Satellite Links Replaced With 
Riedel Rilink Global Fiber Service

At this year's IBC, one of the leading manufacturers and providers of real-time networks for audio, video and communications, introduced RiLink, its global fiber service for long distance HD video, audio and data transport in the broadcast markets.
Riedel Communications's RiLink is a new way of transporting live broadcast signals from remote event locations to the studio or to connect foreign studios with their home studio, thus reducing costs and simplifying set-ups. Based on Riedel's own global MPLS (Multi Protocol Label Switching) backbone, the RiLink Global Fiber Service provides bidirectional links between distant locations, allowing not only the transport of 3G/HD/SDSDI broadcast signals, but also return video feeds, full-duplex communications, VoIP telephony and IP data.
Furthermore, RiLink provides higher bandwidth connections than regular satellite links, which directly translates into better video quality. RiLink’s latency is also significantly shorter and its transmission is completely independent of weather conditions. Various redundancy layers within the network provide maximum reliability and quality of service. Since the RiLink service is charged at a flat rate for the complete duration of an event, it allows for more live pre- and post-event features and news reports at no extra cost. RiLink’s guaranteed bandwidth can also be allocated dynamically, which enables non-broadcast time to be used for high-bandwidth file transfers from digital archives and other applications.
The Riedel RiLink is a full-service end-to-end solution. The customer chooses the locations and the signals that need to be transported and Riedel provides a plug and play installation. In addition, Riedel can also provide rental services for venue-cabling as well as on-site fiber-based and wireless transport of audio and video signals.
The first RiLink projects include ESPN’s broadcast of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, RTL’s broadcast of Formula One Season 2011 and the EBU’s broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 (Pictured).
(BMcN/GK)