OmniGlobe Networks EMEA first to receive MENOS FNG certification from Newtec
December 14, 2010
OmniGlobe Networks EMEA, a provider of communications equipment and systems for satellite and terrestrial transmissions, has announced that it is the first company to receive full MENOS certification for a Fast News Gathering (FNG) terminal. The company, which also delivered the MENOS-compliant DSNG (Digital Satellite News Gathering) vehicles, has been working closely with Newtec and the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) since the beginning of the ground-breaking IP-based networking concept in 2009. This latest milestone marks the natural progression of its continuing partnership and signals OmniGlobe’s determination to consolidate its strong market position/market leadership in the satellite broadcast industry.
“We are very excited to receive the ASBU-MENOS accreditation for our new FNG terminal. The Ghazala system was showcased at IBC just a few months ago and has already generated a lot of interest within the industry. It delivers both value for money and technical innovation – a winning combination for the MENOS community and professional broadcasters,” explained Jan Stoop, Senior VP International Sales.
Newtec’s MENOS Product Line Director Xavier Orri added: “OmniGlobe has demonstrated a long-term commitment to the MENOS programme, and has played a key role in its rapid expansion. The MENOS network has been designed to provide broadcasters with the fastest and most cost-effective technologies to perform the media exchange and we are looking forward to seeing new certified FNG products brought to market.”
The Ghazala is the latest addition to OmniGlobe’s satellite news gathering product family. Affordable and practical, the mobile solution incorporates key features designed to enhance the current MENOS concept, combining MPEG-4 AVC encoding with a lightweight antenna, low-power BUC and Ku Band LNB, and minimizing operational costs. Although primarily intended for FNG operations within the ASBU-Newtec MENOS network, the terminal will also find applications in other IP and traditional satellite networks.
OmniGlobe had to undergo a rigorous four-stage process in order to receive the MENOS accreditation. The final phase, which required a live end-to-end test on the network over satellite, was completed at Newtec’s Belgium facilities Thursday, 25th November.