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 19 antennas ranging in size from 2.4 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
15 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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