PRESS RELEASE
ABS-CBN International Launches ''Triple Play'' Services at Northern California's Most Versatile International Satellite Uplink Station; San Francisco International Gateway Facility Offering Voice, Video and Data Services for Customers Around the World.
REDWOOD SHORES, Calif. -- ABS-CBN International (ABS-CBNi), the U.S.-based subsidiary of ABS-CBN Broadcasting, the Philippines' largest entertainment and broadcasting company, today announced the completion of the first round of technology upgrades and the launch of services for voice, video and data services at the San Francisco International Gateway (SFIG) satellite uplink center located in Richmond, Calif.
SFIG is a large "carrier class" satellite communications facility and remains one of the few independent and multi-platform capable operators in the world. Only SFIG provides Northern California with access to communication satellites serving North America, Asia, Latin America and select European satellites, and in cooperation with other facilities, also provides services to the Middle East and Africa. SFIG is authorized to transmit and receive from satellites operated by Intelsat America, SES Americom, and PanAmSat. SFIG provides video, telephony and data services to terrestrial as well as cruise and shipping lines, Pacific Ocean countries and United States protectorates.
ABS-CBNi has made strategic upgrades designed to boost the gateway's capabilities for triple-play services. The company purchased the facility from Loral Space & Communications Corporation in November 2005. ABS-CBNi received Federal Communications Commission licensing approval in April 2006.
"SFIG offers a total solution for broadcasters and business including fiber connectivity along with a complete terrestrial and satellite uplink solution," said Raffy Lopez, managing director of ABS-CBNi. "From a live feed in Manila, SFIG successfully handled the pay-per-view distribution to iN DEMAND and DIRECTV for the July 1st Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar Larios super featherweight championship title fight. It is a first for this facility and proof of its capabilities and reliability."
SFIG has 18 antennas ranging in size from 4.5 meters to 13 meters, emergency generator backup, fiber connectivity from two vendors, along with C band and KU band capabilities. The facility is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and features direct client contact services. SFIG has a rich heritage of offering broadcast services for customers like Discovery, CBS, ESPN, Playboy and many of the world's top broadcasters. Most people in the U.S. have seen content that has been passed through the facility, especially viewers of television broadcasts of professional sports.
About ABS-CBN International
ABS-CBN International (ABS-CBNi) was created to be of service for all Filipinos 12 years ago. With the launch of The Filipino Channel, the company was the first and most successful Filipino broadcaster in the U.S. The company offers telecommunication, retail, money remittance and cargo forwarding services along with philanthropic support of Filipinos and the communities they now call home. Based in Redwood Shores, Calif., ABS-CBNi is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ABS-CBN, the Philippines largest entertainment and broadcasting company. For more information, visit www.abs-cbnglobal.com.
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