Pak Datacom Limited Installs iDirect Hub in Pakistan's Financial Capital

Launches DVB-S2/ACM satellite network to meet growing demand from banks, government and cellular operators

HERNDON, Va., March 4 /PRNewswire/ -- VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), a subsidiary of VT Systems Inc (VT Systems), today announced that Pak Datacom Ltd. (Pak Datacom), a subsidiary of Telecom Foundation and the leading satellite network operator in Pakistan and Bangladesh, has deployed a Series 15000 Universal Satellite Hub in Karachi, Pakistan. The company will roll out a next-generation network based on DVB-S2 with Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM) in an effort to meet growing demand for satellite broadband connectivity from major banks, government organizations, as well as national and multinational operators. iDirect is a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology.

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The investment will secure a local base for Pak Datacom in Pakistan's thriving financial center, where the operator has begun to serve national and global banks as well as high-profile government agencies. The new hub will also support a DVB-S2 network based on iDirect's Evolution product line. Available this month, the service will deliver next-generation gains in bandwidth efficiency and network performance.

The deployment adds a second hub to Pak Datacom's iDirect network, which it currently operates from the capital city, Islamabad. The additional hub will help Pak Datacom support a growing base of global companies that are expanding their enterprise IP networks in Pakistan through satellite broadband connectivity. It will also enable the operator to target new business opportunities, including the emerging market for cellular backhaul via IP satellite communications.

"Through iDirect's Evolution DVB-S2 system, we can introduce significant gains in data throughput to our customers. That's a critical business advantage as our market expands while satellite capacity remains sparse. We see tremendous growth for satellite broadband services, and the iDirect brand carries with it the assurance that we can meet even the most demanding requirements for reliability, speed, security and advanced IP functionality."

~ Ali BAJWA

Senior General Manager, Pak Datacom

"Pak Datacom is one of the largest and most trusted VSAT providers in Pakistan. This investment further strengthens the company's position as a leading provider of business-class and mission-critical satellite networking. The iDirect platform positions Pak Datacom as a strong contender for current service opportunities, while our full feature set enables them to expand easily into new markets as they emerge."

~ Dean Griffler

Senior Vice President - Global Sales, iDirect

iDirect's Evolution product line supports a wide range of carrier IP data rates, FEC codes and modulation types, including up to 16APSK on outbound and up to 8PSK on the inbound. Evolution includes the advanced features of the iDirect Intelligent Platform to help operators amplify the gains of DVB-S2, enabling satellite networks to meet demanding service level agreements and reach data speeds of up to 156 Megabits per second. The Evolution platform also supports Adaptive Coding and Modulation technology, which enables each remote to achieve maximum data throughput by utilizing the most efficient coding and modulation scheme in real time, thereby improving network availability.

Pak Datacom is a subsidiary of Telecom Foundation and pioneer in the field of Data Communication in Pakistan. It was incorporated as a private limited company in July 1992 and was subsequently converted into a public limited company in June 1994. Today, Pak Datacom is the most experienced data network operators in Pakistan. With a wide range of services, that are fast, cost effective and dependable, Pak Datacom helps national, multinational and global corporations communicate with their counterparts in remote offices in Pakistan, Bangladesh and abroad. Pak Datacom has 11 offices in the country, 24 around-the-clock maintenance centers, more than 200 engineers and more than 80 technical staff members. Its team of experienced telecommunication professionals provides customized solutions with the state-of-the-art systems.

iDirect, a subsidiary of VT Systems, is transforming the way the world gets and stays connected. The company's satellite-based IP communications technology enables constant connectivity for voice, video and data applications in diverse and challenging environments. These include extending private networks to remote offices; supporting mobile connectivity across land, sea and air; providing rural telephony and Internet broadband; and maintaining communications in the wake of disasters and network failures. The iDirect Intelligent Platform(TM) integrates advanced technology into VT iDirect's portfolio of hubs, routers and network management software to address the growing complexity of deploying and managing global IP networks. With more than 13 years of global satellite communications experience, iDirect serves customers in 50 countries through a diverse network of channel partners, including some of the largest satellite providers, operators and carriers in the world and seven of the World Teleport Association's Global Top Ten. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, iDirect has offices in Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Please visit www.idirect.net.

VT Systems and its subsidiaries are preferred providers of engineering solutions, products, integrated systems, and services in the Americas across the core business areas of aerospace, electronics, land systems and marine. Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, VT Systems operates throughout North America and offers a broad range of proven innovative services to both the commercial and government sectors. VT Systems is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd. Please visit www.vt-systems.com.

SOURCE iDirect