Spotlight: NBC’s ‘Bloommobile’ Expands Role

The all-terrain vehicle designed by the late NBC News Correspondent David Bloom for use in providing coverage of the Iraq war was re-deployed to track the final days on the campaign trail of California governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The vehicle was designed by Bloom working with Miramar, Fla.-based Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN). NBC used the vehicle it named the “Bloommobile” to cover Schwarzenegger’s campaign in the California recall election Oct. 7. The rugged all-terrain vehicle is customized with microwave communications equipment and a camera. The vehicle is followed closely by a MTN mobile VSAT truck.

MTN created a self-contained mobile satellite center using the same technology it currently employs to provide broadband satellite service for cruise ships and offshore oilrigs. Video and audio are recorded aboard the “Bloommobile” and then sent via microwaves to MTN’s truck. The VSAT truck has the capability to uplink high-resolution video via satellite for real-time television broadcast. The technology allows live, full bandwidth video reporting on the move.

–Paul Dykewicz

(Roy Winnick, Kekst and Company, 212/521-4842)