“Provision of communications infrastructure in remote locations is a constant challenge for the oil and gas industry”, Jean-Claude Bisenius, Managing Director of atrexx explains. “Oil and gas exploration teams and drilling rigs are often located in the most remote and hostile regions of the planet, meaning that more traditional means of communications cannot be rolled out without great expense or difficulty. For the oil and gas sector, the issue of secure communications is also a principal consideration. Satellite often provides the only solution to this problem.”

Stefan Tomek, IT Manager at VAOS explained:”The expectations of VAOS to operate a modern and secure corporate communications network via the Internet also presented increased requirements on IT security. For example, access to SAP business management software solutions and services from external locations and from site-to-site Virtual Private Networks (VPN) had to be possible.” Regarding the applications that the VPN should support, Mr. Tomek added:”VAOS was also looking for a reliable VoIP connection, centralized management out of Linz, Austria; and access to the Microsoft distributed systems at various locations.”

To ensure highly secure, reliable and error-free communications, VAOS selected atrexx to become a communications partner due to their ability to connect the company’s remote branch offices to the corporate network. The offices use a Virtual Private Network with Microsoft’s Forefront Threat Management Gateway 2010, which guarantees a secure and reliable connection to all other branches via a satellite service provided by atrexx and iDirect’s iSCPC solution. Based on iSCPC, atrexx has developed a unique Quality of Service (QoS) that guarantees lower latency when using VoIP, despite many different types of traffic passing through the system that often operates on a small amount of bandwidth per link to the remote station in the desert.

Speaking of VAOS’ six-year partnership with atrexx, Stefan Tomek, concluded:”Thanks to the very high level of satellite knowledge, effort and support, atrexx has been and will be the right partner to realize our high demand IT solutions in the future!”

“During the Haiti disaster-recovery effort, UN aid agencies, NGOs, the military, private sector and other disaster-response and development stakeholders identified key areas where closer co-ordination would improve future operations,” said David Hartshorn, Secretary General, GVF. “This Summit will explore how more effective co-ordination can be applied.” “From hurricanes to earthquakes, and from civil wars to terrorist attacks, ICT holds great potential to address disaster-response and development requirements,” said Sula Bruce, Project Director for the Aid & International Development Forum (AIDF). “This Summit will provide an important opportunity for all participants to discuss how to unlock that potential.”

The Summit will explore two areas:

State of the Art ICT Solutions
The current ICT default for first responders’ disaster-preparedness capability is similar among most disaster-preparedness stakeholder groups, having been pre-configured with a range of portable sets that include satellite phones, data terminals, and other tools. These approaches enable first responders to quickly deploy at the disaster site and establish communications back to their respective home organizations, with needs assessments and logistical information.

However, there is little in the way of local communications between those based in the disaster zone. Further, for the most part, disaster-response stakeholders often do not have an ICT approach that addresses the more robust on-the-ground collective solution that can also be transitioned into a medium and longer term infrastructure with scale capabilities - or that can eventually be transitioned into a permanent, locally-operated, commercial enterprise. The Summit will explore the extent to which NGOs, UN aid agencies, the private sector, the military, and other stakeholders are applying complementary approaches that can more effectively satisfy these requirements.

Forging Closer Stakeholder Collaboration
To promote adoption of ICT for disaster preparedness and development, closer coordination is needed amongst relevant stakeholder groups. There is a growing recognition that creating a common communications culture - increasing trust and setting a foundation for collaboration and information sharing - can be achieved without undermining either the neutrality of civilian international organizations, inter-governmental organizations, and NGOs or the need for the military to safeguard operational security information. Many stakeholders agree that the creation of a collaborative information environment can be achieved if multiple stakeholder groups are sensitive to one another’s concerns. Resources can be more closely coordinated not only for preparedness and first-responder efforts, but also for mid- and long-term reconstruction. These options increasingly include “leave-behind” infrastructure for local partners, whether they be private, governmental, or non-governmental agencies. Depending on local regulations and capability constraints, leave-behind infrastructure can be used to jump-start host-nation ICT infrastructure recovery and reconstruction and provide commercial opportunities to seed economic revitalization through ICT infrastructure development.

Coordination challenges span differences in culture, language, organization, training and education, doctrine, planning and analysis, and communications and information systems. Unfortunately, old business models and restrictive policies continue to be applied to support what have become highly dynamic, collaborative needs and requirements in complex operations. In spite of multiple “lessons learned” reports from past experiences, many of the same issues continue to confound the response community in each deployment. This open-forum dialogue aims to address that challenge.

All delegates will be welcome to participate in the Summit discussions and to identify means by which preparedness and development can be further advanced through closer coordination amongst key stakeholder groups.

Iridium operates the world’s largest commercial satellite constellation, and is the only communications company to offer mobile voice and data services across the entire globe. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch vehicle will carry multiple Iridium NEXT satellites per vehicle, inserting the satellites into a low-earth orbit (LEO) as Iridium replaces its current satellite constellation. The Iridium NEXT satellites are set to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) in California between 2015 and 2017.

The contract stipulates that SpaceX will provide launch services to Iridium over a two-year period starting in early 2015. Iridium is also in discussions with, and expects to contract with, at least one additional launch services provider. Launch services are included in the total estimated cost of $2.9 billion for Iridium NEXT.

“This is the third major building block on the road to Iridium NEXT,” said Matt Desch, CEO of Iridium. “Two weeks ago, we announced our fixed-price contract with Thales Alenia Space. We also announced our Coface-backed financing plan, and today I am pleased to announce our partnership with SpaceX for extremely cost-effective launch services.”

Added Desch, “We are proud to be partnered with SpaceX, and want to congratulate Elon Musk and the entire SpaceX team on its successful inaugural Falcon 9 launch. Hands down, SpaceX offered us the best value coupled with an unwavering commitment to flawless performance and reliability. SpaceX has combined the best of aerospace and commercial best practices to design reliable and cost-effective access to space, and Iridium will be the beneficiary of that effort.”

Desch further commented, “SpaceX also offered dedicated Iridium NEXT launch slots within its manifest, which currently has 24 Falcon 9 flights scheduled ahead of us, including those for commercial and government customers, during the coming five years. Clearly, SpaceX has established itself as a significant player in the launch industry, and we have great confidence that SpaceX will build on its recent success and continue to cement an impressive track record of successful space flight in advance of our mission.”

The June 4 inaugural launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 achieved 100 percent of its mission objectives, culminating in a near bull’s-eye insertion to its targeted 250km circular orbit. SpaceX has been working with Iridium and Thales Alenia Space, the prime contractor for Iridium NEXT, to ensure compatibility between the satellite design, the Falcon 9 vehicle and the Iridium NEXT program schedule. This full coordination positions Iridium, SpaceX and Thales Alenia Space for a successful multi-year process of designing, building and launching Iridium NEXT.

“Iridium NEXT is now our largest commercial satellite launch customer and we are excited to play such an integral part in the most significant commercial space program underway today,” said Elon Musk, CEO, SpaceX. “We are impressed by Iridium’s comprehensive approach and diligence in its planning as the company prepares for the design, build and launch of Iridium NEXT. SpaceX greatly appreciates Iridium’s efficient approach to satellite production - an approach we share when it comes to our launch vehicles. As the next generation of the world’s only global satellite constellation that reliably covers 100 percent of the Earth’s surface, the implementation of the Iridium NEXT satellites will mark a significant achievement in mobile satellite communications, and SpaceX is looking forward to making it happen.”

The SpaceX Falcon 9 is a medium-to-heavy lift, two-stage launch vehicle capable of lifting approximately 11 tons to LEO. Designed to the highest levels of reliability and performance, NASA selected Falcon 9, along with the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, to resupply the International Space Station starting in 2011. This $1.6 billion contract represents 12 flights to and from the International Space Station. Further validating the reliability and robustness of commercial launch, President Obama recently decided to turn over astronaut transport to the U.S. commercial sector, specifically mentioning the example of Falcon 9 in his historic speech at Cape Canaveral. The U.S. government’s confidence in SpaceX provided further validation for Iridium’s decision.

Company offers cost-effective, sought after services to ISPs, corporate customers and VoIP providers across Africa and Middle East

Remagen, Germany, 9 June 2010 - German satellite service provider atrexx has announced the launch of a trio of services aimed specifically at customers based in Africa, with additional coverage of the Middle East region. The C-Band services will be delivered via Spacecom’s AMOS-5i satellite, formerly Asiasat-2, that was leased to the operator to help relieve the issue of under capacity in the region.

Through AMOS-5i, atrexx is taking a three-pronged approach, offering valuable services to those who previously may not have been able to find the capacity or the right price to fit their needs.

“We are delighted to be able to offer our customers in Africa a range of affordable services via the AMOS-5i satellite”, said Markus Schäfer, Managing Director of atrexx. “Demand for satellite services in this particular region has been growing significantly and it is important that atrexx can provide our customers with the capacity and service offering they require, a price they can afford.”

The trio of services includes SCPC and iSCPC services targeted at customers in need of corporate communication and Internet access from a service provider with European based hub. In addition, DVB-S2 and DVB-S2/SCPC services are available with Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM), for customers with a strong requirement for Internet backbone bandwidth such as Internet Service Providers (ISP) - both one-way and two-way services are offered. Finally, atrexx also provides point-to-point and point-to-multipoint connectivity through a single hop for corporate customers in the region that do not require hub services from Europe.

The AMOS-5i satellite began its operational life in January 2010. Previously known as Asiasat-2, the satellite has provided Spacecom with an interim solution as they await the launch of AMOS-5 that will be a prime carrier of African traffic in the years to come. AMOS-5i has strong C-band coverage that stretches across the entire African continent and also large parts of the Middle East.

Mr. Schäfer continued, “The Middle East and Africa region represents a dynamic and exciting market for the satellite industry. At this time, interest in satellite services is very evident and AMOS-5i has helped us to service that demand. We look forward to being able to meet the requirements of our customers there both today and in the future.”

“The growing global appetite for natural resources is rapidly driving mining concerns into emerging markets,” said Martin Creamer, Publisher of Creamer Media and Editor of Mining Weekly. “The need for cost-effective communications to support remote operations has never been greater. This agreement aims to strengthen understanding of how satellite and other complementary communications tools are being used to address critical mining challenges.”

“From workforce development and safety to remote monitoring and logistics, there are an increasing number of mining applications being addressed by satellite-enabled network solutions,” said David Hartshorn, Secretary General of GVF. “Through this agreement, Creamer Media and GVF intend to heighten awareness of innovative approaches that are producing positive results in the mining sector.”

Creamer Media’s Mining Weekly publication and MiningWeekly.com, which receives 43,000 unique visitors per week, will begin co-ordinating with GVF on industry news, event information, and special reports that reveal the impact of communications trends on each stage of the mining project life cycle, both for the majors and for the juniors.

The order comprises a variety of Comtech EF Data products, including the CDM-625 Advanced Satellite Modem, companion redundancy switches and the CSAT-5060 C-Band Transceivers. The award-winning CDM-625 Advanced Satellite Modem combines advanced technologies for maximum bandwidth efficiency under all conditions, including DoubleTalk(R) Carrier-in-Carrier(R) bandwidth compression, patented VersaFEC(R) low latency LDPC forward error correction with Adaptive Coding and Modulation, patent pending ultra low overhead streamline encapsulation, header compression and payload compression. The CSAT-5060 C-Band Transceivers provide flexibility, ease of installation and RF performance typically available only with independent, solid-state power amplifier and frequency converter topologies.

Also included in the order is the CX-U Series cellular backhaul platform from Comtech EF Data’s subsidiary, Memotec, Inc. Memotec’s CX-U Series is a dedicated cellular backhaul platform delivering Radio Access Network optimization and A/E voice trunks compression. The CX-U reduces the bandwidth required to backhaul cellular traffic, therefore avoiding costly forklift network upgrades. The result is a significant reduction in operating and capital expenses.

Fred Kornberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of Comtech Telecommunications Corp., said, “Given the CAPEX and OPEX savings our technologies deliver, mobile operators are able to make compelling business cases to replace legacy networks with Comtech equipment.”

This next event in the Series - the 9th Oil & Gas Communications Conference - which is to be held in Aberdeen on 12th & 13th May 2010, will include a live satellite-link demonstration, the introduction of a series of mini-panel dialogues on key - and contentious - issues in the oil & gas communications sphere, and an extended geographical scope to include subjects related to the communications imperatives of oil & gas exploration and production in the Arctic Basin.

As in previous years, Schlumberger will be the lead sponsor for the 2010 Aberdeen conference, with Eutelsat, Hermes Datacomms, and IPX International Systems also featuring as key sponsors. Additional companies will be joining the sponsor line-up in due course. Commenting on the event, Paul Khayat, Marketing Manager, Schlumberger Global Connectivity Services, said “the GVF Oil & Gas Communications event serves as a platform for dialogue between the VSAT and oil and gas communities. This event should be an exciting opportunity to stimulate communication between the two industries.”

Nicholas Daly, Regional Director, UK & Ireland, Eutelsat added “We are pleased to be supporting this event once again - it provides is an excellent opportunity to meet with our customers and at the same time gain current perspectives on industry initiatives and future trends, which in turn drives our product developments for our satellite communications business lines.”

Hermes Datacomms will contribute one of this year’s conference programme innovations, an outdoor demonstration of a truck-mounted, self-deploy, ‘flyaway’ VSAT, which will provide the link for the delivery of a conference presentation covering the topics of: auto-Deploy VSAT; meshed private TDMA networks; use of robust wireless video equipment for visual collaboration from field locations; voice and video prioritisation on saturated links; monitoring; and, out-of-band management. Referencing the significance of the demonstration, Gary Steer, Technical Director, said “People expect more and more from their VSAT systems, not only in demanding offshore locations but also onshore environments where it is difficult or impossible to rely on common forms of communication, such as North Africa, Central Asia and the developing markets of Iraq and Afghanistan. The forum gives us a chance to showcase the full range of solutions we offer, in a rapid deployment package, and we are looking forward to presenting an exciting real world demonstration”.

Martin Jarrold, Chief of International Programme Development with GVF, and Chairman of both the Oil & Gas Communications Conference Series and the Broadband Maritime Conference Series, commented, “The vertical market conference event momentum of the GVF/UK-EMP partnership continues to go from strength to strength, as illustrated by the many indications of support we have received for the introduction of the mini-panel dialogues on certain specific oil & gas communications topics on the Aberdeen agenda.”
Amongst these mini-panel dialogues will be discussion on:

21st Century Oil & Gas ICT Networking: Development & Deployment Dynamics which will pose such questions as:

Technology & Topology in Networking Communications and the Digital Application - Which is the chicken? Which is the Egg?

Commercial Applications in the Satellite Environment - What do developers need to know beyond their fibre frame of reference?

North Sea Oil & Gas Field Maturity - What does this mean for satellite-based application functionality and cost-effectiveness?

The North Sea Experience - What lessons for new oil & gas exploration and production frontiers?

Next Generation Applications in Oil & Gas - What does it mean for satellite technology?

Advancing E&P Horizons: Evolving the Satellite Networking Requirement to the Arctic Frontier will examine such issues as:

Satellite Operators & the High Polar Latitudes - What are the current limitations and future prospects?

Elliptical & Inclined - Will there be a realistic, new market-driven business model for growth beyond GEO?

LEOs - Where will the existing constellations fit into the Arctic communications landscape?

How will earth station/terminal/antenna manufacturers and vendors position themselves for this new and important, but niche, market?

Will the limited market size reduce opportunities for competitive equipment pricing through the absence of economies of scale?

How will existing stabilized and tracking antenna technologies be adapted and deployed for the new Arctic communications market?

The Aberdeen programme will also feature the following elements:

Leveraging Digital Oilfield Advantages in the Lower Latitudes of the North Sea

Current & Future Generations of Communications Infrastructure: Realizing Access to the Digital Oilfield in Higher Latitudes

Narrowband SCADA & Asset Tracking Data in a Broadband Satellite Oil & Gas Environment

GVF Satellite Installation New Training Dynamics for Oil & Gas Communications in the North Sea

First Mile… Last Mile… for Oil & Gas: Networking Solutions & Technology Hybrids

Real-Time Data Monitoring, Data Management Remote Collaboration & Operations Support Centres

The Design & Ergonomics of the Collaborative Visualization Environment

Europe’s Oil & Gas Patch in the Greater Oil & Gas World: Global VSAT & Local Wireless Connectivity

Maintaining the Business Mission Critical Link: Oil & Gas Communications When Disaster Strikes

Redundancy Maximization: Extending Out-of-band Control & Monitoring.

GVF Secretary General, David Hartshorn, added “Two important, and closely related, questions will be tackled in the Aberdeen programme. Firstly, how is the latest generation of cutting-edge communications solutions and digital oilfield/gasfield applications - with their genesis in the hostile offshore environment of the North Sea, and now with their current and continuing development taking place in the context of offshore exploration and production in South East Asia, West Africa, etc - now being re-applied to the context of the depleting reserves of the North Sea? Secondly, how might the ICT-related lessons of this North Sea-to-currently-emergent energy regions history now be applied to the totally new prospects offered by an increasingly ice-free Arctic Ocean?”

Mission critical operational success in the oil & gas exploration and production environment has been dependent on access to the most efficient information and communications technologies, and to the wealth of sophisticated applications these technologies bring to the disposal of the teams of geologists, geophysicists, drilling engineers, seismic data analysts, etc., who not only locate new oil & gas reserves but assist in developing more effective and efficient techniques for yielding them from beneath the ocean floor. Satellite, satellite-wireless hybrid, and wireless platforms, have made, and continue to make, a vital contribution to this ICT access, providing essential connectivity to vital applications in a range of challenging geographic environments.

Added Paul Stahl, Managing Partner of UK-EMP, “The role of satellite in oil & gas is well developed, but still has potential to evolve and expand. Therefore, the Aberdeen conference will explore this future evolution and expansion, not only with reference to the later stages of North Sea exploration and production, but with reference to the emergence of the fresh energy-yielding potential of the high northern latitudes.”

For further information regarding the GVF 3rd Annual Oil & Gas Communications Europe Conference: ‘Digital Applications & Communications Dynamics from the North Sea to the Arctic Ocean’ please contact Martin Jarrold at martin.jarrold@gvf.org or Paul Stahl at paul.stahl@uk-emp.co.uk or visit the conference web page at www.uk-emp.co.uk/3rd.O&G.Europe.2010/. Conference sponsorship options to support the Aberdeen programme are still available, and details of the various benefits packages are available by email from Paul Stahl.

Following the 3rd Annual Oil & Gas Communications Europe Conference the GVF/UK-EMP Broadband Maritime Series will continue with GVF Broadband Maritime Europe 2010: ‘Innovation in Communications Solutions for the Sea Lanes’ in London on 1st & 2nd June (http://www.uk-emp.co.uk/BMEu.Ldn.2010/). Whilst maintaining a focus on the key elements of maritime satellite communications that are common to all ocean regions and seaways, the conference will introduce regionally-unique topics and themes, such as the opening to year-round navigation of arctic seaways affected by climate change and melting polar sea ice. The programme will also feature embedded topics relating to networking communications and ICT applications solutions surrounding the deployment of naval logistical resources when engaged in collaboration with International Organisations, and Non-Governmental Organisations, for emergency response, and development, situations, etc. More detail on the themes of ‘Communications Systems in Naval Dynamics 2010′ will be advised in future press releases.

Intelsat and Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems, the manufacturer of the IS-4, are working together to identify the cause of the anomaly. Launched in 1995, the Boeing 601 satellite was expected to reach its end-of-service life later in 2010. Intelsat previously disclosed that the IS-4 had experienced the failure of its satellite control processor (SCP) and was operating on its backup SCP.

Intelsat’s global fleet, the largest of any satellite operator, includes a number of other satellites which serve the regions formerly served by IS-4, providing a source of potential capacity for the restoration of affected customers. The failure of the satellite is not expected to impact significantly the company’s financial position or its planned capital expenditures.

As a result of the discontinuation, homes and business have found themselves without precious communication links. This could lead to potential loss of revenue and obvious frustration at the interruption of service.

The end-users have been offered services on the Telstar-11N satellite. However, services from this spacecraft are either not available in the affected African countries or will not work without further investment in hardware, which would prove costly. In addition, the implementation of new antenna equipment and its alignment are complex and can often only be carried out by a qualified installer who would have to travel through the desert to reach the customer.

atrexx is offering its support to those affected by the recent discontinuation of the service without any investment in hardware or requirement for dish re-alignment. Switchover to the atrexx iDirect iNFINITI service can be carried out within just 24 hours, enabling a speedy return to service. In addition, the professionals at atrexx are always at hand to offer help and support should it be required at any time.

Markus Schafer, Managing Director of Marketing and Sales for atrexx commented: “We are very happy to be in a position to offer this service to customers affected by this service shutdown on Intelsat 14, the former PAS1R. We realise the importance of communications and the implications that can arise when they are unavailable. atrexx can offer a very convenient, yet cost-effective solution to the problems that users in these West African regions face, and we look forward to assisting them.”