German satellite service provider atrexx has announced the launch of a triple-feature iDirect platform on the Telstar 11N satellite that has the potential to radically improve satellite-based services throughout the African continent.

Depending on the needs and existing infrastructure, customer can choose between the new iDirect X3 platform, the classical iNFINITI and the high performing iSCPC platform.

The brand new X3 platform, part of iDirect's Evolution Series DVB-S2 technology for data transmission and Internet connectivity, has been implemented and is now operative. The iDirect Evolution platform can deliver up to a 30 percent improvement in bandwidth efficiency over DVB-S systems.

The addition of Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM) to the platform represents a potential additional gain of 50 percent. Both features open up new opportunities for atrexx to improve support for a range of IP applications, including Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Voice over IP (VoIP), videoconferencing, enterprise networks, point of sale, SCADA, telemetry, multimedia and Internet cafes.

atrexx will also support on Telstar 11N the legacy iDirect iNFINITI platform for existing sites as well as the iSCPC (Single Carrier per Channel on iDirect platform) service for dedicated bandwidth and VoIP. atrexx forecasts high demand for the easy to deploy iSCPC which provides dedicated and direct pure Internet connectivity to ISPs and telecom operators, with low latency and affordable hardware and service costs.

The recently-launched Telstar 11N satellite will provide attractively priced services on Ku-band and boasts excellent coverage over Sub-Saharan Africa with boosted beams over South and West-Africa - regions that have been hungry for bandwidth for some considerable time.

Markus Schafer, Managing Director of atrexx, commented upon the high flexibility of this triple feature platform: "We are very proud of our ability to support all kinds of requests throughout the African continent from just one single antenna pointed to Telstar 11N. Telstar 11N is an invaluable satellite whose high power beams will mean that many exciting new applications can be supported. At this time of economic crisis and in a region that has been underserved by satellite for some time, reasonable pricing - and technology that enables users to get the most out of their bandwidth - will be very welcomed features" added Mr. Schafer.