VIA SATELLITE: Is the rate of growth in the HD market meeting your expectations?
McGlade: I am a believer that all major programming will move to HD over time. I am encouraged because I am seeing growth of HD in other regions such as in Latin America and in the Asia-Pacific countries. The epicenter that started in Japan and continued to Europe is now spreading around the globe. To maximize the return on HD content, programmers should strive to select transmission services with maximum flexibility, efficiency and above all, quality. When HD programming can be instantly delivered to a global footprint, distribution opportunities are limitless, increasing returns — and viewer loyalty — worldwide.
VIA SATELLITE: What is the future of IP and satellite?
McGlade: I am a huge believer in open standards. My view is if you standardize technology and how it is delivered, you then create a bigger market place, you bring down cost all while increasing quality. IP is a vehicle for that. We look at IP from all angles — from the government angle with the router in space, IPTV, broadband and Voice Over IP. Internet Protocol is the natural enabler to have cost-effective content for video, voice and data and to bring those things together. I think that trend will grow.
VIA SATELLITE: What will the fixed satellite services industry look like in several years?
McGlade: I believe it will be more recognized as a source of global communications infrastructure. Our technology will be core to mobility applications and our inherent broadcast capabilities, along with HD proliferation, will propel new entertainment standards. The satellite industry is a very exciting place to be.
VIA SATELLITE: What was your view of the industry when you took over Intelsat and what imprint did you want to put on the industry?
McGlade: Historically, this industry has been run by engineers with great technical expertise. Today, you are seeing leadership coming from those holding more business expertise. So I saw an opportunity to introduce a more customer-centric view into the business when I entered this industry. I like to start with the customer and work backwards as I build the business. What are the opportunities you have with those customers? How do you find ways to grow with them? It is still a work in progress, but the idea is to ensure that we have a motivated, highly skilled and diversified management team. It’s about a highly motivated team with clear objectives that provides the best solutions for the customer. I think we’ve done that, but there’s a lot more to do.
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