Astro...

Astro...

MAKING YOUR LIFE RICHER

ASTRO ALL ASIA NETWORKS plc (ASTRO) is a Malaysia-based multimedia group with established DTH satellite multi-channel subscription TV services, radio broadcasting, production and distribution of film and television programming, talent management and magazine publishing operations. ASTRO has formed joint ventures in other countries to launch new broadcasting, multimedia and Internet services. The Group has strategic alliances with leading software developers and content producers to jointly develop both technology and content to provide satellite-delivers, broadband, IP enhanced multimedia and interactive services over multiple platforms across the Asia Pacific region.

Astro, the Direct-to-U (DtU) service, is subscription-based and presently offers over 50 television and 16 radio channels inclusive of 5 FM radio in digital format. The DtU service includes a range of interactive applications such as Astro Stocklink, Interactive Pay-Per-View (IPPV) and a 24-hour dedicated games channel, Astro@play. There are also plans to introduce a wider range of interactive applications, such as distance learning, home-shopping, home-banking and more download capabilities.

Astro reaches some 6 million viewers in over 1.4 million homes and establishments and is the largest multi-channel TV business in Asia, outside Japan. The company plans to forge ahead to the next million by investing in its service, particularly in increasing the relevance of its programming and services to its vernacular audience.

Astro's DtU service is delivered via the high-powered Ku-band spot beams of

the MEASAT (Malaysia East Asia Satellite) System which are over Malaysia and other countries in the South and East Asia region, including India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Taiwan, Singapore and Brunei.

The MEASAT System also has a high-powered C-band footprint which covers a large part of East Asia stretching from coastal China to Indonesia and from Myanmar to the Philippines. To date, Astro has invested RM1 billion in the development of the All Asia Broadcast Centre (ABC) which is reputedly the largest single digital broadcast and production complex in the world. The ABC is established as a regional broadcasting hub and will be able to send and receive broadcast signals to and from the region.

Subscriber Management System
In line with its commitment to establish a world class customer service operation, Astro has invested in an advanced Subscriber Management System (SMS). The SMS is a complete billing and customer care system. This custom-designed integrated subscription system provides direct interaction with customers for placing orders and making enquiries and payments. Subscribers can interface directly with Astro's Contact Centre Officers by calling Astro's Contact Centre's telephone lines.

Malaysians can subscribe to Astro's broadcasting services through a network of authorised dealers as well as Astro's retail centres. Once the Direct-to-U (DtU) system has been professionally installed in the home or office, the All Asia Broadcast Centre (ABC) will activate the service by authorising the subscriber's Smart Card. This is done by transmitting the authorisation code over the satellite to the Smart Card in the Digital Multimedia Terminal (DMT).

Digital Technology
Astro's services are delivered utilising new and highly advanced digital technology which offers optimum channel utilisation, high quality broadcasts and a range of value-added features.

Superior Reception
Digital technology preserves the high quality of the original signals, offering Astro subscribers exceptional viewing and listening experience. Astro delivers laser disc-quality picture and compact disc-quality sound.

Multichannel Capacity
Digital compression enables optimum use of the Ku-bandwidth and provides each transponder with a multichannel capacity of up to 14 video or more than 200 audio channels. While satellite transponders are ordinarily limited to a single channel capacity, digital compression utilises signal compression and multiplexing techniques that are able to combine three data, fourteen television and sixteen radio channels on a single transponder.

Conditional Access
Astro's signals are encrypted or scrambled prior to transmission, allowing access only to subscribers with an authorised Astro smartcard.

Digital Server Technology
The broadcast facilities include digital video and audio server technology which is used to delay incoming satellite feeds for the purpose of programme editing and commercial replacement.

International Standards And System Solutions
All video and audio signals are compressed using the worldwide MPEG-2 (Moving Picture Experts Group) standards while Astro's broadcast system complies with the internationally accepted DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) Standard.

MPEG-2 was developed by the International Standards Organisation (ISO) for digital video coding, digital audio coding and systems used in satellite, cable and terrestrial transmissions. The DVB system provides a complete solution for digital broadcasting services across a range of delivery mediums.

MAKING YOUR LIFE RICHER