SBCA NATIONAL STANDARDS AND TESTING PROGRAM (NSTP) ROLLS OUT NEW COMMERCIAL SATELLITE CERTIFICATION

 

-- New NSTP Commercial Certification Heightens SBCA 2002 Importance --

ALEXANDRIA, VA, July 16, 2002 – The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA) announced today that it would rollout its new Commercial Satellite Installation Certification training and testing module, the newest addition to its highly-successful National Standards and Testing Program (NSTP), at the SBCA 2002 Annual Satellite Conference and Expo, August 7-9 in Las Vegas. 

“Commercial locations such as restaurants, bars and MDUs require a far more complicated installation and require a well-qualified installer to ensure a top-quality installation,” said SBCA President Andy Wright.  “Satellite has always prided itself on delivering unparalleled customer service, and through continued professional education, a nationally-accepted set of training standards and testing like SBCA’s NSTP program, the industry is doing its part to ensure that professionalism continues throughout the industry.”

In order to complete the Commercial Satellite Installation Certification Training and Testing, the installer/technician must first complete the Small Dish Installation Test and the Multiple Satellite Antenna Installation Test. 

The National Standards and Testing program was established by the SBCA, the Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) platform providers (DIRECTV and EchoStar), several national distributors, and the SBCA Retail Council, to create an industry-endorsed benchmark of knowledge for the installation of satellite products and services.  The program was unveiled in August of 2001 at the SBCA’s annual convention.                                      

The satellite industry’s National Standards and Testing Program currently conducts testing on Small Dish Installation, Multiple Satellite Antenna Installation, and Commercial Satellite Installation.  The program intends to expand its training and testing to incorporate all installation scenarios, and hopes to expand its scope  into other areas of training and testing.  Certification is a continuous process of training and testing, where installers/technicians can gain higher levels of certification through additional testing.  Certification is valid for two years, after which time the installer must be re-certified.  SBCA’s NSTP currently has an 80.2 percent pass rate.

In addition to EchoStar and DIRECTV, companies agreeing to the standards and participating in the program currently include: All Systems Distributing, Apex Digital, Circuit City, CVS Systems, DigiVision, Dow Electronics, DSI Systems, JVI Parts, Metron North America, the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC), O’Rourke Bros., Perfect-10, Pegasus Communications, Radio Shack Installation Services, Saturn Distributing and numerous independent retailers.

Additional information about the National Standards and Testing Program, and a full schedule of certification and testing dates can be accessed at www.sbca.com, or at www.satelliteretailers.com.

About SBCA

The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association of America (www.sbca.com) is the national trade organization representing all segments of the satellite industry.  It is committed to expanding the utilization of satellite technology for the broadcast delivery of video, audio, data, interactive and broadband services.  The SBCA is composed of DBS, C-band, broadband, satellite radio, and other consumer satellite service providers, content providers, equipment manufacturers, retailers, encryption vendors, and national and regional distribution companies, that make up the consumer satellite services industry.