Global systems are the backbone of satellite-enabled communications, and the CEOs who run these businesses establish the pace for expansion of market growth and development of new applications. They set priorities and, ultimately, create opportunities. With existing businesses as the base, and massive resources as the trump card, these CEOs approach the challenge of increasing profitability and managing costs in ways that define how satellite will build its share of the global telecommunications marketplace.

FIND SOUGHT-AFTER SOLUTIONS - Dozens of new products are unveiled during the SATELLITE Exhibition. Whether its voice, video, data, or all three, the SATELLITE Exhibition showcases the products and solutions you need to ensure your communications are cost-effective, mobile, global and secure.

CONNECT WITH COLLEAGUES - With more than 8,000 in attendance, plus 270 exhibiting companies, you'll see old friends and make new during the SATELLITE Conference and Exhibition.

DISCOVER NEW TECHNOLOGY - Get up close and hands on with hundreds of products, new technologies. Comparison shop as you walk the show floor and discover what technology will enhance your business.

Plan your visit to the SATELLITE Exhibition and contact exhibitors before the event here.

WSBR will hold its heralded Flagship Lunch and Silent Auction during SATELLITE 2008. With pleasure, WSBR announces that Secretary-General of ITU Hamadoun Toure will be its Executive guest speaker making this a perfect opportunity to bring colleagues and customers to maximize all that you can learn and experience at SATELLITE 2008.

New in 2008! You may purchase tickets when registering for SATELLITE 2008 or through WSBR at WSBR@erols.com or 703-522-7745.

Since 1995, WTA has presented annual awards to companies and individuals who have dramatically demonstrated excellence in the field of teleport operations, development and technology. Celebrate the winners and network with colleagues during the Awards Luncheon.

Commercial satellite industry sales to the government have been strong for the last 5 years. This panel will examine the fundamental changes currently taking place in the DoD commercial SATCOM marketplace. Panelists will examine how a wide range of issues, including possible troop redeployments, introduction of the WGS satellite system, the 2008 election, and a challenging budget environment, will effect DoD’s acquisition of commercial satellite bandwidth and services. Will commercial satellite sales to the military continue to grow? Or is the boom about to go bust?

Satellite services have rapidly become an indispensable tool of the modern war-fighter. As DoD’s reliance on satellite capacity has grown, so has the awareness that new techniques are necessary to assure access to these vital services. The panelists will examine a range of creative strategies for assuring military access to satellite bandwidth, including: Hosted payloads, Operationally Responsive Space, Pre-positioned capacity, public-private partnerships, and much more.

Last year's panel initiated a discussion among satellite builders, system operators and launch providers illuminating the interdependence of these vital segments of the satellite industry. This year's panel will address the challenges of continued industry consolidation, increasing demand and tightening supply, and the always present uncertainties associated with schedule delays, launch and in-orbit failures. Are things getting better, or are they worsening? Come and hear this panel of industry veterans question each other and field questions from the moderator and the audience.

For 7 years, the DSTS-G contract has been the primary means by which the DoD has contracted for commercial satellite services. The DSTS-G contract is due to expire in 2011 and an active debate has already begun on how to structure the follow-on contract. In this lively discussion, satellite operators, integrators, and manufacturers will debate the future of DoD leasing, management, and oversight of commercial satcom usage.

The Society of Satellite Professionals (SSPI) will host its 25th annual Black Tie Reception and Dinner on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at the Grand Hyatt, Washington. The Gala is the satellite industry’s preeminent social and networking event of the year. To purchase tickets, or for more information, go to: www.sspigala.com or contact jhoil@sspi.org, 703-534-0885.

MSS operators in 2008 will have to deliver on their promises of innovative new capabilities which can address a much wider market than the niches MSS has served to date. With the launch of ICO and TerreStar’s new satellites, we will see whether ATC really is the magic bullet that has attracted so much attention on Wall Street. Virtually all players need to raise more financing to fund their business plans. Will the markets cooperate, or is the cycle of bankruptcies we saw in late 1990s doomed to repeat itself? Hear what the CEOs have to say about their plans, and why they believe in the future of MSS.

FIND SOUGHT-AFTER SOLUTIONS - Dozens of new products are unveiled during the SATELLITE Exhibition. Whether its voice, video, data, or all three, the SATELLITE Exhibition showcases the products and solutions you need to ensure your communications are cost-effective, mobile, global and secure.

CONNECT WITH COLLEAGUES - With more than 8,000 in attendance, plus 270 exhibiting companies, you'll see old friends and make new during the SATELLITE Conference and Exhibition.

DISCOVER NEW TECHNOLOGY - Get up close and hands on with hundreds of products, new technologies. Comparison shop as you walk the show floor and discover what technology will enhance your business.

Plan your visit to the SATELLITE Exhibition and contact exhibitors before the event here.

The military has been a key customer and arguably the single most important technology innovator in satellite communications with initiatives sponsored by the U.S.-based DARPA as well as other government agencies around the globe. For current and future implementations of “Netcentric Warfare” as well as the expected rise in intelligence gathering and reconnaissance missions in many of the globe’s hotspots and emerging flashpoints, COTM solutions for air, land and sea will become integral components of the network architecture. This session will examine the requirements for bandwidth, security protocols, terminal equipment, antenna systems, frequency bands, encryption and other emerging requirements the military will demand to implement a coherent and highly secure network umbrella for use by the future warfighter and other mobile assets.

Don’t miss the marquee event of SATELLITE 2008! Via Satellite magazine presents its Satellite Executive of the Year 2007, honoring the top satellite industry executive who made significant business impact in the global satellite arena. Tickets to the event are included with your SATELLITE 2008 conference registration fee.

The U.S. Department of State’s International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) continue to present a significant hurdle for the U.S. commercial satellite industry while, conversely, opening up opportunities for aggressive non-U.S. vendors. The progressive evolution of manufacturing and launch capabilities in China, India, and other countries, and already well-developed consulting expertise outside of the U.S., is increasing pressure on the competitiveness and profitability of the U.S. commercial satellite industry. U.S. industry does not question the paramount importance of U.S. national security. But does the ITAR, and its current administration, enhance U.S. national security? Or, paradoxically, does the ITAR and its current administration actually harm U.S. national security?

This international session will present updates on the current and forecast future trends in the European and Middle Eastern Military Satellite Communications market, including undersupply in commercial markets and progress on alternate frequencies such as X-, Ka- and S-band. Speakers will touch on end user requirements such as the surge in requirements for UAV satellite datalinks and Comms on the Move and Pause for Ground Forces.

Mobile Satellite Services have played a leading role in the response to disasters both in the US and overseas. The FCC has also cited the need for emergency backup communications provided by MSS as a key factor in justifying ATC authorizations and has even mandated the inclusion of satellite capability in terminals for the new 700MHz public-private partnership. European regulators have also highlighted the role that new 2GHz MSS networks could play in emergency response. This panel will examine the requirements of first responders and what MSS providers must do to expand this market in the future.