Thaicom, the country's sole satellite service provider, signed a deal with European content delivery service Mediavision to offer broadcast solutions for European and international programmers to expand their distribution network into Sub-Saharan Africa.
Patompob: Platform ideal for new market
The move aims to generate a new revenue stream by utilising the company's existing satellite transponder capacity during a turnaround period, as Thaicom will not build any new satellites over the next three years.
Chief commercial officer Patompob Suwansiri said the company provides a multichannel per carrier (MCPC) broadcast platform, a cost-effective distribution solution that offers broadcasters in Europe direct access to Thaicom's content distribution platform at 78.5° east, located on the Thaicom-6 satellite.
European and international programmers will also gain access to Mediavision's integrated solutions for linear and non-linear content distribution, including Internet Protocol TV.
"Thaicom and Mediavision are working together to deliver innovative broadcast solutions that enable programmers to cost-effectively expand their distribution networks.
Thaicom launched its MCPC broadcast platform for Africa in 2016. The company now provides European and international programmers with immediate access to the African market.
"Our African C-band MCPC platform on Thaicom-6 is ideal for broadcasters to enter the African market, [which prompted] the signing with Mediavision -- a European based content delivery specialist providing end-to-end solutions for the broadcast and media industry," said Mr Patompob.
Petrit Bhatijari, chief executive of Mediavision, said the MCPC platform on Thaicom-6 will enable European programmers targeting Sub-Saharan Africa to develop their content distribution via an integrated, end-to-end solution.
Telespazio, a joint venture between Leonardo and Thales, will provide uplink services for the platform from its "teleport" facility in Fucino, Italy. Fucino, with 170 antennas and 370,000 square metre facility, describes itself as the largest civil space centre in the world.
Broadcasters will be able to contribute standard and high-definition content from Europe to Africa via Telespazio's Fucino facility and the Thaicom-6 satellite.
Thaicom chief executive Anant Kaewruamvongs said the company is operating under a restructuring plan to maximise existing resources.
The firm began expansion into new businesses last year, including an integrated digital TV platform and a communications platform for maritime transport.