SPECIAL REPORT TO EDITORS: COMMUNICATIONS
PIONEERING THE FUTURE OF TODAY
UPI is taking the lead in developing a new level of efficiency for its technologically sophisticated, satellite-based communications network in which data is sent "smart-to smart" -- from one flexible, reliable and efficient computer system to another.
Changes already introduced have brought a notable enhancement in reliability, expanded the amount of data than can be moved through the system, increased efficiency and reduced the costs of transporting news.
Further improvements will transform both slow and high speed services into an all-satellite, computer-driven single data stream news delivery system. The single data stream will replace the present system of filing on separate wires with a unified stream of information coded by subject. The result will be a versatile and efficient news network with greatly augmented volume and redundancy capabilities. UPI's computer-coded information selection systems, UPI CustomData and Fintext, will further enhance the speed and accuracy of news delivery.
Steps taken include:
Expansion of Earth Station Network In 1983, UPI made rapid progress toward its goal of establishing an all-satellite communications system for news delivery in the U.S. UPI has passed the 2,300 mark in earth station installation at client locations; soon, virtually all U.S. subscribers will be off AT&T long lines and on satellite, dramatically reducing communications costs.
UPI's drive has been made possible by the remarkable, lightweight Equatorial dish. Domestic installation has progressed at the rate of five Equatorial micro earth stations a day, plus one Delta Gain antenna per week. Featuring 24-inch reflectors and the ability to reselect individual subscribers at any time, Equatorial's spread-spectrum technology provides flexibility and efficiency.
UPI's commitment to Equatorial dishes began two years ago when 1,200 earth stations were ordered. Another 1,000 were purchased later, and 1,000 units of a new, UPI-enhanced high-speed earth station are on order, bringing the total number of dishes to 3,836.
Installation of UPI Uplink UPI's own $700,000 uplink installed at its Technical Systems Center in Dallas in November 1983 has been pivotal in increasing reliability. The uplink eliminated eight long lines that previously carried data from the Dallas computer to a leased uplink in New Jersey, giving UPI complete control of its satellite network for the first time. UPI is the only major U.S.-based wire service to have full ownership of its vital uplink services.
Expansion of International Network In Europe, where direct broadcast of news is yet to be commonplace, UPI's network of international lines has been expanded by the addition of 9,600 BPS lines to Hong Kong, Dubai, Beirut and Cyprus, utilizing digital telephoto transmission. Telegraph lines were added to Amman and Teheran.
To support the increased traffic on these new lines and to increase the reliability of the system, the London computer center has been substantially upgraded.
New Editing Terminals UPI is participating in the design of a generation of editing and writing terminals for greater speed and flexibility.
Digital Darkroom UPI is installing in Washington, London and Brussels state-of-the-art digital darkrooms for high-speed digital delivery of pictures and graphics in the United States and Europe. The units enable UPI to sort, store and transmit high-quality images automatically, as well as to re-caption, crop and enhance picture quality electronically. UPI's digital darkroom will offer subscribers substantially enhanced service.
Regional Transfer UPI will accelerate its program of transferring text handling and processing service away from the mainframe computer in Dallas to regional points. The primary function of the mainframe computer will be to "manage" the news flow. By uplinking data out of regional points, UPI will increase the reliability and flexibility of news reports and decrease long line expenses.
Communications System Expansion UPI plans to improve subscriber service by increasing the news transmission capacity of its communications system.
The program, which may be undertaken as a joint effort with one or more major communications companies, will include the addition of sophisticated new computer facilities, increased satellite transponder capacity and backup facilities to ensure continuous service despite severe weather or other potential sources of interruption.