The General Satellite Corporation joined the International Telecommunication Union

March 23, 2011

The Association of Electronic Equipment Manufacturers and Traders in Kaliningrad Region the General Satellite Corporation became a member of the Telecommunication Development Sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The Company’s Application was approved by the national regulator - the Ministry of Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation.

Joining the ITU allows the General Satellite Corporation taking part in international telecommunications development programs and events dedicated to urgent problems’ solving in the telecommunications field. Admission to ITU membership means recognizing the Corporation as answering the most modern standards. Functioning within the ITU framework provides the Company with a basis to step out into international markets development.

ITU was formed in 1865 by 20 countries, including Russia, and is the oldest international organization among the existing ones. ITU is currently a UN specialized agency with the membership of 192 countries and about 700 companies of both public and private sectors.

The purpose of the Union is to promote and enhance the international cooperation in the regional use of all communication forms, improving technical means, their efficient operation.

Russia's first chip for digital TV

March 15, 2011

At the First International Business Conference for the production of microelectronics and nanoelectronics Si-Forum 2011 in the Technopolis Gusev (Kaliningrad region), the General Satellite Corporation, and the RC Module announced the development and manufacture of Russia's first chip for digital TV.

In Gusev, Kaliningrad region, the First International Business Conference for the production of micro and nanoelectronics Si-Forum 2011 took place, held by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Kaliningrad region Government. The Si-Forum 2011 hosts are the Association of Manufacturers and Traders in Electronic Equipment in Kaliningrad Region the General Satellite Corporation and the leading developer of chipsets in Russia the Research Center Module. 

International semiconductor companies attended the Si-Forum 2011. Among them Texas Instruments, Fujitsu, Renesas, Crocus Technology. The Rosnano Company took part in the Si-Forum 2011 as well.

The main topics of the Forum have been the prospects for Russia's participation in the international labor division in the field of micro and nanoelectronics. The Forum’s congress consisted of presentations and discussions that focused in the most pressing issues affecting the electronics’ development and manufacture in Russia, and other relevant topics. 

The following issues were discussed among the topics for reports and discussion: 

• Prospects for the electronic components base development and manufacture in Russia. 
• Foreign companies’ interest in the transfer of contract microelectronics manufacturing from Southeast Asia to Russia. 
• Special economic zones’ emergence and development in Russia and the microelectronic production development. Kaliningrad region prospects to turn into an international platform for the microelectronics production. 
• Reducing the cost of electronic-component base production by means of contract manufacturing in special economic zones in Russia. 
• Formation of new effective poles for innovation development in the micro and nanoelectronics field in Russia. Emergence of new clusters of electronics industry in Russia. 
• Russia's first chip for digital TV development and manufacturing. Creating a digital terrestrial set-top box on the basis of the chip. 

In the framework of Si-Forum 2011, signing a set of agreements between Fujitsu, the RC Module and the General Satellite Corporation to set up digital television components manufacturing in Kaliningrad region has become the first step in implementing the strategy chosen by the Forum’ hosts to transport microelectronics contract manufacturing projects from Southeast Asia to Russia.

The RC Module and the General Satellite Corporation agreed to cooperate in the field of digital set-top box creation on SLSI K1879HB1YA (the first chip for digital TV developed in Russia according to the 90nm technology) and arrange the final manufacturing of SLSI analog at the GS plant NANOTECH in Gusev, Kaliningrad region. It was also agreed to create a hybrid chip that would have the decoder and descrambler chips’ functionality with full hardware support for CAS ROSKRYPT-PRO.

The RC Module and Fujitsu (the RC Module’s long-term partner) agreed that Fujitsu will host the production of the first chip for digital TV developed in Russia at Fujitsu’s manufacturing facilities. The two Sides agreed as well to continue cooperation in the development and manufacture of digital television components. 

During the Si-Forum 2011, the operation of a SD / HD digital terrestrial receiver prototype based on the first national SLSI K1879HB1YA was shown – a standard and high definition digital television decoder. The designed set-top box meets the functionality specifications for Russia's digital broadcasting national network. 

The Forum’ Hosts Summary 

 
The Association of Manufacturers and Traders in Electronic Equipment in Kaliningrad region the General Satellite Corporation

The GS was founded in 2008 in order to facilitate a speedier digitalization of broadcasting in the Russian Federation by establishing a complex of modern highly automated production facilities that would meet the consumers’ demand for digital set-top boxes. In addition, an important task to be solved by the Association is testing an innovative model for small cities’ development in Russia as shown by the investment project The Area of Scientific and Technological Development Technopolis Gusev. 
 

The CJSC Research Center Module

The CJSC RC Module was founded in 1990 by leading State research institutes engaged in the development of advanced radio-electronics. Since 1995, the CJSC RC Module develops high-performance processor cores with the DSP / RISC architecture and analog-digital system-on-chip based on the leading global companies semiconductor technology.

In 2010, the RC Module has successfully completed complex design and manufacturing projects of systems-on-chip based on NeuroMatrix® and ARM® processor cores in the navigation and digital television fields, which pertain to the national development infrastructure and priority areas. These systems-on-chip are made according to the 90-nm technology.

The General Satellite Corporation at the Andina Link'2011 Conference in Cartagena (Colombia)

March 05, 2011

February 22 - 24, representatives of the General Satellite Corporation participated in one of the largest conferences in the field of telecommunications in Latin America - the Andina Link'2011, which was held in Cartagena (Colombia).

According to the Event results, the General Satellite representatives came into agreement to cooperate with Companies from the United States, Colombia, Costa Rica, United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands.

As a part of this Event, there was held the FICA 2011 International Forum, dedicated to new technologies and new markets emerging in digital broadcasting. The event was represented by companies from 14 states, mostly from Latin America. General Satellite Delegation presented their projects and developments in direct satellite broadcasting, terrestrial television digitalization as well as cable television digitalization.

General Satellite Corporation at the CabSat MENA and Satellite MENA Exhibition

March 04, 2011

February 08-10, 2011, the General Satellite Corporation took part in one of the largest exhibitions of latest achievements in the field of telecommunications and broadcasting in the Middle East and North Africa - CabSat MENA and Satellite MENA that was held in Dubai, UAE.

Contacts have been established at the Exhibition with the satellite operators interested in commercialization of TV broadcasting through their participation in service provider projects, as well as with a few other large companies of the same industry, who are looking for opportunities to establish joint projects in broadcast digitalization in the region.

In the spring of 2011, The General Satellite Corporation will hold extensive consultations with the potential partners according to the results of negotiations held at the Exhibition.

General Satellite in DR Congo and Gabon

March 03, 2011

General Satellite to participate in the development of the DTT Transition Concept in DR Congo and Gabon

In mid-February this year, with the assistance of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the delegation of General Satellite headed by Foreign Projects Department Director Mr. Sergey Dolgopolsky met the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Communica­tions, DR Congo, as well as the leadership of the rele­vant governmen­tal structures of Gabon.

As a result of the proposals voiced by the company at the meetings in Kinshasa and Libreville, the decisions have been made on the General Satellite participation in the development of the Transition to Digital Broadcasting Concept in the DR Congo and on setting up a Special Interagency Commission on implementing the leading technologies of the Russian company in the Republic of Gabon.

Both countries, which, like Russia, have to disconnect the analogue TV signal in 2015, are interested in cooperation with General Satellite on the digitalization of terrestrial TV using the DVB-T standard. In this regard, as the African partners have noted, the experience, technology and equipment of the Russian company may be in great demand in the region.

Project’s development in Nicaragua

February 17, 2011

General Satellite Corporation will carry on the Project’s development supported by the Investment Promotion Agency of Nicaragua.

The General Satellite Corporation presentation took place at the meeting of Russian companies' representatives and the Nicaraguan part of Russia-Nicaragua Intergovernmental Commission (RNIC) this February. The GS Foreign Broadcasting Projects Department Managers presented information regarding the General Satellite Corporation and a proposal on Joint Satellite Television (DTH) Project to be implemented in Nicaragua.

The RNIC Conference was held at the National Committee for Economic Cooperation with Latin American Countries (NC ECLAC) supported by the Ministry for Economic Development of the Russian Federation.

The Nicaraguan part representatives - the chief officers of Investment Promotion Agency of Nicaragua and those of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nicaragua in particular - expressed their interest in the General Satellite Corporation proposal.

An agreement was reached as a result of presentation and the business meetings that followed, to carry on the Project’s development supported by the Investment Promotion Agency of Nicaragua.

General Satellite in Ghana, Africa

February 17, 2011

General Satellite Corporation reached a cooperation agreement in the field of joint Satellite and Terrestrial TV Projects with a number of African countries at DISCOP Accra Forum in Ghana, Africa.

The General Satellite Corporation representatives took part in the DISCOP Accra Forum, organized and carried out by the BasicLead Company in Ghana.

During the 3-day Event the managers of the Foreign Broadcasting Projects Department made preliminary agreements on joint Satellite and Terrestrial TV Projects with companies from Nigeria, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Ghana.

The General Satellite Corporation presented its products at the Council of Federation

January 26, 2011

Receiving equipment and interactive digital TV features, developed by the General Satellite Corporation, were on display at the "Innovative Components of Information Society" exhibition for the members of the Federal Assembly and journalists to see. The exhibition had been installed in the lobby of the Council of Federation building as an accompaniment to a report by Igor Schegolev, the Minister of Communication and Mass Media of the Russian Federation, at "The Government Hour" on January 26, 2011.

New features implemented in the CSMW (Control systems middleware for operator functioning), developed by the General Satellite, attracted special interest. These features allow use of terrestrial digital broadcasting as a mean of public information. The following features of set-top boxes with integrated CSMW support were presented to the visitors of the exhibition:

• 
  individual and group video and audio Civil Defense and Emergency information via digital set-top box with CSMW support; 
• various announcement modes - if a TV-set is turned off the announcement is made via a loudspeaker installed into a set-top box; 
• emergency announcements addressed to a single house, settlement or a whole region; 
• voice messaging; 
• visual instructions for the population on what to do in case of an emergency by distributing video clips. 

Visitors were also shown an unique feature - "The Electronic Government" services access via set-top box. The technology, developed by the General Satellite Corporation, requires Universal Electronic card (UEC) for terrestrial digital TV subscribers.

Infomat - apparatus which enables access to the government services portal even for those who do not have internet access - were another subject of interest.

When the switch to digital broadcasting is complete everyone will require either a modern TV-set or special set-top box for an older TV-set in order to receive digital transmissions. The Minister informed the audience that the price of such a set-top box is already comparable to one of a low-end mobile phone and has a tendency to decline further.

A multifunctional set-top box could be used not just to watch TV channels but also to get an access to the Internet and to "The Electronic Government" services, the Minister pointed out.

"There are Russian made set-top boxes which allow access to both digital TV channels and the government services portal. Information is displayed on a TV screen. It is also possible to watch video, pay for goods and services using a bank card, make VoIP calls", - said the Minister.

While talking to journalists after the speech the Minister had the following to say about gradual switching off terrestrial analog TV broadcasting: "We have chosen a soft approach to turning off of analog broadcasting. It will actually be turned off only when most of the population has access to digital broadcasting, - said Igor Schegolev. - We together with the Ministry of Industry and Trade intend to pass a legislation later this year requiring every piece of receiving equipment imported to Russia to contain a module for receiving a digital signal."

Igor Schegolev emphasized that Russian industry will be capable of meeting at least 90% of the demand for transmitters and over 75% for receiving equipment once TV broadcasting is switched to a digital format.

Kant RSU and the General Satellite Corporation signed a cooperation agreement in the framework of the Technopolis Gusev Project

December 09, 2010

Kaliningrad region, Gusev. A cooperation agreement has been signed between Kant RSU and the Association of Electronic Equipment Manufacturers and Traders of the Kaliningrad region General Satellite Corporation on the establishment and development of University Educational and Research Center (UERC) in the framework of the Technopolis Gusev Project for scientific and technological development.

University Educational and Research Center is scheduled to be build by 2013. It should become a platform for training world-class specialists in the field of microelectronics. They will be employed in companies and research laboratories of the Technopolis. Kant RSU is currently a leading partner of the Technopolis Gusev in establishing the UERC.

The agreement was signed during the first working meeting of representatives of several leading scientific schools in Russia and those abroad with the leadership of the Association General Satellite Corporation. The aim of the workshop was the working out of major policy issues of interaction between business, science and education within the Technopolis Gusev Project, discussing strategic forms of UERC interaction with academic and research institutions in Russia and abroad.

Comments from the meeting participants:

A.G. Tkachenko, the President of the Association General Satellite Corporation: We endeavor to make every effort to secure the growth of the Technopolis Gusev into a full-fledged research and production site over the coming years. Today we took a big step in that direction. I hope that together with the Kant RSU we will succeed in creating the innovative projects cultivation environment in Gusev. The Emmanuel Kant RSU was the first of the high schools and it is them that most vigorously responded to our invitation to create together the University Educational and Research Center within the Technopolis Gusev Project framework.

Timur Gareev, the Vice President for innovative development of the Emmanuel Kant Russian State University: We have seriously and with great enthusiasm welcomed the appearance of such a player as the General Satellite in the Kaliningrad region. We perceive them as one of our key strategic partners. The Technopolis Gusev Project presents to us an opportunity to develop mutual cooperation of businesses and high schools in order to produce highly skilled specialists that would be sought-after in the world. We are very interested in accelerating the development. Being transformed into the Baltic Federal University, the Emmanuel Kant RSU prepares the program of its five-year development, which fits the General Satellite's strategic plans for the formation of the UERC in Gusev. This gives us the opportunity today to synchronize their plans.

S.A. Zhdanyuk, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences, the Director of A.V. Lykov Heat - and Mass Transfer Institute of Belorussia National Academy of Sciences: In Belarus there are many professionals who are ready to cooperate with the General Satellite. I think that Technopolis Gusev is a good point of growth, they have a good potential for development.

Reference

The Meeting Participants: 

1. 
   Bukharin, Nikolai A., Director of the Interdisciplinary Institute for Advanced Studies, St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University
2. Gareev Timur Rustamovich, Vice President for innovative development of the Emmanuel Kant Russian State University.  
3. Goikhman Alexander, the Head of the Laboratory for Ion-Plasma Technologies at the Kant RSU Innovation Park.  
4. Zhdanok Sergei Alexandrovich, Director of A.V. Lykov Heat - and Mass Transfer Institute of Belarus National Academy of Sciences, Academician of NAS of Belarus.  
5. Komrakov Boris Petrovich, the Director of the Applied Mathematics and Information Technology Institute, Belgium.  
6. Andrew Georgievich Tkachenko, the President of the Association General Satellite Corporation.  
7. Shpilevoi Andrey Alexandrovich, Department Head of the Telecommunications Faculty of Physical Engineering of the Emmanuel Kant Russian State University.  
8. Lee Igor Vasilievich, the First Vice-Rector of the St. Petersburg State Engineering and Economics University 

Association of Electronic Equipment Producers and Traders in the Kaliningrad region General Satellite Corporation was founded in 2008 to facilitate the speedy digitalization of broadcasting in the Russian Federation through the creation of a complex of modern highly automated production facilities capable of satisfying the demand of consumers for the digital set-top boxes. An important task to be solved by the Association, is also testing an innovative model of development of Russia small cities according to the example set by the investment Project the Area of Scientific and Technological Development - Technopolis Gusev. In August 2009, two enterprises of the Association of Electronic Equipment Producers and Traders in the Kaliningrad region General Satellite Corporation started operating. They have been built within the Project the Area of Scientific and Technological Development - Technopolis Gusev. The SIA Digital Television Systems has become Europe's largest enterprise manufacturing set-top boxes. To date, the Company produced more than 1 million digital set-top boxes for receiving terrestrial and satellite television signals. The plant utilizes a full cycle products manufacturing, including the motherboards assembly.The Corporation Enterprises are capable of producing up to 5 million set-top boxes a year on the Federal Target Program the Development of digital broadcasting in the Russian Federation for 2009-2015.

The inauguration of the First Cardboard Factory

November 25, 2010

On November 25, 2010 in Gusev, the inauguration of the First Cardboard Factory took place. The factory is the largest enterprise in the region for the corrugated board and corrugated packaging manufacturing. The solemn ceremony of launching the main production line was attended by N.N. Tsukanov, the Governor of the Kaliningrad region.

The demand of the Kaliningrad manufacturers for high quality, environmentally friendly packaging and knobby packaging will be fully satisfied with the new Complex production capabilities. The project production capacity is 80 million sq. m. of corrugated board per year. "This is certainly an important event for regional producers, - says Sergey Slutsky, CEO of the First Cardboard Factory - because today, 7-9% of the packing cost is its delivery costs from Russia or the former Soviet republics." About 150 specialists with secondary and higher education will be employed to operate the business. "We are ready to provide jobs for people with disabilities such as hearing impairment,"- he added.

The plant will produce three products: corrugated cardboard, corrugated packaging and knobby packaging, which is made of waste products of the first two. Corrugated cardboard is the most common packaging material in the world: it provides for hygiene, reliability and durability during goods transportation.

High quality equipment by the leading world manufacturers will produce packaging of any configuration. The First Cardboard Factory has been built in the framework of the innovative Area of Scientific and Technological Development Technopolis Gusev Project, which is implemented in Gusev, Kaliningrad region since 2008. The Project envisages the construction of 7 high-tech Enterprises, which together with two cottage Communities will be located on 700 hectare territory.

The cluster territories development approach allows of rational organization of the production chain. Thus, the first customers of the First Cardboard Factory products will be the companies that have already been operating in Technopolis – the SIA Digital Television Systems and Prankor.

Investment in the Technopolis Gusev Project is attracted by the Association of Electronic Equipment Manufacturers and Traders in the Kaliningrad region General Satellite Corporation. "Today, in Gusev, a cluster of electronic industry is formed, a new pole of innovation development at the Federal level. Despite everything, the Technopolis Gusev Project develops without deviating from the schedule. In the very near future we will start construction of an ultra-modern plant in microelectronics, which has no analogues in Russia. Electronic components at the new Plant will be produced by a 45-nanometer technological process. Also, in 2010, construction of residential quarters and the Technopolis social center will be started"- Andrey Tkachenko, the President of the General Satellite Corporation has shared the plans at hand.

General Satellite enters the Asian market

November 17, 2010

During the international CASBAA Convention 2010 General Satellite has agreed about mutual partnership in the sphere of satellite, terrestrial and cable broadcasting with companies from India, Indonesia, Singapore and Philippines.

«CASBAA 2010» is the largest event of South-Eastern Asian region which this year gathered around 1000 participants – operators of satellite and cable television, content providers, platforms and multichannels.

CASBAA is Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia. It includes 128 corporations oriented for the Asian region. Among members there are AETN International, Al Jazeera, Arianespace, Asia Broadcast Satellite, AsiaSat, ASTRO, BBC Worldwide Channels Asia, Bloomberg Television, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, Disney Media Distribution, Fox International Channels, HBO Asia, Intelsat, Irdeto, ITV , Tiger Gate Entertainment and Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific.