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The gurus of satellite-enabled communications are always in pursuit of “the next big thing.” What can satellite do better than its competitors? How can this solution stay fresh and front of mind? How do we keep it growing? Where will innovation come from and how will we fund it?
Mobile satellite services – MSS – are a modern-day success story that continues to build momentum. But the road ahead is filled with potential potholes and business roadblocks. It will take knowledge and creativity to keep this evolving engine of commerce finely tuned.
Listen to Mobile Satellite Users Association president Tim Farrar: “Next year is set to be a critical period for the MSS sector,” he cautions. “Recent problems in the financial markets point to a tougher climate for new satellite ventures, especially those who still need to substantial funding. Will it be a year of consolidation?”
Farrar then poses the monster: “It seems increasingly likely that in 2008 we will discover who amongst the new entrants has a business plan that is viewed as sustainable by the investment community.” And, he notes, “We will definitely see the first of these new satellites launched into orbit.”
Farrar, Northern Sky Research founder Chris Baugh, and other experts have put together a comprehensive schedule of SATELLITE 2008 roundtables to keynote the challenges facing MSS in coming years. From the Satellite Ground Segment CEO Session on Tuesday, February 26, to the hallmark MSS Industry Leaders Stake Their Claims general session on Wednesday, February 27, SATELLITE 2008 has MSS covered. Complementing panels include Comms on the Move, ATC: The Magic Bullet?, Delivering Broadband Anywhere: The Next Generation of MSS, Mobile TV, Satellites Serving the Public Interest, and other core offerings.
Satellite in 50 years has grown from a Space Age phenomena worthy of front page headlines to an everyday occurrence. Everyone uses it, and everyone is dependent on it, at least to a degree. And everyone is looking for the next big thing.
Improve your odds of being in on the moment of discovery. Register now for SATELLITE 2008: The Sixth Decade and join your colleagues and competitors for the most effective, most compelling, and most important week of your business year.
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SATELLITE SWOT: Challenges and Opportunities for Satellite-Enabled Communications
Most industry observers today agree that the outlook for satellite-enabled communications has brightened over the past few years. Industry old-timers counter that the global satellite marketplace has seen its share of business cycles and technology threats. How will satellite define a competitive edge against aggressive terrestrial alternatives? Where will the impulse and the funding come from to keep space-based solutions from increasingly becoming niche solutions? What impact will the continuing emergence of potential global players from China, India, Brazil and other countries have on established businesses? And, finally, what will be the "next big thing" that sustains momentum for satellite-enabled connectivity solutions throughout The Sixth Decade?
Moderator:
Jason Bates, Editor, Access Intelligence, LLC, Satellite Group
Speakers:
Denis Curtin, COO, XTAR
Stuart Daughtridge, EVP, Commercial Division, Integral Systems
Moorthy Hariharan, CTO, VSAT Networks Group, ViaSat
Keith Volkert, CEO, SCI
See the entire SATELLITE 2008 Conference Program here.
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 New for 2008 - SATELLITE 2008 Exhibitor Education Session!
SATELLITE 2008 has partnered with GSA Schedules, Inc., experts in GSA Schedule Contracting for more than 25 years, to give your company a clear advantage in the extremely competitive government marketplace. This interactive panel session will be led by Lynn de Seve, President of GSA Schedules, Inc.
This session will cover:
- How to get on a GSA contract
- Benefits of the GSA program
- Setting up dealers under the GSA program
- Learn about GSA e-Tools
- New rules for services on GSA schedule contracts
- Current GSA contracts calling for satellite-enabled communications
A brief question and answer session will follow the presentation. This session is free and is open to the staff from all exhibiting companies. You can register for the session via the SATELLITE 2008 exhibitor registration system.
The SATELLITE 2008 Press Room is the one-stop shop for the latest news, product launches and trends in satellite-enabled communications. Here’s just one of the recent headlines:
Company expands management team with industry veteran from NDS
UDcast, a leading provider of IP over broadcast and satellite, announced today that David Richardson has joined the company as vice president of corporate and business development. Mr. Richardson has more than 20 years of broadcasting and media industry experience and was previously the Director of Business Development for NDS in North America. He will be based in the UDcast’s Headquarters in Sophia-Antipolis, France. Read the entire press release.
See all the SATELLITE 2008 Exhibitor Press Releases.
The SATELLITE Conference and Exhibition provides our international participants an excellent venue for networking with(1).jpeg) prospective business partners, as well as maintain a current awareness of the issues and opportunities facing the global satellite-enabled communications marketplace. SATELLITE 2008 is a proud member of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Buyer Program.
The exhibition will feature a Center for Global Commerce to help international delegates with their important exporting and purchasing needs. In addition, SATELLITE 2008 will participate in the U.S. Department of Commerce's matchmaking service, which will match our pre-screened international buyers directly to the largest and best global satellite service providers!
Learn more about the International Buyer Program here.
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C-Band Webinar Series – Now Available on Demand!
1 – How Serious is the Threat to Satellite’s C-band Spectrum?
2 – What Steps can the Industry take as WRC-07 gets Underway?
3 – What should the Satellite Industry do in the Aftermath of the Decision made by WRC-07?
Satellite operators use C-band to provide essential services such as TV transmissions, distance learning, telemedicine and disaster recovery, and in some countries C-band spectrum serves as the core communications network.
Hear from WRC delegates about how the satellite industry defended its use of C-band spectrum, how it prepared for this spectrum fight and the prospect of future spectrum fights.
Sign-up today for this three part webinar series!
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Iridium Provides Equipment, Service To ITU Disaster Management Program
Iridium Satellite will contribute equipment and airtime services to the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) worldwide disaster management program, Iridium announced Dec. 13.
ITU has developed a disaster management program to deliver and deploy telecommunications resources to countries, humanitarian organizations and victims of disasters in a timely manner.
"In the last several years, Hurricane Katrina and the Southeast Asia tsunami taught us that in emergency response missions the availability of rapid communications has the power to diminish loss of life in some of the most needy and desperate situations on earth," Matt Desch, chairman and CEO of Iridium, said in a statement. "Through this agreement, ITU will provide first responders with reliable Iridium voice and data services so that they can more effectively help a greater number of people in the early days of an emergency. As a critical lifeline and vital public utility, the Iridium network operates independently of terrestrial infrastructure. This puts us in an excellent position to aid first responders wherever disaster strikes."
CIP Canada Completes Stratos Acquisition
CIP Canada Investments Inc. has completed its acquisition of Stratos Global Corp., Stratos announced Dec. 11.
The transaction, including the assumption of net debt, is valued at 642 million Canadian dollars ($636 million). Inmarsat will lend CIP Canada, an investment firm focused on satellite companies, 250 million Canadian dollars ($250.4 million). with Inmarsat to hold an option to buy Stratos in 2009.
"We are extremely pleased with the completion of the acquisition," said Charles Bissegger, Stratos' Chairman of the Board of Directors. "We believe the acquisition of Stratos by CIP Canada is in the best interest of our shareholders, customers, partners, and employees."
Boeing Wins Ares 1 Avionics Contract
Boeing Co. has been awarded a $265 million contract by NASA to produce the avionics for the Ares 1, Boeing announced Dec. 12.
The instrument unit avionics will provide the guidance, navigation and control hardware for the crew launch vehicle. Boeing will produce three flight test units and six production units, with an option to produce four additional units per year from 2014 to 2016.
The Ares I will launch the Orion crew exploration vehicle, which will join other elements of NASA's Constellation program to propel astronauts to the moon by 2020.
"We will apply proven practices and expertise from several Boeing programs, including EA-18G Growler, Future Combat Systems and Ground-based Midcourse Defense, among others,” Roger Krone, president of Boeing Network and Space Systems, said in a statement.
Boeing was selected as the Ares 1 upper stage production contractor in August.
MSV Introduces Telephone Interface
Mobile Satellite Ventures is rolling out its new telephone interface, the company announced Dec. 12.
The MSAT-PSTN Telephone Interface is designed to enhance satellite calling over the MSV network interlinked to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The interface enables users to access MSV voice and push-to-talk service functions through their home or business analog telephones as well as providing traditional dialing capabilities and allowing users to remotely make and receive calls.
Compatible with most commercial off-the-shelf analog phones, the interface is about the size of a paperback book and weighs only 8 ounces (226 grams). The equipment is available through MSV and its network of value added distributors throughout North America.
Saab Evaluating Interest in Space Segment Acquisition
Saab is examining whether or not other companies are interested in acquiring Saab Space AB, Saab announced Dec. 11.
Saab Space manufactures digital and microwave electronics and antennas for satellite manufacturers and also supplies payload adapters, separation systems and guidance systems for launch providers.
Saab, who does not consider this part of its core business, is looking at selling the unit as the space industry undergoes a period of consolidation, Saab said in a statement. Contact has been made with possible buyers, and any sale will take place in the 2008 first quarter of 2008, the company said.
Northrop Grumman Receives Air Force Contract For Reusable Launch Vehicle Work
Northrop Grumman Corp. received a contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to develop and demonstrate technologies for a future reusable launch vehicle, Northrop Grumman announced Dec. 10.
The contract, valued $5.2 million, will support the Lab’s Future Responsive Access to Space Technologies (FAST) program, an initiative aimed at helping mature the technologies required for future launch vehicles that could place payloads into orbit within hours of identifying new mission requirements. The contract runs for 39 months.
Northrop Grumman will conduct experiments and simulations to validate the activities of a future operations control center and ground activities required for responsive space operations. The ground experiments will focus on flight operations, mission operations, command and control, vehicle processing, and vehicle ground maintenance.
Northrop Grumman also was awarded a contract Dec. 3 to develop reusable launch systems for the same program.
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