The satellite industry needs to make significant changes to heighten its future competitiveness, warned Hugh Panero, XM Satellite Radio‘s [Nasdaq: XMSR] president and CEO.

The industry should dedicate itself to improving its profitability, in-orbit satellite reliability and business plan execution, Panero said during his address Thursday to SATELLITE 2003 being held in Washington, D.C. Panero was accepting PBI Media’s “Satellite Executive of Year” award.

A newcomer to the satellite industry, Panero said he views satellite communications not as an industry unto itself but as an enabling technology for telecommunications services, direct broadcast satellite (DBS) services, satellite radio and mobile communications.

For in-depth coverage of SATELLITE 2003, check out the March 3 issue of SATELLITE NEWS. For information on subscribing, go to our website at https://www.satellitetoday.com.