Spacenet Mexico Launches Digital Cinema Distribution Network Powered by iDirect's Evolution Platform

HERNDON, Va., Oct. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), a company of VT Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), today announced that Spacenet Communications Services de Mexico S.A. de C.V. (Spacenet Mexico), a licensed provider of satellite and video services to Mexico and Latin America, has launched an iDirect Evolution satellite network to distribute live HD content and digital movies to cinema complexes throughout Mexican cities. The network will provide critical connectivity from Spacenet Mexico's teleport where live content is downlinked, produced and then immediately redistributed to cinema complexes across the country. Spacenet Mexico purchased and installed an iDirect series 15100 universal satellite hub at its Mexico City-based teleport, which complements its existing tier III+ teleport in Puebla. iDirect is a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology.

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Spacenet Mexico's Evolution network will satisfy growing customer demand for an affordable broadband solution for cinema and content distribution across Mexico and Latin America. To help attract new audiences and offer existing audiences more variety, exhibitors in the region are looking to turn their cinemas into multi-arts venues that offer a range of live and recorded events. In addition to broadcasting movies, Spacenet Mexico can use its network for opera, sporting events and other HD content. The provider's first such transmission took place in May when it successfully broadcasted a live prime time Las Vegas boxing match in HD over the iDirect satellite network to 20 cinema complexes throughout Mexico.

Spacenet Mexico selected iDirect's Evolution satellite platform for its cinema distribution network due to its efficiency and reliability. Evolution is based on DVB-S2 with Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM), which provides increased bandwidth efficiency for networks like Spacenet Mexico's with larger outbound capacity requirements. Evolution is designed to optimize the transport of IP traffic over satellite, enabling Spacenet Mexico to develop a highly-efficient, all-IP streaming solution for transmitting HD content. Additionally, built-in Group Quality of Service features help Spacenet Mexico avoid service degradation to other customers by allowing it to effectively control how available bandwidth is allocated and prioritized to different applications and content over the network.

"Expanding the content that is broadcast to cinemas beyond movies has proven to be an important revenue opportunity for exhibitors, helping them gain new customers and grow their businesses. To support HD content and live programming needs, it was critical for Spacenet Mexico to build a highly reliable and cost effective infrastructure for digital distribution. We chose iDirect for that reason, and after initial broadcasts we are very pleased with the Evolution platform's capabilities."

~ Joaquin PATRON

Managing Director, Spacenet Communications Services de Mexico S.A. de C.V.

"For supporting heavy bandwidth applications such as HD video, it's critical to have an efficient system to handle the steady traffic volume. Quality and reliability are also key, especially when live content is being multicast to 20 cinemas, each with hundreds of viewers. Evolution ensures that Spacenet Mexico can effectively meet its customers' needs while also expanding its services to new markets."

~ Rob Kilroy

Regional Vice President - Sales, Americas, iDirect

Spacenet Mexico was established in 1996 in Mexico and is a privately owned 100% Mexican Corporation focused on providing carrier class IP fixed and mobile satellite services to corporate and government clients in Mexico, utilizing state of the art gateways in Puebla and Mexico City as well as maritime, aeronautical and terrestrial mobile satellite services (MSS) as Iridium LLC Joint Venture Partner in Mexico. Spacenet Mexico is the first licensed satellite service provider in the Republic of Mexico to introduce fixed and mobile satellite services with a redundant platform of teleports powered by iDirect. Spacenet Mexico currently serves key medium to large enterprise VSAT clients from various business sectors such as telecommunications, banking, oil & gas, education, agricultural as well as various governmental institutions. Please visit www.spacenet.com.mx.

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. The iDirect Intelligent Platform™ integrates advanced technology into 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 15 years of global satellite communications experience, iDirect serves customers in over 50 countries through a diverse network of service provider partners, including seven of the World Teleport Association's Global Top Ten operators. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, iDirect has offices in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America. In 2007, iDirect Government Technologies (iGT) was set up to drive adoption of its IP-based solutions in the US Government market. In 2008, iDirect Asia Pte Ltd was established in Singapore to enhance its value-add and responsiveness to customers in the Asia Pacific region.  Please visit www.idirect.net.

VT Systems is an engineering company providing integrated solutions to the commercial and government markets in the aerospace, electronics, land systems and marine sectors.  VT Systems' innovative solutions, products and services include aircraft maintenance, repair and modification; software solutions in training and simulation; satellite-based IP communications technology; network solutions that integrate data, voice and video; rugged computers and computer peripheral equipment; specialized truck bodies and trailers; weapons and munitions systems; road construction equipment; and ship design and shipbuilding. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., VT Systems operates globally and is a wholly owned subsidiary of ST Engineering.  Please visit www.vt-systems.com.

SOURCE iDirect