Newtec and First Gulf Company are partnering to implement the next-generation television and radio exchange network of the Saudi Arabian government's nationwide media transformation programme. This initiative involves the deployment of satellite-based technology for a national infrastructure delivering television, radio and Intranet services. The TV and Radio Exchange network is a large deployment, providing the exchange of radio and TV content between locations. The network's first stage of deployment will include HD-capable terminals and a central earth station pointed to Arabsat 5A. The initial deployment will use Ku-band satellite bandwidth with a future option of Ka-band when the upcoming extra satellite capability becomes available.
Newtec's participation with its equipment in this contract also contributes to provision for the expansion of Saudi Arabia's capacity for DTT (digital terrestrial TV) broadcasting, with the extra capacity being used both for migration to HD of the current channels, and to accommodate the first private broadcasters now appearing in the Kingdom. The DTT network will migrate from one single MFN bouquet to different SFN bouquets and will be entirely based on Newtec Horizon technology, with up to 80 DTT towers being added throughout the Kingdom. SFN gap fillers will be added to expand indoor coverage. In-car, portable and indoor reception with a small antenna is critical for the acceptance of DTT in the country. The programme will take in the entire broadcast chain, from digitisation of high-definition terrestrial TV, through expansion of TV and radio contribution/distribution infrastructure, outside broadcasting and satellite news gathering vehicles, studios, production and post-production, to archiving and playout facilities.
