Executive Outlook

Throughout the developing and developed regions around the globe, the need for specialized satellite-enabled communication platforms is on the rise. Specific network criteria is diversified by the client served, but all require advanced equipment and services. Therefore, we asked some of the industry’s top executives the following question:

"What will satellite players need to do in terms of technology and service offerings to remain at the forefront of the evolving communications networks landscape?"

Advantech AMT

David Gelerman/Chairman & CEO

Satellite players will need to offer solutions and products which optimize the use of satellite resource, satellite being the most expensive communications medium. To accomplish that, they will need to leverage advantages of satellite technology such as ubiquitous coverage and through technology innovation minimize the end user’s operating expenses whilst keeping capital cost of the equipment under control.

ATCi

Gary Hatch/CEO

The most important thing that we can do is provide true value – satellite carriage is very expensive, so using efficient modulation and compression technologies is what produces the most cost-effective business models. Moreover, as an industry, we need to cooperatively work together to ensure that satellite communication offerings will always be considered for voice, data, video and audio applications.

AvL Technologies

Jim Oliver/President & CEO

To keep up with communications customers’ expectations, technology and service providers cannot rest on our achievements thus far. Hardware needs to be smaller, portable and more durable. Software needs to be faster and easier to use, and service contracts need to be more flexible and less costly.

Comtech EF Data

Daniel Enns/Senior Vice President Strategic Marketing & Business Development

Demand for capacity is straining bandwidth supply. While launches are imminent, the growth of government and commercial applications over satellite requires immediate solutions. To counter the capacity challenge, advanced FEC, higher order modulation and bandwidth compression, such as DoubleTalk Carrier-in-Carrier®, must be employed. These technologies will optimize transponder bandwidth/power, enable use of smaller BUCs/HPAs/antennas, and facilitate operating expense and capital expenditure savings.

Globecomm Systems

David Hershberg/CEO

First of all, do not underestimate the importance of IP convergence and a more robust band Internet. Providing equipment and services and ability to deliver Internet anywhere at reasonable price will be the key to providing modern VPN and all types of media, including high-definition television. The use of satellite for military will expand including satcom on the move, utilizing the new WGS system utilizing Ka- and X-band.

Hughes Network Systems

Pradman Kaul/Chairman & CEO

Satellite communications companies must anticipate their customers’ requirements and work with them closely to implement solutions that enhance their competitive advantage. For Hughes, this means developing leading – edge broadband networks and services with maximum benefits in our customers’ markets, growing as their businesses grow and being a trusted partner today and into the future.

iDirect Technologies

Mary Cotton/CEO

Service providers must advance in two directions: vertically and horizontally. For markets like maritime, you can no longer compete on basics. You need specialized capabilities such as mobile network management that solve challenges particular to that industry. And to win a larger role in next-generation carrier networks, satellite technology must deliver distinct capabilities such as business continuity but also match the core features of terrestrial systems, ultimately maximizing efficiency and lowering overall operating costs.

ITS Electronics

Ilya Tchaplia/President

The satcom consumers — commercial, military and safety — need to be more mobile. They demand more and more voice, data and video information — bandwidth — while being mobile. This is the driving force. As technology leaders and equipment manufacturers, we must be able to supply on demand competitive, small, light and power-efficient equipment and deliver more information faster and reliably in a mobile and, ultimately, in a handheld and man-portable environment.

MCL Inc. (A MITEQ Co.)

Frank Morgan/ Vice President, International Sales And Marketing

There is ample evidence that, with the exception of military applications, satellite-based technology is threatened by increasing deployment of fiber networks and the increased complexity of being able to offer multi-application service packages that offer consumers voice, internet, media, etc. from a single-point provider. There needs to be increased cooperation, along with technology advances to reduce operating costs, among the various satellite-related organizations to be as competitively efficient as possible.

MITEQ

Howard Hausman/President

To stay in the forefront of any industry, especially communications, a company must be flexible with enough technology depth to support that flexibility. MITEQ is made up of multiple independent groups, each developing leading edge microwave components e.g.; low noise amplifiers, low phase noise synthesizers, high dynamic range mixers, low loss switches, etc. These devices are integrated into our satellite earth station subsystems, providing the most advanced products for the communication industry. New more advanced microwave components are being developed continuously and are ready for the next generation of satellite communication system requirements.

Proactive Communications Inc.

Marc LeGare/CEO

PCI will continue to create multifunctional communications nodes connected by satellite and hybrid networks to other fringe offices and corporate headquarters. Customers really value an end-to-end communications solution versus a frequency plan.

ViaSat

Mark Dankberg/Chairman & CEO

Strong demand for a new class of service, driven by cost-effective bandwidth, has been proven by the dramatic growth in Ka-band satellite broadband access in North America. Extremely high capacity satellites, such as ViaSat-1 and Eutelsat Ka-Sat, bring new economics to the satellite industry and open vast new markets that are simply not accessible with more conventional satellites.