The Intelsat New Dawn MCPC platform functions as part of the operator’s IntelsatOne terrestrial network to provide a solution for both regional and international programmers wishing to expand their distribution to cable and Direct-to-Home (DTH) services across sub-Saharan Africa. The Ku-band media platform is based on DVB-S2 modulation and MPEG-4 compression technology, representing Intelsat’s fourth on the IntelsatOne network. The operator’s network now has a total of 16 MCPC platforms.

   “One of the most exciting things about this new platform is that our broadcast customers can now uplink directly from Africa to a prime position for the DTH market in our region of the world,” said GlobeCast CEO Alan Hird.

   GlobeCast partnered with the operator to provide ground and uplink services for the platform from its facility in Johannesburg, South Africa. The combination of both Intelsat connectivity from the New Dawn satellite operating at the 32.8 degrees East orbital slot and GlobeCast’s backbone network allows the service to be received with sub-1 meter antennas in much of the African coverage area.

   “With our global satellite capacities and fiber network, the content can easily come from anywhere worldwide to GlobeCast’s facility in Johannesburg. We expect this to quickly become a key neighborhood for broadcasters in Africa,” Hird added.

   Intelsat Managing Director of Africa Jon Osler said the new Intelsat New Dawn MCPC platform offers complete end-to-end solutions for programmers in Africa and throughout the world that are delivering content to their affiliates and consumers in sub-Saharan Africa. “The addition of this platform supports entry for new channel carriers and adds to our global portfolio of content distribution solutions,” Osler said in a statement.

   Arianespace launched the Intelsat New Dawn satellites in April 2011. Orbital Sciences built Intelsat New Dawn for New Dawn Satellite Co. — a joint venture between Intelsat and Convergence Partners. New Dawn’s 28 C-band and 24 Ku-band 36 MHz transponder units are designed to supply communications infrastructure for customers in the African region.