Satellite operator SES (News - Alert) has just unveiled a new IP communications-based satellite reception technology that enables in-home distribution of satellite TV signals.

The SAT-IP technology demodulates and converts satellite signals to IP for further in-home distribution to any IP-enabled devices such as tablets, PCs, laptops, smartphones, Connected TVs, game consoles and media player, company officials said in a press release.

SAT- IP communications protocol is established as a new standard for satellite in-home distribution.

With SAT-IP, consumers are able to enjoy the benefits of watching TV programs on different devices and screen. They will also benefit from the availability of large varieties of satellite offers including a vast variety of HD channels on IP-enabled devices in highest and original satellite picture quality and without using Internet connectivity.

 "SAT-IP is a quantum leap for the industry and the TV viewers and shows SES ' role in pioneering technological developments in the media and TV industry,” said Thomas Wrede, vice president Reception Systems, in a statement.

“We see how consumers are increasingly complementing their TV viewing experience with alternative devices,” Wrede further said. “With SAT-IP, we put ourselves at the top of the trend and ensure that viewers can watch satellite TV potentially on any IP-based device at home and with an unrivalled flexibility when they move around.”

With SAT-IP, SES is also creating an open standard that allows manufacturers to realize innovative distribution solutions. SAT-IP will become an official standard and will be open to all manufacturers. It allows them to develop a neutral environment of multiple devices. Current prototypes already allow for the reception of up to eight programs on eight different screen devices at home.

 SAT-IP communications protocol was unveiled at the annual SES Industry Days. A live demo of SAT-IP multiswitches showing the distribution of satellite programs over various IP-based infrastructures (CAT5 Ethernet, Power Line, Plastic Optical Fiber and WiFi (News - Alert)) was presented to more than 200 industry experts from consumer electronics manufacturers to broadcast platform operators at the conference.

 The first SAT-IP based products are scheduled to be available later this year.

Recently SES announced that the SES-4 satellite is now fully operational and ready for service at the orbital location of 338 degrees East.

SES-4 was successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on board an ILS Proton Breeze M booster on February 15th, 2012. SES-4 replaces the NSS-7 satellite at 338 degrees East longitude and provides replacement as well as incremental capacity at this well-established SES orbital slot over the Atlantic Ocean.