CROATEL d.o.o.
Overview and Core Business
CROATEL d.o.o. is a prominent technology and media company based in Zagreb, Croatia, operating as a leading UHD/HD TV production and satellite communications provider in Southeast Europe. The company???s core business is multifaceted, primarily focusing on two distinct but complementary areas: high-end technical television production, including the broadcasting of major sporting events, and professional satellite and microwave communications services. The entity has been active in the market for over 25 years, having been licensed by the Croatian Post and Electronic Communications Agency since 1991.
CROATEL was formed from previous members of the Satellite group within the former HPT (Croatian Post and Telecommunication), and holds the distinction of being the first licensed satellite service provider company in Croatia.
Continue…Products and Services
CROATEL offers a comprehensive portfolio of services and technical products catering to the professional broadcasting and telecommunications sectors.
1. Technical TV Production and Broadcast Services
The company is extensively involved in technical TV production, specializing in live broadcast coverage of demanding events, particularly in sports.
- Outside Broadcast (OB) Vans/Trucks: CROATEL operates a significant fleet of Outside Broadcast (OB) units, including a state-of-the-art 4K UHD OB truck and five additional HD OB vans/trucks. These vehicles are equipped with UHD and HD camera chains, super slow motion cameras, and sophisticated editing equipment, making them suitable for covering the most challenging events, such as UEFA matches.
- DSNG Services: The fleet also includes two HD DSNG (Digital Satellite News Gathering) vans for live, on-location transmissions.
- Advanced Production Technologies: CROATEL provides cutting-edge visual production services, including 3D VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality) Design and Production. This includes conceptual design, 3D modeling and texturing, virtual studio setups, and the expansion of real studio environments with 3D Augmented Reality elements. This technology has been utilized for major projects, including sports shows and political broadcasts.
2. Playout Facility Services
CROATEL owns and operates a complete HD Playout Facility System in Zagreb. This facility provides technical broadcast services and content management for multiple television channels.
- Channel Broadcasting: As of 2022, CROATEL broadcasts the MAXSport 1 and MAXSport 2 HD TV channels exclusively on the HT MAXtv platform, which includes the exclusive broadcasting of SuperSport HNL (1st Croatian Football League) matches. Previously, the company also provided exclusive technical broadcast services for six HD Arena Sport programs.
- System Components: The playout system is built upon professional broadcast infrastructure, including a Grass Valley iTX integrated playout platform, Grass Valley K2 3G Servers and Ingest System, Dell EMC Isilon high-volume storage for backup and archiving, and real-time rendering using Vertigo XG graphics processors. The facility also incorporates virtual studio setup capabilities and real studio expansion with Augmented Reality.
3. Satellite and Microwave Communications
As a licensed provider of satellite services, telecommunications is a foundational element of CROATEL's operations.
- Fixed Satellite Services (FSS): The company is a leading provider of fixed satellite services in Croatia, offering professional satellite communication solutions.
- Microwave Network Design and Installation: CROATEL is responsible for the technical documentation and installation of microwave links, specifically including the installation of GSM microwave links between base stations across Croatia.
- Closed Network Systems: Services include the design and realization of microwave and satellite closed network systems for secure and dedicated communications.
- Off-Shore Services: CROATEL is certified by the Croatian Register of Shipping as a service supplier for the installation and maintenance of telecommunication services on off-shore platforms.
Technical and Operational Capacity
CROATEL's commitment to high-definition and ultra-high-definition broadcasting is evident in its technical infrastructure. The company has been working with HD technology since 2007 and progressed to UHD (Ultra High Definition) in 2016. The 4K UHD OB truck, for example, is equipped with numerous high-end components, including Sony 4K/UHD/HD cameras, EVS XT4K Broadcast servers for slow motion, a Sony XVS 8000 4K/UHD/HD production switcher, and a Studer Vista 5 M3 audio mixer, all designed to meet the highest professional standards for broadcast production.
The company's projects have included coverage for major international sports organizations and national political events, showcasing its capacity for large-scale, complex live productions. Examples of realized projects include the Formula One studio, UEFA Europa League studio, and the technical broadcast of Croatian presidential and parliamentary elections.
