Global Invacom Group Limited
Groundbreaking New Video Streaming Technology Launched
London / Singapore, 23 August 2017 - Global Invacom Group Limited, the satellite communications equipment provider listed on the Singapore Exchange and the U.K. AIM Market, has successfully live-tested breakthrough technology that permits live, high quality and large-scale event video streaming over a Wi-Fi network.
The Bx-WiFi technology - which stands for Broadcast WiFi - was developed through a partnership with the BBC Research & Development, and the University of Hertfordshire, under a European Space Agency (ESA) contract, and was successfully live-tested at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival on 12, 13 and 18 of August 2017.
Bx-WiFi enables simultaneous streaming of uninterrupted audio or video content from multiple sources - such as satellite feed, 'live' video or digital radio - to thousands of smartphone or tablet devices all located in the same hotspot (for example at an event). It uses Forward Error Correction to maintain video quality despite potential Wi-Fi packet loss, and multicast technology that minimises bandwidth usage when a large number of users are simultaneously streaming.
In simple terms, this means that users should be able to watch the broadcast without experiencing buffering or loss of signal. Unlike classic video streaming, this solution does not rely on the Internet and uses little WiFi bandwidth, allowing other users to access the Internet.
During the trial conducted in association with BBC R&D, participants streamed a comedy compilation from a previous Edinburgh festival as well as the Edinburgh Tattoo 2016, using Bx-WiFi. Both pieces of content were simultaneously streamed onto a multitude of different devices. The trial also allowed the collection of feedback and data on Bx-WiFi, enabling future enhancements.
Steven Fisher, Systems Architect at Global Invacom, says: "BX-WiFi is a breakthrough in streaming technology that is set to redefine video broadcast for large-scale events. Its scalability and flexibility ensure it can be deployed in diverse venues, including coffee shops, stadiums, and even aboard aircraft. We are pleased to work with partners who made this success possible."
Dr Pandelis Kourtessis, Reader in Communication Networks - at the University of Hertfordshire's Optical Networks Lab says: "Bx-WiFi will provide high quality video streaming to large user numbers in dedicated locations without saturating the terrestrial broadband telecommunication network. It will facilitate a tremendous increase in video consumption creating major benefits for content providers together with a range of businesses and their customers."
For David Seguin, Ground Segment Engineer at the European Space Agency: "the Bx-WiFi project is an excellent example of how the ESA ARTES Competitiveness and Growth program can boost collaboration between industry and university communities in developing innovative technology and products for satellite communications."
**End of Press Release**
For media queries, please contact
Matthew Garner
Chief Financial Officer
8 Temasek Boulevard Freeman House
#20-03 Suntec Tower Three John Roberts Business Park
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+65 6884 3423 +44 203 053 3523
On behalf of Global Invacom Group Limited:
finnCap Ltd (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker)
Christopher Raggett / Simon Hicks (Corporate Finance)
Rhys Williams (Corporate Broking and Sales)
+44 207 220 0500
Peter Krens (Equity Capital Markets)
+44 207 878 3362
David Rydell / Joanna Davidson / Tom Berger
+44 203 772 2556
Grace Yew, graceyew@wer1.net
Wendy Sim, wendysim@wer1.net
+65 6737 4844
About Global Invacom Group Limited
Global Invacom Group Limited ("Global Invacom") is listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited Mainboard ("SGX-ST") and its shares are admitted to trading on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange in the U.K.
Global Invacom is a fully integrated satellite equipment provider with six manufacturing plants across China, Israel, Malaysia, U.K. and the U.S. Its customers include satellite broadcasters such as BSkyB of the U.K. and Dish Network of the U.S.A.
On 24 August 2015, Global Invacom completed the acquisition of Global Skyware, a leading U.S. based designer and supplier of satellite antennas products and services for C-band, Ku-band and Ka-band frequency platforms, positioning itself as the world's only full-service outdoor unit supplier.
Global Invacom provides a full range of dish antennas, LNB receivers, transmitters, switches and video distribution components and electronics manufacturing services in satellite communications as well as manufacturing services in TV peripherals, computer peripherals, medical, and consumer electronics industries.
For more information, please refer to www.globalinvacom.com
About the University of Hertfordshire
· The University's vision is to be internationally renowned as the UK's leading business-facing university. It is innovative and enterprising and challenges individuals and organisations to excel.
· The University of Hertfordshire is one of the region's largest employers with over 2,900 staff and a turnover of over £256 million.
· With a student community of over 24,600 including more than 3,800 overseas students, the University has a global network of over 210,000 alumni.
· It is also one of the top 150 universities in the world under 50 years old, according to the Times Higher Education 150 under 50 rankings 2017.
· For more information, please visit www.herts.ac.uk