(Left to Right): Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited Chief Technical Officer Shane Ormsby with Vodafone Cook Islands Chief Technology Officer Robert McFadzien, and Chief Executive Officer Philip Henderson at the recent Pacific Island Telecommunications Association Strategy Forum 2024. Philip is also the current PITA President.
For someone who has dedicated his career to broadcast, Shane Ormsby says Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited’s (PCBL) commitment to supporting the broadcasting community in the Pacific is personal.
Earlier this year, Shane took up a role as Chief Technical Officer at PCBL, having previously worked with the organisation on various projects since 2016.
He says his current role includes looking after the key technology aspects of the organisation, along with key relationships with third party technology partners.
The role has many rewarding aspects, including its dedication to ensuring the broadcasting community in the region are supported.
“Having the opportunities to understand the unique challenges faced by our partner broadcasters, we can find ways to support and work with them, hopefully allowing them to develop into sustainable digital media organisations,” Shane says.
The CTO recently returned from attending the Pacific Island Telecommunications Association (PITA) Strategy Forum 2024, in Sydney, Australia, aimed at assessing the disruptive landscape, technologies and innovations for a dynamic approach to address the needs of sector members in the Pacific.
It also sought to discuss solutions on what could empower members, to drive innovation and growth for their respective markets and bridge the special challenges, among other issues and concerns.
Shane says broadcast has always relied on Telcos to assist with moving signals around.
“At PCBL, we use Intelsat for satellite delivery of Pasifika TV, we use LiveU bonded cellular encoders to bring news content in from the Pacific and these systems rely on 4G modems.
“Our broadcasters need reliable, fast, cost-effective internet to operate now, and this will only increase as the market trends towards adoption of cloud services.
“Attending PITA allows us to meet vital service and product suppliers and listen to Telco providers who are also struggling to adapt to new technologies and find ways to be sustainable.”
Shane adds connectivity with Pacific broadcasters is often difficult, but PITA provides them with the opportunity to connect with a range of connectivity providers.
“In particular, multi-orbit satellite internet providers that give us the opportunity to explore connectivity resilience for our broadcasters, especially during periods of climate emergencies.”
On the back of the forum, Shane says he is focusing on evolving Pasifika TV’s content delivery capabilities.
“At the moment we look like a traditional satellite TV channel.
“Along with the rest of New Zealand, Pacific and global broadcast industry, we need to evolve.
“We constantly need to look at new delivery methods, new and expanded content offerings, and find ways to assist the generation of revenue for our partner broadcasters.”
As a small organisation, this involves building relationships with managed services providers, he adds.
“Our relationships are the key to success both in how we offer our support and services to our partner broadcasters, and how we run our business systems.
“Managed services allow us to remain quickly adaptable to a changing environment.”
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