Thomcast to support ASTRA-NET interactive services

Paris, France - SES Multimedia, the affiliate of Europe's major satellite operator SES ASTRA, based in Luxembourg shows its confidence in the Thomcast multimedia product line. SES Multimedia has placed a large order for various DVB-based interactive products to broad- and multicast digital programs via its ASTRA-NET satellite networks throughout the world. SES was already familiar with Thomcast equipment, and based on this successful past experience has decided to rely on Thomcast once more.

This major order includes two-time NAB award winner OPAL, IP to DVB gateways, CORAL interactive data gateways and AMBER bouquet re-multiplexers. These products will be dedicated to various applications including the multicast of IP over DVB via the ASTRA-NET service network.

They will also support the BBI (Broadband Interactive) services, based on DVB RCS (Return Channel) standards and the re-multiplexing of TV programs within the Network Operation Center. IP over MPEG-2 DVB applications include services such as multicasting, webcasting, set-top box software downloads, mosaic type services, etc.

"Reliability, flexibility and the modular nature of the equipment were key to the selection of Thomcast for ASTRA-NET." states Franco Prati, General Manager of Multimedia Engineering at SES Astra.

" We have been cooperating with ASTRA for a long time, and this contract represents a major achievement for our digital multimedia product line." states Eric Gourmelen, Manager of the Stream Server Department at Thomcast.

About Opal
Opal is based on OpenMux technology and is the solution of choice for stations broadcasting internet files within the MPEG-2 DVB or ATSC transport streams. Opal offers an outstanding new feature, the Virtual Channels. This feature allows a multiplex bandwidth to be divided into several virtual channels, each virtual channel including several services or PIDs (Packet Identifier Data). By setting priorities and parameters to each service, the bandwidth is shared between different services and managed dynamically.

About Coral
Coral enables the real-time broadcasting of interactive data file  such as OpenTV, Mediahighway or MHP fileswithin MPEG-2 DVB or ATSC transport streams. Compatible with any DVB- or ATSC-compliant networkincluding satellite, cable or terrestrialCORAL allows broadcasters to develop, manage and deliver "higher-value" broadcast content by performing real-time multiplexing of heterogeneous data from multiple sources.

About Amber
The Thomcast Amber product family includes 1U and 2U re-multiplexers and DVB-SI/PSIP processors. The remultiplexers support re-multiplexing of multiple program transport streams to create new customized multiplexes, and the DVB-SI/PSIP processors perform the filtering, injection, or extraction of DVB-SI / PSIP tables within MPEG-2 transport streams. The Amber Remultiplexer creates a fully MPEG-2 DVB or ATSC compliant output multiplex, supports Thomcast SmartData technology for interaction with Thomcast OpenMux servers, and has the ability to scramble the output services, using low cost, flexible, and easy-to-manage proprietary solutions.

About Thomcast
Thomcast, a wholly owned subsidiary of THALES (formerly Thomson-CSF) designs, develops, manufactures and sells equipment, systems and solutions for:

• terrestrial broadcasting (radio and television)
  
• digital image processing and multimedia broadcasting
  
• as well as broadband (1,7-3,6 GHz) radio communications applications.

Thomcast has deployed its systems in 168 countries. Thomcast's world wide presence includes operations in France, Germany, Switzerland and the United States.

About SES Multimedia/ASTRA-NET
SES Multimedia S.A, owned 100 % by SES, operates ASTRA-NET, the open and standard-based broadband satellite multimedia and data distribution network. ASTRA-NET enables Content- and Service Providers to create high-speed networks between corporate and consumer user groups. Digital data and multimedia content is transmitted to DVB/IP PC-cards and devices such as USB- and set top boxes. All content is received via small (50 cm) satellite dishes pointed towards the ASTRA satellites. Data transfers can achieve net rates of up to 9 Mbit/s to individual PCs and of up to 38 Mbit/s to high end servers. The ASTRA-NET services combined with the new broadband interactive (BBI) features (2-way satellite) provide a seamless solution for high-speed interactive satellite communications across Europe and beyond.

About SES/ASTRA
Société Européenne des Satellites S.A. (SES) is the operator of ASTRA, Europe's leading direct-to-home Satellite System. Via eleven satellites at the orbital positions of 19.2° East and 28.2° East, ASTRA transmits in analogue and digital format over 1000 television and radio channels as well as multimedia and Internet services to an audience of more than 80 million homes in Europe. Three additional satellites are currently under construction and due for launch before mid 2002. Of these, ASTRA 3A will activate SES' 3rd orbital position at 23.5° East.
SES is also a major shareholder in:

• AsiaSat, the leading satellite system in the Asian/Pacific region (34.13% since January 1999),
  
• Nordic Satellite Company NSAB, the operator of the Scandinavian Sirius satellite system (50% since October 2000),
  
• Star One (formerly Embratel Satellite Division), owner and operator of Brasilsat, the largest satellite fleet over Latin America (19.99%, also since October 2000).

Through its strategic investments in AsiaSat, NSAB and Star One, SES will be able to interconnect the European ASTRA and Sirius satellites with the Asian/Pacific AsiaSats and the Latin American Brasilsats to offer satellite broadband services spanning four continents.

SES is a pioneer of satellite broadband services through SES Multimedia, a wholly owned subsidiary. SES Multimedia operates the ASTRA-NET platform, enabling service and content providers to transmit data directly, via satellite, to personal computers in businesses and homes across Europe. In addition, SES is extending its direct involvement in multimedia with partnerships, joint ventures and direct investment.

SES is the first European satellite operator to commercially exploit the Ka-band frequencies for interactive broadband services in Europe. In Q4 2000, SES commenced commercial Beta trials of the Broadband

Interactive System (BBI), a DVB-RCS based broadband satellite return channel system, serving the growing market in Western and Central Europe for 2-way asymmetric, high-speed broadband collection and delivery of multimedia.