VANCOUVER, B.C., March 30, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inca Networks announced today that Madagascar's second-largest telecom service provider, Gulfsat Madagascar, has deployed the Inca Modular Series 4430 high-density HD MPEG-4 AVC transcoder to power the expansion of its digital TV service. The company's next-generation video service rounds out its triple-play bundle comprising high-speed Internet, digital TV, and mobile services under the 'Blueline' banner. Blueline services are offered to a broad range of residents and businesses in the country of nearly 23 million people.
"Until four years ago, the island country of Madagascar had no terrestrial TV—only satellite. Now that we have implemented the Inca Modular Series 4430, we can offer our Blueline customers a premium digital TV experience at an affordable price—a tall order in this low-margin business," says Damien de Lamberterie, General Manager of Gulfsat Madagascar.
Gulfsat uses the Inca Modular Series 4430 MPEG-4 HD/SD transcoder to reliably and affordably support HD and SD, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 video transcoding of up to 36 HD or 90 SD channels, in a compact and power-efficient one rack unit (1 RU) chassis. Gulfsat can now provide seamless terrestrial broadcast of 65 premium digital TV, movie, sport and music channels to its Blueline customers. With a modern IP video core in place, the company is now ideally positioned to be able to offer multiscreen video to phones and tablets in the future.
The Inca 4430 modular platform can be configured to support IPTV and IP video for both linear and adaptive bit-rate (ABR) HLS multi-profile transcoding. ASI and 8VSB/QAM modules are also available to interface with legacy equipment and systems. This flexibility allows operators to profitably deploy linear TV services today and leverage the same equipment investment to deliver multiscreen service in the future. With VidiOSTM intelligent monitoring built into every Inca product, Gulfsat has deep visibility and control of all video streams, optimizing troubleshooting and streamlining operations while delivering the highest quality video.
"The modular, software-defined architecture of Inca's video processing solution is particularly cost-effective, allowing us to bring a reliable, high-quality service to the area while minimizing our initial capital investment, reducing our operating expenses, and enabling us to expand at our own pace—including the eventual transition to IPTV—with the simple addition of new modules or cards," says de Lamberterie. "As well as increasing the number and variety of channels we can offer our customers, we have been very impressed with the quality of the video picture and the powerful monitoring tools. And word is spreading: Blueline has seen a significant increase in new customers since deploying the Inca equipment."
According to Jeff Campbell, CEO, Inca Networks, Africa is a dynamic and high-growth market for broadcast and multiscreen video services. "Inca's software-defined VidiOS architecture powers a solution that provides Gulfsat with a powerful, highly-efficient solution that can affordably and seamlessly scale from legacy infrastructures to next-gen mobile services. We are proud that Inca equipment is part of the foundation of Gulfsat's successful digital TV strategy and look forward to growing our business in Africa," says Campbell.
Operators in 23 countries around the world depend on Inca Networks digital video solutions to power their broadcast and terrestrial digital TV, IPTV and FTTH service.
About Gulfsat Madagascar:
Created in 2001, Gulfsat Madagascar offers commercial services under Blueline brand banner. It has been a pioneer in Internet access and data transmission systems and networks in Madagascar since 1998.
Gulfsat Madagascar has developed a considerable know-how in terms of wireless network deployment and operation with state-of-the-art technologies for connectivity (VSAT, WiMAX, Microwave, Optical Fiber, O3B) and managed services.
The first earth station was installed in January 2001. In April 2006, more than 1,000 Gulfsat Madagascar VSAT and Wireless Local loop stations were installed and operational throughout Madagascar.
For more information, visit
http://www.blueline.mg
About Inca Networks:
Inca Networks is reinventing the future of multiscreen video delivery. Inca offers industry-leading Intelligent Video Delivery™, a revolutionary software-centric solution for intelligent, real-time processing of linear and multiscreen television content. At its core is VidiOS™, an advanced software processing and monitoring engine that provides deep visibility and control of all video flows, combined with powerful, modular hardware. Inca's IP video solutions address all aspects of next-generation video, including high density MPEG-4 and MPEG-2 HD and SD transcoder modules for linear and multi-screen adaptive bit-rate (ABR) and HTTP live streaming (HLS) services; demultiplexing and remapping of MPTS video from satellite and off-air sources to SPTS streams in digital cable, DSL and fiber to the home (FTTH) IPTV networks; multi-viewer mosaic and status monitoring software, digital music service demuxing, and modular ASI to IP conversion. Video providers around the globe use Inca to easily and affordably deliver content, to any screen on any network, all with a superior customer viewing experience and a second-to-none view of the network.www.incanetworks.com.
For more information please contact Debra Hadden, Tel. +1-604-240-3196 haddencommunications@gmail.com
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