The United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), Global Network Division (GN), has selected SES Space & Defense to provide global satellite broadcast distribution for its disparate entities across the globe, including Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB), Radio Free Asia (RFA), and Middle East Broadcasting Network (MBN).
As part of this five-year Global Satellite Services (GSS) contract through the General Services Administration (GSA) Complex Commercial SATCOM Solutions (CS3) contract vehicle, SES Space & Defense will provide global satellite distribution for all of the USAGM’s High Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD) video and radio content.
The comprehensive global support provided by SES Space & Defense to the USAGM network includes transmission to sites worldwide responsible for delivering shortwave Amplitude Modulation (AM), Frequency Modulation (FM), and Television (TV) broadcasts.
SES Space & Defense will provide end-to-end managed solutions, including Broadcast Multiplex (MUX), transponder capacity, teleport services, internet connectivity, terrestrial backbone delivery network, continuous 24×7×365 monitoring, and operational support.
The managed network services provided are built on both existing and emerging industry standards and best practices and will enable USAGM with the flexibility to address both current and future program delivery needs effectively.
“Leveraging a comprehensive suite of end-to-end integrated solutions, SES Space & Defense is here to ensure USAGM’s mission is met with excellence, both now and into the future,” said David Fields, SES Space & Defense President and CEO.
SES Space & Defense is harnessing SES’s expertise in broadcast services and the capabilities offered by trusted industry partners to manage satellite and terrestrial content delivery. This effort will distribute more than 4,000 hours of original programming each week to an audience of more than 215 million individuals across 100 countries.