Focus: Telecom

[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...

In these difficult economic times, U.S. federal and state governments are looking for alternatives to cut costs of living for citizens. While the concept of upgraded infrastructure has long meant building more bridges and roads, political parties are focusing on a new area — broadband and communications infrastructure. Technology, it seems, is being explored as...

[Satellite Today 07-30-08] Mobile Broadcasting Corp., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corp., will stop mobile digital satellite broadcasting services at the end of March, the company announced July 29.     Mobile Broadcasting launched mobile S-band services in October 2004 under the brand name Mobaho. The service provided eight video channels, 30 audio channels and data information...

[Satellite Today 07-30-08] Thales has seen strong growth in its space business with various new orders fuelling strong revenue growth, the company said July 29.     Revenues from its aerospace and space division increased 12 percent in the first half of 2008 to 1.8 billion euros ($2.8 billion), with the space business accounting for 25...

[Satellite Today 07-30-08] Optus signed a deal with Thuraya which will enable Optus to provide better mobile services to customers in rural and remote parts of Australia, the company said July 30.     Optus will sell two of Thuraya’s new mobile handsets — a satellite only version and a GSM/satellite dual-mode handset — through Optus...

[Satellite Today 07-29-08] Comarch has released an IPTV solution for direct-to-home (DTH) operators that will enable users to offer interactive TV services over a telecom infrastructure, the company announced July 29.     Using Comarch’s solution, DTH and telecom operators can offer IPTV together with information services, online shopping and other TV services based on interactivity...

[Satellite Today 07-29-07] CET Teleport has acquired a teleport in Germany, the company announced July 29.     CET acquired the interest of Stratos GmbH in the former Deutsche Telecom teleport located near Hameln. The facility was built by Deutsche Telekom in 1987 and has been used for broadcast satellite and VSAT services. The teleport has...

[Satellite Today 07-29-07] XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio have completed their merger, the two companies announced July 29.     The combined company will be named Sirius XM Radio Inc. XM shareholders will receive 4.6 shares of Sirius common stock for each share of XM, and the new company will be traded under the...

[Satellite Today 07-28-08] Spacenet Inc. has achieved Service Provider Level I Payment Card Industry Data Security (PCI DSS) compliance for its VSAT satellite and managed wireline services, the company announced July 28.     PCI DSS is a required worldwide data security standard that ensures merchants meet minimum levels of security when storing, transmitting or processing...