MUMBAI: Intelsat on Monday commercially launched its North American video fibre network , which claims to present broadcasters worldwide with an enhanced opportunity to reliably transmit video content to, from or within North America.

The network, known as, Intelsat's Terrestrial Media Transport, TMT, is the North American extension of Intelsat's GlobalConnexSM suite of services which are provided using a worldwide hybrid terrestrial and satellite infrastructure.

The extended network, designed with North American broadcasters in mind, is among the first of its kind specifically designed to support both standard and high-definition digital video transmissions for news and sports distribution as well as for contribution and syndication.

The scaleable, fibre-based network is optimized for broadcasters to provide flexible transmission throughout, multiple format support, added security in collocation facilities, an innovative back-up approach and end-to-end monitoring to support smooth trouble-shooting. In addition, it offers high quality of service that can be extended to all Intelsat GlobalConnexSM customers.

Intelsat COO Ramu Potarazu said, "Broadcasters are driving demand for a new type of fiber-based network; one that can flexibly accommodate their diverse needs from standard definition to high definition via a single interface, in an end-to-end, digital environment".

The TMT network leverages a new back-up approach to replace conventional "telco-oriented" redundancy with a broadcaster-focused, secure approach utilizing "slipless-switching" technology. This will enable two simultaneous and redundant content feeds to be carried on diverse paths for every transmission that takes place on the network

In addition, the network is capable of providing a scalable service using MPEG-2 and other formats of compression encoding, employing variable bit rates up to 45 Mbps, HDTV or higher within a single pipe. It supports digital television transmissions, with end-to-end digital formatting, allowing the signal to remain digital throughout the entire transmission. Tandberg Television has undertaken the integration of the new network.

"We are pleased that Intelsat, one of the world's leading satellite companies, selected Level 3 to enable the commercial launch of the TMT network," said Level 3 senior vice president of transport and infrastructure Steve Liddell.

He added "Working together, our combined team of network architects designed what we believe is one of the most technically advanced terrestrial distribution networks in operation today".

Intelsats new TMT network features private line services from Level 3.This service is ideal for customers with multiple locations who need to transport high volumes of voice, video, or data over a secure channel, says a press release.