Focus: Telecom

[Satellite Today 08-01-08] DISH Network Corporation announced that they will be the first in the industry to offer high definition programming in 1080p.     This new functionality includes the rollout of TurboHD, an all-HD suite of programming packages. DISH Network’s new high definition services are supported by a proprietary system upgrade that, starting August 1,...

[Satellite Today 08-01-08] SES Astra announced it has signed a new capacity deal with a Lithuanian satellite services provider via its Nordic affiliate, SES Sirius. SatGate has signed a deal with SES Astra for four transponders on its new orbital position at 31.5° East.     SatGate is using the capacity to provide broadband and Internet...

[Satellite Today 08-01-08] Comtech EF Data announced that it has joined with Radyne’s satellite earth station business.     The company said the joining of the two companies will expanded the combined product portfolio and increase the range of bandwidth infrastructure products in the satellite communications industry. Engineering groups from both companies also plan to unite...

Mary Cotton cannot be accused of thinking small, which makes her the perfect fit to head VT iDirect Inc. Cotton joined iDirect as CEO in September 2007 bringing more than 18 years of experience in helping technology companies turn their expertise into revenue. Prior to taking over iDirect, Cotton served as senior vice president with...

In June, Kazakhstan’s National Space Agency, KazCosmos, announced that it had lost contact with the nation’s first communications satellite, Kazsat 1. News coverage of this event to date has been minimal at best. Built by Moscow-based Khrunichev Space Center and launched in mid-2006, the 850-kilogram Ku-band satellite carried an estimated price tag of $65 million...

Some interesting parallels exist in the evolution of the computer and satellite industries. Both initially were dominated by big metal, with mainframes housing the financial records of large corporations and large satellites ruling the sky. But mainframes lost their grip as they proved difficult to program for advanced applications or simply were too expensive for...

[Satellite News 07-31-08] Korean Digital Satellite Broadcasting (SkyLife) expects to have 220,000 subscribers for its high-definition (HD) services by the end of the year, the company’s CTO said.     The direct-to-home (DTH) operator, one of the biggest in Asia, launched its SkyLifeHD offering in April with 20 channels and expects to expand that to 55...

[Satellite Today 07-31-08] Dave Krueger will replace Jacinto Palacios as the CEO of Ondas Media, the company announced July 31. Krueger has been responsible for securing Ondas Media’s agreement to install satellite radio receivers in the Nissan and Infiniti vehicles across Europe.     Palacios will stay with the company in a consulting capacity.     Simultaneously,...

[Satellite Today 07-31-08] EMS Technologies signed a definitive agreement to acquire Sky Connect LLC for about $15.5 million, EMS announced July 31.     Sky Connect, founded in 2003, provides Iridium-based combined tracking and voice systems for general aviation, with certified systems flying on more than 2,000 aircraft. Sky Connect focuses on the helicopter market supporting...

[Satellite Today 07-31-08] Eutelsat Communications generated overall revenues of 877.8 million euros ($1.4 billion) in the last 12 months of operations, the company announced July 31. This represents a 6 percent increase over revenues of 829.1 million euros ($1.3 billion) in the year that closed June 2007.     Video applications generated revenue of 649.4 million...