SES opens Isle of Man Teleport
September 24, 2018
By Colin Mann
In a move that enhances the Isle of Man’s status as a media cluster, satellite operator SES has opened new teleport on the island.
Laurence Skelly MHK, Minister for Enterprise, formally opened the new state-of-the-art facility in the presence of Steve Collar, President and CEO of SES, and Martin Halliwell, Chief Technology Officer of SES.
“I welcome the investment by SES in the new teleport which will significantly enhance the Island’s status as a burgeoning media cluster and will provide further reassurance to potential investors in the technology sector that the Island’s infrastructure is well-placed to support a wide range of digital media and telecommunications activities,” said Skelly.
The teleport is situated on the outskirts of Douglas and has the capability to support up to four nine meter antennas, a fully backed-up power and telecommunications infrastructure, a control centre and connectivity to satellites in space and, via local telecoms firm Sure’s fibre network, into SES’s global network. This connectivity allows the teleport to transport corporate data, voice or broadcast video to fixed and mobile locations around the globe.
“Since SES was established in the Isle of Man back in 2004, we have had a very positive and supportive relationship with the Isle of Man Government,” said Collar. “In addition to being able to use this state-of-the-art teleport to provide services for SES’s own satellite fleet, we will be using the site to support the broadcast of the annual International Isle of Man TT motorcycle races and other events.’
The multi-million-pound facility was developed with the assistance of Sure, with Stewart Clague Services commissioned to help with the design, installation, construction and maintenance of the purpose-built teleport.
SES announced plans to build the teleport in September 2016.
The teleport opening followed shortly after the inauguration by the Royal Television Society – an educational charity promoting the art and science of television to industry professionals and the wider public – of a Centre on the Isle of Man marked by a special ceremony at the residence of royal representative on the Isle of Man His Excellency Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney.
“I am so thrilled that our vibrant RTS Centres are being augmented by the launch of the Isle of Man Centre this Autumn,” commented CEO of the RTS Theresa Wise. “It is a testament to the health of our industry and the hard work of our volunteers and members. I am personally delighted to welcome our new RTS Isle of Man Centre.”
The RTS is being supported by the Isle of Media – the national development agency for the thriving Isle of Man video, television and film sector. Set up as a not-for-profit Public Private Partnership with the Isle of Man Government to drive inward investment in Digital Media and foster the indigenous industry and talent, it provides advice regarding the development of media projects on the Isle of Man. As well as announcing the opening of an RTS Centre, Isle of Media is to become a Patron on the national RTS with centres across the UK and Ireland.
Partnering through a prestigious organisation such as the RTS will allow members on the Island to become part of a wider community developing skills and learning associated with television. The Isle of Man will become the 15th regional group to be part of the Royal Television Society.
In the months and years ahead RTS Isle of Man will offer workshops, lectures and learning opportunities. Isle of Man members will not have to travel off the Island to have very similar event opportunities to those seen in the UK and Ireland.
“Having supported the RTS for more than 30 years, I am delighted that Isle of Media is becoming a Patron of this Royal Society, and it will be a huge assist to our creative sector to have an RTS Centre based on the Island,” commented Michael Wilson CEO of Isle of Media. “We look forward to supporting its development.”