The Enduring Value of Direct-to-Home (DTH)

The core of the satellite media world remains Direct-to-Home (DTH) broadcasting. While millions of households have shifted to fiber-based streaming, billions of people across the globe especially in rural or developing regions still rely on satellite dishes for their news, education, and entertainment. Satellite broadcasting transforming media and telecom delivery is particularly evident in large, geographically diverse nations like India, Brazil, and many African countries. In these regions, building a terrestrial fiber network to every home is an economic impossibility, making satellite the only viable way to provide high-definition television and data services to the masses.

The efficiency of DTH is its “one-to-many” distribution model. Unlike a streaming service, where each user consumes a separate unicast stream that eats up network bandwidth, a satellite broadcasts a single signal that can be received by an infinite number of users simultaneously. This makes it the most cost-effective way to deliver live events such as the World Cup or the Olympics to a mass audience. As these events move toward even higher resolutions like 8K, the inherent bandwidth advantages of satellite broadcasting transforming media and telecom delivery will only become more pronounced. For a broadcaster, satellite remains the ultimate tool for reaching the widest possible audience with the lowest possible cost per viewer.

Moving Beyond Linear TV: The Hybrid Model

One of the most significant ways in which satellite broadcasting transforming media and telecom delivery is by moving beyond the traditional “linear” model. Modern satellite systems are increasingly hybrid, combining traditional broadcast signals with two-way internet connectivity. This allows for a “best of both worlds” experience where high-bandwidth content like 4K or 8K sports broadcasts are delivered via satellite, while interactive features, social media integration, and on-demand menus are handled by a standard telecom link. This hybridity is a key part of the new media telecom strategy, ensuring that satellite remains relevant in the age of Netflix and YouTube.

This hybrid approach also enables “Push VOD” (Video on Demand), where popular movies and shows are broadcast via satellite during off-peak hours and stored on the user’s local set-top box. To the user, it feels exactly like a streaming service, but the data has been delivered without taxing the local internet connection. This is a game-changer for users in areas with slow or unreliable broadband, providing them with a premium entertainment experience that would otherwise be impossible. Satellite broadcasting transforming media and telecom delivery is thus creating a more equitable media landscape, where your zip code no longer determines the quality of your entertainment.

High-Quality Content Distribution via Ultra-HD (UHD)

As consumers demand higher and higher levels of visual quality, the advantages of satellite broadcasting become even more apparent. While streaming a 4K movie over a terrestrial internet connection can be a challenge, especially during peak hours, satellite has the inherent capacity to broadcast Ultra-HD content to millions of viewers simultaneously without any degradation in quality. Satellite broadcasting transforming media and telecom delivery is thus a vital part of the global rollout of 4K and 8K technology. By providing a dedicated, high-capacity pipe for premium content, satellites ensure that viewers can enjoy the full cinematic experience, regardless of the quality of their local ground-based internet.

Furthermore, satellite technology is uniquely suited for the delivery of High Dynamic Range (HDR) and immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos. These features require a significant amount of data and a highly stable signal, both of which are strengths of the satellite link. For a filmmaker or a sports producer, satellite broadcasting transforming media and telecom delivery is the best way to ensure that their vision is delivered to the audience exactly as intended. As the “home theater” market continues to grow, the role of satellite as the premier distribution platform for high-end content will only be strengthened.

Global Reach and Cultural Impact

The global reach of satellite technology is another area where its impact is profound. A single satellite can cover an entire continent, allowing a broadcaster to reach an audience of hundreds of millions with a single signal. This has been a major force for cultural exchange and global information sharing. Satellite broadcasting transforming media and telecom delivery has allowed international news organizations and educational broadcasters to reach audiences in the most closed-off and remote regions of the world, fostering a more connected and informed global society. This “one-to-many” distribution model is incredibly efficient, making it the most cost-effective way to reach a mass audience.

In the world of education, “tele-education” via satellite is a lifeline for students in remote areas. Schools in isolated villages can receive live lessons from the best teachers in the country, bridging the educational gap between urban and rural populations. This use of satellite broadcasting transforming media and telecom delivery is a powerful tool for social mobility and economic development, proving that technology can be a force for good in the world’s most underserved communities. The cultural and educational impact of satellite is perhaps its most enduring legacy, connecting us all through a shared window to the world.

Integrating Satellite into Content Delivery Networks (CDN)

For many modern media companies, the boundary between “broadcasting” and “streaming” is blurring. Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), which traditionally relied on a vast network of terrestrial servers, are increasingly integrating satellite nodes into their architecture. Satellite broadcasting transforming media and telecom delivery in this way allows for the “pre-positioning” of popular content at the edge of the network. A popular new movie or a viral video can be broadcast via satellite to thousands of edge servers simultaneously, where it is then stored and served to local users.

This reduces the load on the core internet backbone and ensures a smoother, faster experience for the end-user. It also allows for the delivery of rich media content to areas that have no fiber connection, by using the satellite-fed edge server as a local hotspot. This integration of satellite into the broader digital media infrastructure is a major part of the ongoing telecom services evolution, making the global network more resilient and efficient. Satellite broadcasting transforming media and telecom delivery is thus not just about the “dish on the roof” anymore; it is about the invisible backbone that powers the modern internet.

Advancing Broadcasting Systems and Efficiency

The efficiency of satellite broadcasting has also seen massive improvements through the adoption of new standards like DVB-S2X. These advanced broadcasting systems use more sophisticated modulation and coding to pack more data into the same amount of spectrum. This means that a satellite operator can broadcast more channels, higher-quality video, or additional data services within their existing bandwidth allocation. Satellite broadcasting transforming media and telecom delivery is therefore not just about more satellites; it is about using the existing ones more intelligently, lowering the cost per channel and making satellite an even more competitive option.

Modern satellites are also moving toward “software-defined” payloads, where the footprint and capacity of the satellite can be adjusted in real-time. If a major news event happens in a specific region, the satellite operator can dynamically increase the power and bandwidth to that area to support the surge in broadcasting traffic. This level of agility was once impossible in the world of space-tech but is now becoming a reality. The ongoing advancement of broadcasting systems is a key driver of satellite broadcasting transforming media and telecom delivery, ensuring that the platform remains at the cutting edge of technological innovation.

The Role of Satellite in Emergency and Public Service

Beyond entertainment, satellite broadcasting remains a critical part of a nation’s emergency infrastructure. During a major disaster, terrestrial networks are often the first to fail, but a satellite signal remains unaffected. Many governments rely on satellite broadcasting transforming media and telecom delivery for their emergency alert systems, ensuring that they can communicate with their citizens even in the most dire circumstances. This “always-on” capability is a vital part of public safety, providing a reliable channel for life-saving information when it is needed most.

In many countries, satellite is also the primary way that government services are delivered to remote communities. From conducting elections in isolated regions to providing e-governance portals for rural citizens, the reach of satellite broadcasting transforming media and telecom delivery is essential for the functioning of a modern state. This public service aspect of satellite technology is often overlooked, but it is a fundamental part of the global social contract, ensuring that every citizen has access to the essential services of their government, regardless of where they live.

Future Prospects: 8K, VR, and Beyond

As we look to the future, the role of satellite in the media world is set to expand even further. The next generation of media including 8K television, immersive Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR) will require levels of bandwidth that will strain even the most advanced terrestrial networks. Satellite broadcasting transforming media and telecom delivery will be the essential foundation for these new experiences, providing the massive data throughput needed to bring these technologies into the mainstream. A VR broadcast of a live sporting event, for example, could require hundreds of Mbps per user, a load that satellite is uniquely positioned to handle.

We are also seeing the emergence of “direct-to-mobile” satellite broadcasting, where signals can be received directly by a smartphone without the need for a dish. While this is still in its early stages, it has the potential to completely disrupt the mobile media market, providing high-quality video to billions of mobile users without using up their data plans. Satellite broadcasting transforming media and telecom delivery is thus heading toward a future of total ubiquity, where high-quality content is available anytime, anywhere, and on any device. The sky is no longer just a way to reach the home; it is the way to reach the individual.

Conclusion: The Horizon of Global Media

The journey of satellite broadcasting is one of constant evolution and reinvention. From the first grainy images of the 1960s to the ultra-high-definition immersive experiences of today, satellite has remained at the heart of how we see and understand our world. The process of satellite broadcasting transforming media and telecom delivery is not just about technology; it is about the power of stories and the importance of connection. By bridging the digital divide and providing a platform for cultural exchange, satellite technology is making our world a smaller, more connected place.

As the lines between broadcasting and telecommunications continue to blur, the unique strengths of satellite global reach, massive capacity, and inherent reliability will only become more valuable. The future of media is high-definition, interactive, and truly global, and satellite is the engine that will drive us there. By continuing to innovate and integrate with the broader digital ecosystem, satellite broadcasting is ensuring its place as the premier platform for global content delivery for generations to come. The era of the fragmented, localized broadcast is over; the era of the unified, satellite-transformed media landscape has begun.

The partnership aims to drive significant growth in rapidly expanding content markets such as India, where niche content genres, including Anime and Korean dramas, are rapidly gaining popularity. It will combine Fuji TV’s original content with Tech Mahindra’s localization and animation services. Additionally, Tech Mahindra will help Fuji TV license Indian content IP (Intellectual Property) and leverage its animation expertise to create fresh and captivating Japanese content for a global audience.

Harshvendra Soin, President – Asia Pacific and Japan Business, Tech Mahindra, said, “We have partnered with Fuji TV to bring their content library in various local languages to Indian audiences. This also marks a significant milestone in Tech Mahindra’s growth strategy and strengthens our position in the media and entertainment industry. We see great potential in developing IPs catering to the Indian, Japanese, and other major content markets.”

Tech Mahindra will assist Fuji TV in localizing its content for the Indian audience through dubbing, subtitling, and animation services. Additionally, Tech Mahindra will support Fuji TV in licensing its content to OTT and PayTV platforms in India and Japan.

Tech Mahindra is a chosen transformation partner for the global automotive, manufacturing, communications, and connectivity industries, working with 30+ customers in Japan. The organization is actively engaged with leading media and gaming companies across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and North America.

Expanding Reach with Mangomolo
With Mangomolo’s services, SABC+ aims to widen its audience reach and bolster its public service offerings to internet-connected devices. Currently, the platform supports seven TV channels spanning entertainment, news, sports, and education, alongside 19 radio stations catering to diverse content preferences.

“We’re making it simple to expand the SABC’s offering and deliver content to audiences on whatever device they want to use. As smart device adoption grows across Africa, we’re ensuring that broadcasters can connect with their audiences and grow viewership with a comprehensive OTT video platform,” said Wissam Sabbagh, Founder and CEO of Mangomolo.

Project Collaboration and Management
This collaborative project also involves key Mangomolo partner, Broadsmart, which will lead project management operations, ensuring a seamless integration and end-to-end ecosystem for SABC. Monetisation aspects are strengthened by partnerships with Castoola and Triton Digital, delivering advertising services for both video and audio content, the official release said.

The SABC’s acting Chief Operations Officer, Lungile Binza, said, “Mangomolo has been a great partner on our OTT video journey and has supported us as we grow our digital offering. The entire process has been seamless, allowing us to focus on our core business while the Mangomolo team takes care of the technology and other managed services.”

Mangomolo’s Service
Mangomolo provides an end-to-end service, with monetisation capabilities, content management, media preparation, and delivery all through a single platform. Managing over a billion streams per month, it serves more than 30 million viewers globally, the joint release said.

3SS has designed and delivered new Pickx apps for Apple TV, and iOS and Android tablets and smartphones.

The new multiscreen offerings expand Proximus’ Pickx STB-based next-generation IPTV+OTT TV service, based on Android TV™ Operator Tier, and available to all Proximus’ TV subscriber base, comprising over 1.65 million homes.

“Proximus’ partnership with 3SS now spans many years, and we welcome the high level of creative input and innovation that 3SS brings to help ensure Pickx remains world-class,” said Jim Casteele, Consumer Market Lead at Proximus. “Embracing 3Ready as the service foundation helps us deliver very best experience quality; furthermore, adopting a cross-platform development approach with React Native enables us to ship much quicker with more frequent releases than previously, allowing Proximus to deliver more, faster,” he added.

“The ongoing expansion of Pickx, and the delight and flexibility we’re providing to our customers, are a true testament to what can be achieved with our shared vision and highly collaborative approach with 3SS,” said Casteele.

Powerful and energy-efficient set-top box, with integrated Wi-Fi 6 technology

Proximus will gradually start distributing the new V7c (or V7 compact) STB – the Quartz from Vantiva. The new receiver delivers an even better user experience and provides several significant features including integrated Wi-Fi 6 technology.

The V7c incorporates more powerful hardware than its predecessors. 3 GB RAM, integration of the latest chip technology and the latest version of the Android operating system (Android 12) result in smoother switching between applications and an overall better user experience.

The new decoder is made from recycled plastic and is 40% smaller than earlier deployed STBs, making transport more efficient and environmentally friendly. With 12W power, the V7c uses about 25% less electricity. Integrated Wi-Fi 6 means the customer can connect wirelessly to their home network without an external booster. The STB will initially be distributed to new subscribers, but older models in existing customers’ homes will gradually be replaced for free.

Delivering award winning 3Ready-enabled user experience

Netflix is seamlessly integrated on the STB, as is a new Disney+ pre-app experience enabling content discovery from the home page. The STB user experience aligns with the established, multiple award-winning Pickx UX, powered by 3SS’ 3Ready product platform.

3Ready is the business-enhancing solution that enables service providers to rapidly deploy and evolve highly engaging and content-rich entertainment offerings. Today,3Ready powers over 28 operator and carmaker services in 51 markets with a total user reach of over 68 million users.

Super-aggregated Pickx offers more than 100 live TV channels. Netflix, Disney+ and in-house sports offering Pickx Sports are bundled and deeply integrated. Subscriptions can be fully managed directly via the STB, and viewers can discover trending content of a service before subscribing, making it easier to decide to add it to their bundle.

React Native for efficient cross-platform launch & evolution

3SS designed and delivered the new mobile and Apple TV apps using React Native processes. React Native enables cross-platform development, with a single codebase used for multiple operating systems and device platforms. Integration of devices with the back end and other system components is much more efficient with React Native. Proximus is now in the position to further scale the experience to more platforms.

3Ready-enabled React Native developments benefit from higher alignment between platforms at no visible performance loss, far greater resource efficiency, and faster time to market.

“Proximus’ drive to deliver ever more quality and choice to its customers is unwavering,” said Kai-Christian Borchers, 3SS Managing Director. “We are extremely honored that Proximus continues to trust 3SS in its long-term roadmap for award-winning Pickx.”

Lean-agile project delivery practices including SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework), originally facilitated by 3SS, now infuse Proximus’ TV business. Agile methodologies include working closely with trusted third-party providers, with a high level of collaboration and communication in development processes. The result is dramatically reduced lead time between definition and delivery of a product, less waste, higher product quality and accelerated time to market.

Proximus selected 3SS to deliver its multiscreen offerings in April 2022. This followed launch on Android TV Operator Tier STB in September 2020.

Since its 2020 launch, Pickx has been honored with several prestigious industry accolades, including winning the CSI Award for Best TV User Experience 2020 and the UX Award at VideoTech Innovation Awards 2021.

In addition, RIL has agreed to invest at closing ₹11,500 crore (~US$ 1.4 billion) into the JV for its growth strategy.

The transaction values the JV at ₹70,352 crore (~US$ 8.5 billion) on a post-money basis, excluding synergies. Post completion of the above steps, the JV will be controlled by RIL and owned 16.34% by RIL, 46.82% by Viacom18 and 36.84% by Disney.

Disney may also contribute certain additional media assets to the JV, subject to regulatory and third-party approvals.

Mrs. Nita M. Ambani will be the Chairperson of the JV, with Mr. Uday Shankar as Vice Chairperson providing strategic guidance to the JV.

The JV will be one of the leading TV and digital streaming platforms for entertainment and sports content in India, bringing together iconic media assets across entertainment (e.g. Colors, StarPlus, StarGOLD) and sports (e.g. Star Sports and Sports18) including access to highly anticipated events across television and digital platforms through JioCinema and Hotstar. The JV will have over 750 million viewers across India and will also cater to the Indian diaspora across the world.

The JV will seek to lead the digital transformation of the media and entertainment industry in India and offer consumers high-quality and comprehensive content offerings anytime and anywhere. The combination of the media expertise, cutting-edge technology and diverse content libraries of Viacom18 and Star India will allow the JV to offer more appealing domestic and global entertainment content and sports livestreaming services, while delivering an innovative and convenient digital entertainment experience at affordable prices. With the addition of Disney’s acclaimed films and shows to Viacom18’s renowned productions and sports offerings, the JV will offer a compelling, accessible and novel digital-focused entertainment experience to people in India and the Indian diaspora globally.

The JV will also be granted exclusive rights to distribute Disney films and productions in India, with a license to more than 30,000 Disney content assets, providing a full suite of entertainment options for the Indian consumer.

Speaking about the JV, Mr. Mukesh D Ambani, Chairman & Managing Director of Reliance Industries, said, “This is a landmark agreement that heralds a new era in the Indian entertainment industry. We have always respected Disney as the best media group globally and are very excited at forming this strategic joint venture that will help us pool our extensive resources, creative prowess, and market insights to deliver unparalleled content at affordable prices to audiences across the nation. We welcome Disney as a key partner of Reliance group.”

Mr. Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company said, “India is the world’s most populous market, and we are excited for the opportunities that this joint venture will provide to create long-term value for the company. Reliance has a deep understanding of the Indian market and consumer, and together we will create one of the country’s leading media companies, allowing us to better serve consumers with a broad portfolio of digital services and entertainment and sports content.”

Mr. Uday Shankar, Co-founder of Bodhi Tree Systems said, “We are privileged to be enhancing our relationship with Reliance to now also include Disney, a global leader in media & entertainment. All of us are committed to delivering exceptional value to our audiences, advertisers, and partners. This joint venture is poised to shape the future of entertainment in India and accelerate the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of making Digital India a global exemplar.”

The transaction is subject to regulatory, shareholder and other customary approvals and is expected to be completed in the last quarter of Calendar Year 2024 or first quarter of Calendar Year 2025.

Goldman Sachs is acting as financial and valuation advisor and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Khaitan & Co and Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co are acting as legal counsels to RIL and Viacom18 on the transaction. Ernst & Young has provided an independent valuation to RIL and Viacom18, while HSBC India acting as financial advisor has provided a Fairness Opinion to Viacom18.

The Raine Group is acting as lead financial advisor to Disney on the transaction. Citi is acting as a financial advisor to Disney. Cleary Gottlieb served as lead outside counsel to Disney and Covington & Burling and AZB served as legal counsels to Disney on the transaction. BDO has provided an independent valuation to SIPL.

Operators wishing to enable Widevine CAS licensing across IPTV or DVB networks can now avoid traditional costly customization and integration efforts. As a leading streaming security specialist, castLabs has been selected by Widevine to supply Widevine CAS backend infrastructure, players, and support. Working together with SDMC, they have created the first plug-and-play Android TV set-top box which delivers on the promise to make CAS integrations with Widevine purely app-based, in the same manner the industry is used to with DRM integrations on all Android devices. Their approach removes the need for operator-specific customizations on device firmware or the OS level.

The SDMC Android TV set-top box features ready-to-use Widevine CAS, a compatible DVB-C tuner for broadcast, ethernet for multicast and OTT, and Amlogic as the initially selected SoC vendor. In addition to castLabs’ DVB-stack enabling adaptation to operators’ network specifics via configuration rather than code customization, the box also includes an integrated broadcast and OTT player using their feature-rich PRESTOplay technology. This supports secure IPTV/DVB (MPEG-TS with Widevine CAS) as well as OTT (MPEG-DASH/HLS with DRM) hybrid streaming experiences through a single playback app and API to reduce development and maintenance costs. On top of security capabilities, the hybrid player also enables low-latency fast channel zapping between DVB and OTT, catch up, unified analytics for all content types, remote DVB table configuration updates, and advanced TV advertising options.

Traditionally, operators have needed to engage in timely CAS integration efforts from scratch for each new set-top box they offer. “We’ve consistently heard from customers that this current method simply takes too long to ship and creates vendor lock-ins. This practice can be considered legacy as Widevine CAS and the Android TV framework evolved to enable app-based deployments which are identical across different SoCs and device OEMs,” said castLabs Co-founder, Michael Stattmann. “Complex integration efforts experienced today are not only costly and unnecessary, but lead to revenue delays for all parties involved with time to market extended by many months. Our streamlined turn-key box provides built-in Widevine CAS functionality and enables a launch within weeks, showing that operators can adopt innovative practices to significantly simplify set-top box rollouts by avoiding integration steps.”

castLabs has helped achieve this on the player-side by introducing a common API to access both the Android tuner framework for DVB and media framework for OTT, as well as a highly configurable stack for adapting to operator-specific DVB networks while reducing the need for firmware updates. “In addition to lowering cost, our approach can also speed up turnaround time by months, both of which provide huge value over traditional methods,” said Michael. Operators can then take the ready to ship box as a starting point and add specific customizations for their use case.

Ryan Yan, Senior VP of Sales Department at SDMC Technology, said, “We understand the challenges our customers face in providing their subscribers with diverse services and compelling features while securing the content. We’ve worked closely with castLabs and Amlogic to ensure that our Android TV set-top box solution is fully integrated with Widevine CAS functionality, so operators can deliver next-generation TV service including broadcast and OTT services in a more secure way but with accelerated time-to-market, which will significantly contribute to their business.”

SDMC and Amlogic are the first to pre-integrate this innovation enabling simplified operator deployments, however, it can also be ported to other vendors as castLabs has been directly engaged with all SoC suppliers currently supporting Widevine CAS to ensure full compatibility. This means any vendor supporting Android TV’s tuner framework and MediaCas is already pre-integrated to use castLabs’ DVB-stack and playback technology, which operates equally across any device. Frontend development then also becomes simplified as a player app only needs to be created once to be usable across any OEM adopting this approach.

To complement this, castLabs also offers their DRMtoday cloud service providing scalable Widevine CAS and multi-DRM licensing. To learn more and view a demo of the set-top box, visit the castLabs booth at the Android TV Summit in Bangkok on 10 November 2022.

As the use of video becomes a driving force for consumer experience and satisfaction in Southeast Asia, this new technology partnership will enable Brightcove and ByteArk to leverage each other’s technology and resources to provide better service delivery for their growing base of video customers. The reliability, scalability, and security of Brightcove’s video technologies, complemented with ByteArk’s high-performance computing and mass-enabled web systems, as well as their extensive network and broad reach, will enable customers to seamlessly deliver high-quality live streaming and video-on-demand (VOD) to Thai audiences across the country.

“Video is at the forefront of new shopping, learning, and entertainment behaviours, and our partnership with ByteArk will provide personalised and best-of-breed video and CDN solutions for every customer, no matter where they are in their video adoption journey,” said Lynn D. Tinney, Vice President, Global Partners, Brightcove. “There is so much unrealised potential for online video in Thailand and Southeast Asia, and this technology partnership further strengthens Brightcove’s continued commitment to investing in the region.”

“For 10 years, we have delivered content for top-tier television providers in Thailand, as well as popular commercial websites, event organisations, and educational providers,” said Somsak Sriprayoonsakul, Chief Technology Officer, ByteArk. “Video continues to capture hearts and minds and connect people when we cannot physically be together. Leveraging Brightcove’s industry-leading video technologies will help us provide more powerful recommendations to our audiences, and deliver beautiful yet reliable video content that consumers will love today and in the future.”

About ByteArk

ByteArk is a market leader for CDN and a streaming service provider founded in Thailand since 2008. With experience and expertise, we provide consultation and deliver your business content with the latest technology to serve your clients globally. Moreover, we offer cost-effective services to meet your business requirements and contribute to your business to be a sustainable market leader. Our portfolio also includes high-performance computing and mass-enabled web systems, and we currently maintain and develop systems for HPC applications, including websites, online media, games, and applications.

About Brightcove

When video is done right, it can have a powerful and lasting effect. Hearts open. Minds change. Creativity thrives. Since 2004, Brightcove has been helping customers discover and experience the incredible power of video through its award-winning technology, empowering organizations in more than 70 countries across the globe to touch audiences in bold and innovative ways.

“Together, Lantronix’s ConsoleFlow and SGX 5150 IoT Device Gateway provide hospitals with a flexible, secure and resilient solution for medical device connectivity,” said Paul Pickle, president and CEO of Lantronix Inc. “Lantronix increases hospital and medical facility efficiency and reduces operational costs by delivering a complete hardware and cloud/on-premises centralized management solution.”

Since communication technology used at hospitals varies greatly, Lantronix’s products meet the need for a flexible, secure and compliant solution that resolves complex challenges, including gaps in Wi-Fi® coverage as well as secure outbound Internet connection limitations. By providing encrypted and reliable medical device communication, hospitals have the assurance that critical patient data is private and protected.

Challenge: Enable Flexible, Secure Remote Connectivity

Hospitals face several challenges in providing flexible, secure and robust connectivity for medical devices, resulting in medical device information being improperly transmitted, stored or shared.

To improve patient care and transmission of critical device operational data, such as COVID-19 treatment, hospitals need a connectivity solution to overcome network infrastructure connection challenges and comply with network infrastructure security requirements.

Some of the connectivity challenges facing hospitals are:

Finding a single source for a total hardware, cloud and on-premises device management solution
Unifying and connecting varying device and network infrastructure technologies and unique configuration requirements
Overcoming Wi-Fi connectivity issues, such as coverage gaps
Dealing with outbound Internet connection limitations and security issues
Meeting security and governance requirements, which can be unique for each hospital
Providing secure remote device management capabilities to keep devices up to date with the ability to quickly address any issues that may arise with alerts and notifications

Solution: Lantronix SGX 5150 IoT Device Gateway and ConsoleFlow software

Lantronix SGX 5150 IoT Gateway provides the hardware needed to connect medical devices and operational data securely to hospital networks, delivering highly resilient communications with the latest in secure Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity. Its multi-interface access provides medical device manufacturers the flexibility to connect multiple device types using the SGX gateway. Its built-in device security features include secure boot, secure firmware, data-at-rest protection and role-based access control.

ConsoleFlow cloud and on-premises deployment options provide centralized device management for the SGX 5150 gateways, improving operational efficiency. The combination of ConsoleFlow and the SGX gateway provided:

Zero-touch remote updates for firmware and configuration
Remote provisioning for hundreds of gateways
Remote access to gateways for troubleshooting and remediation
Uninterrupted operation during firmware and configuration queued updates

Results: Lantronix Delivers Flexible, Secure and Reliable Connectivity

Together, Lantronix ConsoleFlow networking and management solutions and SGX 5150 gateway give hospitals an integrated hardware and cloud/on-premises solution for medical device connectivity. Lantronix’s software and hardware solutions are integrated to help improve patient care, facilitate the secure capture and sharing of patient data and accelerate operational efficiency.

Benefits include:

Meets hospitals’ needs for secure and reliable medical device communications
Enables analysis of critical gateway connectivity telemetry data
Lowers operation costs by eliminating or reducing on-site visits
Increases operational efficiency with remote analysis, updates and troubleshooting
Resolves connectivity issues, including Wi-Fi coverage gaps and outbound Internet connectivity issues

About Lantronix ConsoleFlow and SGX 5150

ConsoleFlow is Lantronix’s cloud and on-premises hosted management software platform, delivering resilience and intelligence to the network infrastructure through aggregation and automation as well as APIs for IT and IoT assets.

Lantronix SGX 5150 is a next-generation IoT device gateway that enables business-critical assets and data, such as medical devices that need to be securely connected to the enterprise network. Its advanced turnkey design provides everything needed for secure wireless connectivity.

About Lantronix

Lantronix Inc. is a global provider of software as a service (SaaS), engineering services, and hardware for Edge Computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Remote Environment Management (REM). Lantronix enables its customers to provide reliable and secure solutions while accelerating their time to market. Lantronix’s products and services dramatically simplify operations through the creation, development, deployment, and management of customer projects at scale while providing quality, reliability, and security.

Lantronix’s portfolio of services and products address each layer of the IoT Stack, including Collect, Connect, Compute, Control, and Comprehend, enabling its customers to deploy successful IoT and REM solutions. Lantronix’s services and products deliver a holistic approach, addressing its customers’ needs by integrating a SaaS management platform with custom application development layered on top of external and embedded hardware, enabling intelligent edge computing, secure communications (wired, Wi-Fi and cellular), location and positional tracking and environmental sensing and reporting.

With three decades of proven experience in creating robust industry and customer-specific solutions, Lantronix is an innovator in enabling its customers to build new business models, leverage greater efficiencies, and realize the possibilities of IoT and REM. Lantronix’s solutions are deployed inside millions of machines at data centers, offices, and remote sites serving a wide range of industries, including energy, agriculture, medical, security, manufacturing, distribution, transportation, retail, financial, environmental, infrastructure and government.

Pastor, a member of the Disney Hulu launch team and more recently a co-founder of OTT services in North America and Europe, will spearhead faster growth of the streaming ecosystem by ensuring that aspiring Tier 1 providers – as well as Firstlight Media’s current and future Tier 1 customers ­– have access to the technology, knowledge and strategic drivers of business success. Firstlight Media is a leader and innovator in delivering cloud based OTT infrastructure that powers some of the most iconic video apps and platforms.

“Paul Pastor’s limitless vision of what television engagement can be and his understanding of how to bring that to viewers have fueled networks’ growth throughout his career,” said Andre Christensen, CEO and co-founder of Firstlight Media. “Our OTT accelerator will extend Firstlight Media’s value beyond Tier 1 clients by harnessing Paul’s success with major brands and his entrepreneurial expertise to benefit new entrants who are on Tier 1 trajectories.”

In his role as Chief Business Officer and a co-founder of Firstlight Media, Pastor will head multiple disciplines – including business and corporate development, sales, marketing and others – that can advance the objectives of OTT providers. Pastor will leverage vast experience in the direct-to-consumer market: He was the Disney ABC investment and operations lead for The Walt Disney Company’s Hulu investment. More recently he has co-founded two next-generation streaming entries: TVPASS, an aggregation service that allows consumers to seamlessly discover and consume content from multiple SVOD providers; and Unite Broadcast Ventures, a branded SaaS OTT platform to support European local market streaming joint ventures.

During eight years with Disney, Pastor rose to become senior vice president, strategy and customer analytics. He leveraged the team’s customer relationship management, research and media planning groups to drive insights that increased viewing across Disney broadcast, cable and OTT properties. For Discovery, as executive vice president, strategy, revenue and operations, he managed the portfolio’s P&L, partnered in the delivery of record ratings for flagship networks, and led an award-winning social media team.

“As industry trends accelerate toward OTT services, media companies are quickly finding out that content alone does not ensure success,” said Pastor. “The goal of our accelerator initiative is to provide OTT services of all sizes with what’s needed to compete and win: scalable product, data and technology that can reduce customer acquisition costs and churn, optimize the lifetime value of the consumer, and ensure long term growth.”

The lockdown has also led to a growth in OTT subscriptions. ZEE5 claims to have recorded an 80 percent growth in subscription and a 92 percent surge in movie-streaming within the first month of the lockdown. Eros Now, the OTT platform of Eros International Media, is also eyeing this huge opportunity. In April, Eros Now merged with Hollywood studio STX Entertainment to create Eros STX Global Corporation, which will trade publicly on the NYSE.

The revamped capital structure includes $125 million of incremental equity from new and existing STX Entertainment equity investors, including TPG, Hony Capital, and Liberty Global; and a superior liquidity and robust balance sheet, including a $350 million JP Morgan-led credit facility. There also is an increased financial scale with over $600 million in pro forma revenue for calendar 2019 and over $300 million of highly-predictable aggregated future revenue from STX Entertainment films already released through 2019. Eros Now is bullishly looking at expanding its OTT and content play.