GECs
Loral Skynet launches Skyreach IP services for Asia
MUMBAI: Satellite solutions provider Loral Skynet has entered into an agreement with BtNAccess, a global provider of communications services, to extend Loral’s SkyReach(SM) IP-enabled communications services to Asia, providing regional users with regional and global public Internet and private networking services.
This includes broadband Internet access, voice over IP (VoIP), and managed data services.
“Loral Skynet has assembled a service in SkyReach that combines the best of satellite and terrestrial communications technologies, providing reliable, cost effective IP-based solutions,” said Loral Space & Communications chairman and CEO Bernard L. Schwartz.
“IP technology is driving the future of enterprise and government communications and it’s a technology that Loral has been applying and offering in its service portfolio for over 10 years as a pioneer of IP over satellite, ” said Schwartz.
SkyReach service is powered by an iDirect IP hub at the BtNAccess teleport in Hong Kong. Skynet will combine satellite capacity on its Telstar 10 and Telstar 18 Asian satellites with teleport and terrestrial communications services. The services includes multi-protocol label switching (MPLS), provided by BtNAccess to provide a robust, far-reaching IP-based network, informs the official release.
“Skynet’s satellite and IP resources combined with the terrestrial MPLS and teleport capabilities of BtNAccess instantly allows us to deliver an integrated IP-based network capability that surpasses any other IP offering in the region,” said Loral Skynet president Patrick Brant.
“By combining our new SkyReach capability in Asia with other SkyReach hub locations in the U.S. and Europe, Loral Skynet provides a unique, global IP-based solution that addresses the local, regional and international needs of enterprise-level users.”
The SkyReach service in Asia will be available 1 July, using VSAT technology to deliver a full range of IP applications, including Internet access, voice over IP (VoIP), streamed media, file transfers (FTP), virtual private networks (VPN), LAN connectivity and satellite-enabled WiFi services.
SkyReach services complement existing frame relay and MPLS networks, as well as enabling efficient network management.
The media release adds that through SkyReach and coupled with its worldwide infrastructure and installation partners, Skynet is one of the only satellite services company in the world that can extend, install and maintain satellite delivered IP connectivity on a truly seamless and global basis.
With its tiered SLAs (service level agreements) and quality-of-service features, SkyReach enables a natural extension of terrestrial MPLS systems and a platform for multicast and broadcast video requirements. Skynet is developing relationships and replicating the SkyReach solution on a wide scale where the IP network extension requirement is central.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
