WATERLOO, Ontario, May 15, 2018 — Dejero, an innovator in cloud-managed solutions that provide video transport and Internet connectivity while mobile or in remote locations has been working with systems integration partner, Frontline Communications, to deliver reliable connectivity to WLEX-TV by installing Dejero CellSat into a Chevrolet Traverse SUV, giving confidence to WLEX-TV field operators when sending high quality video back to base.
WLEX-TV, the NBC affiliate in Lexington, Kentucky, and part of the Cordillera Communications Group is a very popular local station broadcasting seven hours of live programming a day and covering 40 counties across central Kentucky. It’s vital for the station to keep its viewers up to date with the movement of storms and breaking news, so establishing a reliable transmission path to send video and audio back to the broadcast studio is critical.
With Dejero CellSat on board, unlike a traditional SNG truck set-up, there is no need to bring in specialist operators or pre-arrange a satellite slot,” explains Sam Gordon, operations manager, WLEX-TV. “You simply put up the dish in case it’s needed, and it connects on demand – and only when the cellular signal alone isn’t strong enough.”
Providing enhanced reliability in situations where cellular networks are congested or cell coverage is limited, Dejero’s award winning CellSat leverages the company’s patented network blending technology to improve reliability by combining cellular connectivity from multiple mobile network carriers with Ku-band IP satellite connectivity provided by Intelsat, (NYSE:I), a leader in integrated satellite communications with approximately fifty satellites worldwide. If available cellular bandwidth dips, up to 7.5 Mb/s of additional satellite bandwidth is automatically provided—more than enough to deliver exceptional picture quality, even if cellular connectivity is lost entirely. It enables broadcasters to manage their transmission costs by using cellular when available, or CellSat when extra reliability and high quality are desired.
Frontline Communications is the industry leader in building broadcast, mobile command, and specialty communications vehicles. Working with vehicles from small SUV’s to tractor drawn 53-foot trailers, it was ideally qualified to take the Chevrolet Traverse SUV, a mid-sized SUV, and convert it into a mobile remote production facility, using Dejero CellSat.
“We have a full remote production facility connected directly to the studio, plus anyone can jump in and drive the SUV as there is no need for special licenses,” adds Gordon.
Dejero’s cloud-based management system allows operators back at the studio to remotely control transmitters in the field, monitor and route incoming video feeds, and view detailed performance data, leaving the remote crew to get on with the job of covering the story.
In December last year, WLEX-TV covered the Music City Bowl, a popular post-season American college football fixture that takes place annually in Nashville.
“Although the Nissan Stadium in downtown Nashville which usually has solid connectivity available, with somewhere around 70,000 fans, we figured that the cell networks could get overloaded—so we needed a backup. CellSat gave us the extra confidence that we wouldn’t lose connectivity during a live shot”, says Gordon. “It worked perfectly for our operator. Back at the station, we couldn’t tell whether the video was coming in via satellite or cell; the picture quality was that good. The latency was also just like any other cellular shot that we have done,” he concluded.
WLEX-TV has found the ideal combination of reliability, flexibility and simplicity with their SUV outfitted by Frontline and equipped with Dejero CellSat. Its crews and field reporters can be on location quickly and get connectivity from virtually anywhere in order to be the first to broadcast breaking news, even when operating in congested cellular locations such as at the Music City Bowl.
Launched in August last year across North America, CellSat made its NAB debut earlier this month and won the IABM Broadcast and Media (BaM) award in the ‘Connect’ category. Rollout in other geographies is planned for 2018.
About Dejero
Driven by its vision of reliable connectivity anywhere, Dejero blends multiple Internet connections to deliver fast and dependable connectivity required for cloud computing, online collaboration, and the secure exchange of video and data. With its global partners, Dejero supplies the equipment, software, connectivity services, cloud services, and support to provide the uptime and bandwidth critical to the success of today’s organizations. Headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, Dejero is trusted for broadcast-quality video transport and high-bandwidth Internet connectivity around the world. For more information, visit www.dejero.com.
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