From http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23387740-15306,00.html

When Japan's SpriteSat research satellite launches in October on its three-year mission to study Earth's magnetic field, it will be equipped with a special type of computer memory that will allow it to operate despite extreme temperatures and radiation in Earth's upper atmosphere.

The magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) made by Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., in Austin, Tex., (and integrated into the satellite built by the Ångström Aerospace Corporation) is smaller, leaving more space for transponders and other signal transmitters and receivers. The reason: thanks to its speed, capacity and durability, MRAM can do the job of both flash memory and static random access memory (SRAM) that normally are part of a satellite's electronics.

"MRAM has the storage capabilities of flash and the speed and endurance of SRAM," says Saied Tehrani, a Freescale fellow and director of analog and mixed signal technologies.

He says that MRAM's role is novel, because it marks the first time that magnetic materials that store information are being combined with the silicon circuitry that reads and writes the information. He notes that it's also a lot quicker, more efficient and durable than flash. "We are programming the memory in 35 nanoseconds—five or six orders of magnitude faster than flash—and the number of times we reprogram is unlimited," Tehrani says, noting that flash takes microseconds to program, milliseconds to erase and can be reused about 100,000 times. He adds that MRAM performs nearly as fast as SRAM.

The four-megabit Freescale MRAM device is part of Uppsala, Sweden–based Ångström's Tohoku-ÅAC MEMS Unit (TAMU), a magnetometer subsystem that will be sent into space aboard SpriteSat, which was built by Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan, and takes its name from the role it will play monitoring the effects of "sprites" (a type of high-altitude lightning) in Earth's upper atmosphere. The satellite is set to monitor the phenomenon from an orbit about 500 miles (800 kilometers) above the planet.

The integration of MRAM and TAMU comes about a year after Johan Åkerman, a professor of material physics and applied spintronics at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm and a former Freescale researcher, first suggested that Ångstrom consider Freescale's new technology to provide space-saving memory technology for its satellites. "If you have an MRAM, you can replace one-time programmable memory and SRAM," he says. MRAM does this while hosting the software that operates the satellite's navigation systems as well as detects any radiation problems that the satellite encounters.

"If this flight is successful, I would expect this MRAM would pop up on all small satellites [less than 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms] in the world," says Fredrik Bruhn, Ångstrom's vice executive chairman and CEO. "We are trying to standardize the different interfaces on all satellites."

Ångstrom, along with Honeywell International, Inc., and other technology makers are currently adapting MRAM for use in space and by the military. Freescale also envisions it as potentially useful to automakers and other terrestrial industries. Cars could use MRAM, for instance, to collect data from systems that control air bag deployment, engine function and stereo sound systems. Tehrani says that Freescale is proving that MRAM can function in some of the harshest environments: space, for one, but also on the ground, under a car hood, where temperatures range from –67 to 257 degrees Fahrenheit (–55 to 125 degrees Celsius).

MultiChoice goes wild with National Geographic

From http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/66/22815.html

Glonass (Global Navigation Satellite System), Russia's equivalent of the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS), is designed for both military and civilian use and allows users to identify their positions in real time.

During a presidential briefing about Glonass devices in December, a Russian government official said a tracking system for pets would be available in the summer of 2008.

"I'll be able to buy one for my dog, Connie, so that she doesn't run away," responded Putin.

In Antarctica on Tuesday, Sergei Ivanov, who oversees defense industry projects, said that the collar would "be delivered."

Speaking more broadly about the behind-schedule Glonass project, Ivanov admitted that both its Earth and space-based elements had experienced delays, saying that "Glonass problems are not only related to space...the ground equipment is also slightly falling behind schedule."

Ivanov, who criticized Russian space agency Roscosmos for the operational shortcomings of Glonass in January also told reporters: "If I had not criticized them, they wouldn't have done anything - constructive criticism is helpful."

Outgoing president Putin's dog gained fame in 2005 after 'publishing' a book of stories for Russian children. Written in English for young students, 'Connie's Stories' tells the story of the black Labrador's adventures.

There are unconfirmed rumors that Connie was named after U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

GPS systems have become popular for pets in recent years, especially in the U.S., in response to the growing popularity of the 'dognapping' of rare and expensive breeds of dogs.

UAE to launch humanitarian and environment TV channel

From http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=70564

Abu Dhabi, March 11 (IANS) A humanitarian and environment TV channel will be launched soon in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan has announced.

Sheikh Hamdan, also Chairman of the Red Crescent Authority, said the federal cabinet has given its consent for the launch of the TV channel, which he said would be the first of its kind in the world, WAM news agency reported Tuesday.

"The channel will be a real qualitative addition to the media content in the humanitarian field, as it will strive to promote and boost humanitarian and philanthropic works for the service of the needy.

"The media outlet will also act as an eye-opener to the threats to the environment," he added.

"We are living in the age of multimedia, which should be mobilised to serve and advance vital humanitarian causes. Media is one of the key instruments through which we can shed light on the most pressing issues and rally resources to alleviate the suffering of the under privileged," he said.

"The TV channel will provide a good opportunity for forging constructive partnerships with local and international humanitarian, economic and media organisations for the benefit of humanity."

Customs clears dish equipment against orders

From http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=100913

ISLAMABAD: Thousands of direct satellite receivers and dish equipment, banned during General Pervez Musharraf's Nov 3 emergency, were cleared by the Peshawar Customs in defiance of the government orders. Consequently, several officials have been charged.

The government had banned this equipment to muffle the voice of deposed chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry when all TV channels were blacked out.

But the Customs department was not in line with the Musharraf government. It colluded with the importers who defied the restrictions notified by the government and one major case has been caught.

Collector Peshawar is facing action as his lower staff at the Dry Port has been booked in FIRs for clearing consignments in Peshawar which were meant for Karachi.

Additional Director Customs Intelligence, Peshawar, who headed a raid on Grand Trunk Road on two containers transporting the goods back to Karachi after clearance in Peshawar, said the laws violated were Customs Act, 1969, Sections 16, 32, 32-A, 79 & 80, punishable under Section 156(1)(9)(14)(14-A)(43)(81)(82)(90) & 178.

When asked why the FBR was not duly informed on Saturday last when the containers were seized, he referred this correspondent to collector Customs who was supposed to immediately report the matter to the FBR.

Five people have been charged in the FIR namely Purdil Khan, Superintendent Dry Port, Peshawar, Rab Nawaz, Deputy Superintendent, Dilawar Khan, Inspector, Irfan and Imran (receiving containers in Karachi), Humayun Trading Co, M/s Rehbar Customs Agency, Peshawar.

The story does not end here. The NLC drivers who were transporting the consignment back to Karachi were found indulging in illegal goods-forwarding, as the fee was being pocketed by them without bringing the consignment onto the log book.

The foreign-origin digital satellite receivers caught numbered 1,750, while digital receivers in CKD condition totalled 168 and LNB satellite TV reception systems were 2,760.

ICL announces broadcast partners for Edelweiss 20s Challenge across globe

From http://www.indiainfoline.com/news/innernews.asp?storyId=61541&lmn=1

With a match every evening and double headers on specific week-ends, the Edelweiss 20s Challenge, promises 30-days of non-stop pulsating cricket which will be held in three locations

Promising an assured coverage for its viewers, the Indian Cricket League (ICL) announced its official broadcast partners for the ‘Edelweiss 20s Challenge’ across the globe. The tournament will be telecasted LIVE on TEN Sports and ZEE Sports in India, Geo Super in Pakistan, Astro & Telkom Malaysia in Malaysia, Starhub in Singapore, Showtime Arabia in Middle-East, ZEE Sports in USA and Canada and ZEE Cinema in United Kingdom and Europe.

Viewer’s who follow cricket through the medium of internet, can log in to http://www.bollywood.tv/ and watch the matches live. Himanshu Mody, Business Head, Indian Cricket League (ICL) said, “The extensive coverage enjoyed by our broadcast partners in the respective territory, makes the ‘Edelweiss 20s Challenge’ one of the well-covered sporting events in the country. Our aim is to provide cricket, right into the living rooms of the cricket loving people, across the world.”

With a match every evening and double headers on specific week-ends, the Edelweiss 20s Challenge, promises 30-days of non-stop pulsating cricket which will be held in three locations – Hyderabad, Chandigarh (Panchkula) and Gurgaon between March 9th – April 7th. Two new teams – Ahmedabad Rockets and Lahore Badshahs have also been added to the existing six teams, making the tournament more comprehensive and competitive.

With international cricketers of high stature being added to the league, the quality of cricket is expected to be on par with international standards. The tournament will have in total 34 matches and each team will play against each other once in the league format, followed by semi-finals, third position classification match concluding with the best of three match finals. So tune into your respective channels and watch ‘Edelweiss 20s Challenge’ every day 7pm onwards!

Indian Cable Experience Headend In The Sky

From http://www.efytimes.com/efytimes/25316/news.htm 

Cable operators subscribing to HITS (Headend In The Sky) will be able to provide a large number of channels with better picture quality.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008:  This could be the next big thing in the entertainment segment for the masses. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommendations on 'Headend-in-the-sky' (HITS) are under examination of the ministry of information and broadcasting in consultation with other ministries and departments in order to formulate policy guidelines.
HITS is a satellite multiplex service that provides cable channels to cable television operations. HITS is a digital delivery platform to distribute multiple channels via satellite straight to cable operators. The essential difference between a HITS operator and the operation of Multi-System Operator (MSO) is that the former transmits the bundle of channels to the cable operators using a satellite, whereas the latter does the same through a cable.

HITS operator’s area of coverage spans the whole country, whereas the MSO’s area of coverage is confined to a limited geographical area (typically a town or a city) close to his headend. Cable operators subscribing to services of a HITS operator will be able to provide a large number of channels with better picture quality and choice of channels to their subscribers than the conventional analogue services. The introduction of HITS services will speed up the process of migration from analogue to digital mode of transmission and distribution of television signals resulting in benefits to all stakeholders including subscribers, cable operators, broadcasters and the Government.

The government is finalising its policy on introducing HITS, but is yet to set a time frame for its rollout.

Govt earns Rs 188.5 mn as license fee from Dish TV, Tata Sky in 2006-07

From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k8/mar/mar120.php

NEW DELHI: Private direct-to-home (DTH) service provider Dish TV India has paid Rs 100 million as license fee to the government in 2006-07 while its close rival Tata Sky has had to part with Rs 88.5 million, the Information and Broadcasting minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said.

As per Article 3 of the Schedule containing terms and conditions of License Agreement, a DTH licensee has to share 10 per cent of the gross revenue every year as license fee.
 
Dish TV, in fact, has been paying license fee for the past three years that it has been in operations. The amount accruing to the government has been Rs 20.5 million for 2004-2005 and Rs 25 million for 2005-2006.

This indicates a four-fold rise in gross revenue for the oldest private DTH player in the country. But the pace of Tata Sky in its first year has been much faster than what Dish scored in the comparable period.

The other private licensed player, Sun Direct TV has started its services in December 2007, and its fees would be payable only in 2008, the minister said.

"Their license fee will be due at the end of the current financial year and is to be paid by the licensee within one month of the end of the financial year," the minister informed Lok Sabha in a written reply.

The minister also informed that only Doordarshan's DD Direct Plus is providing DTH services free of cost to the consumers.

"Private DTH service licensees are not providing their DTH service free of cost. Presently 42 TV channels are on DD Direct Plus, including 22 private channels and 20 DD channels."

DTH platform of Doordarshan is being made available to the private TV channels for telecasting free to air channels, subject to the payment of carriage free and suitability of such channels for DD Direct Plus platform.

Anil Ambani firm set to launch 20 channels

Consumers waiting for the launch of Freeview's digital terrestrial television (DTT) service next month have been told most prime-time programmes on TV1 and TV2 are unlikely to be broadcast in high-definition till the start of 2010.

Freeview will only broadcast TV1, TV2 and TV3 to DTT customers in a high-definition signal format, but that will make no difference to viewers till programmes are shot and broadcast in high- definition.

TVNZ chief executive Rick Ellis says that there may be some "disconnect" between people's expectations for the availability of high-definition (HD) programming and the actual schedule.

TVNZ budgeted $40 million over 18 to 24 months to manage the transition from traditional tape-based analogue systems to its new "fully digital high-definition environment", where programmes will be shot and stored as Mpeg4 files.

Mr Ellis says the technology is relatively straightforward and TVNZ is likely to keep within budget, but the switch is a "huge change management journey" for staff. "The processes around managing media content are vastly different in many areas."

TVNZ's head of broadcast services, Helen Clifton, expects some programmes made or commissioned by TVNZ will be broadcast on Freeview's DTT service in HD by the end of the year, along with the Beijing Olympics, which takes place in August and September.

Ms Clifton was director of operations at Al Jazeera, where she implemented its HD systems, till she joined TVNZ in October.

"There will be a progressive availability of HD content, some off the back of our international supply agreements, and others progressively as the local New Zealand production industry – including ourselves – begins to commission and produce more and more content in HD," Mr Ellis says.

Ms Clifton says TVNZ now has some HD digital cameras, which are coming down in price.

In an era when programmes are stored as files on a server rather than tapes on a shelf, ensuring programmes are properly tagged in a media asset management system with appropriate descriptive data will be critical to the success of the project, she says.

Jacqui Loates, a spokeswoman for TV3 owner TVWorks, says the privately owned free-to-air broadcaster is still finalising details of the programming it will make available in HD on Freeview's DTT service, but an announcement will be made soon.

Sky TV has spent $55 million making the switch from tape-based to digital production systems.

Spokesman Tony O'Brien says it plans to broadcast two sports and two movie channels in high- definition from July.

Customers will need a new MySky set-top box to see the channels in HD.

Mr Ellis says the increased availability of "new features that enhance the television experience" has changed sentiment surrounding the prospects for the television industry over the past two years.

"It is not tracking irrevocably to a death knell; in fact it is going in exactly the opposite direction.

"I have no doubt HD will increase the 'stickiness' of television and yield good solid audiences we can monetise through advertisers," Mr Ellis says.

Anthony Doesburg: Digital television, without the satellite dish

From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/3/story.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10496825

It's going to be a big year for digital broadcasting - starting next month, when Freeview begins terrestrial transmission of its dozen or so digital TV channels.

You could say the excitement kicks off sooner than that, on March 30, with the switching on of TVNZ 7 - the state broadcaster's second digital-only channel (TVNZ 6 went live about six months ago).

That means Freeview's fare will be TV One, TV2, TV3, C4, TVNZ Sport Extra, TVNZ 6, TVNZ 7, Maori Television, Stratos, Parliament TV, Cue and Radio New Zealand's National and Concert programmes.

And there's more. Last week, the Radio Broadcasters Association, representing commercial stations, agreed to join a digital radio trial in Auckland of DAB+, one of numerous options for moving radio out of the analogue era.

At the centre of all of this excitement is Kordia, the state-owned enterprise whose origins go back 60 years to when it built the national radio and television transmission network.

Kordia has spent about $35 million on digital terrestrial television (DTT) equipment to enable 70 per cent of the population to watch Freeview's offerings using a UHF aerial. According to Freeview boss Steve Browning, 80,000 households are already watching Freeview via satellite, a service launched a year ago.

It's not entirely clear which will be HD but, according to Steven Ellis, technical director of set-top box-maker OpenMedia, TV One, TV2 and TV3 will be.

Geoff Hunt, head of Kordia, has been watching test DTT transmissions from his Mairangi Bay home and says the picture quality is much better than analogue.

One of the test channels was broadcasting high-definition content, whose quality Hunt describes as "startling".

"It was a bit like the first time I heard FM being broadcast in stereo - can radio be this good?"

The wonder of digital broadcasting is that it can squeeze many more channels, of better quality, into the same amount of spectrum as analogue. But you might be sceptical about whether it's worth making the shift, with much the same content on offer. Ultimately, we won't have a choice.

The Government intends switching off TVNZ's analogue signals by 2016 - or earlier, if digital catches on quickly. And there will be some new content.

At a public briefing on TVNZ 7 last week, the state broadcaster's head of digital, Eric Kearley, said part of the rationale for the new channel was to encourage viewers to wean themselves off analogue. TVNZ 7, like 6, is ad-free. It will have two new local shows, Media7 and Back Benches.

He didn't seem concerned that a possible change of government this year could cut off the channels' funding.

As the name implies, Freeview doesn't charge a subscription. But whether they get it by satellite or UHF, viewers need a set-top box.

These are different for the two methods of signal delivery and cost about $200. They support another of digital's key features - an electronic programme guide.

Combined with a hard disk recorder like OpenMedia's myPVR, which works with Sky and Freeview's satellite services, and with a DTT version coming, the electronic programme guide makes recording digital content a piece of cake.

If you get good Prime reception, you should also receive Freeview loud and clear. But OpenMedia's Ellis says digital TV is less forgiving of aerial cable quality than analogue - so if your reception is poor, that's the first thing to check.

If you're thinking of upgrading your TV for the sake of digital, there's a baffling range in the shops.

Ellis says 1080i is as good as you need for HD TV; 1080p is only called for when watching Blu-ray disks.

Perhaps the best way to buy is to decide how much you want to spend, then choose the TV that gives you the most pleasing DTT picture.

There's no need to go shopping for a digital radio just yet, since the industry hasn't fixed on a broadcasting standard. More than ever, that standard looks as though it will be DAB+, with the RBA's decision last week to join a trial being run by Kordia.

Kordia is pushing DAB+ partly because the Australian Government has mandated its adoption. If New Zealand opts for the same standard, economies of scale should mean cheaper receivers than otherwise.

So while digital radio testing is gathering pace, a live service is unlikely this year. Not so DTT. Freeview's board meets today to fix on a launch date and Browning promises to go public with it on Monday. *

Te Reo: Maori Television unveils new reo Maori Channel Name

From http://www.throng.co.nz/news/te-reo-maori-television-unveils-new-reo-maori-channel-name

Integrated PVR Services Powered by OpenTV Core2™ and OpenTV PVR2™

IT IS no coincidence that seconds after the common ownership links between Channel Nine and Foxtel were broken a real dogfight erupted between the pay and free TV sectors - with Nine happily throwing punches.

The free-to-air broadcasters are intent on breaking pay TV's momentum this year and the still-under-wraps FreeView project, lifted directly from Britain, is the latest tactic.

The commercial broadcasters have been quietly suggesting for some months that their new digital standard definition and high-definition TV channels - 15 in total will be operating by next year - will slow the household viewing migration to pay TV.

More channel choice on free-to air, they say, will scratch the public itch for more programming options. Interestingly, the free-to-air broadcasters are not alone in claiming the gloss will come off pay TV audiences and subscription growth over the next two years. Prominent media buyers are taking the same line with some qualification. They are not predicting radical, overnight changes to audience trends but they do expect change.

Free TV's 15-channel promise does not eventuate until this time next year - now there are 10 channels available and most of the content on the secondary HD channels is either simulcast from the analog feed or a mix of about 50 hours of new content in a 168-hour week.

But media buyers are generally predicting viewing will swing back to the free-to-air broadcasters if their digital content offering in 2009 is compelling.

James Parkinson, the national trading director for the $1.6 billion media buyer Group M, is one advocating some change from the arrival of new digital channels on free-to-air.

"If there is more higher quality viewing choice then it has got to have a positive impact on free-to-air," he says. "If 70 per cent of the country which doesn't have pay TV gets more choice, does that have an impact on which subscription TV gets taken up? I reckon it does, because suddenly there won't be that burning need to have more choice."

Universal McCann's managing director, Henry Tajer, agrees: "If you think about pay TV, choice has been its growth catalyst so you put choice into free-to-air and that creates a recipe for [audience] growth."

While media buyers and even the free-to-air networks are saying next year is when the rub really starts for pay TV's growth curve, Fusion Strategy's Steve Allen argues that it started in the first three weeks of the 2008 ratings season.

Allen says pay TV's audience growth rate has halved in the opening three weeks of this year compared with the same time in 2007, and this is due in large part to free-to-air TV offering better programs. He predicts pay TV's audience growth will continue to slow for all of this year.

"We said last year pay TV's growth will come off and so far this year its [audience] growth rate has more than halved. It will seesaw a bit, but we think commercial free-to-air TV is going to grow its audience and most of that growth is going to come from pay TV. Pay will continue to grow, but nothing like the clip it has and we think that goes for everything - new subscribers, churn rate and viewing levels."

Tune in.

One giant step into space for Southland

From http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4426778a11.html

From http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-03/04/content_7716932.htm

    BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- China will launch a second Olympic weather forecasting satellite, the Fengyun-3 (FY-3), in May to provide more precise and longer range forecasts, a chief designer said on Tuesday.

    The new satellite will provide accurate and timely information about weather changes to facilitate more precise weather forecasts during the Beijing Olympic Games set to open on Aug. 8, said Zhou Hongling, a designer from Shanghai and deputy to the First Session of the 11th National People's Congress opening on Wednesday.

    She said assembly of FY-3 had been completed in Shanghai. "It has passed tests at the factory and is ready for delivery to the launching site, where it will undergo another two months of testing."

    The new satellite, with a bigger payload, will provide medium-range weather forecasts up to 10 to 15 days, said Zhou. "It will replace the FY-1D weather forecasting satellite launched in May 2002 to provide primary services for the Games."

    According to Zhou, short-range forecasts by existing Chinese weather satellites are partially to blame for the country's heavy losses in the severe winter weather that attacked most parts of central, southern and eastern China starting in mid January.

    China Meteorological Administration (CMA) head Zheng Guoguang admitted earlier the country was unprepared that the chaos could last for more than 20 days. "It's extremely hard to tell the weather conditions more than a week away, given China's current forecasting capacity," he said.

    China has launched eight meteorological satellites since research started in the 1970s. Its first Olympic weather forecasting satellite, the FY-2D, was launched towards the end of 2006.

    The CMA has identified weather forecast services for the Olympic Games as "a priority" for this year as the country may face much more frequent adverse weather.

    Yet Beijing's weather bureau said the possibility was only 0.4 percent for the city to experience weathers above 35 degrees centigrade during the Games, when the average temperature would be around 24.9 degrees centigrade.

China is developing the ability to limit or prevent the use of satellites by potential adversaries during times of crisis, the Pentagon said Monday in a report to Congress.

The report, the latest in a series of annual assessments of China's military power, says Beijing views its efforts in space warfare as not only a practical advance of military power but also a boost to national prestige.

In space and other aspects of China's military modernization, the Pentagon stuck to its oft-repeated view that China's first priority is to build a broad-based capability to prevent Taiwanese independence. It said China's focus on space warfare is an important part of that Taiwan strategy.

"China further views the development of space and counter-space capabilities as bolstering national prestige and, like nuclear weapons, demonstrating the attributes of a world power," the report said.

China typically objects to the Pentagon's depiction of its military programs and policies. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Monday's report.

At a Pentagon news conference, David Sedney, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia, predicted the Chinese would protest this year that the report is "anti-China" and misleading. Sedney said that for the first time, U.S. and Chinese officials will meet to discuss the report; he said it was being briefed Monday to China's senior military representative in Washington.

The Chinese military, known as the People's Liberation Army, is acquiring technologies to improve its ability to operate in space and is "developing the ability to attack an adversary's space assets," the report said.

"PLA writings emphasize the necessity of `destroying, damaging, and interfering with the enemy's reconnaissance/observation and communications satellites,' suggesting that such systems, as well as navigation and early warning satellites, could be among initial targets of attack to `blind and deafen the enemy," the report said.

The Bush administration was highly critical of China's shootdown in January 2007 of one of its weather satellites, asserting that the orbiting debris created by the attack poses a danger to other assets in space.

Last month, when the Pentagon shot down a dead U.S. spy satellite, China expressed concern, although U.S. officials said the shootdown did not mean the United States had dropped its objections to possessing a permanent anti-satellite capability.

More broadly, the Pentagon report released Monday asserted that Beijing's reluctance to share details about its military buildup poses a risk to stability in Asia. It said the international community has limited knowledge of the motivations, decision-making and capabilities of China's military modernization. This includes a lack of clarity about China's defense spending. Washington contends that Beijing understates that spending program by the equivalent of tens of billions of dollars.

"The lack of transparency in China's military and security affairs poses risks to stability by increasing the potential for misunderstanding and miscalculation," the report said. "This situation will naturally and understandably lead to hedging against the unknown."

This year's report place increased emphasis on concern about China's space programs and potential for space warfare. It also said China is improving its own satellite capability, including construction of a new satellite launch complex on Hainan Island.

And it said China expects to replace all foreign-produced satellites in its inventory with home-produced models by 2010.

In a similar vein, the report said China appears to be developing a cyberwarfare capability.

"In the past year, numerous computer networks around the world, including those owned by the U.S. government, were subject to intrusions that appear to have originated within the PRC," the report said, using the initials for the People's Republic of China. "These intrusions require many of the skills and capabilities that would also be required for computer network attack."

The overall military buildup in China has increased in recent years, the Pentagon said.

"China's expanding and improving military capabilities are changing East Asian military balances; improvements in China's strategic capabilities have implications beyond the Asia-Pacific region," the report said.

The main short-term focus of China's military buildup is the Taiwan Strait, the report said.

As of November 2007, the Chinese military had deployed between 990 and 1,070 short-range ballistic missiles to garrisons opposite Taiwan, according to the Pentagon's latest estimate. That compares with 900 such missiles reported in last year's Pentagon report.

Every spring, the Pentagon is required by Congress to provide a comprehensive assessment of China's security and military strategy, an analysis of developments in its military doctrine and capabilities, and an update on the security situation in the Taiwan Strait.

U.S.-China military relations have been strained in recent years over numerous issues, not limited to American concerns about the scope of Beijing's military buildup. But there also have been some positive moves, including two agreements signed last week in Shanghai — one on installing a telephone hot line between the Chinese Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Defense Department, and the other on research in Chinese military archives related to U.S. MIAs from the Korean War.

RRSat Chosen by Swedish National Television (SVT) to Transmit TV Channel Over Europe

From http://www.sunherald.com/447/story/411198.html

RRSat Global Communications Network Ltd. (NASDAQ: RRST), a rapidly growing provider of comprehensive content management and global distribution services to the television and radio broadcasting industries, announced today that SVT, Sveriges Television (Swedish Television), Sweden's public television broadcasting service has chosen RRSat to expand its coverage all over Europe.

Over the past three years RRSat has been distributing the SVT channel over its Global Network to Asia through the Thaicom-5 Satellite. Under the current agreement, RRSat also distributes the SVT channel to Europe, Northern Africa & the Middle East through the Direct-To-Home distribution network, over Eurobird-9 satellite.

"After using RRSat's turnaround services since 2005 for SVT Europa's Direct-To-Home distribution to Asia, Australia and Africa, we are very pleased to expand our cooperation with RRSat to include Direct-To-Home services through Eurobird-9 satellite to Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East," said Riffa Hanninen, Head of SVT Europa, the international channel of the Swedish public service broadcaster SVT.

"We are very pleased that SVT, the Swedish national television, has chosen RRSat to expand its channels coverage to be accessible throughout Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East over the Eurobird-9 satellite, our rapidly expanding Direct-To-Home and cable platform," commented Lior Rival, VP Sales and Marketing of RRSat. "Once again, RRSat, leveraging its broad global network and leading fiber infrastructure, will enable the channel to be reached by millions of new households."

About RRSat Global Communications Network Ltd.

RRSat Global Communications Network Ltd. (NASDAQ: RRST) provides global, comprehensive, content management and distribution services to the rapidly expanding television and radio broadcasting industries. Through its proprietary "RRSat Global Network," composed of satellite and terrestrial fiber optic transmission capacity and the public Internet, RRSat is able to offer high-quality and flexible global distribution services for content providers. RRSat's comprehensive content management services include producing and playing out TV content as well as providing satellite newsgathering services (SNG). RRSat concurrently provide these services to more than 400 television and radio channels, covering more than 150 countries. Visit the company's website http://www.RRSat.com for more information.

About Sveriges Television (SVT)

SOURCE RRSat Global Communications Network Ltd

CABSAT 2008 kicks off

From http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23312991-15306,00.html

The 36-year-old media scion has been working on the deal over the past four weeks, sifting through CMH's books with his private equity financiers, SPO Partners of San Francisco.

An initial deadline to complete due diligence will expire this week. But sources close to the talks said Mr Murdoch may inform CMH of his progress so far and request an extension.

Advisers estimated early that due diligence could take six to eight weeks before a formal offer would be made.

Mr Murdoch launched his big return to the Australian media landscape in January, teaming with his long-time friend and former One.Tel partner Mr Packer to buy out the media company.

The pair plans to form a joint venture to run CMH, offering to pay shareholders $4.06 in cash plus 0.1116 shares in the job site Seek per share, valuing the company at $4.79 per share. They said the proposal was final and would not be sweetened. CMH's stock closed at $4.40 on Friday.

It is understood that the joint venture will help finance the $2.8 billion cash component through $800 million to $900 million in bank debt. Sources confirmed on Friday that the joint venture was still working on the debt package, with ANZ believed to head a consortium of banks. Reuters has reported that the other lenders include HBOS, Credit Agricole, National Australia Bank and Westpac.

A successful takeover would give Mr Murdoch and Mr Packer 25 per cent of PBL Media, the owner of Channel Nine, ACP Magazines and ninemsn, and valuable stakes in the pay TV companies Foxtel and Fox Sports, which Mr Murdoch has said are the main attraction.

CMH's profit share from Foxtel more than doubled in the December half, highlighting the rationale of their deal.

The buyout still hinges on a number of conditions. Mr Packer has requested relief from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission that he would not have to sell the family's 38 per cent stake in CMH should a higher bidder emerge, shutting out rival offers.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is also assessing the deal, taking submissions from interested parties until the end of this week. It will publish its findings on April 9.

RAI, BBC and NHK to develop Ultra-HDTV

From http://www.advanced-television.com/2008/mar3_mar7.htm#m1

Italian public broadcaster RAI has signed an agreement with its counterparts from the UK (BBC) and Japan (NHK) for joint research towards the development of the Ultra–HDTV technology.

Talks between the three partners initiated in February 2007, but no agreement was reached on a common business plan. After several meetings, the state broadcasters agreed that NHK and BBC will continue with research on the picture compression technologies in "super high definition", which offers 16 times higher video quality than the current HD 1080p.

Meanwhile, RAI and NHK will work on the satellite transmissions of the ultra HDTV signal in the 21 GHz band. The Japanese public broadcaster will also cooperate with Germany’s IRT institute on developing technologies for those who have communications difficulties.

The three public broadcasters will also exchange researchers and jointly organise events, with the goal of achieving the first results within six months to one year.

Boeing Satellites Reach 2500 Years Of Accumulated On Orbit Services

From http://www.spacemart.com/reports/Boeing_Satellites_Reach_2500_Years_Of_Accumulated_On_Orbit_Services_999.html

Boeing has launched more than 260 satellites that, in total, have provided 2,500 years of service and build upon a legacy that began with the 1963 launch of Syncom, the world's first geosynchronous communications satellite. Pictured here is an exact replica of the 78-pound, two-channel Syncom, next to one of Boeing's newest satellites, Wideband Global SATCOM, a 12,716-pound, 1,900-channel Boeing 702 spacecraft that is one of six ordered by the U.S. Air Force.

Boeing claims that its more than 260 commercial and civil satellites have achieved a total of 2,500 years of service. Boeing has built one third of the approximately 250 satellites in geosynchronous orbit today. Recent satellites to enter service include DIRECTV 10, Spaceway (broadband Internet), Thuraya 3 (mobile phone service), GOES 13 (weather prediction), and the U.S. Air Force's Wideband Global SATCOM spacecraft (military communications).

"When the nightly news warns of an approaching storm, when a car's onboard navigation system provides directions, when a credit card is swiped and approved for credit, and when a warfighter receives mission-critical information, chances are a Boeing satellite is at your service," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems, the unit responsible for the company's communications satellites.

"Over the past 45 years, satellite technology has helped to create many new industries, including direct-to-home television, intercontinental cell phone usage, and Internet operations, to name a few. It's unlikely that a day passes when a satellite hasn't touched your life in some way, and Boeing's been there from the start."

Boeing's space-based contributions to the world can be traced back to 1963, when the company achieved an industry first with the launch of Syncom, the world's first communications satellite to operate in geosynchronous orbit, 22,300 miles above the equator.

Following a theory put forth by inventor and science-fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke, Boeing satellites proved that in that orbit, only three satellites are needed to provide worldwide coverage, compared with more than 50 in a lower orbital position. Boeing today specializes in geosynchronous communications satellites for commercial, civil and military use.

New uses for satellite services result from the exponential development of technology. Early satellites required ground-station antennas the size of a small house.

The electronics that operated the satellite were also located on the ground, resulting in satellites designed for a single use, without the ability to be reprogrammed for a different mission or service. Contrast this with today's satellites, which carry their "brains" onboard and can communicate to dishes the size of a pencil eraser.

Reprogrammable payloads enable operators to change the function of the satellite from one use to another, and phased-array antennas enable operators to adjust the regions that receive the satellite's signal, resulting in instant communications capabilities. The importance of this ability increases during emergencies, catastrophic events or the mobilization of military units.

"We maintain a solid satellite backlog in our factory, with 27 today, and we plan to launch at least five satellites in 2008," Cooning said.

"In addition, we are aggressively pursuing new business, such as U.S. Air Force's Transformational Communications Satellite system (TSAT) and the next-generation Global Positioning System (GPS III), as well as NASA's next-generation Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite System (GOES R) and several highly competitive commercial satellite programs.

"We are passionate about this technology and about this business, and we are committed to delivering the highest-quality satellites to our customers."

Boeing builds these spacecraft at its Satellite Development Center in El Segundo, Calif. Encompassing 1 million square feet, the center is the largest dedicated satellite factory in the world. Its employees monitor all processes to ensure the factory is as Lean as possible. Lean manufacturing increases efficiency and reduces costs, key discriminators for Boeing's satellite competitions.

Belden to exhibit at Cabsat 2008

From http://www.ameinfo.com/148587.html

At Cabsat 2008, held in Dubai from March 4-6, Belden will present its latest corporate image on ZB-2 together with a wide range of existing and new products of particular interest to cable, satellite, broadcast and communications users in the Middle East and Europe.

LTTE launches Euro Television: The new Tamil TV channel

From http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/9871