Stationed at the Cable Bahamas' main technical facility in Nassau, the recently installed dish enhances the REVTV signal quality and enables the company to continue to expand its TV services. (Photo: Keen i Media)
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Nassau, The Bahamas - Cable
Bahamas has invested more than $400,000 in a new satellite antenna that
enables the company to reduce costs and enhance its REVTV signal
quality on all digital and HD signals.
The new Simulsat 7 Multibeam
Antenna, recently erected at Cable Bahamas' main technical facility on
Robinson Road in Nassau, has the ability to simultaneously receive
signals from up to 37 satellite feeds, with an enhancement in
performance across the satellites. With these capabilities, the recently
installed 42 foot mega dish has replaced as many as 18 parabolic
antennae the company previously used to receive over 400 channels from
different satellites.
Cable Bahamas Vice-President
of Engineering John Gomez noted that since its installation, the
Simulsat dish has exceeded the company's expectations. According to Mr
Gomez, the company was able to seamlessly transition to the satellite
system and this has resulted in further enhancement of the company's
advanced digital REVTV television service.
"What we're seeing with the
Simulsat antenna is an overall stronger signal. What that means is our
customers will see greater detail in their TV image when they're
watching television and enhanced HD quality for those with our REVTV HD
service," Mr Gomez said. He added that the Simulsat dish allows the
company to enhance its TV signal quality throughout the country.
The vice president of
engineering also noted that this new single mega satellite dish is the
signal source for cable subscribers on New Providence, Grand Bahama,
Abaco and Eleuthera, streamlining engineering overhead and strengthening
services for 96 per cent of the company's subscribers.
Due to the antenna's
capacity to receive multiple signals from 37 different satellites, Mr
Gomez said there is great potential for expanding existing REVTV
packages.
"Because of our country's
geographical position, the Simulsat dish allows us to see almost all of
the North American satellites. So, this definitely opens up the
possibility for us to offer more channels in the future," Mr Gomez said.
Mr Gomez added that this
move is part of the company's ever evolving strategy to deliver an
advanced TV service to its subscribers. "We already bring more than 400
digital channels - with more than 100 in HD - to our cable TV
subscribers. With our existing video on demand service, on-screen
interactive programme guide, premium channel package options and
additional HD signals coming in 2015, we have set a high standard for TV
services in the country for nearly 20 years." Mr Gomez believes the new
satellite dish upgrade will enable the company to continue to
exponentially grow its TV services.
Cable Bahamas Director of
Head End Engineering Gary Barrows noted that with the new antenna, the
company is also better prepared to adapt in the event that a signal
supplier switches satellite feeds.
"Many of our programming
partners change satellites for various reasons; some for cost savings,
others may be consolidating on one or more satellites," Mr Barrows
said. "When this happened in the past, we had to install a new antenna
or go out and physically reposition one of the antennae on multiple
islands. However, the Simulsat antenna can receive signals from any
satellite within that 75-degree arc. If a vendor says they're moving, we
are more likely to be able to add that new satellite feed with almost
no cost or time delay."
The installation took almost
a month to complete. Mr Barrows stated that the company took specific
measures to extend the life span of the antenna by building a foundation
for the system that would enable it to withstand hurricane force winds
of up to 160 miles per hour.
