Europe
Arianespace, EchoStar Collaborate for Multi-Year Satellite Launches
EchoStar and Arianespace will collaborate to launch several new satellites from the French Guiana spaceport over a multi-year period, providing EchoStar with launch capacity and flexibility for its satellite program.
According to EchoStar Satellite Services president Anders Johnson, the collaboration between the EchoStar subsidiary Hughes and Arianespace to successfully launch the EchoStar XVII satellite inspired EchoStar’s confidence in Arianespace’s future launch ability. EchoStar aims to rely on the Ariane 5 flight-proven launch system in its upcoming expansion programs.
SES Participates in ESA’s ARTES Initiative
SES has signed an agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA), including SES Broadband Services to offer participants in the ESA’s ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) with broadband services.
The ARTES initiative is designed to promote the use of satellites in such functions as broadcasting, multimedia and mobile communications, data relay, search and rescue, and aviation services to increase competition among European industry players.
Quake, SkyWave Enter Russian M2M Market
Asset-tracking satellite modem manufacturer Quake Global and SkyWave Mobile Communications have introduced a Q-Pro M2M modem solution designed to operate on the Russian Federation’s Inmarsat satellite network.
SkyWave was recently awarded regulatory authorization to distribute the IsatData Pro services in Russia.
Viasat Broadcasting Hosts New Channels On Cyfrowy Polsat Platform
Viasat Broadcasting has signed a deal with Cyfrowy Polsat, which will see it broadcast three of its channels on the Polish media group’s network across Poland.
Starting last month, Viasat’s Explorer, History and Nature factual pay-TV channels were made available on Cyfrowy Polsat’s DTH satellite platform and will start to carry advertisements sold by Polsat Media on Jan. 1, 2013. In early 2013, the three channels will be co-branded in the Polish market.