Satellite Connectivity Services for Programme Contribution

Tender description

The BBC owns and operates an extensive fleet of technical vehicles that are used predominantly for news content contribution from the field. They provide both a means of moving content (either live video/audio & file transfer) back to BBC production centres and internet access for editorial and technical staff on location should cellular connectivity be constrained or unavailable. The fleet services a broad range of BBC output ranging from, but not limited to digital platforms and products, local radio programming, national bulletins, domestic & international news channels and language services. The technical vehicles fall into the following categories: • VERV (Video Enabled Reporter Vehicle) - Small size vehicle, reporter operated, IP based system architecture, fully automated satellite acquisition, currently serviced via the Eutelsat Ka band High Throughput Satellite platform • IP VSAT (Internet Protocol Very Small Aperture Terminal) – Intermediate size vehicle, typically operated by a camera crew, IP based system architecture, fully automated satellite acquisition, currently serviced by BBC owned VSAT hub and operated on existing leased Ku space segment. • DSNG (Digital Satellite News Gathering) – Large vehicle size, typically operated by an engineer, IP & SDI system architecture, automated satellite acquisition though can be manually driven, equipped with traditional video encoders and modulators with the addition of a VSAT modem within the RF chain. In addition to the vehicle fleet the BBC owns and operates a network of fixed earth stations and control rooms around the UK, these facilities are used to conduct pre transmission line up procedures, transponder monitoring & control, fault escalation & resolution and transponder frequency planning. The BBC seeks to procure satellite connectivity services for programme contribution to enable the provision of live and field reporting services to audiences across Network, Nations, Regions, and World Service News Programmes. The requirement is broken into 2 lots: • Lot 1 - Ku band satellite connectivity services • Lot 2 - Ka band satellite connectivity services Lot 1: Lot 1 - Ku band satellite connectivity services The requirement comprises Ku band space segment (only) which will be used by BBC departments for the contribution delivery of live TV services using DVB SCPC and self-managed IP VSAT, from various fixed and mobile uplinks. There are regular requirements from the UK, Europe and Middle East for news contribution, sport and special events to domestic and world service channels. The BBC will undertake the up-linking and down-linking, using existing ground-based equipment, manage the capacity sharing between departments on the dedicated leases, and arrange the booking of the supplementary occasional use capacity Lot 2: Lot 2 - Ka band satellite connectivity services Hosted upon the Eutelsat Broadband Ka platform this provides remote reporters with a data connection for audio contribution and/or data for production and communications. There are currently 50 Ka enabled Satellite vehicles that provide the backbone of regional radio links across the whole of England from Cumbria, to Newcastle though to Cornwall and Kent. The reporter vehicle, known as the VERV (VSAT Enabled Reporter Vehicle) is equipped with a satellite connection, currently this is an auto deploy 77cm Viasat/Eutelsat Broadband enabled KA only satellite link. A cellular connection supplements this to allow for a mix of locations from within City/Town centres all the way through to rural and remote locations. The introduction of satellite services has improved the editorial reach of stations along with providing a resilient service in times of need such as flooding and disruptions to power supplies. They are aimed to deliver connectivity for live audio contributions and also enable IP data connectivity for the reporter on location. The BBC also uses the data services to monitor the various connectivity routes.