SFIG makes WTA list of Fast Twenty Teleport Operators of 2009

Dec. 4, 2009 - PRLog -- ABS-CBN International’s San Francisco International Gateway (SFIG), Northern California’s most versatile international satellite uplink station, achieved a milestone by making the list of the global “Fast Twenty” teleport operators of the World Teleport Association (WTA) in 2009.  The Fast Twenty ranks all of the world’s teleport-operating companies based on year-over-year revenue growth in their most recent fiscal years.

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-art full-service studio located in Redwood City.  

“Our goal is to make SFIG a total solutions provider, providing end-to-end services that are tailored for our customer’s special requirements,” said Supelana. SFIG remains one of the few independent and multi-platform capable operators in the world.

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). Click on the 2009 Top Operators link on the News menu.

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About ABS-CBN International
ABS-CBN International was created 15 years ago to be of service to all Filipinos. With the launch of The Filipino Channel (TFC), the company became the first and most successful Filipino broadcaster in the U.S. The company offers telecommunication, retail, theatricals, money remittance and cargo services, online audio and video streaming along with philanthropic support for Filipinos and the communities they now call home. It also owns and operates the San Francisco International Gateway (SFIG), a large “carrier class” satellite communications facility in Richmond, CA.

Based in Redwood City, Calif., ABS-CBN International is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, the Philippines’ largest entertainment and broadcasting company. For more information on SFIG, visit www.sfig-teleport.com. For more information on ABS-CBN International, visit www.abs-cbnglobal.com.