Focus: Telecom

[Satellite Today 10-01-08] Miteq Inc. has introduced a new addition to its family of waveguide low-noise amplifiers — the AMFW-8F-17702130-120-23P, the manufacturer announced Oct. 1.     The amplifier is a high-dynamic range Ka-band waveguide front end that is isolator protected at both the WR-42 waveguide input and semi-major access connector output.     The new model...

Mobile satellite service (MSS) providers based their original business plans on providing ubiquitous voice services to the masses when cell phone service was in its infancy. Investors poured billions into MSS operators based on the anticipated rollout of cellular infrastructure, projected modest uptake of cellular service outside the business community and the promise of heady...

[Satellite Today 10-01-08] The International Institute of Space Commerce (IISC) will officially open Oct. 4 at the International Business School on the Isle of Man, IISC announced Oct. 1.      The joint project between the International Space University (ISU) based in Strasbourg, France and the government of the Isle of Man will have three international...

Licensing satellite terminals remains a widely misunderstood topic often surrounded by confusion and myth. But it is not the maze it is made out to be. Since the licensing authority is not the same in all countries, different rules apply; but different rules should not automatically suggest added difficulty securing a license. Once a license...

[Satellite Today 10-01-08] Hughes Network Systems has rolled out a new broadband backup service plans for small- and medium-sized businesses, providing automatic satellite backup in the event of a landline failure, the company announced Oct. 1.     Two types of HughesNet Broadband Backup plans are available, depending on the type of primary landline service —...

Hurricane Gustav’s track through the Gulf of Mexico and across the U.S. Gulf Coast revived bad memories of Hurricane Katrina and the devastation it brought in 2005. Thankfully, Gustav inflicted much less damage than Katrina. Gustav also provided a test for updated preparation efforts instituted since Katrina, and residents and government officials demonstrated that they...

[Satellite Today 10-01-08] Spacenet has teamed with Globecomm to support Spacenet’s expansion of services to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Spacenet announced Oct. 1.      Spacenet will offer custom and pre-packaged satellite solutions for voice, video, and data communications exclusively for U.S.-based enterprise and government organizations with overseas operations. Spacenet also will design and...

[Satellite Today 10-01-08] International Datacasting Corp. (IDC), received a follow-on DVB-S2 order from an unnamed company, IDC announced Oct. 1.     IDC will provide SFX 3104-L model dual DVB-S2 tuners to support built-in redundancy and the ability to receive two unique broadcasts simultaneously as well as integrated Irdeto conditional access and decryption capabilities.     The...

[Satellite Today 10-01-08] WildBlue has selected DataPath Inc. to provide long-term operations and maintenance services to WildBlue’s Earth stations, the company announced Oct. 1.      DataPath’s technical services will support a network of 11 Ka-band gateway Earth stations at seven locations throughout the United States.      Under the terms of the agreement, DataPath field technicians...

Last month, we reviewed the preliminary "Master Contribution and Support" agreement by hedge fund Harbinger Capital Partners, which has invested broadly in the mobile satellite service (MSS) sector to acquire leading MSS operator Inmarsat. Harbinger already has a 28.8 percent stake in Inmarsat through portfolio company SkyTerra, the parent of MSS operator Mobile Satellite Ventures...