Focus: Telecom

ViewSat has chosen to extend its partnership with Intelsat by using the Intelsat 20 satellite (IS20) to support growth in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Regional FSS operators are becoming more ambitious as they look to keep pace with the big global players such as Intelsat, SES and Eutelsat. In the July edition of Via Satellite, we talk to a number of regional FSS CTOs about how they are investing in new technology to keep their satellite plans on track.

The FCC issued an order June 6 enabling NextNav to begin commercial operation of its advanced positioning network, which is designed to support 911 emergency first responders.

MACOM Technology Solutions introduced a new broadband sub-harmonic pumped mixer for cost-sensitive applications covering the 14 to 32 GHz frequency range and IF frequencies from DC-7 GHz.

Thales Alenia Space has announced the successful liftoff of the European Space Agency’s fourth Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), named after famous scientist Albert Einstein.

Telespazio Brasil is one of the main satellite players in Brazil looking to take advantage of the many opportunities in the market. Marzio Laurenti, the company’s CEO says he expects the Telespazio Brasil’s growth to come from three specific market segments

Northrop Grumman has developed a new gallium nitride (GaN) flange packaged power amplifier designed for military and commercial Ka-band communication applications.

Global MSS provider Applied Satellite Technology (AST) has announced that Sandy Johnson, former COO of Satcom Global, will join the company to assist in business development and strategy.

Eutelsat Germany is expanding its KabelKiosk service with the unveiling of a TV product for local and regional IP and cable network operators in Germany.

Cobham, a RF specialist has announced the signing of Beijing-based Century Sage Scientific (CSS) as its new distributor in the region.

The birth of Skyware Technologies on May 23 will create the potential for better industry focus.

Intelsat has a bright economic future despite a recent report that points to modest near-term growth prospects and elevated government demand risk.

Geolink Satellite Services, part of CETel Group, has signed a capacity renewal agreement with Telesat to provide satellite connectivity across Africa and Europe.

SES announced that the SES 6 satellite roared into space aboard an ILS Proton Breeze M launch vehicle June 3 at 5:38 p.m. EDT. After a 15-hour, 31-minute mission, the Breeze M upper stage of the Proton rocket successfully released the SES-6 satellite directly into geostationary transfer orbit.

SkyVision Global Networks, a global provider of IP connectivity over satellite and fiber optic systems, announced the upcoming launch of its new corporate voice, data and video services at NOGTech 2013, Nigeria’s fourth annual oil and gas technology exhibition and conference.

Israel-based Gilat Satellite Networks announced it has been selected by one of the largest Southeast Asian telecommunication operators to provide satellite-based broadband Internet connectivity to 2,500 schools

Hughes Network Systems has announced the availability of a new emergency services package as the 2013 hurricane season begins. Services include satellite network solutions for emergency preparedness, restoral, and post-event response

Global mobile data traffic expanded to 69 percent in 2012 and is anticipated to grow to 72 percent in 2013 to reach 23,000 Petabytes.

Global satellite operator Telesat has announced that Axesat, a provider of VSAT services in South America, has signed a long-term contract for capacity on Telesat’s new Anik G1 satellite.

Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) is one of the most talked about operators on the planet, and has been on an aggressive growth curve. The company sees Africa as an important part of the equation as it looks to diversify its revenue base. In April this year, ABS appointed Felix Damiba, as its new managing director for Africa.

DISH has updated its recently released set-top application, which now delivers on-screen social content relevant to the show or channel a viewer is watching.

Within five years, North America is expected to lose its status as the number one region for in-flight entertainment (IFE) content to the rapidly expanding Asia-Pacific region.

Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel), one of Southeast Asia’s largest telecom companies, has started the sale of Optus Satellite, its Australian satellite unit, seeking more than AU$2 billion ($1.9 billion). SingTel Seeks to Sell Optus Satellite for $2 Billion

International Launch Services (ILS) recently announced that communications satellite SES-6 will be launched on June 3, 2013 at 5:18 p.m. EDT from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan.

International Datacasting Corporation (IDC) has announced that its new President and CEO Doug Lowther has been appointed to the corporation’s board of directors.

Intel, the world’s largest semiconductor chipmaker, has signed an agreement with ST-Ericsson that extends Intel’s investment in positioning technology.

TrustComm, a provider of secure COMSATCOM solutions to government agencies, has announced significant enhancements to its satellite emergency operations network (SEON) solution for emergency responders. The enhancements include new and flexible purchase options, and expanded network configurations.

Thuraya Telecommunications has become the newest member of the Space Data Association (SDA), a non-profit association that brings together international satellite operators to share critical data and best practices vital to the safety and integrity of the space environment and the radio frequency (RF) spectrum.

SAVIS Tegnologia has selected Advantech Wireless to provide a geographically redundant military satellite communication network system for SISFRON, the largest border security program in Latin America.

Airlines are set to spend $900 million on in-flight entertainment (IFE) content by 2018, up from $660 million in 2012, according to a newly released report from IMS Research.