SkyStream Networks

SkyStream Networks [32] also supplies a set of equipment for datacast, which mainly includes:

• SkyStream Source Media Routers: The SkyStream Source Media Routers (SMR) enable the creation of transport streams from IP and other digital data. Individual products within the SkyStream SMR family are optimized for satellite, ATSC digital TV and in-band digital cable applications. SkyStream SMRs typically reside at the point of content origination or aggregation where they encapsulate IP and other data into MPEG-2 transport streams for satellite or other digital transmission. They can be used to deliver converged IP/MPEG video content or 100% data services.
• SkyStream Edge Media Routers: The SkyStream Edge Media Routers (EMR) reside at the network edge in service provider locations such as ISP Point Of Presences (POP) and cable head-ends, where they extract streaming media, IP data and other digital content out of MPEG-2 transport streams, and interface them with caching servers, streaming media servers and LAN servers that will forward the content over last mile broadband networks.
• SkyStream zBand: The SkyStream zBand Advanced Content Distribution Management software is an easily deployed content management and distribution system. zBand allows service providers and enterprise customers to intelligently manage and control distribution of digital content to the consumers.

The SkyStream products have been adopted by many companies to provide new types of data services. Some of the typical companies include:

• Satellite Service Provider -- Belgacom: Belgacom has selected SkyStream's SMRs and EMRs to provide an economical and efficient way to deliver new Internet and streaming services to its business customers, especially ISPs. Belgacom is one of Europe's leading providers of satellite transmission services for audio/video broadcast and Internet backbone satellite access. It has a very successful business in Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
• Broadcaster -- China Central Television (CCTV): China Central Television (CCTV), the largest broadcaster in China, is now using SkyStream's SMRs to deliver rich data and video-integrated web content via satellite to 1.3 billion home viewers nationwide. This marks the first time ever that a national television broadcaster in China has adopted such content routing technologies for IP data delivery via satellite.
• CDN Service Provider -- HitPops: HitPops Inc., one of Japan's leading content distribution networks, has deployed SkyStream's SMRs and EMRs to deliver new broadband services with efficiency to consumers throughout Japan. Consumer services that enable HitPops to expand or generate new revenues include: television news, video on demand, and large file downloads such as games, music and other popular software.