Telstra doesn’t just do phone calls, text messages, Internet connections, smartphones and tablets, it’s also a major player in state-of-the-art broadcast operations.
Telstra showcased its brand new, state-of-the-art BOC or Broadcast Operations Centre to the media, although the facility has actually been fully operational since June 2016 and is part of the ‘Telstra Broadcasting Services’ (TBS) business.
The facility delivers "24/7 world-class audio, data and video services globally via satellite, fibre and IP networks, and manages over 400 services — audio, video and data — to customers globally including the top 10 global media companies".
Telstra says that most of the broadcasters and content owners in Australia use its services, with Telstra’s growing network now connecting the operations centre, studios and production facilities, as well as outside venues – including Telstra’s own broadcast studios at its flagship Sydney CBD offices at 400 George St, Sydney.
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The included video has Telstra executives Trevol Boal, the head of Telstra Business Services, and Paul Suters, head of engineering and operations for TBS, explaining how it all works, and in the second half of the video they answer media questions.
Video of the MCR or master control room was not permitted, but a series of photos showing the control room were provided and one is used as the initial image of BOC MCR so you can see it that way.
The MCR monitors all services; delivers connections to global teleports; and provides engineering services and support to customers.
There is also the CAR or Central Apparatus Room, which houses all shared equipment common to all technical needs.
Telstra says the BOC is the hub for its global media network.
In Australia, it connects domestically to the Digital Video Network (DVN), Chief Entertainment, Studio T in the Telstra Customer Insight Centre and Telstra’s new Australian teleports in Oxford Falls and Gnangara.
Globally, the BOC "offers connectivity" to Telstra’s "Stanley Hong Kong teleport and MCR", and through Telstra’s "partnership with Pacific Television (PacTV) connectivity to MCRs in London, New York and Los Angeles".
The major core components of Telstra’s BOC are:
- Main and redundant IP switches
- Aggregation switches in each bank of ranks
- Edge Adaption systems incorporating
- Input/Outputs (baseband, ASI, IP)
- Routing
- Processing
- Extensive multi-viewer capability allowing monitoring by exception
- Network monitoring and control system
- Satellite headend integration of the BOC’s bookings and scheduling systems.
The BOC is certified as a Tier 4 data centre that meets or exceeds all tier 3 requirements.
This means it has:
- Multiple independent distribution paths serving the IT equipment
All equipment must be dual-powered and fully compatible with the topology of a site’s architecture, and
Concurrently maintains site infrastructure with very high facility availability.
See the video embedded below for plenty more detail.