The independent fixed-receive network will be based around fibre inject points throughout London and a CODFM receive hub in a tall building next to the London Eye in Waterloo. It will cover an area with a 2km radius that includes Buckingham Palace, Vauxhall and Tower Bridge.
Live video feeds will be connected to the SNG Network Control Centre and from there transmitted to satellites, the Genesis Networks international fibre facility or London Telecom Tower.
SNG managing director Ken Suckling said: “[The new service] will allow live camera connectivity for UK and international broad-casters without the need to invest in the infrastructure. We see it being used for live newsgathering, cor-porate communications, entertainment events and sports broadcasts.”
Currently in its final testing phase, the service will be accessed on an ad hoc or contract basis and will work with camera-back transmitters and antennas from Link Research.
Broadcasters who do not have Link wireless transmitters can hire from several sources in London including SNG themselves.
The service will be paid for on a per 15-minute basis, although longer-term users will be able to negotiate buy-out deals.
The new London hub will also provide a helicopter camera receive site.
Reception will be possible from outside the central area using higher wattage amplifiers.
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