OTTERCOM'S STORM GATHERS THE NEWS

OTTERCOM, the UK satellite communications specialist, have reported that their STORM portable satellite data terminal - exhibited at the recent IBC 2001 Broadcast Convention in Amsterdam - is now shipping in quantity, with several major broadcast organisations among the first customers.
Underlining the STORM's capabilities for maintaining communications links under adverse conditions, the first ten terminals to arrive in the US were pressed into immediate service by a major US news broadcaster. For news crews covering the recent terrorist attacks in New York and Washington DC, the STORMs provided a robust standalone reporting medium that was wholly independent of the local communications infrastructure. Further systems were also subsequently supplied to several UK broadcasters, for deployment in the Middle East and Pakistan, as well as to US-based company Comsat, via Ottercom's exclusive US distributor Richtec.
Configured for ‘anywhere anytime’ data and voice operation at ISDN speeds, via Inmarsat's Global Area Network (GAN) service, the rugged, multi-interface Ottercom STORM has also attracted considerable interest from government agencies, relief organisations, and oil/gas surveying operations worldwide. Interest in the STORM is being driven by the system's key attributes of tough, weather-resistant construction, its quick to set-up one-piece antenna, and its industry-leading range of interfaces, which includes Ottercom's unique, built-in Bonding Interface for twin-terminal operation at 128kbits/s.
Designed for use in the most remote locations, and under the harshest climatic conditions, the STORM terminal is compatible with Inmarsat's new Mobile Packet Data Service (MPDS) and supports store and forward video, still picture transmission and broadcast quality voice, as well as videoconferencing, Internet browsing and e-mail. Providing complete connectivity for a broad range of applications and third-party equipment, the Ottercom STORM's comprehensive selection of interfaces includes X21, RS449 and RS232, and also integrates a versatile interface for customer-specific applications.
(GB)