WorldSpace has agreed a deal with Telecom Italia to provide a series of terrestrial repeaters around Italy to boost reception of its digital satellite radio service. The Italian Telco will design and deploy a ‘gap filler’ system throughout the country to reach consumers that are out of the line of sight from the satellite. Rival Ondas Media last week announced a similar deal with the Dutch commercial radio network Talpa. (Broadband TV News Archive).
In May 2006, WorldSpace received approval from the Italian Ministry of Communications to use 12.5MHz of the L-band frequency spectrum. WorldSpace will use its established AfriStar satellite that covers Europe, Africa and the Middle East. It is understood that some of the established broadcasters on the craft will lose their capacity. WorldSpace also holds a third satellite that has already been built and is currently in storage in Toulouse, France. The additional satellite will provide additional European capacity offering 50 channels per country. (JC)
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