ABS-CBN International’
SFIG is a new entrant to the Fast Twenty and ranked number 20. It joins other new entrants that include Telesat (Canada), Jordan Media City (Jordan), M-Three Satcom (Italy), Singapore Telecom (Singapore) and Telenor Satellite Broadcasting (Norway). Taking the number one spot is Europe Media Port (Cyprus) with an impressive 120% growth rate.
SFIG is a remarkable turnaround success story. ABS-CBN International, the U.S.-based subsidiary of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, one of Asia’s largest multimedia conglomerates, purchased the struggling teleport facility from Loral Skynet in March 2006. In just over two years, SFIG has become profitable by serving a niche market of ethnic programmers from its facilities in Richmond, California and Manila, Philippines.
“SFIG’s business grew as a result of our intent to maximize the utilization of assets that ABS-CBN has. We have initially focused on the area where we have an advantage: by virtue of our California location and the capabilities of our Asian teleport, we are in the best position to provide transport services for customers to and from Asia,” said Sherry Ann Supelana, head of SFIG and ABS-CBN Global’s Director of Engineering and Technical Services.
The satellite communications facility recently completed technology upgrades and the launch of “triple play” services for voice, video and data services to global customers. SFIG expanded its fiber network and network monitoring system to better support voice and data services via the internet in addition to providing transport services for the program content of its customers. It has also offered video and audio production and post-production services through its state-of-the-
“Our goal is to make SFIG a total solutions provider, providing end-to-end services that are tailored for our customer’s special requirements,”
SFIG will join some 300 vendors at the National Religious Broadcasters 2010 Exposition in Nashville, Tennessee from February 27-March 2 (Booth # 661) and Satellite 2010, an event that promises to attract thousands on March 15-18 (Booth # 1251) to National Harbor, Maryland.
The Top Operator Rankings of WTA, which includes the Global Top Twenty and Independent Top Twenty categories, are compiled by surveying teleport operators around the world on their facilities, services and business results. The complete rankings are available on WTA’s website (www.worldteleport.org)
