suited for television and cable broadcasters for full-time as well as ad hoc broadcast services. The satellite has already supported the transmission of many special events in Latin America including Formula 1 Grand Prix, Indy Car, ATP tennis and the 2002 World Cup. In addition, it is the permanent platform for Sky Mexicos direct-to-home television.
PAS-9, a Boeing 601 HP satellite employs 24 Ku-band and 24 C-band transponders and operates at 58 degrees west longitude. On the spacecrafts Ku-band payload, transponders are specifically tailored to cover Brazil, while its C-band payload serves as the premiere video neighbourhood for the entire Latin American region. The Ku-band footprint of the Brazil beam, with its high level of uniformity, provides an ideal platform for broadband VSAT networks. It allows the use of low-cost antennae and installation, the release states. In addition, the C-band and Ku-band both provide coverage of the Americas, the Caribbean and Western Europe.
The satellite operator manages a global fleet of 31 satellites, 24 of which are wholly-owned. Collectively, this fleet is capable of reaching more than 98 per cent of the worlds population through cable television systems, broadcast affiliates, DTH operators, Internet service providers and telecommunications companies.